Momentum is much better—agreed with Vanessa (and it’s the setup I personally prefer too)! The top arm is higher and straighter. I’m attaching a screenshot and video here as well.

Also, starting with a straighter arm really helps—you’re able to pull more since your bicep isn’t already halfway contracted before you even begin the pull. Does that make sense?

thanks so much for posting Vanessa!! Always helpful to see and hear what works for different people 😊

Awww Jamimah, I’m so happy to read and watch this!! 🥹 One of the many things I love about pole is that even when something feels off, there are still so many beautiful ways to move and dance with the pole. Big hugs to youuuu 💛 and I can’t wait to hear how the upper back and shoulder homework is coming along!

Sharing a video soon with you! I'll post it here in the community feed and tag you! I want you to take a look at the first clip and notice how the swinging leg travels away from the pole to help lift the hips higher. This drill really helped Julia get the height she needed to make the second part of the handspring achievable.

In the third clip, you'll see a slow-mo version of that same drill, now combined with the full handspring movement. Watch how the leg stays fairly straight and continues traveling away from the pole until it’s parallel to the floor—then it bends in toward the chest.

In comparison, it looks like in the video you shared here, the swinging leg is bending early and moving more out to the side rather than traveling straight out first. When the video uploads, I want you to let me know if you see that difference? And let me know if you’re up for experimenting with this technique next time you practice?

Sam Yay I'll make this happen :) do you happen to have a video of you attempting the hood ornament with climb on spin? You can send it to me on Instagram if you have one. If not, no worries at all!! 

Vanessa 

I'm soooo happy you're joining flexibility class on zoom yayyyyyy

https://youtu.be/Xx5gP6vu9NU Found it!! 🙌You don’t have to follow the 50 secs on / 10 secs off timing, but I do recommend going through it once as-is. After that, you can pick 5–6 of your fave exercises to do regularly. Let me know what you think babe!!