6/23/2015 Pole Foundations![]() Proper body alignment is not only the foundation for each pole move but also the most mechanically efficient and safest position for the body to maintain, while moving around the pole. With good foundations, we can safely create and prolong momentum for spinning, sustain static holds and beautiful poses, move gracefully from one move to the next one without jeopardizing joint integrity or safety. Not to mention that exercises also become easier and more fluent. More than often we see students “hanging” off the pole while spinning, shrugging their shoulders up in other to sustain a move, wrapping their wrist around the pole, “jumping” onto a pole hold, even kicking forcefully in order to achieve momentum. Unfortunately, these habits tend to stick around if not caught and corrected in time, and then passed onto more advanced pole levels where serious injuries have higher chances to occur. During beginner levels, joint safety and proper body position instruction will ensure safe and adequate learning, avoiding injuries and creating “bad pole habits”.
- Keep emphasis on proper body position on every class, even through advanced levels - Never allow students to “hang off the pole” in order to achieve a spin: Hanging is referred to as a position where the shoulder is pulled away from the socket while supporting the entire weight of the body hanging underneath, over-stretching the ligaments. This is not only an incorrect way to spin, it is also very unsafe. Students who struggle within this scenario must take a step back and practice basic “Pole Holds” until proper strength is gained and adequate shoulder position is learned. - Watch for the wrist: An overly tight pole grip can easily cause the wrist to wrap. This is very common amongst beginners, for fear of falling and compensating by holding on too tight. One useful tip to ensure adequate grip strength when wrist wrapping is to keep the thumb on the same side of the pole as the rest of the fingers (Cup Grip). Wrist strengthening and stretching exercises should be practiced regularly. - Watch for shoulders “going up”: Often, new beginners will tense up the upper shoulder muscles, neck and even the jaw muscles when required to do a hold or sustain a pose. This will likely cause neck pain, stiffness to the Upper Trapezius and Levator Scapulae muscles, and even headaches. Instruct students to relax shoulders down and and back, focusing on activating the upper back muscles instead, (Latissimus, Rhomboids and Lower Trapezius) to hold the body weight of the floor. - Do not allow students to kick or swing the body aggressively around pole in order to get momentum: demonstrate how momentum can be properly created with a Basic Momentum Test:
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