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Prayer Pose via Behavior Shaping
Movement filled greetings!
I am presently enrolled in a Behavior Modification class. In this week’s assignment we are asked to select a behavior we wish to learn through the “shaping” modification technique. Shaping involves reinforcing behavior which is similar to your desired target behavior. In other words, praising “mini-goals” along the way to achieving a long-term goal.
I have selected the “Prayer Pose” as my target behavior (or long-term goal) and am planning to use the following as my approximations (or mini-goals).
Pull body up so heels are off the floor. (Arms are supporting some body weight but much the weight is still resting in the balls of feet.)
Pull body up so balls of feet are off the floor. (Arms are supporting more body weight but some weight is still resting in the feet which are in point – different than in the balls of the feet.)
Increase upper body muscle use by slightly bending one knee causing one foot to be slightly off the floor while the other is still in point.
Increase upper body muscle use even further by slightly bending both knees causing both feet to be slightly off the floor.
Increase bend in the knee from slight to full 90 degree angle to fully resemble Prayer Pose.
Since I’m a complete newbie to the art of poling, I would love feedback and recommendations from others on whether or not these stepping stones are realistic. If you think of another step to include, please feel free to share.
With gratitude,
Nayana -
12 Replies
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The stepping stones didn't line up very well so here they are in list format.
Starting Pose: Stand at the apparatus with both hands holding it at eye level maintaining both of my feet firmly planted on the floor. Note each of the following steps requires the use of upper body, rather than feet/leg, strength and I will only progress from one step to the next as my upper body strength allows me to do so without strain and fatigue.
Step 1: Pull body up so heels are off the floor. (Arms are supporting some body weight but much the weight is still resting in the balls of feet.)
Step 2: Pull body up so balls of feet are off the floor. (Arms are supporting more body weight but some weight is still resting in the feet which are in point – different than in the balls of the feet.)
Step 3: Increase upper body muscle use by slightly bending one knee causing one foot to be slightly off the floor while the other is still in point.
Step 4: Increase upper body muscle use even further by slightly bending both knees causing both feet to be slightly off the floor.
Step 5: Increase bend in the knee from slight to full 90 degree angle to fully resemble Prayer Pose.
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I like it! That's pretty much what my progression looked like for the first few weeks of pole classes!
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Excellent! Let us know your progress so we can be your positive reinforcement as well!
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Thanks, dearies! I'll keep you posted!
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What is the prayer pose? We use shaping through positive re-inforcement with our big cats. It really works, I trained an Amur leopard to accept us placing a stethoscope onto his chest for medical exam using this technique.
http://www.amur-leopard.org/index.php?pg=1257869708
Video at bottom of page.
https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_batman.gif
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vickizoo,
How exciting to be involved with such an amazing project! I am a (from afar) admirer of big cats. It's heartbreaking to see how people will senselessly take the life of another for no good reason. Rather than stealing their fur, we should be admiring their beauty in life!
As for the Prayer Pose… I thought I had seen a message on one of the other forum boards where someone mentioned the pose and included a picture. Looking back now, I am unable to quickly locate it… My basic understanding is you are holding the pole (with feet off the floor) as though you are kneeling in prayer.
Although the hand grip in this image is different than what I had originally seen, the pose in the bottom, middle is what I envision. The hands would both be at around eye level rather than one at eye level and one supporting below. As a newbie, though, I truthfully don't even know if the hand position I'm describing is appropriate or even possible.
http://www.weddinggirl.ca/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/polefitca-pole-dancing-sass.jpg
Does that make sense?
Nayana
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@ thesoulstudio, It is posted on wikipole as a prayer slide, I believe this is what you are looking for?
The picture you linked to looks more like a carousel spin, with a big no-no on hand grip (okay for poses, but not for spinning…bad for your forearm and wrist)
@vickizoo, That was a great video on how you trained Dende! He reminds me of one of my cats, but about 100 times bigger. I don't know how old that video is but did you ever get him to learn how to stop purring? That's quite the big purr he's got.
He is one beautiful animal, you are very lucky to be able to work with him. Thanks for sharing.
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In the Art of Pole series Jamilla teaches a sort of 1-2 bend of the knees when you are first learning to hold your weight. Basically what you will do is bend one knee while the other is still down and then release it quickly and while it is moving to the ground bend your other knee. (Think of jumping rope but in a skipping type motion). When you start both feet will be off the ground mere seconds but then you can increase the time that both feet are off the floor.
When I learned to hold my body weight it was just doing pole-ups. I learned the prayer slide as a cool way to get down from a climb.
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dustbunny – Thank you! That is exactly the photo I was trying to find. :o) So "Prayer Slide" is a more accurate name for what I'm attempting to build strength for.
chemgoddess1 – Thanks for the tip. I’ll give “skip jump roping” with the pole a whirl. ;o) I know this is probably a silly question with a very obvious answer, but I’ve also learned it can be disastrous to just assume something… What is a pole up?
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Pole ups are like pull ups/chin ups but using the pole. Basically grabbing a little higher than your head and then lifting yourself to eye level, letting yourself down and then pulling up again (feet off the floor). Switch which hand is higher.
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chemgoddess1 – Thank you for the video. I was guessing it was something like that, but am grateful for the visual demonstration. I'll start working on pole ups. Although, right now, I don't think I can even pull myself up to the balls of my feet. Must give love to the wimpy, weakling arms to make them strong. ;o)
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Yes I do know the prayer pose, just didn't have a name for it, thanks for the pic, and thankyou for comments on the positive re-inforcement vid. Dende isa very special cat xx
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