It's Not As Hard As You Think: Grip and Contact Techniques in Pole Dancing (Photos from my @steemitgottalent Entry)

in #art7 years ago

This will be my first post about pole dancing. As I have mentioned in my introduction post, I enjoy pole dancing and I just started it (and fitness in general) two years ago. Photos are screenshots (hence the very poor quality) from my entry for @steemitgottalent sponsored by @sunnylife, @immarojas, @maverickinvictus, @ankarlie, @allerie00 and @sorenkierkegaard. I’m new to steemit and I figured this can be a good start. My short video showed interesting gripping and contact techniques that are essential to pull off different pole tricks and transitions. Either you’re into pole fitness or not, I’m sure you will find it interesting how seemingly “hard” things become easier with proper techniques.  

Pole dancing requires upper body strength. However, upper body strength is not a guarantee to be able to execute pole tricks at first few tries without knowledge of the proper gripping and points of contact. My Friends who are not into pole fitness often overestimate my upper body strength. To tell you honestly, in my current physique, I can only do two decent pull ups. A lot of tricks in pole become easier with proper grip and if you keep in mind the areas that should be in contact with the pole.  Let’s get to my first photo so you’ll know what I’m talking about.   

The Split Grip Straddle



This is a straddle pose using a split grip. This grip has two goals: To keep me from falling down and to keep my body away from the pole. It may seem like there's a lot of pressure on my lower hand but it’s not really what it looks like. My weight is distributed in both hands. My upper hand (right hand) pulls my body upward, while my bottom hand (left hand) pushes the pole to prevent me from sliding down and keep my body away from the pole.   


Notice how my bottom hand (left hand) is at about 45 degrees from the pole. This angle gives me a nice distance from the pole to keep my bottom arm (left arm) fully engaged and extended.  If I keep an angle too close to the pole, I will slip downward. If angle is too large, most of my strength will push me away from the pole. Less fraction of my force will push my body upward and support my other hand (right hand). My right arm is not strong enough to carry all my weight.   

Next


The Jade Split 


“Look at me mom, No hands!”...Awesome, right? With no hands on the pole, points of contact are of essence. Understanding the positioning of my body will make you realize there’s no super human talent right there. With the right technique, it’s almost impossible to fall and break my neck.  

Let us first look closely at my left hand which is holding my right foot. This is the most important hand placement to nail a jade split. My left hand does two important things: open my splits and tighten the contact of my inner thigh to the pole and my stomach. Twisting my torso towards the pole is a compromise for my lack of flexibility to nail a perfect split. I am just pulling my leg down and in towards my left shoulder to really give it a tight squeeze as I sandwich the pole between my thigh and stomach.    


Twisted Hand Grip Ayesha


 I love this super powerful pose. With the proper and secure grip, I am able to hold this trick longer. When I first got in to pole fitness and saw my instructor do this, I said to myself, "Meh, I'll never be able to do that".  


This twisted grip was the sweet secret sauce that made my Ayesha magic possible. Though it looks (and feels) awkward, this is for me, a very secure grip to pull the pole and keep me from falling to my death.  You may notice that it looks like the split grip straddle but upside-down. Just like the split grip, distance of left and right hand is important. The bottom hand (left hand) keeps my body away from the pole while pushing it upward. Weight is evenly distributed in both hands. Balance is kept by spreading legs evenly on both sides.   


Forearm Grip Air Walk


 Forearm grip is a grip that holds the pole with your hands while leaning one side (co-linear with the elbow) of your forearm, in parallel with the pole. With forearm grip, climbing the pole becomes easier (compared to other gripping techniques). Increased contact surface to the pole is the key secret of the forearm grip wizardry. Its purpose is to keep my body away from the pole. With forearm parallel with the pole, contact area is greater and greater force is effected with minimal pressure felt on points of contact.    


In pole, l learned that understanding your weakness and knowing the right execution techniques makes seemingly difficult things doable. It also taught me that small details can make a huge difference, so it’s important to pay attention to them. This learning doesn’t end within the walls of our pole studio but I’m taking it with me to all other aspects of my life. Personally, it made me become more objective when faced with any challenges. I am always reminded to tell myself: “There should be a way on how to attack this problem. The worst case is that it’s hard, but not impossible”   

Did this post made you appreciate pole as a sport and as an art? I really hope so. Until next time!    

