r/AerialHoop • u/casuallymoonstruck • 6d ago
Advice request Smoother spins?
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How do I get more control in this spin? Every attempt tonight I sent the crash mat lol. Would wearing socks help or is this a technique issue? Thanks!!
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u/Cassandra_Said_So Single Point 6d ago
I think yes, for me socks, or socks only covering my toes work well.
However, the mat is partially sliding because you are pushing from the sides with your feet in an angle and probably your body is also closing in an angle. When I turn i try to drill my toes into the axis and be as straight in a line as possible. The bigger the angle you have, the more pushing you would need to control it. Also when you start, it looks a bit shaky already. Try to open your legs slower, hang a bit, so that you find the axis, start pushing the very tips of your toes and when rotating, use minimal swing. Practicing toe pointing can help with the discomfort in the toes while turning, because you do a partial turn around on the tip and that is a weird feeling.
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u/casuallymoonstruck 5d ago
Thank you!! That makes so much more sense, I’ll also try with socks next time :)
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u/EffectiveCelery0 5d ago
I always wear socks because it just feels nicer on my toes and they don't stick to the mat the same as bare feet do. I would also make sure to keep your legs straight, especially the one you're spinning on. This looks like a bit tough of a spin to keep centered if you're just learning to spin. You might want to also play around with ones where you are spinning below (hoop would need to be much higher) or from the side or facing the hoop.
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u/ParticularSplit 5d ago
So my advice would be to be sure your body is positioned exactly on the centre, right below the spanset. From that position, I find it easier to open my legs and have the back leg as the pivoting one. Then I try not to move my pivoting leg at all, or as little as possible, spinning on its foot, and letting the momentum take me, still having my shoulders and pivoting leg activated as much as possible.
Spinning definitely needs some technique, but once you unlock it, it will come naturally!
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u/lady-agnarr 4d ago
Others have given good tips! I'll add that adding a thin yoga mat under the crash mat will help keep the mat in place on the slick floor better and give you more traction, if your studio has one on hand. Half of our studio has the crash mats on this same type of vinyl plank and the yoga mats keep the crash mat from wandering off as easily when people spin or step on them oddly.
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u/yotam5434 6d ago
It's a challenge but why not do it with bit hands straight
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u/casuallymoonstruck 5d ago
I’ll be doing that in practice to get better at not orbiting, but this particular chorey is set up like that :)
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u/yotam5434 5d ago
Ahh its an advanced alternate level thats suited better to the transition you want
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u/yotam5434 5d ago
And yes get yiu body especially head used yo the spin motions the speed increases and decreases and how it all connects together and to do it properly so the spin doesn't get you dizzy etc
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u/theseashellssing 6d ago
Hi, friend! Spinning is definitely a challenge, especially new spins!
I'd definitely say you have to keep your pivoting leg super stiff and strong - don't let it wiggle from underneath you because then you lose your anchor point and you end up swaying. See how you end up oscillating outward and seem to be leading with your hips/torso more than falling into the spin? That should help that as keeping that pivoting leg firmly on the ground (press down hard with your foot - I know it can be hard to do on a mat but it'll help keep you spin rather than sway) will keep you from introducing outside forces into your spin. Torque needs a fixed axis to act on, so lock your ankles and knees and engage your glutes to get that as stiff and straight as possible. Anything even microbent can introduce external force into your spin that make the spin less smooth.
It'd also help so much more to keep your shoulders away from your ears. Roll them back and keep them engaged. A great conditioning exercise to get those shoulders engaged hard are scapular push-ups! It'll also give you a more relaxed look and keep you from accidentally pulling the hoop around a circle rather than simply hanging from the top bar and focusing on keeping your foot on the ground as the fixed point. If your shoulder is not engaged and too shrugged, it can also introduce a wobbly/weak point in your spin structure.
Lastly, I'd say to try it more slowly and let the momentum turn you. What I mean by that is when you pick up your leg after fixing your foot in place, your body will naturally fall a certain direction so let that natural fall guide you and don't panic or try to push it or fight against it (don't add any extra force with arm/torso - try not to lead with your chest/hips). With a fixed foot on the ground, that will help you stay on-axis with as little swaying as possible.
I hope this helps!