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Superman move and confidence in my pole teacher
Hi All
I’m not sure if I’ve posted this in the right place but…after numerous attempts at the superman I have a few questions. This move has been my nemesis for a fair while now…
1. My only issue with the superman from on the pole is that I can’t seem to straighten my right leg, or push my hips down far enough so I can grab the pole with my hand. When I do push my hips down enough I get a sudden attack of ‘oh Crap, my hand’s gonna slip off!’ and I let go! I went to a different pole school for some practice as practicing on my own is not getting me anywhere now. They showed me how to try from the floor first, this has worked and I’ve posted a video…yay for the floor super man…but not for a proper superman! Any ideas on how to get over my fear?
http://ver3.studioveena.com/lessons/view/4431 https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif
2. My other issue is a little more difficult. My current pole teacher didn’t tell me I should start off first with the floor move. It would have given me more confidence if she had. Her answert to me slipping was,’ ‘ok, when you get your hips in the right position, i’ll hold your hand on’. Firstly this seems a little dangerous as if she’s holding my hand on and my legs slip I might end up with a dislocated shoulder or something. It’s made me realise that maybe she’s not qualified in teaching as such. I really like her and i’m loathed to leave her, plus I bought a job lot of lessons from her and have to use those now. Am just worried that I could case myself an injury here! What should I do. The new pole school is great and I can see myself getting further as they break the moves down so well, I think my current teacher is great for absolute beginners but with the moves i’m trying i’m getting more advanced and not confident i’m in a safe environment anymore.
Any suggestions?
Thanks
Polekitten
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5 Replies
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I always tell my students "you have good foundation so if you go to another pole studio and take a class, don’t forget that foundation. If they tell you to do a move that you know bio-mechanically isn’t correct or they don’t set you up properly (shoulders down,neutral wrist etc..) or it just feels plain wrong then don’t do it. Ask for more clarification or modification for your level. You should know your strength and what you can safely and you’re HERE so you know to progress slowly and not rush to do a move you may not be ready for. If you’re in a class where they’re not stressing safety or doing something you think may be more detrimental or potentially cause an accident as you saw the danger with her holding your hand, tread lightly. You knew this was a recipe for disaster if you fell forward and she had your hand glued to the pole. Just respectfully tell her you’re not comfortable with her "spotting" you that way. It’s your money honey https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif I like to spot for the superman around the waist as with pretty much everything so if anything goes awry then the student can always abandon the move in a pike position catching with both hands and feet on floor as I’m holding their center so they can balance and catch themselves if need be. Sorry for writing the book lol BE SAFE IN CLASS!!
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Hi Polekitten,
Firstly you are not alone with the superman being a nemesis move! It took me months, and I am still working on it. My problem was flipping my hips over, once I mastered that, as long as my grip was strong enough, I could adjust my legs to how I needed. I even found switching them round helped me, so the different leg was underneath. Also, my teacher showed me different ways of getting into it. I started from a side v then flippin over, I struggled with this way, so my teacher suggested doing it from a flatline scorpio so you can really bring your leg round. But i basically found practise makes perfect with this move, and your body will just ‘click’ one day!
As for your other issue… I had the EXACT same problem. I started with my first teacher and I really got on with her but the same thing… I got onto advanced tricks and she didn’t seem as confident teaching me these. Which isn’t reassuring for the student. She was lovely and was a brilliant teacher for beginners. But things like when I did an inverted V and i did not come down controlled and injured my back, but she said that i still did the move so marked me off for completing it. My point being… I did change schools and I was worried that it was not the right decision, but it was definitely the best decision for me. I do not think I would have been able to progress as well if I had stayed in my original class and I love my new teacher! At the end of the day safety should always come first and you really need a good, trusting relationship with your teacher.
Hope this helps a little, and did not bore you!!!
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Just because she didn’t teach it from the floor first, it doesn’t make her a poor teacher. There are many methods of teaching spotting a superman.
I rarely teach it from the floor, because I find it doesn’t really help in most cases. For the majority of students it is not the position that is the problem – it is the turning OVER and pushing your thighs over the pole – that is the trouble.
That being said, if you don’t feel safe or confident under her instruction, I would suggest seeking out a different teacher.
If you are having trouble gripping with the back hand, it’s often because it’s too low. Try getting your teacher, or a friend who is spotting you, to stand in FRONT of you so you can rest your extended (or free) hand on their shoulder. Then you can support yourself on them, as you re-adjust your back hand.
Good luck!
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I would feel uncomfortable with her holding my hands on as well. I think she should be spotting around the hips and waist. I had an instructor once who "spotted" by holding you onto the pole or into position with sheer strength, I HATED this. It never gave me the chance to FEEL the move and the relation of the pole against my body. I think a good spotter is someone who you can feel safe with and trust, but she/he should also trust you to do the move, not do the move for you.
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As with any form of learning I take charge of my own. I don’t trust anyone else to be responsible for me, my body or my progress. Pole is a sport, any sport is potentially dangerous. I am confident in my own abilities and potential, not how someone else can shape them. No-one else knows my body better. I’d be honest with my teacher and upfront about my concerns and preferences if I thought she was being unsafe or if there were clearly better ways to teach a move. She can’t change or improve her spotting or teaching methods unless she knows something is ‘wrong’ with them. I love classes for the social aspect, the motivation and for more general pole exposure but I understand that at a certain point the gap between student ability and instructor experience can begin to close. I am not surprised or dismayed when I can do a move better or know more about its ins and outs than an instructor… As long as they still have more experience on pole, teaching and performing than I have, we can both continue to learn and grow and I still have more to learn from them.
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