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Inversion Frustration
Hey guys,
I wrote a blog about this but it is no longer visible on the homepage and I would appreciate as much advice on the topic as possible (thanks to the three who have already written to me! x )
I finished the beginner course a few weeks ago where I learned climbs, spins, transitional moves and going upside down. I did them all in class and could do them with no problems, already I notice a massive difference in my strength. My teacher has told me I can now join the intermediate class but I have hit a brick wall because since I stopped classes I cannot get back into an inversion. I can touch the pole with my foot and I can hold it for a few seconds too so it isn’t a strength issue as such, it’s more fear. Now that my teacher isn’t watching me I just can’t let my body drop back that tiny, tiny bit more to get my foot around the pole and I don’t even understand why because once I’m up there I find the grip incredibly strong.
My big problem now is whether to go ahead and join the intermediate class. I really can’t join if I can’t invert anymore but it’s frustrating because I could do it in class. Just not on my own! I also hate the idea of repeating beginners because I can do everything else fine now, even that nasty falling forward spin seems easy to me now!! I just feel so frustrated because I could do all of the moves in the last class but now that a few weeks have passed I can’t get back upside down.
Can anyone offer some advice? I feel so disappointed at the idea of repeating. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_sad.gif
Fairy x
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17 Replies
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Hmmm that is strange. I really think your inversion troubles are fear based though which is easy to take care of. One thing that really helped me was a spotter. Have a friend spot you while you try the trick, or put pillows down to break your fall. I also thing it is important to try to just hold on with your arms in the inversion. For example if you learn the chopper before you learn the inverted crucifix, your strength you gain will make your inversions really pretty and smooth! Also one thing to remember is when your inverting into the chopper kick up and then lean your head back to pull your body into the position, it makes the trick a lot easier. If you ever need any help let me know, I taught myself everything I’ve learned this far (beginning advanced moves) so I can answer any questions you might have!!
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I don’t have any great advice, but I just wanted to say you aren’t alone with the whole "fear" thing. I have had no issues being able to invert at the studio and when at home I do fine until I am wearing pole shoes. My pole is on carpet and I just do not feel secure walking in my pole shoes on the plush carpet and I know it messes with my head. On top of that I poled with my studio at a bar about 3wks ago. Did a chopper fine, then tried to do a basic invert, heard that damn voice in my head worry about trying it in the taller shoes I’m not used to wearing and bam I missed a basic freaking invert!? In front of a crowd no less, so I took a deep breathe and went to attempt it again and of course missed again. So now as you can imagine my pole ego has taken quite a hit… I just wanted to say that I understand how things can mess with your head. Maybe it is just a matter of time? If you feel comfortable go ahead with the next level and if you are struggling, speak to your instructor. You can always move back down if it isn’t working out. Take it easy on yourself. I hope this helps!?!
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You are not the only one. I also have this fear. I also pole on carpet as well so attempting it in heels scares me because my balance is off when I land. I have this fear with the choper and invert i cant getmyself to lean far enough back. I das ytake the intermediate class sometimes as pole dancers we get a move then lose it. Youl get it back because the class gives you motivation.
I hope you understand im typing with a virtual keyboard on t mob il e mytouch ew -
Just a disclaimer because it has to be said and no one has yet.
ABSOLUTELY NO KICKING INTO ANY INVERTED MOVE AT ANY TIME, OR FOR ANY REASON.
If you cannot do it as a slow, controlled lift, you cannot do it safely. Injuries reported on studioveena from kicking into basic inverts/inverted choppers incude:
bruised sides/broken blood vessels
spinal problems
pulled and torn muscles in the back and shoulders
chronic pain when iverting
BROKEN RIBS.Veenas lessons are organized by difficulty and include strength training exercises specifially for safe inverting.
I don’t judge self-taught polers. I just don’t want to see anyone get hurt. Everyone needs to know, no kicking! Ever!
This has been a Public Service Announcement from your friendly local PDR. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cyclops.gif
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You should go ahead with the intermediate class if you enjoy pole dancing. You *can* invert, you proved it in your beginners course and being back in the class environment might help get that confidence back. And you will have your instructor on hand to give you any help or advice to get your mojo back. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif
I’m sure there will be other things to learn in the intermediate course too, new spins and such like, so there’s no point in holding yourself back over this one thing.
Enjoy!
Jx
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hey polefairy~! a couple thoughts for you:
-i find that if i take even a week off from practice, my strength is dramatically different. you’ve taken a few weeks, it sounds like. that might be part of your problem. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif
-when you try inverting on your own, do you have a spotter like you do in class? are you properly warmed up?
