polergirl
Forum Replies Created
-
Gemini to hip hold…you've got an outside leg knee grip, back is arched, all that jazz. Bring your inside leg around the other side of the pole and down, using that motion to lock your hip hold into place, then release the knee pit grip and bring the other leg down as well, into whatever hip hold position you prefer.
-
I forgot–you can also grab back above your leg and sit up from a gemini into a pole sit if you don't want to leave the pole but also don't want to do any additional inverted stuff from it.
Can also take it into butterfly/extended butterfly, which lends itself beautifully to transition into flatline scorpio.
-
I like to do an inverted V (chopper, helicopter, it has so many names, lol) into gemini. Can you do a gemini scorpio leg switch? That will naturally slide you down the pole a bit, at least in my experience, and then you can either do a rollout or turn your body so your stomach's against the pole and do an inverted crucifix press. You can also skip the leg switch and go straight from gemini into inverted crucifix and press down.
Other ideas, if you have these moves: gemini to hip hold (I like to do the tuck, then "drop" (it's not really a drop, more like a slide) into a scorpio. I think it's pretty and can look really dramatic when timed well.
-
Some fluidity is innate, but a lot of it comes with just dancing and dancing and dancing and dancing some more, not doing tricks, just dancing. Put on some music that you LOVE and dance to it. Do a fast song (I don't do enough of these but I'm getting better about it), a slow song, something with rise/fall to it.
If you don't already, I'd highly recommend recording yourself. You'll be able to see your lines, how your hair flicks look, etc. I record everything, and though some of it is cringe-worthy, I always learn something from watching myself!
-
It just takes time. Floorwork is one of my favorite things to do when I'm kinda feeling "meh" about dancing. It's a great warmup and it makes me feel sexy and slinky, no matter what. And even if I do the same stuff, I enjoy it nonetheless. The more floorwork you do, the more you'll begin to incorporate new moves–and to make up new moves. There are so many times now that a move just happens, and I love those because they usually end up looking great. They come from really feeling the music.
-
Like chemgoddess said, caterpillar is all in the legs. I only use my arms when I do a caterpillar climb…otherwise my hands hold me away from the pole but my legs pull my body up.
-
Yaknow, that shoulder mount fall could look pretty cool if you did it on purpose! 😉
I have crashed in a fiery heap from straightedge but never have launched myself from the pole (watch, I just jinxed myself lol).
-
Heck, I'm impressed when I can size them down and upload them…never mind fancy pants stuff! lol.
-
Yay, the negatives worked! I think people tend to forget about engaging the muscles in that manner but it can be a huge conditioner.
The place where I used to dance emphasized using control to come down the same way one went up as an established exit strategy, that's one of the reasons I know how effective it is. 🙂
-
Several months later, I can say that it's not so scary these days! Now I want to get it in a split grip. Elbow grip is solid. Forearm grip seems to elude me with my body conformation, so that's on hold indefinitely.
It's a lovely move. Shellectra, what grip are you using? Your balance point will differ slightly from one to the next. In elbow grip you need to be at an angle to the pole with a straight line from bottom hand to butt–it distributes the weight more evenly between hand and elbow, and locks the grip.
-
Same thing here, I saw some comments just the other day and felt bad that it had taken me so long to answer them or thank the polers who left them!
-
When you tilt back, are you dropping your head back? It will help your body pivot tremendously–your head is heavy, you just don't realize it, lol!
Also, if your basic invert is solid and you can get into/out of it with control (not just sliding down once inverted, but able to tuck back into yourself and roll down with core just like you rolled up), try to go into that, then drop one leg into straddle position to get the feel for it. Try again and drop the other leg into straddle position. Then try it releasing both feet into the straddle. Sometimes it's more a case of getting a feel for the positioning/muscles used than anything else.
-
I have watched it several times and love it more every time. Glad others here are enjoying! 🙂
-
Also, pulling or straining back muscles can a sign that you're 1) not inverting correctly or 2) not quite physically strong enough to invert safely. I would say as far as preventive–take it slowly, slowly, slowly. I know of some great ball exercises for conditioning…will try to make a video this weekend and post it. I hate them, and I love them. They rock.
-
Charley, that's what I took from it too–that basics and transtitions make the dance. He understands the difficulty of tricks, but when it comes to what he wants to see in me the dancer, it's fluidity and lines and presentation. Now, I think tricks certainly have those things, too, but his POV is interesting (and appreciated). 🙂
-
Can you post a video? It'd be much easier to see what you're doing….
-
I'm no spin mode queen (I look to HoneyRider for that!), but for me it's all about controlling the momentum by using my body. Stick an appendage out, slow down, pull it in close to the pole, speed up! If you practice that for a while you'll get a feel for it.
-
Hooray! I think the shoulder mount is a great move. It's impressive and quite lovely.
-
I'm the same as some others who've posted. My legs rarely make contact with the pole during spins anymore…. the exception being a dive/side spin, in which case no contact=falling immediatly to the floor. 😀
I bet as you practice spins in shorts you'll find your legs won't make as much contact as they are now. You're just used to being able to have full-on legs meeting pole because you can.
-
Add me to the list of peeps doing this program. I am about 4" from the floor on either leading leg split, and that's with instep of back foot straight on the floor and hips square. Am I hopeless? Please tell me no, lol. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif
-
Charley, I'll try that. My caterpillar is solid in elbow or split grip so maybe pulling my hips away from the pole and taking my feet off will help me find my balance bit by bit. I don't want to rush it, I just feel like I should be able to do this move and that there's just something I'm missing!
-
I hope this thread will inspire more dancers to post videos! I love watching them. 🙂 Mine tend to be unedited because I'm too lazy, lol. Props to those of you who edit your vids so beautifully!
-
Oh, whatever you do, DON'T STOP DOING THE HAIR FLIPS. Those are wicked sexy, woman. Almost makes me wish I had more hair, lol. You have great energy–maybe try doing a few ultra-slow moves combined with the faster stuff to create some additional drama?
-
Lainey, I'm a little surprised about that….IME, trying new moves with heels on is a quick way to a rolled ankle! Plus a lot of dancers dance barefoot anyway. Jenyne Butterfly has some of the most lovely routines out there and in many of them she's not wearing shoes.
But I digress, lol. Jennasmom, keep doing tucks and other conditioning while holding the pole and keeping your shoulders back/down/engaged, and one day you'll surprise yourself with how easy it is to lift your hips over your hands and BAM you'll be upside down!
-
Shellectra, with the shooting star…and you may have already noticed this…if you can push your hips way forward it will improve the hold, and it'll look much better. It is a very pretty move!
