Cupid Attempts (Failed) and Hip Hold from Gemini (Some Success)

[PoleHeatherNicole]

From you gemeni to to your pike move, switch to the scorpio leg and slide down that way, sliding down on the scorpio leg.

[Poledancefan]

THank You....I am at it again with this move tonight...still a failure, lol. I will definitely try your suggestion. I think I need to stretch more, too!

[PoleHeatherNicole]

I know how hard this stuff is so when I post my vids you can comment! lol, but after you pike and bring both legs in front of you, rather then going back to your gemini leg hold, just land into the scorpio leg in a relaxed state as you turn. Since were both super big fans of leigh ann - look at "still dirty" vid at 2:40 where she goes from the pike to the straddle and lands on the scorpio leg and relaxes she turns around the pole. I just learned this move last week!!

[PoleHeatherNicole]

When getting up from the gemini rather to go into the superman or whatever trick, the top hand should come just above the topknee and the bottom hand just below the knee. I did the same thing when doing this move at first, it really helps to place the hands closer to the legs.

[jehrising]

lol

[Poledancefan]

Thanks for watching and enjoying the video!

[Rlsheck]

side climb looks ugly and uncomfortable, u chosen the better way :P good luck!

[Poledancefan]

I have tried it both ways...today I managed to hold it from the leg hook method for just a second or two. I agree--the side climb is hard to make look graceful!

[Rlsheck]

have ya triedgoin into cupid from star of david?

[Poledancefan]

I haven't seen the Star of David move.(Or maybe I know it by another name) I will check the Wikki pole site and look for that variation. Stellar Motion (David, another male poler) suggested trying the shin version of the move. You don't have to be quite as stretchy to do it that way. Shelly (EXDIVA69) calls her version of the move the "gemini swing." The bottom leg rests on the shin instead of the ankle and you lean back a little bit to keep from sliding off. She has a tute up somewhere on it.

[Rlsheck]

any luck on star of david way to cupid??

[Poledancefan]

Hi, RIsheck...Ihaven't poled much in the last 2 weeks. It is about 55 degrees down in that room--we've had almost 2 weeks of weather below 20 here and it's almost impossible to get the basement warm enough to pole. It's so dry you can't even stay on the pole... You know, I still didn't find out what the Star of David move looks like...but I am going to search for it right now...

[Poledancefan]

Oh..OK, well I think I found a video by VIckie (VICKIEZOO) that has that inthe tags...but I wasn't sure which move it was. SHe said it's also called the Heracles or Hercules? Is it kind of like the apprentice? Looked too hard for me yet. I'm going to put a status update on FB, see if anybody has a clear vid or tutorial for it....thanks!

[mediaphobia]

Like some others have already mentioned, try the cupid from a side climb. IMO it's much easier to go into it that way.

Great effort with both tricks. Keep practicing :)

[Poledancefan]

Thank You! I am going to try to get a practice in around Christ,as and try it that way--from th esie climb..

[iceblade05]

i'm sry, but this is an epic fail! =(

[Poledancefan]

Well, you are probably right about the Cupid move...I still have had no luck with this one at all! Do you have any suggestions? How did you get the move? As for the hip hold, well I think I got the basic mechanics down pretty well. I'm not very flexible, so it's never going to be all that good looking unless I do a lot more stretching, LOL! Did you find this move to be easy or difficult when you did it? Any suggestions?

[iceblade05]

well i don't pole dance, but i see some of the better performers, your problem is not because your a man, but because you try too hard, if you make a mistake and fall on your arse, get back up and try something more down to earth rather than try climbing the metal bean stalk, cause you need to aproach that with more balance, best of luck

[Rlsheck]

tech if u dont do pole, then really ur comments are useless, and or rude,

[iceblade05]

are you denying me the right to watch anything on youtube?, cause not everyone watching is gunna be a pole dancer, hence his 1609 views for this vid AND thats a decent number for any vid

[Rlsheck]

im not denying anyone anything, but if u dont do it then u shouldnt really critisise, i think what you sed was rude, and doesnt help the poster at all, if u dont like it dont watch, u dont need to b rude, least he is trying and i think he is doing good :) and i realise not everyone who watch's isnt goin to b a pole dancer but not all of them are rude either...