-this is not really related directly to your questions, but it sounds like you may be kicking into your invert. i understand you are in classes, but really they should be teaching you how to invert without using any momentum (check here: https://www.studioveena.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=3641&st=0&sk=t&sd=a). i would take a look through the videos that veena has here, and also the invert prep videos that others have posted here (fleur has a great one here: http://ver3.studioveena.com/lessons/view/1529), to see the SAFEST way to progress with your invert. unfortunately there are a lot of pole schools popping up and the teachers there do not necessarily have a good understanding of SAFE invert mechanics and how to teach them.
-again, not really related directly to your question: in pole there are hundreds of tricks. my personal philosophy is that it’s not about mastering them all as quickly as possible. it’s about progressing in a way that is safe, and builds on the strength and muscle memory of the tricks you have learned before. if you aren’t ready, then you aren’t! you are in this learning for the long haul, right? it’s not just a fad for you? then what’s your rush! you have years! loads of time. i mean…. learning pole is not a simple, linear progression and it’s easy to get caught up in what you can’t do.
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polefairy, i just checked your profile to take a look at your original blog post and noticed: it looks like you started pole in early april and inverted in early may…. so in a month they had you inverting? that is WAY WAY too soon. PLEASE take a look at the links i posted… i hate to say this but i really don’t think there is any way (unless you had a gymastics or similar background) you are properly prepared or strengthened for a proper invert. most programs i know of don’t even have you doing inversions until at least 10-12 weeks in, if not longer. i personally wouldn’t teach an invert to someone until i had seen them do a strong pull up on the pole AND a cross knee or ankle release and sit back up.
it sounds like the advice you got when you posted your blog was: repeat the class and wait until you are really ready to invert and do it safely. sorry, but i think that although that isn’t what you want to hear, that’s the right thing to do.
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Yeah, I’m going to chime in to agree with PDR and Amy. Just clearing your foot, while fantastic and exciting (congratulations) isn’t really safe! Since at that point there isn’t really dismount control, you could fall back and crack your ribs something -awful-.
I also agree on move perfection. There are so many ways to do so many moves- to smooth them out and make them absolutely delicious! To learn all the variations and ways to move in and out- all that hard pole work will make you stronger for your inversions, too. And all that hard work perfecting moves will make you have a super tasty style to mix all your hard earned moves into.
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Yes, this is way too soon for inverting. You need work on coordinating your moves and your body around the pole. Work on spins and revolutions around the pole, do everything on both sides.
For strengthening work on windmills/fan kicks, climbing, basic pole sitting, you can even do some fancy dismounts from a sit like bring your legs behind you and doing carousel legs as you slide down the pole. If after a month you have all of these types of moves and movements perfected there are up right poses you can work on such us a the basic crucifix, the thigh hold, peter pan, basic plank, spin combinations, half bracket spins.
My students generally don’t invert 3-4 months as the earliest and the norm has been about 6 months. Even my intermediate students spend more time right side up. There are so many things that can be done with your feet towards the ground.
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Oh wow! You did begin to invert really early! I must say I got my CKR and invert within the first two weeks of pole dancing and I kept trying to do the "wow" moves instead of really working on my strength. I got a really bad case of tennis elbow because my body wasn’t used to the constant strain that pole dancing can have on your body.
Although I still continue to learn at a fast rate, I still notice that if i work on strength instead of specific moves it makes everything so much easier!
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The only background I have is in martial arts, I don’t have a gymnastics or dance background.
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Pole fairy I have exactely the same problem as you i dont have a problem getting up into the invert and i can let go before twisting right round but im terrified of letting go when im straight. Also i can not for the life of me work out how to get down from the invert without slamming down https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_sad.gif Maybe you like me trust your arms more than your legs? Sorry i cant give you any advice or anything but i feel the same as you its so annoying that i cant do it or i wuss out!!
xx -
I know exactly what you mean. I can invert but once I’m upside down I can’t slide into the handstand. I don’t trust my leg grips and it kinda got into a bad habit now of my hands getting stuck and having difficulty pulling them away. At first the hands weren’t a problem but now they are! I am thinking really great cushion and repitition will help you if yu’ve got the invert down, just make sure you keep improving instead of getting other bad habits on top of the origional fear. Something seems scary about your head being directly below your hips and feet even if you don’t have any extra weight above your head. I’ve always been a careful girl and inverting has been out of my element. I do wonder for myself if I were super strong and musclely if it would seems less scary and more secure.
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Ah I can do it now. I was just not letting my body fall back enough. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif
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Good job, sometimes it’s just that one little (or scarey) thing to get that makes the difference. It’s neat when we get that "ah-ha" moment https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif Have fun with it now!
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