How many times have you dreamed of a having a reference book of all the pole moves ever created? Or all of the lyra poses? You could bring it to class, write notes next to the moves to help your remember how you transitioned in and out. You could date and star the moves that you can do, visualise your goals, and have a step by step curriculum for your learning and progression.
Well, dream no longer!
Aerialist Kate Edwards and her fabulous team at Spin City Aerial Fitness have created the bible of our dreams! Now in their 4th edition, The Ultimate Pole Bible and The Ultimate Hoop Bible are going to become your most favourite training companion. For everyone with partners you can also now purchase The Ultimate Doubles Pole Bible and The Ultimate Doubles Hoop Bible.
I got my hands on The Ultimate Hoop Bible last week, and it has already been such an asset to my training. I was a pole dancer for five years in Sydney, but now living in Cambodia I only have access to silks and lyra. My experience on pole has allowed me to progress rather quickly with lyra, however The Ultimate Hoop Bible has really opened my eyes to the variety of artistic expression and dance possibilities.
What you need to know
The Ultimate Hoop Bible contains:
- Over 800 clear, professionally photographed lyra poses
- Spotting techniques, with photographs
- Poses grouped into families based on contact points and difficulty
- Glossary with pose names (and other common names) with page numbers
- Combo ideas, combining moves from each section
- Strength and conditioning tips and techniques
- Dynamic moves and transitions for more advanced aerialists
- Break down of transitions with photographs of the start, mid point, and finishing positions
- PDF, soft cover, and hard cover version available
The authors of The Ultimate Hoop Bible have been incredibly thorough. The book begins with a series of Core Hoop Moves progressing from beginner to advanced. The next 200 plus pages are then filled with families of poses, grouped together based on –
- contact points with different grips (hand, knees, elbow, armpit, hip hold),
- specific positions on the lyra (top vs bottom bar, in front vs behind the bar, or using the strope)
- advanced strength and flexibility poses
For students:
Keep in mind that The Ultimate Hoop Bible is not a manual. The authors make note at the beginning of the book,
“This book should be used as a memory aid for the moves you have learnt from a qualified instructor, rather than to teach yourself new moves.”
There are no step by step instructions of how to get into or out of each move. Despite the fact that so many pole dancers and aerialists use Instagram and social media for inspiration and learning new tricks it is important to be reminded of the mantra “do not try this at home”. Learning without a spotter or instructor increases the chance of injury and also puts you at risk of adopting bad habits that make it difficult to learn more advanced moves down the track. I personally think it a positive aspect that the authors have created the book with such ethical training principles in mind.
I am convinced that The Ultimate Hoop Bible will compliment what you are learning in class. I am in a situation where my instructor has limited English language skills – learning lyra in Cambodia has its pros and cons! The language of dance is universal and modelling and repetition go a long way, however, The Ultimate Hoop Bible has been an amazing asset in bridging a communication gap between myself and my instructor. I can show her moves that I want to learn, and she can suggest variations from the book that are more or less suited to my current skills. Even if both you and your instructor speak the same language, it is so valuable to have a common point of reference, including pose names, removing those moments of trying to explain a trick, “you know the one that Bendy Kate does with her leg up here and her arm is kind of wrapped under and then she does the splits?”
For instructors:
Over 14 aerialists feature in The Ultimate Hoop Bible and worked with the author Kate Edwards to produce the book. For this most recent edition, poses and transitions were also inspired by renowned aerialist and trainer Rebekah Leech, who’s research into movement, safety, aerial dance, and expression have fostered innovation in the field. Rest assured, that as an instructor or studio owner, the advice, techniques, and poses in The Ultimate Hoop Bible come from industry professionals.
Throughout every chapter there are notes on shoulder engagement, hand grip, spotting, and body awareness, that you can share with your students as you explain and model each pose. I was particularly impressed at how the depth of the authors knowledge comes through in the organisation of the book and also through the notes. Kate Edwards has an extensive understanding of body mechanics, anatomy, and safe training practices that will support your own training and instructional techniques.
For example, in the section titled Splits Based Moves, there is note made about the difference in the quality, and safety, of the move when using active flexibility rather than just external resistance. Keeping this in mind when teaching certain split based moves, will allow you to make adjustments for each of your student’s current skill set.
Overall, The Ultimate Hoop Bible will make a great teaching aid, offering options for structuring your class, and supporting safe teaching and dance practice.
For a sneak peak of the Ultimate Hoop Bible head over to the SpinCity YouTube channel.
Or if you are already convinced of the value of this product, head over to the SpinCity website and grab your copy now!