Yogini/Teddy Bear inner arm grip

Brittania Banks started this discussion · 11/28/2009

I'm not 100% sure what the actual grip name is called, but I call it the "pit grip" But I have been trying so hard to get this grip mastered, and I have been having no end of troubles! It's not only the pain, it's the positioning, and my bodies weight. I do a lot of arm based work outs with free weights. and It's not that I am overly heavy, (due to a medical condition I am only 95 or less lbs.) Are there any workouts, or pole moves that can get me used to the arm hold before I can attempt these moves again? Also; Marlin/Knee hold/Star/Side Climb. I am always trying new things on my pole just for fun, and I LOVE the side climb. I seem to be using more arm to hold myself up, rather than my knee to climb up. Is there any way I can improve my knee grip? Or is there something I am doing wrong? I own a 50mm Chrome X-pole. Any help would be AMAZING! Thanks all. 🐱

20 replies

Mary Ellyn · 11/28/2009
If you have very low body fat the pain factor may take a bit longer for you to overcome but give it a chance and you will figure out how to do the moves with less pain. It's all about positioning and getting use to the hold. Are you trying these from the floor or up on the pole? For both the yogini and teddy a lot of people find it easier to climb the pole and do the pose up high because you really need to "sink" into your grip for this one.
Brittania Banks · 11/28/2009
I have been doing long climns into for the yogini, but the teddy I have yet to try for fear of falling. I will try today for a long climb into teddy and see what happens.
deetron · 11/29/2009
I agree with Empyrean.. I find it easier to climb a little and sink into these poses than doing them from the ground. Also in the beginning these moves hurt and pinched the bejeesus out of me.. but after about 3 practise sessions the pain lessons!! Still can't teddy on a spinning pole though, cos I'm a wuss with the pain!!! 🙁 it seems worse than on static somehow!!
Mary Ellyn · 11/29/2009
The Teddy is one of the few moves I can do on a spinning pole without immediate severe motion sickness kicking in so I love to do it. Although it was pretty intimidating the first time I tried it.
Veena · 11/29/2009
I teach the teddy from standing, that way you can really get your side/back across the pole, if your just trying to use your arm pit, it will be much harder than if you get your side involved. Empyrean is right about body fat, making a difference too. After I had my last baby I found that a lot of moves were more comfortable, but now that I have lost the weight, oooohhhh how that pit hold HURTS!! 😈 There are a few moves out there that will just get less painful over time, like the knee hold too. I also find doing the teddy is less painful on my 50mm same goes for the knee hold. Keep working on it, as long as your in the right position it will get better, just keep at it. ☀️
Former member · 11/30/2009
when veena taught me how to do the superman, OMG THE PAIN WAS AWFUL!!!!!!! i definitely wasn't used to my thighs being in that position on the pole- but now it's absolutely no big deal at all. but i know what you're talking about because ive tried the yogini and the pain is intense!! i think with practice and repetition though our skin will become tougher 🙂 we'll get it!
SissyBuns · 12/1/2009
I just got my first teddy the other day and Wow, the pain! And I got myself a nice little inner upper arm bruise too. I get that same pain from the corkscrew too but I find the more I have been working on it the more bearable it becomes. I always do it from the floor too, but maybe I'll try climbing first and see how that feels.
Brittania Banks · 12/2/2009
Thanks for the tips guys!! I'll be trying teddy from standing from now on, but to yogini I think I will wait until I master the teddy pains. @Empyrean - I am having the same nausia problem with spin mode, but the teddy doesnt rotate me much, does it still make you spin?? 🫡
Mary Ellyn · 12/2/2009
I was having a senior moment there...I said the teddy and what I really meant I can do the knee hold on spin which must have been because I read Veena's mention of the knee hold in her post.
amberpoledancer · 12/3/2009
