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Going too fast?
Ok so where I pole isn't the best, using the word "studio" is probably being a little ambitious – its just a few more advance girls teaching the lesser advance girls moves and stuff. We don't do a proper warm up or down, but a lot of the girls who go used to be/are still dancers and they do their own thing while warming up.
Its nice to pole with other people but, I can't help but think we're moving really fast. We've all been poling since october last year, but its only an hour a week and not over christmas/easter periods for a month at a time, and we share a pole between about 5 people, so all in all we don't get that much pole time. And I'm always getting encouraged to do things I don't really feel comfortable with, for example we've just started inverting, and most of the girls can only just climb (they slip A LOT). When should you start inverting? Also, we're always being encouraged to use a craddle grip for spins (like, one hand high and one hand low, palms facing), which puts so much pressure on my bottom wrist I refuse to do it because I figure it can't be healthy to put that much strain on your arm. When do you guys think somebody should start doing this sort of thing? I don't know if its just me being silly, or if we are going at a much too fast pace. A lot of the other girls are keeping up with the pace but they have done a lot of dance before, I guess I just want some encourgement that I'm doing the right thing holding back because it is disheartening when you're watching everybody else invert and I'm just too nervous too…
Also, I know there aren't any real "rules" for when to start something, but any advice would help. Where I pole know its more of a case of just go for it and you'll eventually figure it out, rather than making sure you can do x y and z before moving on.
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6 Replies
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My advice…. you can never go wrong by starting with building strength first. Also proper progression when learning moves is important for growth, if you learn the basics wrong then everything else will be much harder. This is why I set up my lessons in an order of progression that builds strength first then teaches you moves that build on one another. Be safe. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_safesex.gif
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Don't feel bad at all! You are right that doing a cradle spin with split grip can put too much strain on your lower wrist if you're not strong enough for it. Keep progressing at a pace that makes sense for you.
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I think you're doing the right thing…no real warm-up and progressing too quickly without some real guidelines for technique/safety is a recipe for injury.
Veena's lessons here are great. I highly recommend them, the level of teaching you get for the price is just phenomenal! At first, I used the lessons to help me re-learn all the basics because I started out all wrong at the studio I started at (the only one in the area). I knew I was strong enough to do more, but it was difficult because my technique was totally off. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_sad.gif Once I got a better foundation to work from, the intermediate and advanced moves began to come much more easily. Especially split-grip moves, my wrist used to KILL me from just trying to lift my weight for a couple milliseconds. With Veena's tips for proper hand positioning I could instantly hold it for longer without any pain at all! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif
As for inverting, I'm not an instructor or anything, but if I was I wouldn't let anyone invert who couldn't do a few things; pole holds, knee tucks, controlled fan kicks, crucifix, and at least 2 steps of climbs. Even then, I would start them low and use crash mats. This is simply for liability issues, if someone falls and hurts themselves they could sue! These things help make sure you are not only strong enough, but that you understand the position you are going into. There is much less chance of falling, and even if you do being low to the ground and mats will prevent anything worse than some bruising.
Don't feel bad for holding yourself back, you know your body better than anyone and if you don't feel comfortable or safe then say so. Be careful and have fun out there. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif
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I agree with these ladies fully. I go to a studio and there are times where a move and at times certain grips… may be simply too advanced for my strength level. I think people do learn the things at faster/slower paces, but at the end of the day- if i am not comfortable attempting it at my strength/experience level I don't… Call me scary or "not confident" I just know where I stand and I am stil building strength… I am simply not trying to be bandaged or slinged up for attempting something i'm not really ready for yet. Period. Do what is comfortable and move along at YOUR pace. `
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Thanks ladies, really given me a boost 🙂 I was tempted to try inverting the other day but I decided to just work on strength by doing off-hand spins and one handed spins, and my thumb has all swollen up (tendonitis AGAIN)! So its a really good thing I didn't try and do anything more intense than that. I guess I'm really jealous of all the other girls but if I can't do it yet then I can't do it, and I'm not going to hurt myself trying. I'm just gonna carry on going along at my own pace and in the summer, when I have more time for practice, I'm gonna get some of Veena's lessons to make sure I'm doing everything right! Thanks girlies!
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I would have to agree with going with what you are comfortable with. I went to classes for a few weeks and some of us inverted some didnt, it depends on how comfortablet you are with the pole and how your body responds to the move. I always push myself (not to the point of injury or anything) but I always want to do more! but everyone is different and listening to ur body is the most important thing.
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