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Pencil Mount
I've been working on the pencil mount for months and I just can't get it. I'd like to just be able to engage my lower back/core and raise my legs up (rather than kicking) but my body doesn't like to cooperate.
I had a trainer who taught me how to do handstands with my hands on ground and back against the wall to form a tripod but once she wasn't there to spot me anymore, my legs stopped lifting. It's getting frustrating because I know I'm strong enough but I just haven't figured out how to engage my muscles properly.
Do any of you lovely ladies have any tips for me? Or is it one of those I'll magically get it kind of thing (which is what I found with the straight edge)?
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5 Replies
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For the pencil mount make sure that your hips are as close to the pole as possible. If you can walk your feet in a bit more after that. For the lifting I found it is helpful to think of tipping my pelvis into the pole first and then worrying about the legs. The movement of getting the pelvis to the pole/spine straight will involve lifting the legs but since I'm not focusing on them it helps.
For handstands, can you do an elbow stand away from the wall? I don't do handstands cause they freak me out but I know with elbow stands I got to a point I could just lift up into them by the wall but away from the wall I couldn't get any lift at all. I finally figured it was just a mental block so I started practicing in a space where there was room to fall/tuck and roll out (make sure you're good with this exit. Maybe practice with a spotter first). That helped significantly since even though I thought I was I wasn't really lifting off the wall since I was worried about falling/landing on something. I donno if that is you issue but it's worth a shot.
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Hips over head, then lift the legs….that is the key for any of these balance moves. Finding the best hand placement when doing a Hanstand Press and Bending the knees (while feet are on the floor) for the Pencil mount are good tricks to try, allowing you to move the hips over head.https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_flower.gif
If your taking them….
Here is the lesson for the Pencil mount https://www.studioveena.com/lessons/view/4d4ffed8-d100-4206-ac8d-194a0ac37250
Here is the lesson for the Handstand Press https://www.studioveena.com/lessons/view/4d384b3e-930c-4b99-a56c-198e0ac37250
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try working the dismount and "pausing" at various points to really feel what muscles are engaging! sometimes it's just muscle memory that needs to get activated.
for me, the key to an iguana mount was really working on headstands over and over until I was able to lift my legs without any momentum, and until i really understood what was working to get my hips up.
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Thanks, ladies! I'll work on getting my hips over my head. As for the dismount, I had a weird tumble off the pole once so I haven't touched it since. I know exactly why I came off the pole but I just decided I'll work on the mount instead. Time to face that demon again.
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I can do other advanced moves like TG handsprings, carthweel and handspring mounts, ayshas and floor handstand holds but still cant get the pencil mount!!! Grr lol
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