[iceblade05]

fine i'll learn not to spam click loads of links and not say what you call"rude citisism", even though now that i think about it, as being something he can do that i can't, but leave it there otherwise we'll be here till next xmas :S

[Rlsheck]

how bout, using constructive critisism lol :P

[iceblade05]

yeah we're gunna be here till whenever one of us plunges youtube into a war, with that said, my contructive citismn of the day is, do not give your enemies time because they have none for you ^^

[inapole]

Way to go, Joel! Especially the hip hold is working out nicely! Looking good especially at 4:48 - maybe try keeping the hands and opening legs from that?

Someone might've mentioned this already, but you'll find the gemini -> cupid combo easier if you keep your top hand lower (pull up) and your bottom hand higher (push out). Then keep your hips tight - it's more about pushing your pelvis / leg away from the pole enough with your hand rather than reaching the pole with the foot :)

[Poledancefan]

Thanks, Iina! Yes, a few have suggested that...or even attemmting it from UNDER the knee as a beginner move...or from the side climb. I'm going to try to go back to it again this week. Tiffany (Simplly Sweet) uploaded a really nice tutorial on private about different hand placements...it's a GREAT lesson--I think I'm going to suggest she let everbody see it. She has an under-knee version of it also.

[inapole]

Yes I tend to use an under the knee placement too, it's a lot more secure but also a bit more risky on the wrist in case things go badly :) Can't wait to see your progress!

[seanselmi]

wow Joel, truly my hero, as always I can feel your frustration, I'm into the same Gemini-Cupid move... I can get to extend my leg down to the pole !!!!

Definitely by all your vids I can tell ... I need that Jamilla set right away !!!

Love and Merry Xmas...

Silvia

[Poledancefan]

Hi Silvia... A few people suggested that I try hooking the hand UNDERNEATH the knee. I'm going to try it tht way next time--it might be easier....

[jillianolsen]

nice cupid attempts Joel! have you tired Cupid just from the floor?? standing and hooking your leg and kinda lifting up? To me it looks like your hook leg is VERY high, which takes a whole bunch of Flexibility =) like a half pole split more than cupid...but I love your vids, you always make me laugh when you talk to the camera haha!

[Poledancefan]

Thanks, Jillian! I got a few sugggestions to try the Cupid that way--as a side climb or from the high knee hook method. I think I might try it that way next time. Tiff also uploaded a tutorial for me with a slight variation on the invert method I was trying--by holding the hand UNDERNEATH instead of on top of the knee.

[zecs101]

r u talking to me???

[ThePoleDude]

cant wait to see your hot new outfit

HA

[Poledancefan]

I put up a no music quick practice update on FB a few hours ago. I'm not sure if I'll put the underwear version up on You-Tube, ha ha--although I actually have BETTER combo successes in the dim red lights than the one I was able to do in the Facebook video. Anyway, I saved the clips...I might put them up...I'll have to see how embarrassing they look!

[zecs101]

i think u need a bit more practice

[Poledancefan]

Yes, I think you are right! Getting even halfway decent at this has been a real struggle and I am never really satisfied with how any of my videos look. But a year spent in the on-line community has taught me that even the champioship polers are always looking to improve also. That's the thing about poling...you are always practicing...there's always another move to try--or an old one to improve! Thanks for watching and commenting on my video!

[roxy2269]

i always love watching ur vids! they always inspire me to try a move that i have been struggling with. your vids are unedited raw hard work!! its nice to see how much strength,patience and will power its takes to learn pole moves in a vid. keep up the great work!!

[Poledancefan]

Thank You!...well I long ago figures out I was a little too old and late to gymnastic type sports to do the really graceful stuff the younger, thinner polers do. So I do just try to make it more of an athletic type of a thing and just try to see what happens when I attempt a move.

