[blueeyes]

Thanks for the links Chemgoddess! I looked up that Tantra Tutorial, but I think I had to pay for it. But I'm going to try you guys' tips and see how it goes! Thank you all again! 

[blueeyes]

AMY — I nailed it the first time! It was all about getting that elbow right above my hipbone..! Thank you ladies for all the advice… xoxo

[blueeyes]

You ladies rock… I'm going to give this a shot again.. it'll still probably take a while for attaining the strength aspect… I'll keep you updated 🙂

[blueeyes]

I had trouble balancing my split grips also, its all about keeping your hips in! Record yourself and look at where your body is, and learn what you need to fix. For me, my hips/butt were too far away from the pole – losing balance. ALWAYS practice from on the pole first before kicking up from the ground…. I promise you will learn quicker this way! I also recommend your top arm in Split Grip to be slightly bent. This helps you control your balance better, pulling your hips in with the top arm.

SHELLECTRA – I had the same problem with TG. I could do it on the pole for months with great control, but couldnt figure out how to kick up into it. It just hit me one day. Dont put your hands too high! Lower your hands and COMMIT to your kick.

[blueeyes]

You also have to pay to compete… that makes me uncomfortable.

[blueeyes]

TG a beginner move? Jenyne does it all the time!

I will admit it's a fairly easy grip once you get it. It is something that I have worked on for MONTHS and MONTHS. I just recently got comfortable with it. It did pull and strain my shoulder quite a bit when I tried to kick into it from the floor. So to avoid injury, I did what the other girls are saying. Get into an inverted crucifix and get into TG from there. I got VERY comfy with holding it, doing poses and lowering myself from it SLOWLY. I did this for about a month or so, and built up the strength to kick up into it. I don't think kicking up into it is dangerous as long as you have the arm strength. It more or less just gets you into position so you can pull yourself with your arms and pull your hips in. Its really fun once you get it. Its alllll about practice and not rushing!

[blueeyes]

So they posted the finalists, but I thought there were supposed to be 12 pro finalists… and I only see 8? Does anybody know why this is? Did all the others just not submit you think??

[blueeyes]

You’ll get it in no time! The knee hold is painfulll at first! I had a swollen knee all bruised up. I promise the pain will cease as long as you keep at it. You really need to cross your ankles… you may want to have your bottom knee a little closer to your top knee to help you reach your ankles. Your hips look fine, it’ll come!

[blueeyes]

Don’t use momentum! just climb it and do what you normally do, dont worry about making it spin a lot at first. Get comfortable being on it. I rarely use any momentum on spinny pole really, my body weight is enough to do.

[blueeyes]

Ouch! Glad you were ok! And thank you for the tip! I never even thought of doing that, cant wait to try it!

[blueeyes]

Yeah, Im sure its very similar. I couldnt imagine doing the side jade that she is referring to no handed though.. that would be tough. Its all about squeezing, and the momentum of spinning helps you stay on the pole too for the no handed cradle.

[blueeyes]

Oh man… I think a few of us will have the guts to admit we were waiting and pretty much expecting Jenyne to steal the title this year. I am so disappointed (NOT IN HER!) with how things went. Those poles were WAY too short for starters, I mean damn, they might as well have done the competition in my living room…

Felix’s routines are pretty much the same, but I did like how she got a little edgier this year.

And yeah what was up with Oona?!?!? Crystal beat her into finals? I’ll say it if no one else will! haha… And I have been a fan of Rafaela for a long time now, so glad to see her place! She’s phenominal! either way, they were all beautiful performers who all gave outstanding performances. It was a joy to watch.

[blueeyes]

Can you hold yourself just with the belly part…? You need to be able to do both before you roll over. If you can do both, my only advice is to SQUEEZE SQUEEZE SQUEEZE!! pull that leg in VERY tight, so that pole cant escape your thigh and belly!

[blueeyes]

Agreed! I have to REALLY concentrate to get mine flat. Karol gave me the good tip about putting your hand under your bum to help you balance (this also allows your upper arm to help grip the pole). It’s all trial and error like all the others :p

[blueeyes]

youtube.com/lindylex