So we all know what it’s like to have a nemesis move. That one move that no matter how hard you try or how long you train it, you just never seem to be able to nail it.
Some days seem closer than others but you always look back and realise it’s the one move that still evades you.
Well I’m very happy to say that this week I managed to get one of my nemesis moves (I have two!) the Phoenix. Cue happy dance (literally – it lasted about 3 minutes!)
Keep At It
I find that the more I tried my Phoenix, the more and more I saw other people nailing it. You know the usual ‘I got this on my first try’ or ‘here’s my other side but it’s rubbish’ when it’s the most elegant Phoenix I’ve ever seen. Don’t get me wrong – I’m not jealous of these people as I’m sure that like me, they would have put so much time and effort into pole to get this move too. Of course I wish I could do it as well, but they all deserve to be where they are.
I have literally been trying the Phoenix for about 3 years. And when I say 3 years, I mean it! I’ve been trying it on and off for weeks and would then get to a point that I realised I needed a break from it. So I’d come back to it a few weeks later and try again. Often I’d see a little bit of progress and sometimes I’d have those days where I wanted to give it all up – I’m sure you’ve had that feeling before.
I’ve tried it with so many polers in different 1:1 sessions and each time I felt a little closer…
But Still Not There Yet
I think the frustrating thing for me was that until you get your Phoenix, you can’t really figure it out – or at least for me anyway. If I knew I wasn’t strong or flexible enough, then that’s something I could have worked on directly but when you can’t figure out the technique and then still might not be strong enough, it all stacks against you.
I practice everything on both sides (including this) but it was only the last few months that I realised I’d probably get it on my less preferred side first as although the spin isn’t as good, the invert would be better. Realising this didn’t change much apart from perhaps giving me a bit more hope – if I worked on the reverse grab part of it then automatically the whole thing would get stronger.
Break Through
A few weeks ago I thought I’d give it another go. I’d decided to stop bugging my partner telling him how close I was because he knew I was so close. I think it was probably so frustrating for both of us! I practised alone and filmed my attempts to see where I was going wrong. I could tell when my head wasn’t low enough or if I put my hand on too low or too late.
One day I finally felt that moment of lift where I was convinced I could do it. I did it about 25 more times after that. It’s probably obvious to say that I didn’t get it that day – my wrist had burnt too much on the pole and I had lost a lot of skin. I’m fine with that but it meant that I couldn’t try again until it had healed.
And that brings us to this week. I didn’t know what to train and had about 15mins left. I thought I might as well give it a go to see where I was with it. I put the camera on and off I went. I have no idea how, but I DID IT!!!!!
My First Ever Phoenix! Woo hoo!
Everything just felt right. I got everything in the right place and I had that moment of lifting. I then did a happy dance for about 3 minutes and had to bring my doggy over for a celebratory belly rub too (for him, not me!).
I like to make sure that moves aren’t a one off and so I did it again. I managed to do it twice with a whole lot of failed attempts in between. And you know what? That’s okay. I completely accept that just because I can do it once, it doesn’t mean I can do it everytime.
Practice Makes Perfect
I’m at the stage now that when my skin has healed (again!) I just need to practice. I’m little worried that I won’t be able to do it, but the only way I will, is to practice.
I know how it feels to have a move that you thought you’d never get. It sucks. It’s frustrating and makes you feel weak, angry and low. But one day, if you keep trying you will get it. You don’t need to obsess over it and try every day, but from time to time dust it off and give that move a go. You will be stronger and more confident each time you try. And one day, whether it’s tomorrow or like me, three years on, you’ll nail it and jump for joy. 😀
What’s your nemesis move?
My nemesis right now is anything Ayesha…I’m doing split grip and elbow grip…some days I feel it’s soooo close and other days nothing works…but like you say, it’s important to find the balance between keeping the practice and letting it rest