5 Ways to Add Ballerina Into Your Pole Combos Like a Pro

Whether you’re a beginner pole dancer or further along in your pole journey, there’s a way to incorporate ballerina into your combos. This article covers five unique ways to use the ballerina in fluid, creative pole combos. It starts with beginner-friendly transitions, then moves into intermediate sequences, and finally introduces advanced power moves.

Why You Should Train Pole Combos

Pole combos are where everything comes together: technique, strength, flow, and timing. If you’ve been focusing on single pole tricks, you might feel strong in short bursts but get stuck when trying to build a full routine. That’s where combo training changes everything.

Practicing pole combos helps improve your endurance, smooth out your pole transitions, and connect your favorite pole moves in a way that feels natural. It also forces you to think ahead, use both sides of your body, and push past the “pose and pause” stage of your pole journey.

The ballerina is a beautiful trick on its own. Although, once you start adding it into combos, your pole flow really starts to evolve. Whether you’re working on beginner transitions or building toward more advanced pole skills. That’s why training combos gives you purpose, structure, and progress.

5 Ballerina Pole Combos to Try Next

Looking for ways to turn your ballerina pole move into something more dynamic? These five ballerina pole combos are designed for beginner, intermediate, and advanced pole dancers, and each one includes unique transitions that go beyond just striking a pose. Whether you’re climbing into ballerina, spinning into it, or dropping out of it with control, you’ll find inspiration here to start combining your pole tricks in new ways. We won’t break down each combo step-by-step in this blog. But we’ll give you ideas, tips, and links to full tutorials so you can train them with proper technique inside 123poling.

Combo 1: Paper Plane (Beginner Level)

A smooth, momentum-based pole combo that introduces ballerina through an assisted backward rotation.

What You’ll Learn: You’ll discover how to naturally transition into pole ballerina from a regular climb by using an assisted backward rotation. As your leg hooks and initiates the spin, your top arm then shifts from regular grip to twisted grip. Without the need to re-gripping. As a result, the movement feels fluid and remains accessible for beginners.

Combo 2: Spinning Splits Combo (Upper-Intermediate Level)

A dynamic, momentum-based pole sequence with strong shapes and elegant transitions.

What You’ll Learn: This pole combo is designed to build both power and flow through advanced rotation and control. It begins with a strong cast into a momentum-driven Jamilla. From there, Rafaella rotates around the pole (even on static) and then locks into a controlled chopstick hold. From there, she extends into a pole split, then releases into a centered pole sit with the chest forward. That positioning creates the ideal setup for pole ballerina. With one fluid torso twist and an upward reach, she transitions into the ballerina knee-hold variation. This combo challenges your ability to connect strength-based holds with graceful transitions, while training your awareness of entry angles, leg control, and flow on both static and spinning pole.

A fluid and expressive combo that moves from open to closed shapes with dynamic level changes.

Combo 3: Sunset Combo (Intermediate Level)

What you’ll learn: The Sunset Combo includes not one but two ballerina variations linked together in a way that adds emotional depth to your movement. Sammy begins with a classic ballerina. Then she smoothly transitions into the Alvin Ailey version by bending one leg and extending both arms. From that open, expressive posture, the pole combo then folds downward into a bullet sit, creating a dramatic contrast between expansion and contraction. Visually, it shifts from high to low and from spacious to tight, which gives your flow a clear sense of direction, control, and narrative. As a result, this pole combo is ideal for dancers looking to train expressive pole transitions and bring their choreography to life.

Combo 4: Grace Combo (Intermediate Level)

A flowing pole sequence that highlights static rotation, upper-body control, and a unique ballerina exit.

What You’ll Learn: This combo begins with a pole climb and transitions into a backward leg swing that undercuts Tara into a smooth pole stand. From there, she shifts the rotation into her torso (not her whole body) which creates a graceful bow-down motion. This smooth movement then leads into a modified ballerina position. However, what truly makes this combo stand out is the exit. Instead of holding the twisted grip, Tara gently unhooks her body and rotates to face the pole, allowing the top arm to naturally unravel. By the time she arrives in a pole sit, her grip has transitioned from twisted back to regular. Without needing to re-grip. It’s the perfect contrast to earlier combos, where Rafa were rotating into twisted grip. This one teaches how to move out of it with precision and control.

Combo 5: Leg Flares (Advanced Level Pole Combo)

A bold and unconventional pole combo that challenges control, grip strength, and transitions into a reimagined ballerina shape.

What You’ll Learn: This pole combo starts with powerful leg flares that use momentum to drive the hips behind the pole. During the movement, the flare is supported by a single arm hold, which requires advanced control and upper-body strength. As the hips swing into position, the body then naturally folds into a ballerina hold. However, unlike any other variation, the ballerina position here features a grip behind the pole with the supporting arm. This creates a completely different pole shape and muscle engagement than the traditional twisted grip. Leg Flares challenges your sense of timing, momentum, coordination, spatial awareness.

Ready to Build Your Own Ballerina Flow?

No matter where you are in your pole journey, there’s always a new way to explore the ballerina pole move. Whether you’re focusing on beginner-friendly pole transitions or moving into upper-intermediate control work and creative grip variations, these pole combos show that ballerina isn’t just a pose. Instead, it becomes a pathway to stronger flow, better control, and more expressive movement.

If you’re ready to train these pole combos step-by-step, you can start your pole training free at 123poling. All five pole lessons featured in this article are available inside the platform. In addition, they’re taught by world-class instructors who provide clear breakdowns and timing cues to help you move with confidence.

Your next level doesn’t come from simply collecting more pole tricks. Instead, it comes from learning how to connect them with purpose and control. So let pole ballerina be your foundation and build from there.