What moves are easy/hard for you?

Mindy4pole started this discussion · 9/24/2009

Here's something I've been thinking about... We all have unique anatomy and physiology, so some moves are easier than others. There was a girl in my class tonight who is just friggin AWESOME, but she couldn't do pole sits! It blew my mind. What "hard" moves came easy to you? Which "easy" ones were hard? For me: Easy: --Pole sits --Crossed knee release -- I could do this way before I could invert --Gemini Hard: --CHOPPER -- errr... they present it as easy in class, but it is still very hard for me. I actually got it a few times, tonight, though! --stationary V -- kills my wrist --cradle spin -- butterfly Mindy

21 replies

Charley · 9/24/2009
I encourage people to work on the x knee before inverting. You can practice this safer than an invert. Hard for me - the iguana mount holding a regular handspring - it's been difficult since doing the twisted grip split grip bow and arrow, pencil and lunchbox - lost this grip awhile back because I don't use it so much straight edge in elbow grip - it's very hit or miss for me rocketman - that still hurts EASY 😀 shouldermounts twisted grip handsprings climbing superman forearm grip everything
RoxyPink · 9/24/2009
Nice post!! Easy: elbow & split grip anything climb, sit, pose spin mode 🙂 cartwheel, handspring & tg mts knee hold aerial invert/aerial shouldermount Hard: forearm grips jade just about anything on my "bad side" slides (I know...that's sounds silly..) iguana (hit or miss....more hits recently.\) getting into figure head from superman(ahhh...I am determined to get this consistantly!!) I could easily list a ton in both groups...but that's all for now!!
SissyBuns · 9/24/2009
To me nothing was easy when I first tried it lol. So I'm going to list mine as hard being the stuff I just can't get right no matter how hard I try and Easy as stuff I picked up rather quickly 😀 Hard Gemini/scorpio Inverted Crucifix Caterpillar (I seem to get all discombobulated upside down) CKR from a head/hand stand Shoulder Mount Pole sit (Ouch!) Pretty much anything that involves squeezing with my thighs lol 😂 Easy All spins (That I've tried LOL) Butterfly (got that one on my first try) Inverting Pretty much anything that requires upper body strength, I have man shoulders LOL I'm sure I'll think of more later but this is what comes to mind now...
Clinky · 9/24/2009
Hard: Cross Ankle Release Boomerang Spin Concord Spin Chopper / Inverted V Butterfly (Pretty much anything flexibility based) Easy: Pole Sit CKR Gemini / Scorpio Inverted Hip Hold Superman Knee Hold Shoulder Mount
LittleC · 9/25/2009
Fun post! Easy: Pole sits CKR inverting Anything flexy Gemini/scorpio Pretty much all spins except...(see below) Hard: Evil cradle spin! spin mode CAR Chopper Caterpillar Shoulder mount
miss fern · 9/25/2009
I found cradle SOO HARD! I could do inverted teddy/hip hold, reverse grab/pretzel and bow and arrow long before I could do cradle! And I'm still very average at it! (I have scarred my thighs from 'falling' out of the crable pose so many times and cutting my my leg on my the nails on my bottom hand!)
sima · 9/25/2009
lol this is so true, moves are so different person to person! i can climb upside down, do gemini to scorpio (or vice versa i'm not sure which is which) switch, butterfly, all of those no problem, AND on spin mode too! but i can't chopper!!! not for the life of me! lol i have been working my abs extra hard in the gym to try to get it!
