How to approach pole moves that freak you TF out 😬

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Let’s be real: We all have a few moves that freak us theeeee 🤬 out. No shame in that! The power comes from facing it head-on, sure. But how do you even DO that?

I don’t claim to have all the answers, but here’s what’s worked for me. Here’s hoping these things help you, too!🤞🏾

Research.

While there have been moves I’ve been able to watch a couple of times and have them click, certain moves (especially those with fewer contact points) absolutely need more studying in order to learn from various teachers, tutorials, and angles. What I’ve learned over the years is that I need to consult multiple sources to absorb the information in a way that works for ME. You can’t expect one person to be able to explain every single move in a way that works for your level of understanding, and that’s not a reflection of your teaching ability or your capacity to comprehend instructions. We all learn differently, so expose yourself to different instructors from time to time. You might be surprised! I’ve had moves that I’ve struggled with for years broken down to me in less than 5 minutes by a new person, and it’s made a world of difference for my confidence the times that I’ve been able to bust out a new move on the first or 2nd try after an explanation from someone completely new.

Ask for help!

This one is especially important if you have any mental blocks around the moves in question and need help getting unstuck.

I recently booked a private lesson with another instructor to work on cross-ankle laybacks and inverts. I knew that cross-ankle releases in particular were terrifying to me thanks to a previous instructor snatching my hands from the pole to throw me into one before I’d ever seen it in a demonstration. Before my private lesson, the thought of releasing my hands made my heart drop (even with my thick thighs and a crash mat underneath me), so it helped to have someone there who was an experienced coach and spotter to walk me through. I left that private with the confidence to actually try on my own because the move was broken down into more digestive pieces that I could tackle bit by bit. It was especially helpful for me because fun fact: I was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. Having that instructor there kept me from spiraling and allowed me to work through my anxiousness surrounding the move.

CONDITION!

I’m screaming at myself here because pole conditioning is one of my least favorite things (just like I’m sure it is for some of you). There’s unfortunately no “get rich quick” scheme when it comes to building up pole strength. I love the gym, but it’s not a total substitute because you need the muscle memory of the moves in addition to all that strength. Drilling moves over and over will help pole moves become second nature over time. That’s why I tend to throw in a lot of the same moves when I freestyle now! My body naturally wants to go into those various seats and floats because I’ve gotten myself used to what they FEEL LIKE.

Work your way up through progressions and modifications.

There will come a point in your pole journey where you won’t get moves on the first try. Whether it’s strength, flexibility, or plain confusion, there’s going to be a time when a move just isn’t accessible to you right away. Don’t let that stop you! Consider some of the steps that might help you reach your desired goal.

Are there any drills that will help you memorize the steps?

Are there any simpler progressions that you can master on your journey to the move you have your sights set on?

Don’t give up just because it doesn’t work the 1st or 5th time. There’s a way to get there, and who knows? You might discover something else along the way that you like the look of just as much (if not, more)!

What’s a current nemesis move that you’re working on turning into your new best friend? Let me know in the comments! Also, check out a few of my favorite pole-related items and maybe snag some outfits for yourself!