Why won't I let myself spin??

goldengirl87 started this discussion · 6/17/2010

So, I'm in a beginner pole class, and I am the WORST poledancer out there. I have no upperbody strength, but not only that I can't even do the fireman spin, or the modified fireman, the sunwheel, the wrist seat... I'm more frustrated about not being able to lift my feet and let go. What can I do? I think I'm frustrating the teacher because I'm sooo overthinking it. We're already on the fallback spin(?) and honestly, I just would like it know if there's ANYTHING I can do to get this?? Thanks in advance guys! 😢

5 replies

amy · 6/17/2010
everyone can pole dance. if you are frustrating yourself, have you thought about doing a private? or getting your own pole? or switching to another teacher who may be more supportive?
Clinky · 6/17/2010
Oh sweetie.... You are not the worst pole dancer out there. You're a NEW pole dancer. We all have our personal challenges, and fears, and inabilities when we start - and you will have plenty more once you resolve this one for yourself. You CAN do it, and you WILL do it. If your pole dancing instructor is indeed frustrated by your progress, she should be looking a little closer at how she is teaching the class. Has she taught climbing yet? Has she shown you any methods for increasing your strength between lessons? Is it a grip issue? Is it a fear issue? I teach beginner and intermediate classes, and I can tell you that I have had some challenging students. The trick is to build confidence, and to treat everyone as an individual case. And for the teacher, nothing builds confidence like getting that more difficult student past that first hurdle - and it usually is THAT student who will progress further than anyone else. I know you'll get there. 😀
Veena · 6/17/2010
The online lessons here start off new dancers with strength work first, then pole moves that build strength. THEN you get to spin....Don't feel bad at all! Spins are not easy...I don't teach them as beginner moves for this very reason. Give yourself some time and ask your instructor to give you some strength moves to help you. If you have a pole at home you could think about adding the lessons here to your work outs. Like I mentioned before I start you off with strength work and pole moves that develop your muscles so you can then work on more advanced spins and moves. 🥂
dustbunny · 6/18/2010
Don't let yourself get so frustrated, when I started last summer I had NO upper body strength and couldn't lift my feet up off the ground either! 😲 Most of us (except some of those with gymnastics/dance/previous weight training experiences) start out the same way. Just keep trying! 🙂 Once the muscles start to develop, you'll be amazed at how fast you can progress. Oh, and the wrist seat is not an easy move! It requires A LOT of grip strength, even after nearly a year of pole dancing, my wrist seat is only finally coming to a point where I can count on it! I used to be able to get into the position easily enough, but would just slide down the pole. Only lately has my grip been strong enough that I have been able to keep the height. You will get there, just don't give up. Don't get frustrated, just have fun, laugh at yourself a little. 😂 If you don't keep it fun, it will be hard to stick with it long enough to develop the strength required to get better! Oh and just so you know, once you do get past this hurdle (because we all know you will) there will be another one, and another one, and another one. 😉 It really never ends. 😀 Good luck!
goldengirl87 · 6/24/2010
Thank you all for your supportive comments!!!! I did the fireman, fireman modified, the backspin, and sunwheel(well, kind of) tonight! You see, I'm a lefty and the instructor put me with a more advanced student, and she showed me different ways of doing things and properly scanned my body. It turns out I was pulling AWAY from the pole as I try to spin, instead of pulling in. 🤔 Yea, that's me, an overthinker! I still need to work on climbing the pole...that step is fine, it's the shifting my feet and inching up more that I haven't figured out yet. I can't sit properly yet, but I am so happy that I'm not so pole challenged. 😀 Thank you for alll your help. You all are wonderful.