Tine007 · 9/25/2009
but i can't chopper!!! not for the life of me! lol i have been working my abs extra hard in the gym to try to get it! Hi sima, Just a thought, take with caution, 'cause I can't even invert yet 😳 My yoga brain is wondering how flexible your hamstrings and adductors are. If you can invert fine, that sounds like your abs are doing OK. But if your legs won't fold over all the way your center of gravity might be away from the pole?! 🤔 🤔 🤔 For me, I'm beginner, so there isn't much yet (no inverts)... ➡️ Easy: beginner spins "regular" grip (except see below) split grip V spin (left side on top - my weaker ❗ ❓ ) head/forearm/handstand and backbends (I'm a yoga addict... so much easier than *pulling* myself up, lol!!) transitions (I belly dance 🏛️ ) floorwork 🤸 ➡️ Hard: anything Chair (esp. on the right, which is my strong side 🤔 🤔 🤔 ) cradle (can do jump-tuck holds, but not spin) split grip right side on top (I think it's my wrist flexibility in the bottom hand) sit (still *hurts* like hell 🙄 )
loopielou · 9/25/2009
I seem to have got stuck recently with my pole so have got a load of old stuff that i find pretty easy now and then all the new hard stuff! 😀 Easy Most spins - only thing I find difficult is keeping going on a static pole for any length of time before I hit the floor Crucifix and Thigh Hold Butterfly and Extended Butterfly CKR and CAR Plank Superman Wrist Sit Climbing and Sitting and that one where you lean over (is it the dying swan or something like that ❓ ) Thigh Hold Jade - still working on the split in my legs but the position is ok Gemini and Scorpio - although these still kill after months of doing them! Flatline Scorpio Knee Hold - although it kills! Hard Reverse Grap Spin - why can't I get any spin on it?????? 😢 Any sort of handspring/cartwheel mount type thing - can't get my legs up (although I can go straight into butterfly - odd!) Aysha - only got my split grip a couple of times Elbow or Forearm grip - what's that all about!!??!! 😲 Marley That one where you sit on the pole sideways with your knees gripping - what's that called then? Iguana Mount Bow and Arrow with the normal grip behind your bum - can't get my bum over my hands - can do it with a different type of grip, but not this one. Have never tried anything with a twisted grip - was thinking of trying a butterfly with it to have a go in relative safety - is that possible? I don't know why I can't get the legs off ones yet - don't know if it's psychological or what, but always feel like I have no grip - think I just need to trust my hands more Anyhooooo, enough of me rambling on. Any tips gratefully received 😀
azzwoo · 9/25/2009
wierd how we all find different thing easy/ hard! Hard: 😨 Knee hold - being able to hold it for more than 2 secs iguana mount - I can do it, but not hold it for long Superman from side V Jade - and anything that requires hip flexibility Handspring Elbow grips as it usually gives me a compressed nerve Easy: 😀 Cartwheel mount TG Forearm grip Ext Butterfly Superman from inverted crucifix Sh mount spins Anything that requires back flexibility
Notradaya · 9/25/2009
Easy... back flexy things: rubber pencil/daryll hannah crescent moon layback gemeni fold over scorpio twisted grip aysha extended butterfly/DVD cover Hard... anything requiring hip flexibility: Pike handstand/headstand lift up mount (not kick up) boomerang spin (can't get legs to raise any more than parallel to the ground 🙁 air shouldermount - my nemesis knee hold the thing that looks like the brass monkey, but off the pole and from an aysha... don't know the name -great for a bendy back but my back is TOO bendy, i can't control it and it's dangerous !! pole splits since i've totally lost my flexibility 🙁 and for some reason just a simple air invert from up the pole has been very challenging for me all along, i can't do it very nicely, and it's not very pretty after i've had to do a couple 🙁
pole-twista · 9/25/2009
easy= reverse grab, scorpio, crossed ankle/knee release, butterfly, hook spins, craddle, 1 hand boomerang 😎 hard- shoulder mount, aysha, side climb, spinning chopper 🙄 working on learning - handspring, rubber pencil, igauna mount/extreme/pencil mount, straight edge 😲
amy · 9/25/2009
easy for me was spins-- reverse grab, body spiral, corkscrew, all of it! i've also had an easy time with the caterpillar climb and surprisingly, ayesha! i just tried it yesterday and i'm pretty happy with it (forearm grip)... i'm going to try elbow grip this weekend. hard for me has been the shouldermount and the helicopter. i can do a helicopter, from a climb, with straight legs, but it always feels awkward for me.