[killerredtex]

you know, i was thinking about the shorts issue. you should contact the lady that does pole skivvies and see if she will look into possibly making a mens prototype for you and you be the guinea pig and give her feedback on how well they do. just a thought :) keep at that cupid, give the speedos a shot for now i bet that will make a difference in your hip hold :)

[Poledancefan]

I actually do have a pair of those all elastic men's underarmour briefs. They are just like the womens' volleyball shorts and are pretty comfortable. I just get a little self conscious putting them on video! But I will try this move again...with the dim red lights...or maybe just upload it on private to the friends list in my elastic undies, lol! Ha Ha, it's just a little too embarassing. But the men's pole shorts does sound like a good idea!

[REDKE71]

joel... if you dont have the hip flexibility to keep your top leg at 90d to your bottom leg than this move might be hard for you.. try the modified cupid from a side climb.. it will help you get the feel for the full version...great work on the hip hold.. the only thing i see hindering you is your shorts are about an 1.5in too long.. youre using your other contact points well to make up for that... so great job!!

[Poledancefan]

Yep, I definitely need to stretch. As for the shorts. I think it's time to screw in the dim red lightbulbs...and put on the speedo, LOL! I was definitely propping up that hip hold with lots of armpit grip.

[Hoddska]

Joel, go ahead with the Speedo or the underwear..safety first which equals skin on the pole...and it looks good too!

nice work as always!

xo

alex

[Poledancefan]

LOL, OK, I'll get the SPEEDO out next time...and the REALLY dim lights!

[Ange70x]

hahahaha, I was gonna suggest the same thing, your pants are just too long!

Moves like this are the reason I always pole in big pants and not shorts :-)

Keep at it Joel, you'll get there, that hip hold was getting good

[christinady]

as for the hiphold-- you're almost there!

maybe you can try pulling your legs close to your chest so that they're parallel to the floor. use your left hand to pull your right leg from the outside of the leg, towards the pole so that your right inner thigh presses on the pole hard. (and make sure no shorts on the pole!) when you're stable there, then you can try opening the left leg into a hip hold. from there the jade should be easy.

[Poledancefan]

I'm going to keep trying the Cupid...possibly from the side climb method, too. Grip is always a problem...especially with the gym shorts. I hate the SPEEDO shorts, but I might try it with them instead, LOL!

[christinady]

i love that you keep on practicing! you're doing a great job.

about the cupid from the gemini-- you'll have to pull yourself higher with your left hand, and push yourself up with your right hand, to the point where your upper body is almost vertical. i see that your upper body is still a bit horizontal, and that will pose a problem for hooking your lower leg onto the pole, unless your hips are really flexible. i think it will help if you do hip opening stretches.

[Poledancefan]

Thank You...I agree about the stretching...I'm not as flexible as I need to be for pole work!

[studio409montreal]

Ho, quel travail, bravo Joel!

Pour le hip hold, il faut serrer très fort la pole avec le dessous du bras droit. Moi ça m'aide beaucoup. Bonne chance!

[Poledancefan]

Merci, Valerie!

[studio409montreal]

Speedo!!!!!!!! Yé!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol

[Poledancefan]

OK...bien oui...j'essayerai le mouvement en SPEEDO le prochaine fois!

[elmafuddyesmate]

Well done, you've practically got it : ) As Tigiee said, not sure if the pole is touching your shorts? The more skin contact the better, n try and bring your body up towards your legs a little bit more and see if that helps. You're making some fantastic progress : )

[Poledancefan]

Thank You! I might have to practice this move inthe SPEEDO shorts!

[SimpllySweet]

Joel your doing super! I see everyones covered you with tips.  I love watching your progress.

[Poledancefan]

Thanks, Tiff...yep, lots of stuff to study and learn, lol! I read everything and try it all the different ways until something works!

[spinbunny]

Great job Joel, you've basically got that hip hold already!