And Oh by the way, Here's the video (Music is titled Madness by Ruelle):
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really awesome! :) kumusta! welcome to steemit! I really enjoyed ur post and the vid at the end.. i really liked the series at 2:50 where is all inverted work, and the fast spin at the end.. :)

Im glad you enjoyed that part...because I didn't. It made me want to throw up at the end. Spinning upsidedown fast makes me dizzy.

:P i bet. well, it looked good! :)

Wow, not only are you a talented dancer but you are a gifted blogger too. And you study engineering to boot. That's too much talent in one person :D

Awesome job with this post and that beautiful dance routine.

@jazzhero, those are really kind words. Ive always been shy uploading my videos on social media. I just found steemit a more appropriate plaform for me to share what i really love doing. I never saw myself as talented, I just really put extra effort on things.

Saying it's because of hard work is even more admirable :)
I agree that Steemit is one of the best places to showcase one's passion. The community is supportive and less toxic than usual social media hehe.

Your wonderful post was nominated and upvoted by @curie. We at Curie are on a constant lookout for amazing content like yours. Although our upvote looks a lot better when Steem rate is high haha :D

If you'd like to support us, vote for Curie as a witness.

Oh geez. "Less toxic " is on point. I was looking for a better term...thanks for that

Wow ang galing, you can really build up some muscles in pole dancing right? How similar is that with gymnastics?

Yes. I have some baby biceps growing @guruvaj. Yes it's like gymnastics as it requires both strength and flexibility.. gymnastics is very varied and has different apparatus (balance beams, rings, bars, rope, etc). .while pole is centered only on the vertical pole

You are amazing and this was incredible!
Keep it up, you definitely got talent!
Upvoted and resteemed! :)

@nikolina wow, thankyou. Im humbled you see me as talented. But I'd like to say its hardwork. Day1 at pole class i cant even reach the floor without my knees bent

I can only imagine how much work it takes to get where you at now!
Thanks for sharing your skills with us and I'm glad this post got recognized and rewarded. :)

Yes im very happy too. My last post took almost thesame effort to prepare....but im a bit dismayed with the little attention....Anyway ill move forward and focus on doing quality content...coz thats what drives me

Thank you for the very kind words @nikolina

Wow miss anne! You are so amazing! I have no words but praise!

I like how you approach pole dancing, @anneporter. I like how some of the things that you learn in pole, you apply in other aspects of your life too. Learned a lot from this post, pole sensei!

One month membership na! 😉😉Yes...and im striving to improve now .because you inspire me to be more.......reflective 😉

hey girl! great descriptions about the pole holds :D and lovely routine!

hi @polebird! I just followed you. You just got yourself a fan. keep those videos coming.

hiiii amazinggg!!! im in steemitgottalent too,im from south america, caracas, venezuela, im guitar player, amazing both posts about your performance and this one too, please if you don´t mind take a look about this old post from my gf, its bilingual, cause we are spanish writers, but i hope that you like it, she its a pole dancer here too, cause of that im sharing the post here for you watch it. soon she is going to participate in a video for the contest, we are recording, this week. see you later, blessings, namaste, by the way, amazing pole video, valeria and myself watch just right now, and we like a lot your video ;) . https://steemit.com/spanish/@valeriabandes/una-creacion-coreografica-para-mi-baile-del-pase-de-nivel-a-choreography-creation-for-my-pole-dance

@nahupuku. Wow thanks! She has amazing skills! Thank you so much for sharing. I like her concept by the way. She looks really beautiful

thanks a lot!!! :D she dont speak or read english but im going to tell her about your words! i support her (im musician and photographer too) so i took her pole pics and make her videos, edit too, and put in the youtube channel, now she its a teacher here, and well its very cool that, we have a tattoo shop here, she is a tatto artist too. i like a lot her artist vibe. i study art in university, so i love all kind of art, cause of that i like a lot your videos, you dance with a lot of artistic moves, very beautyfull, i like a lot, bless ;) and good luck in the contest!

thanks @nahupuku , wishing you and your giflfriend all the best in life. She is beautiful and a very creative artist too.

:D your welcome, if you wanna check it some of her posts: @valeriabandes - im going to translate soon some of her pole dance old spanish posts. and we have some open mic contest videos and poetry too. if you wanna check it out well be our guests. i publish some english posts contents, this its a list if you wanna check it: https://steemit.com/spanish/@nahupuku/original-song-selva-de-concreto-y-mi-lista-de-posts-hasta-la-fecha . namaste

awesome post! ;) :D