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Having trouble with a few different moves, breaking down
I keep struggling with extended butterfly, D, handstands and ayesha, cant handspring either but Im not as mad about that one. Every time I try extended butterfly I feel like my calf just wont leave the pole and my body gets stuck resting on my body. When I try D I feel my body getting stuck on my body like with extended. Ayesha just scares me, I know I need extended or D before I can get Ayesha and handstands scare me to death too. Ive been trying to just do the one facing the pole coming down from crucifix but my knees will not let go of the pole. I want to get these so bad but my fear takes over and I break down to tears from the frustration. Does anyone have any advice to get me closer to my goals? How do you get over fears on the pole? I use safety mats and I use leg warmers to reduce skin friction but nothing is working. Im supposedly an advanced level but I dont feel like it without these moves, I do well with flexibility moves but cant seem to get over fear of moves without my legs on the pole with the exception of underarm holds. Please help a fellow poler out.
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3 Replies
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What a coincidence.. we were just working on this last class! The cue from my instructor that really helped me was “look at your crotch” lol. When you invert,drop your inside hand, and push up to get the space between your bum and the pole, tuck your head and look at your crotch. It’s amazing how weightless you get just from increasing the angle! Ext butterfly and D were much easier with twisted grip.
Ayesha is a scary move at first, but if you do it from just one caterpillar climb, the way you bail is to simple cartwheel your legs down to the floor. If you are doing it from elbow grip, it’s highly unlikely your body will let you fall straight backwards. Give it a go with a spotter. Create the space between bum and pole, then just release your knees. If you are unstable, you can simple put your knees back on. You will be able to give it a few attempts each invert until eventually you are secure enough to release!
I struggle with fear a LOT. I’m terrified of heights.. so aerial arts were not a smart hobby for me to choose. There are days where I kick myself bc I know I”m strong enough, but my fear incapacitates me. Every day you get on the pole, you are giving yourself a therapy session! You CAN overcome the fear, just allow yourself some time. When you become frustrated, stop, take a breath, and freestyle to a song you like to clear your head.
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I have the girls in my class do handstand walk ins facing the pole. From standing with back against pole bend forward hands on floor in handstand position, put one leg up on pole top if foot on one inside knee one outside of pole like a climb position/step up, push with arms and our other leg above the lower walk hands in a little bit then put lower leg above and so on while walking arms in u will get to pole facing handstand. From there u can practice one leg in front one in back for inverted crucifix, or calf hooked behind other above head in butterfly with hands on ground, middle split handstands, no pole handstands eventually, caterpillar etc. to get down either cartwheel off, walk hands out and slide pole between legs slowly. I like to have the girls do the handstand walk ins at least 3 to 5 times per class it’s a great upper body builder. It’s slow go at first but they are walking in to handstand in no time 🙂 good luck!!
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I will give both these a try on my next session, thanks for encouraging words 🙂 I feel like my fear gets in the way, I know I’ve got strength in there. Ive always been nervous about handstands and having my legs above my head with only my arms for support. My legs for support I have no issues with but something about my legs free in the air scares me.
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