joni1 · 9/25/2009
Great Post. 🌸 Hard; 😠 Reverse Grab Knee hold Teddy bear Caterpillar climb Cartwheel mount into straight edge Splits Easy; 😛 Crossankle release Superman/ superman fall Air inverts Gemini/scorpio switch Front handspring into extended butterfly Split grip bow and arrow
jleigh · 9/25/2009
Here's my list: Easy: Shouldermount Gemini/Scorpio Switch Cross ankle or knee release Split Grip or Forearm Grip Aysha Hard: Corkscrew Knee Hold Superman Fall Elbow Grip Aysha Twisted Grip
Mindy4pole · 9/26/2009
I found cradle SOO HARD! I could do inverted teddy/hip hold, reverse grab/pretzel and bow and arrow long before I could do cradle! And I'm still very average at it! (I have scarred my thighs from 'falling' out of the crable pose so many times and cutting my my leg on my the nails on my bottom hand!) I was just talking to my teacher a couple of days ago about the way I figured out how to do cradle. This one hurt me a lot -- I had so many bruises from trying to do it! So -- I spent lots of time obsessing and figured out that the key for me was to focus on bending my body over, not lifting my body to my arms. It started working immediately after that. I hope that makes sense! Mindy
miss fern · 9/26/2009
Hard... anything requiring hip flexibility: boomerang spin (can't get legs to raise any more than parallel to the ground 🙁 Oh me too Notradaya! It's so disappointing! I wish I could lift them higher, but for my teddy bear/ boomerange all I can get is them sticking straight out like you. 🙁 It's hard to pinpoint the cause though coz that could be lower back flexibility issues (I have a very bendy upper back, but not lower, nearer where the hips are), or hip flexors or hamstrings. I have been stretching my hammies and hips for about a year now and still no improvement in that area! 😢
Charley · 9/26/2009
Hard... anything requiring hip flexibility: boomerang spin (can't get legs to raise any more than parallel to the ground 🙁 Oh me too Notradaya! It's so disappointing! I wish I could lift them higher, but for my teddy bear/ boomerange all I can get is them sticking straight out like you. 🙁 It's hard to pinpoint the cause though coz that could be lower back flexibility issues (I have a very bendy upper back, but not lower, nearer where the hips are), or hip flexors or hamstrings. I have been stretching my hammies and hips for about a year now and still no improvement in that area! 😢 I am much in the same boat and I am figuring it's part flexibility issue - the connective tissue in the flexor and abductor must be opened up and partly lack of abductor/flexor strength. I've been using a pilates band for resistance and doing range of motion exercises in hopes to build strength and eventually open up more. I also bought pilates blocks so I can sit in a lunge position for 10-20 minutes comfortably to open up the connective tissue. It's an idea I got from a yin yoga instructor. Yin focuses on longer deeper stretches to open the connective tissue as stretching elastic muscles is essential opening up the joints is also essential. SO the idea is to start in an easy stretch and hold that pose and over a longer amount of time allow you body to get comfortable and slowly fall deeper in the pose.
LittleC · 9/26/2009
Yin Yoga is a great call for hip opening - it focuses on opening the tougher connective tissues and ligaments, and you hold the poses for much longer. Muscles can be stretched using more "active" methods, but for connective tissue, long, still holds are the way to go. It requires a ton of patience but is highly effective - especially on tight hips! And it's nice to hear that I'm not the only one that has a tough time with cradle. 😉
miss fern · 9/26/2009
Yin Yoga is a great call for hip opening - it focuses on opening the tougher connective tissues and ligaments, and you hold the poses for much longer. Muscles can be stretched using more "active" methods, but for connective tissue, long, still holds are the way to go. It requires a ton of patience but is highly effective - especially on tight hips! It looks like hip flexibility is something lots of us are working on! So I made a new thread where we can discuss it in more detail: 😀 https://www.studioveena.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=1786
tialee · 9/27/2009
Here's something I've been thinking about... We all have unique anatomy and physiology, so some moves are easier than others. There was a girl in my class tonight who is just friggin AWESOME, but she couldn't do pole sits! It blew my mind. What "hard" moves came easy to you? Which "easy" ones were hard? For me: Easy: --Pole sits --Crossed knee release -- I could do this way before I could invert --Gemini Hard: --CHOPPER -- errr... they present it as easy in class, but it is still very hard for me. I actually got it a few times, tonight, though! --stationary V -- kills my wrist --cradle spin -- butterfly Mindy As for the cradle are you using your good hand? I was having problems but as soon as I used my weak hand on top and my strong hand on bottom I got it. I am currently working on the cartwheel move but I can't get my legs up straight no matter what I do 🙁