Learn the Back Spiral Spin

The Back Spiral spin, also known as the Pendulum, Reverse Grab Spin or Backhand Grip spin, is a graceful addition to a pole dance routine. It is one of those pole dancing moves that helps the dance flow.

There are a few basic steps to performing this spin:

1. Reach up above your head with your dominant/stronger hand and keep your shoulder down and your scapula engaged.
2. Holding onto the pole, kick out far enough away from the pole to get the side of your body (of the less-dominant hand or outside hand side) next to the pole so that you can reach back and grab it.
3. Grab the pole and continue down to the floor with Stag Legs or with a Back Hook Spin and landing on your knees. 

Here is a video clip by Pole Dance Community on how the spin is performed:

Tips:

• Don't grip the pole too tightly. It is going to feel weird for a moment when you are single-handedly holding your body while in centrifugal motion...you will have to get used to this feeling and as you progress you will trust that your arm will hold you until that back hand can grab the pole behind you and you continue to spin.

• Kick out to get enough momentum to get your body far enough away from the pole so that you can reach back with that back hand.

• Don't give up if at first you cannot even go a full revolution around the pole. When I first learned this trick I had to go literally inches at a time until I could loosen my grip of that one hand.

• Also, the father out you 'throw' your body from the pole, the better you will be able to spin.

Need more strength to do the Back Spiral spin?

Do you want to learn some exercises that will make you stronger for pole? Check out my page here with ideas on exercises and conditioning to get stronger fast to be able to do more with your body! I also have an e-Book called "Pole Power" that outlines lots of exercises on and off the pole that you can do to up your strength. 

Some girls are fit and strong enough to just jump into doing crazy tricks - these are the gymnasts, aerial dancers or just strong daredevils. But the majority of us have to start with basics. I even had a gal once who was a competitive weight lifter and bikini contestant come over to try my poles out. She was incredibly fit but not for hoisting herself upside down let alone hardly hold on for any length of time. 

It takes getting your body used to:

• Gripping with your hands

• Gripping with your legs and thighs

• Pole 'burn' 

• Working your entire body out 

• Being upside down and aware where your limbs are going next

• General body awareness

• How to slip or fall safely out of a move

• Progressively build strength in your arms, wrists, shoulders, back and core

• Progressively build strength and power in your legs, hip flexors, glutes

Before trying any pole dancing tricks please:

• Understand pole dancing safety

• Know what tricks/moves that you should master before going on to more advanced moves

• Learn to use grip aid to your advantage

• Use a crash mat

• Use a spotter

• Take a class at a local studio, a workshop or online courses

Back Spiral Spin > Pole Dance Tricks!