[Poledancefan]

Thank You!

[tigiee]

Great job on the hiphold! I can't really tell, but it almost looks like the pole is touching your shorts sometimes instead of your thigh skin? & you did the pike! that's a good way to progress into the hip hold with less pain :)

Great attempts for the cupid- it's not easy. As Samantha said, have you tried doing a side climb into it?It's easier to get into position that way,& once you get comfortable with it, it'l be easier to get into it from leg hang.

Keep it up, your progress is amazing!

[Poledancefan]

Yes, this is definitely where the shorts are a bit of a problem...they are about as short as you can get them for men. I may have to try the SPEEDO next time, lol! ..or just turn down the lights VERY VERY low and try it with what Gail likes to call "performance shorts" ha ha (underwear!) I will try the side climb to Cupid next time...it's probably easier that way. I have actually done the basic side climb move by itself in another video, so I might be able to get it that way...

[tigiee]

LOL ! try pulling that side up towards your hip a little just as you're bringing that leg down :D

Not that i have anything against "performance shorts" though, hahaha!

[tigiee]

aaarg! i just wrote a comment that didn't go through! this is testing so i can try again..

[CrazySamantha0214]

Joe have you ever seen Shirley's vid of the hip hold it is very helpful. She does it where she holds her leg with her hand. I do it in my Oct 1 vid in the begining. That helps you keep yourself there to me... Try that out k but great job! The cupid is hard. I can only do it when I am dancing barefoot. I like to do it from climbing up the pole side ways. You could maybe try that out so your body is already in the position it needs to be in. :)

[Poledancefan]

What is Shirley's channel name...I'd definitely like to see that video. I'll go back and look at your other vid, too! I figured the Cupid could be done from side climb,too. I was a little surprised that Jamiilla's lesson tapes start with the invert method. I'm going to try it the side climb way next time...

[PunkyJessie]

Aarg! The cupid is a tough one! I became so discouraged trying this, after getting the Marley.. I thought it would be easy.. It is NOT easy! lol. I don't have any advice on the Cupid but what makes a difference on the hip hold, for me, is pulling those legs in, close, flat and straight. There is a ton of skin on the pole from the front of the thigh to the back, if its lined up right. Your arm and side of your chest won't really be doing that much work once your set. Great job! Keep it up!

[Poledancefan]

Fleur suggested tring the Cupid with the arm UNDER the leg...I'll see if that works better next time around.... I think you are right about getting the legs positioned right, too. Part of my problem is just poor flexibility. I need to stretch more...

[Lorenzia777]

wow Joel great job bi the hip hold i m self very problem whit this hip hold an a long time i noting mor attempt the cupit is for my beter you a great motivation bravo Joel!!:=)

[Poledancefan]

Thank You, Gaby. The Cupid is very difficult. I am having a hard time stretching my legs to be successful at the move. I will keep trying!

[fleurthefrenchcat]

Tip: don't take your top arm off the pole after inverting and move it over your top knee, leave it under your knee then use the bottom arm to push you away so you can bring the bottom leg to the pole. Otherwise you feel like you're just going to slide out of it right?

good job on the hip hold!Just remember you want to keep the legs parallel to the floor, it will give you the best stick on that inside thigh.

[Poledancefan]

Thanks, Fleur! I will try that Cupid the other way...but it will come out being a slightly different move then, right. Or could I move the upper hand after gettinglocked inthe move? Eventually I want to do the release version of it, too. I will play around with it a little more and see if that makes it easier. Part of my problem is poor flexibility, I think. The hip hold is a real skin ripper, that's for sure--but it only tooka few times to get the basic mechanics of it.

[seanselmi]

You just made my night ! :P (I've been working a lot tonight) Now I can relax ...as always you motivate me ...you are great Joel ! btw..love Christopher Cross !!! :)

[Poledancefan]

Thank You, SeanSelmi!

[seanselmi]

hahaha ... Im no a Sean, more a Silvia Anselmi hahahaha :P