[mizzli]

Hi MissSKR,

Thanks for the tips! I think I was trying to get too vertical, so will try keeping chest up at 45degrees angle.

Is it the side of the knee that needs to make contact?

[mizzli]

Hi ladies,

Thanks for your replies – sorry I didn't put up an image of what I mean: http://www.tantrafitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Free-Pole-Lesson-Online-Titanic-Tantra-Tutorials-Veronica-Solimano1.png

I've heard some people call it Illusionist too or something.

As soon as I start leaning back to get my shoulder on the pole or be a bit more vertical, the pole starts to slip from in between my thighs and I start to slide off the pole.

I've seen two YouTube tutorials so far on this but none have helped. 🙁

Studio409, thanks for your tip 🙂 – how do you mean switch legs? I use my right leg as an anchor and my left leg at the sticking out one – so try it the other way?

[mizzli]

Hi Pokeyd,

Thanks for the tips! 🙂

I tried it again last night this time grabbing top thigh hard and tensing both elbows and held it… only for about a second cos the pain on my back and elbows was like OMG :/

Thats something I will keep working on to build up on my resistance and pain threshold. 🙂 x

[mizzli]

I attend classes but find that the stuff that we do has hit a ‘glass ceiling’ so I’ve started to self teach some of the moves I want to learn. I miss having the instructor there for encouragement and support for when I try those moves! I’ve recently got my phoenix spin, SG lift, knee hold and currently working on batwing and remi sit!

[mizzli]

Great, thanks for clearing that up for me! 🙂 I havent done a lot of elbow work (still working on elbow grip ayesha) so may have to break that skin in more.

Also what are the points of contact? Is it the elbow pit of left and right arms plus the back or can you do it without exposing the skin on your back? Xxx

[mizzli]

Hi Pokeyd

Yup i get to the stage where the top hand is threaded through the gap and im grabbing my top thigh (only lightly, maybe thats where the problem is?). Then my bottom arm is hooked around the pole.

I let my top leg down slowly then I’m on the floor before i can catch the bottom leg with my bottom leg.

This reminds me of an iron x as I tend to land very quickly as soon as i start lowering myself down.

I might need to work on that core, but some of the ladies here said they aren’t using core strength so it may well also be technique too? 🙂

[mizzli]

Hmmm I can reach around and grab my thighs with both top and bottom hand, looks like my problem is having the strength to hold it…

Keep on trying and don't give up! x

[mizzli]

Hi ladies,

That's strange – when I try to go into the batwing it feels like an Iron-x type move where you have to hold your torso horizontal to the ground, so I was wondering if there's any thing/hand placements in the wrong place. 🙂

 

[mizzli]

Im currently working on this but keep dropping to the floor as soon as let go of the pole with the top leg.

I wonder if its the lack of height? Or should you have your strong hand at the bottom propping up your torso?

It feels like a flag type move where you have to use core strength to hold yourself up.

I will accomplish it! 🙂 xx

[mizzli]

Hi Veena and Storypole,

Thanks for the advice.

I read somewhere that shaving gel helps and since I already had some sitting around, I tried it out and found it helped with the stickiness! Will try it out a few more times to see. xxx

[mizzli]

I’ve also had my pole since 2005- sure hope its well broken into! 🙂

[mizzli]

Mine has to be the aerial tg lift! Just cant seem to get the strength or positioning yet!

[mizzli]

Hi all!

Just an update i finally got my straight edges (just the TG and the forearm grip). I found what helped was to lean away from the pole ie give yourself a few inches from the side of your body to the pole, which triggered the push and pull mechanism. Before i was aligned right next to the pole without giving my arms room to “do the work”! It definitely takes some practice because at first you might find it scary leaning away from the pole and worry about falling. It certainly explains why i can straight edge from a handspring and not straight off the pole.

Im working on my phoenix spin and elbow grip ayesha next! Good luck all!!

[mizzli]

Hi all!

Thanks for your replies. I’m at a point in class where everyone can do it but me so we tend to focus on other things and miss out the straight edge completely now. I’d like to try it on my own at home, except it’s a little dangerous without the support from instructors. I can’t get to the point of taking my legs off the pole so I’m not sure if I will succeed with the caterpillar or the aysha. 🙁 I might be tempted to book a private lesson and work on this!

It’s interesting as one instructor taught me to striaght edge with the body sideways to the pole (as demonstrated in the pics above) so I can dismount safely from the straight edge and slowly build up to holding it. Then another instructor told me I should be facing the pole and that sort of turned everything upside down and I can no longer dismount from it anymore and end up slidding down the pole in an upside down crucifix position. 🙁 sad and frustrating times.

[mizzli]

Hi Veena! Thanks for the tips- my instructors both taught straight edges from inverts before they progressed to other things such as the straight edge v and handsprings. Both of them are quite baffled at why I’m the only student who can’t seem to pick it up!

One thing you mentioned is interesting- I have a very flexible back and it tends to arch quite a bit probably from the weight of my upper body and the inability of my arms in holding myself (although I’m fine doing it from handspring?!). It’s probably that that might be preventing me from holding myself straight. The handstands and elbow stands sound a good place to start!

I will certainly try out your suggestions as I am open to anything and do these with my instructors (so they can support me) as I fell on my head once doing the elbow grip V! 🙁 doesn’t do much for the good old confidence!

Thanks again! Much love Xxx