Skip to main content

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:


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Running update - 2 miles achieved!

The Monkey Bar Gym has been closed during the week because of Summerfest, which means all my krav and boxing classes have been cancelled. My muay thai instructor and I talked about doing some outdoor exercises in its place; but it was nearly 100 degrees with full sun and incredibly high humidity these past 3 days, so that was out. In fact, I went for a walk on my lunch break on Friday afternoon and felt sick for the rest of the day from the heat. I was hoping then to get some hiking, running, or rocking climbing in on Saturday or Sunday, and to make it to a krav or hot yoga class on Sunday; but none of these things worked out. The heat prevented me from being able to do any outdoor activities, and no one was able to go rock climbing with me. Saturday I went up to Baraboo with Jennifer Koss to do some hiking and swimming at Pewit's Nest, but because it was so hot, we didn't end up doing a lot of the former. But I got home so late and was so exhausted from the heat (also, my shou...
Post a Comment
Read more

Pole update: layback achieved!

I finally got my cross-ankle layback tonight! I wore my new Wonder Woman shorts so I'd have more grip in my thighs and followed the advice from a blog I recently read, which said to go into it from a reverse Superwoman. It worked! I was able to get it every time except for once, when I think it wasn't close enough to my crotch. And then because I was able to get the layback, I was able to work on bow and arrow and got it on the first try. After that, it was pretty easy to keep doing it (especially since my leg grip was so good). Also, my flag is looking better. I can raise both legs now pretty horizontally and hold them there for a while on both sides.  BOOYAKASHA!
Post a Comment
Read more

January 18 - Being a therapist: 10 rides at Magic Kingdom

Sitting at The Whiskey on Sand Lake, waiting for Bryan. I took myself to Epcot, where it rained, and spent the entire day on the phone. Sea World Nick's finally hit wall with his Jeff problems and has accepted that he needs to see a counselor. That's good. Hopefully, Melody and I can become friends in the process.  We'll go go Magic Kingdom next to see the Country Bears before they're gone, but it feels good to not be at Disney for a second, even if it meant having to drive all the way back to Sand Lake and then drive back again.  No photos today.  LATER ADDITION: Despite it being really damp, rainy, cold, and puddly; and despite Bryan and I both being really tired (possibly because of drinking whiskey and wine, but also possibly because I was emotionally drained), Bryan and I somehow went on 10 rides at Magic Kingdom in 3 hours and closed out the park.  We didn't realize this until we were talking in the car later because we weren't rushing or even aiming to do...
Post a Comment
Read more