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Pole Achievements

On Tuesday I had my yellow best test in karate (very odd experience, but I honestly didn't care about testing. I think it's kind of pointless), and in preparation, I decided to pole dance in my gi. The few times I've tried doing a handspring again in class (since that one glorious Level 6 class a month ago where I got it after only a few tries) I haven't been successful, but I've always been really tired after a strenuous workout those times. So I was really hoping that, given my additional muscle training since then and the fact that I wasn't totally exhausted, I could do it for a karate photo shoot.

What a surprise it was, then, that I got it on my first try and could hold it like it was nothing! I was able to move my legs around in different poses, hoping that one of them would look cool (almost none of them did from that angle), and never felt like I really needed to come back down. Hallelujah!! I think I can officially say I've got the handspring down now (twisted grip, at least) - a feat I didn't think I'd manage for another year at least! This is really a testament to how strong I've gotten in the last half a year.


Also, while wearing my gi, I was able to do a deadlift shoulder and hold it in position for as long as I wanted. This has been my goal for the past 3 months, and I didn't even realize that I had already achieved it. I can easily do a shoulder mount into a brass monkey now, which I struggled with a month ago. Yay meeting goals!


The next things I'd like to be able to do are an elbow grip pencil and Ayesha. That's what I really want to be able to do. I'm also going to keep working on a regular grip handspring, since ultimately that's the hardest one to do and the safest, as well. An iguana would be nice, too.

Oh! Here's me with my yellow belt, by the way:


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