What Next?

kasanya started this discussion · 7/22/2009

Hi all, I seem to have reached that awkward stage where I've learned all kinds of spins, spin variations, and spin combos, but I don't have the strength yet to work on inverts. I've shifted my focus more towards strength and flexibility training for the time being, but it would be nice to have some actual pole dancing moves to work towards in the interim. (Can you tell I'm a heavily goal oriented person?) 😂 Any suggestions? Here's a quick run down of the things I can do (not including variations and transitions): Half Spin Fireman Spin Front Hook Spin Back Hook Spin Sunwheel Spin Reverse Sunwheel Spin Chair Spin Carousel Spin Cradle Spin Reverse Grab Spin Fan Kick Pole Climb Pole Sit And a few things I've tried but can't do yet because of horrible hip flexibility: Boomerang Spin Wrist Sit (Honestly, rocks would have more hip flexibility than I do... if they had hips). 🤔 Thanks!

15 replies

Trena · 7/22/2009
Here are some other spins you could work on kasanya: Reverse Chair Chair with one leg extended (not sure of the name of this one) Forward Falling Spin Backward Falling Spin Front Hook Extended (where you bring your outside leg out and around to meet your inside leg) Cradle Split (Cradle with your legs in a V) Just some suggestions... P.S. Sorry if the names are inaccurate!
SissyBuns · 7/22/2009
Here are some other spins you could work on kasanya: Reverse Chair Chair with one leg extended (not sure of the name of this one) Forward Falling Spin Backward Falling Spin Front Hook Extended (where you bring your outside leg out and around to meet your inside leg) Cradle Split (Cradle with your legs in a V) Just some suggestions... try Standing fireman too!
Charley · 7/22/2009
No worries, we will work on some things Friday!!!! The wrist sit doesn't really require much flexibility (If I can do it anyone can - I am the most unflexible person in the world!)
Veena · 7/22/2009
You can work on spin combos and if you know how, pole climbs are a fantastic way to build upper body strength for inverting. Enjoy the moves you know and work on putting them together in a dance, with floor work and transition. Pole is not all about the invert. 😀 Now that you have some spins under your belt dance, dance 🤓
kasanya · 7/22/2009
No worries, we will work on some things Friday!!!! The wrist sit doesn't really require much flexibility (If I can do it anyone can - I am the most unflexible person in the world!) Well, if nothing else, at least you've got a heads up now on where I'm at skill-wise! 😂 Trena, I've never heard of the forward and backward falling spins. Can you describe them or point me towards vids that have them? Also, for the reverse chair, is there a way of getting in to that spin on its own? I've only ever seen it done as a combo... usually forward chair to backwards chair. Haven't quite gotten that combo down yet. Cradle with V legs... grrr... Anything involving V legs I just can't seem to manage. I even have trouble just sitting on the floor with my legs in a V. 😈 🙁 All the other spin variations mentioned so far I've got down already. 👍 Veena, I know it's not a race to get to the inverted poses. If it was, I'd be jumping in there doing them already!! I know a lot of the stuff I've learned already still needs some polishing, but I like to have one or two new things to work towards as part of my practice sessions so I don't feel like I'm standing still progress-wise. Are there maybe any non-inverted static poses I could start working on? Thanks for all the feedback so far!! 🥂
kasanya · 7/22/2009
I suspect part of the reason I'm feeling a bit like I'm stagnating is because of how ridiculously goal-oriented I am. "Making combo X better" is a far less tangible goal than "getting into the superman". (No, I'm not working on the superman... lol... I know I'm not ready yet!) Darn overactive Type A tendencies. 💣
Charley · 7/22/2009
What about working on 3 spins in a combo? Climbing and different types of climbing? X knee Release, X ankle release? Forearm stand, head stand, handstand? Even learning to work your spins on a pole in spin mode will build a lot of strength, help with fluidity and build core muscles and it's a whole new ball game! 😁 😬
RoxyPink · 7/22/2009
Also be sure to be doing your spins on both sides....you will be amazed at home much stronger you become just from doing spins in the opposite direction. Climbs are great for upperbody strength and stamina. If you have the pole sit down..they you could work on other poses from the pole sit. Cross knee release is a good one...I recommend starting that one from the floor though. What about fan kicks, sm prances (great for the triceps and abs), handstands/elbowstands? There are a TON of moves you can do with out inverting!
yogabeachbabe · 7/22/2009
I think I'm on the same page as Roxy: pole sits, climbs, releases ( x knee, prone, etc), headstands and handstands (both forward and reverse). With the reverse handstand you can practice a supported inverted crucifix without even going into an invert. Or how about floorwork?
kasanya · 7/22/2009
Cool, lots of good suggestions for me to work with here! 👍 👍 👍 Roxy-Pink, can you describe the "sm prance" for me? I'm guessing "sm" is shoulder mount?? Thanks. 😀
Charley · 7/26/2009
😀 I had a wonderful time meeting you!!! I hope it's okay that I update everyone with your progress. But I was so proud of you, You're not very far away from the X knee (can do it well from the floor) and you are inverting from the floor - so a full invert is not too far away either. Oh and I have to say how impressed I was that you brought a spotter with you to learn how to spot you properly and safely!!!!!!!!!!!!! Next time I hope you can stay longer. It was really nice meeting you and I didn't realize how many other things we had in common.
kasanya · 7/29/2009
Hi Charley! I don't mind you updating everybody at all. (Sorry it's taken me a few days to respond, I've been running like crazy trying to get caught up with everything since I got back home.) So, the story here is that I actually went down to Detroit for the Pole Fit workshop Charley advertised here a while back. But it got cancelled! 🙁 So I ended up just hanging out with Charley and getting a private lesson instead! 😀 It went really well. She was able to help me out a lot with various grips, she showed me some new spins and combos, and we worked on some basic static poses (ie. wrist sit) and inverts from the ground. We really covered a lot of ground in one lesson! As for bringing a spotter with me, well, I'm nothing if not practical... I figured there wasn't much point leaving the roommate at the hotel when he could be learning how to be more useful around the house! 😂 Hopefully he doesn't think to renegotiate who has to do what household chores now that he's got an additional duty. 😉 It was great meeting you too, Charley, and I'm totally bummed I wasn't able to stay longer. Maybe next time! On the upside though, the Toronto Burlesque Festival was pretty darn cool too. I'm glad I was able to make it to part of that. I managed to take a couple workshops with Kitten deVille, Sophie Luxton, and Jo Weldon--all of which were awesome--and saw Gravity Plays Favorites (and a bunch of other performers) live at one of the shows. I highly recommend the festival to anyone planning to be in the Toronto area next July! ☀️ 🥂 🌸
RoxyPink · 7/29/2009
sorry i over looked your question Kasanya!! sm is for shoulder mount and a sm prance is where you get into position as if you were going to do a sm but all you do is switch lift your legs...this really helps your abs and arms in preperation for the sm...hope this helps!
miss fern · 7/31/2009
Also, for the reverse chair, is there a way of getting in to that spin on its own? I've only ever seen it done as a combo... usually forward chair to backwards chair. Haven't quite gotten that combo down yet. What's the reverse chair?
kasanya · 7/31/2009
The audio's been disabled... booooo YouTube... but she does the chair -> reverse chair combo at 2:20 in this vid. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUmSA3CdLjQ