[EVamp83]

Just to underline that everyone is different, this is my take on the handspring:

I started out with cartwheel mount to split (aysha legs), which might make balancing easier. When I got that down I progressed to jacknife and straight edge. But in the end I find it the easiest to straight edge and jacknife. I guess it’s a matter of personal preference. One advantage of jacknife is that your behind doesn’t have to go up as high. (Which is why I sometimes feel like I’m cheating when I go to jacknife https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif ). My polebuddy Sam just did her first cartweel mount yesterday (after trying for a few weeks), and she did it to straight edge.
For the front handspring I still mostly come up in a crouched position first and then extend my legs to straight edge or jacknife. (But I’m working on that https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif )

All in all, I’ve never felt like I was almost falling/flipping over in these two handsprings, let alone actually flipping all the way over.. And I have never seen it happen with any of my polebuddies either. Has that ever happened to anyone here? Because otherwise, you can assume that the risk of flipping over isn’t at all as big as you think it to be.

[EVamp83]

Ahh, I love this thread! I want to soak up as much of the competition weekend as I can https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif . To make it feel like I was there too. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif

BTW, Karol: Many many congratulations! You’re one of my pole idols, and you really deserved to win!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

[EVamp83]

Wow https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif that was so scary!
She was doing a fabulous job until the pole came down.
I would have loved to see the rest of her routine!
Let’s just hope that she wasn’t injured!! Poor thing!

[EVamp83]

*hisses with disapprovement*

I can’t believe these people! How on earth do they not understand the part about the pole being REMOVABLE???? https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_scratch.gif

[EVamp83]

Polegirlsonia, just in case you hadn’t found Trena’s post yet: the funeral will be on Tuesday morning 10 am (NZ time) (see: http://www.studioveena.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=1865) in Auckland.

[EVamp83]

Also, remember to check if it’s tight in the days/weeks after
The carpet may continue to ‘give’ a little for quite a while, until the carpet is fully squished down!

Lastly, you really need to buy a level to check if the pole is set up straight and all!!

Be safe! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_safesex.gif Good luck!

[EVamp83]

don’t forget carousel to fireman! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

ooh, and reverse attitude

and there are different ways to position your legs in carousel, e.g. both legs stretched, or ‘front’ leg stretched, and the other bent, etc.

attitude can be done with your body free from the pole, or with the front foot hooked, or with the front knee hooked

you can start working on one handed spins

https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_bounce.gif

[EVamp83]

Ok, but this tutorial is generally accessible:

http://www.studioveena.com/video/gallery/Spinning-scorpio

Is this it?

[EVamp83]

ooh I have thought of another one for you E-Vamp83.. the forearm/elbow grip handspring!

Here are examples: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRIXExiqIOI&feature=channel" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;"

at at 0:23 in http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Jf0jXksTns&feature=related" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;"

Oooooh, yeah, totally forgot about that one!! That’s so awesome!
Unfortunately I’m not ready yet for elbow grip. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_sad.gif

So much to learn https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

Ow, btw, the second one looked more like a flag mount to me. You know, like you do to get into brass monkey, but obviously with a back arch instead of hooking the inside leg..
I’ve watched it over and over, can’t wait to try that!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_bounce.gif

[EVamp83]

There are a few different kinds of handspring:
– (back-kick) handspring or cartwheel mount: upper hand with the thumb up (baseball-like), lower hand with the thumb down. Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLMyrylJ4_g&feature=channel_page and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTxwC6v14Pg&feature=channel_page
– forward/front handspring: same hand-positioning as the cartwheel mount, but mounted not by kicking back, but by kicking forward/upward. Example: 1:33 in http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_whEbk6VWjE and
– half handspring: basically the forward mounted handspring, but you hook the front foot and push out to (extended) butterfly. Example: 0:57 in http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uO5UkbAtLo&feature=channel_page
– true grip or overhand grip handspring: the top hand is twisted once, hence the thumb is down. Example: 0:56 in http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_whEbk6VWjE
– twisted grip handspring: the upper hand has the thumb up, but the wrist is twisted around. Example: 1:26 in http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEuqskTdlKs

At least that’s all the handsprings I know of! If anyone has additions, I’d love to know, ’cause I’m very into handsprings at the moment. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_bounce.gif

I’m working on a handspring vid that includes all these handsprings (or attempts thereof) https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif .

I think where you start your handspring journey is very personal. I would not start with true grip and twisted grips though. Be by all means very careful with twisted grip; many injuries are caused by that move. Personally I started with half handspring and then cartwheel mount.

So long story short, the twisted grip is an entirely different move. Definitely go with the ‘baseball grip’ upper hand!