oh man i so wanna get the teddy i think it looks amazing! so far iv had no luck coz im not actually sure im doing it right. I take it you use your dominant arm that you invert with? (mine being my left) Get the pole into the armpit and side and kinda try and get your legs into a V shape and hold em? Looks reasonable enough when you see it on vids but when i try i cant even get near to holding the move! lol and i thought i had good armpit grip! think i need it broken down for me 🤔
chilli_d · 12/3/2009
I do the teddy from standing - if you get vaguely into position whilst on tip-toes then you have a longer way to sink into the move. I grip most with my right armpit/inner arm (top) and also try to get abit of grip against the top of my outer right thigh/bum. Reach down and grip as far around the top of your thigh as you can and as you sink into the move, this will give you a better grip. It doesn't really hurt that much now unless I dont quite get the positioning right and slip 🙂 but it does take some getting used to! hope this helps x
amberpoledancer · 12/3/2009
hi chilli sounds good ill need to try it again. Do you stand with your side to the pole or do come forward of the pole to have your back and bum mostly into it? 🦌
chemgoddess1 · 12/3/2009
I am forward of the pole a bit when I do this.
Brittania Banks · 12/3/2009
Hey Amberpoledancer, Go to my youtube (thedickens) and in my favorites is an AMAZING tutorial from exdiva69, She shows all the ways to get into the move for beginners and intermediate. I've been using a bracket hold because my lack of arm pit grip.
chilli_d · 12/3/2009
Hey Im forwards a little so the pole is against the side of my back obviously you cant be too far forwards because your shoulder gets in the way 🙂 and it stops you getting in a good position xx
angel6101 · 12/3/2009
Hey there, So first off let me say I feel your pain : ) Veena's right you should try from a standing position with your Teddy first so you understand how to use your side (aka ribs) and hip/side of the butt to help with this move. "Pit Holds" are kinda my signature things to do and all I can say is it's gonna take some time. Having a lower body fat is gonna make it a little harder but it's doable. Just make sure with the Teddy your rib cage is right up next to the pole and that you get the side of your hip/butt in front of it...it'll help distribute some of the weight better. With the Yogini (my fav move and gave me bruises for a couple monthes) again get that rib cage on the pole and for me I find that the more I arch my back and pull the leg/foot up the better locked I am. That one is way easier from a climb. I do both on static/spinning and a trick to get used to doing a Teddy on the spinning is to do it from standing and push off into it a little....looks cool but has the bonus of if you get dizzy your feet are close to the floor. Good luck and keep pushing through the pain!
chilli_d · 12/9/2009
Hey I tried the yogini for the first time yesterday and I LOVE it! 🙂 so thanks for introducing me to it 🙂 I got into it from the floor which was fine (especially for the first time) but I have to say most of the pain is when you get out of it and get friction/pole burn 🙁 If you are going to do it from the floor again, start on tip toes so you can sink down and once you are in position really push your leg out and against your hand - this hurt much less as I got a better grip (for me its not so much the bruising/grip that hurts but the friction burns as you slip/come out of moves) hope this helps 🙂 xx I do both on static/spinning and a trick to get used to doing a Teddy on the spinning is to do it from standing and push off into it a little wow! I bet that looks amazing! 😀
ShonaLancs · 2/16/2012
I tried teddy tonight from standing-all I have to say is OUCH! I know it sounds silly but I'm scared of that pain there! Pain on pole sit, climbing, laybacks etc I can handle but ouchy on the arm :-/
ShonaLancs · 2/17/2012
Thanks Magik, I tried to get my side hooked on the pole too but not sure if I managed it as the arm pain was the focus! There is so much to think about with this move in terms of positioning your body before you can begin to lift your feet off the floor! Do you practice from standing or higher up the pole? X
Black Orchid · 2/20/2012
I had my full yogini for a little while but now I seem to have lost it :( The moment I take my other arm off I fall right onto my knee. I'm not sure exactly what's wrong with how I am doing it now...the flexibility is definitely not the issue! I'll double-check my rib placement.