Best of luck! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

[EVamp83]

You may be a pole dancer if someone asks you what you’re thinking and you absent mindedly reply ‘I’m just trying to figure out why my butterfly to hiphold to pike to superman tumble to mistress isn’t working right’…

You definitely are a pole dancer when you, while reading Nicki’s comment, were imagining how to link those moves, and what it would look like if you’d try the sequence. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

[EVamp83]

I would think my skin would stick to the pole.

I’d say, just try it. It’s usually not as bad as you think. If it turns out that there is too much friction, maybe you can start out wearing sweatpants, and as soon as you get the hang of the move, learn it with bare legs. That’s what I did. It takes some getting used to, the friction on your skin, but you’ll be surprised at how quick you become comfortable with it!

[EVamp83]

I’m guessing that Forward Ankle Release is what the guys on the pic in this thread (http://www.studioveena.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=1743) are doing https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

[EVamp83]

This vid by redke has some helpful pointers too! Sure helped me getting there!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLMyrylJ4_g&feature=channel_page

Good luck, and let us know how you’re doing!!!

[EVamp83]

The boyfriend is home all day and doesn’t work so he can set up my pole & my new mirror tomorrow!! I have work in the morning and class tomorrow night…I’m conflicted because I reeeeeaaaally want to skip my class to go PLAY!!! DILEMMA! lol…Ok, enough of being dramatic…just excited!!

LOL! I’d say, follow a four step plan https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif :
1) pick up the pole before class
2) give the pole to bf, along with the instructions and strict orders on where to put it up https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif
3) go to class, and when you return:
4) voilà! there’s your pole, ready for poleplay! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_bounce.gif

teehee https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cool.gif
but anyway, have fun poling today!!!!

[EVamp83]

Wow JC! You looked awesome! Must also be nice to have so much room around the pole https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif No kicking lamps and stuff. But seriously, you’ll be a great teacher! Have fun, and good luck! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

[EVamp83]

Meleania, I think those pics you saw are on wikipole (http://www.wikipole.org) under the Shoulder Mount heading. There are 5 pics of 5 grips. They didn’t even include the Veena Grip yet..

[EVamp83]

Welcome to the site! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif It’s great to have you!

[EVamp83]

Ooooh!! That is sooo cool! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cool.gif

You’ll be able to learn from each other, and he’ll be a better spotter too! And I’d imagine practicing together is good fun too. Ahh, there are so many advantages. Hopefully he’ll be as hooked as you are. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

Wish my bf shared the passion! Maybe I’ll convert him someday.. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

[EVamp83]

https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_DJ.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_jokercolor.gif
*sings* (a little bit off-key https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif )
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday dear Roxyyyy,
Happy Birthday to you!!!

https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_joker.gif And of course, happy B-day poling tonight!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_jokercolor.gif

[EVamp83]

Don’t worry! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif For the answer(s), check this thread: http://www.studioveena.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=1572&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=20 https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif

[EVamp83]

I just saw a vid in which sarah cretul drops from marley straight into scorpio (inside leg hang). It’s at about 2:58 in http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H28UQcXDGyo&feature=related.

*edit: In this vid she does the same move, but slower: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnUG4Z9mwNk at 3:46*

She got into the marley from side climb, which is pretty much the same as from cupid/star/princess.

[EVamp83]

Wow, bertysbooboo, I can’t believe how creative you are in finding street-poles!

Verucablue, that picture is soooo stunning! Everything about it is just perfect.

So, here is my input. Nothing fancy though. This was taken just outside the sports center, on a road sign pole.

https://www.studioveena.comhttp&#58://94.100.113.183/633150001-633200000/633190801-633190900/633190865_6_DnPF.jpeg

[EVamp83]

Ooh! What about kudos! like on bloggies! That’s a pretty neat way of saying, "I watched it, I enjoyed it, but I always sound like a pervert when I comment so it’s better that I do this instead of telling you how juicy your ass looks."

What? You can read minds too?
You took the words right out of my mouth https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

But seriously, sometimes it’s hard to find the right words to voice your opinion. Especially when English is not your first language, like for a lot of girls here. I sometimes worry that I’m choosing the wrong words, and my comment won’t come across in the right way, or worse, be totally misunderstood. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_redface.gif

So that’s why I vote for ‘kudos’ or a ‘respect-button’ or… well anything else you creative folks can come up with.. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_idea.gif

[EVamp83]

I like to do the chair spin with the extended legs, holding the position (and spinning) as long as possible, ideally all the way down ’till you’re sitting on the ground with your legs still extended.
(And then do it on both sides a couple of times)