let’s break it down: shoulder mount to brass monkey
Let’s be real—Brass Monkey is one of those moves that looks effortless… until you try it.
If you’ve ever felt stuck, unsure where your weight should go, or what muscles to engage—you’re not alone.
The good news? Once you understand the building blocks to perform this move, you can start to put the pieces together pretty quickly.
Let’s break it down step-by-step 👇
🧠 What Is a Brass Monkey?
The Brass Monkey is an intermediate/advanced pole trick that utilizes the knee pit grip. It is an inverted pole move where your body is supported primarily by the knee pit of your inside leg—creating a strong, controlled hold on the pole.
A shoulder mount is one of the most common entrances to Brass Monkey, although there are plenty of alternatives if you aren’t comfortable in your shoulder mount yet (such as an Outside Leg Hang > Genie > Brass Monkey). But shoulder mount to Brass Monkey is a foundational move that opens the door to so many advanced transitions and shapes.
🔑 Before You Start (Set Yourself Up for Success)
Before attempting Brass Monkey, make sure you’re comfortable with:
Inversions (Chopper)
Leg hangs
Strong core and shoulder girdle engagement
👉 If those still feel shaky, they should be your first focus—this move builds on those foundations
🧱 laying the foundation (LET’S START ON THE FLOOR!)
Watch the video above for a full demo of each of these steps!
STEP 1. FROM THE FLOOR: SHOULDER MOUNT TO STRADDLE
Set up by lying on the floor with the pole just above your shoulder mounting shoulder. Set your hands up in a shoulder mount grip, then tuck your pelvis and shoot the hips up with your legs in a frog/diamond shape. Open the legs into a straddle, then bring both legs to one side of the pole in a pike. Open legs back into a straddle, then come back down to the floor with control.
STEP 2: FROM THE FLOOR: SHOULDER MOUNT HOLDS
Set up by sitting on the floor with your shoulder resting on the pole. Set your hands up in a shoulder mount grip, then tuck your pelvis and bring the hips up with your legs in a frog/diamond shape. Hold for a count of 3, then slowly lower the legs down to the floor with control.
STEP 3: FROM STANDING: SHOULDER MOUNT TO STRADDLE
Set up by standing in front of the pole with your shoulder resting on the pole. Set your hands up in a shoulder mount grip, then tuck your pelvis and shoot the hips up, with your legs in a frog/diamond shape. Open the legs into a straddle, then bring both legs to one side of the pole in a pike. Open legs back into a straddle, then come back down to the floor with control.
🪜 Step-by-Step Breakdown OF SHOULDER MOUNT TO BRASS MONKEY
1. Start with a Strong Shoulder Mount
Engage the abdominals and shoot the hips up into a strong Chopper invert. Think strong and intentional, not rushed.
2. Find Your Leg Placement
Bring both legs to the same side of the pole (the side you’re shoulder mounting on!), raise your hips, and hook your inside leg securely around the pole. This is your main anchor, so squeeze your hamstring as much as possible. Bring the outside leg behind the pole for stability.
3. Adjust Your Upper Body & Grip
Keeping your strong knee pit grip, slide the hands down the pole into a shotgun grip.
4. Release the Hands
Hold the position and breathe—yes, breathe. 😅 And if you’re feeling super secure, you can release your hands from the pole. From here, there are also plenty of variations you can take, such as bending the outside leg and bringing the toes together.
⚠️ Common Mistakes (and how to fix them)
❌ Skipping the scoop (AKA your core engagement)
→ Fix: Before you try to get upside down, focus on engaging the core, tucking the pelvis and scooping the abs upward into your Chopper.
❌ Weak knee pit hold
→ Fix: Actively engage the hamstrings and think about squeezing your foot toward your butt.
❌ Rushing the grip change
→ Fix: Make sure you have a super strong knee pit grip before you switch your hands to shotgun grip.
💬 Final Thoughts
Brass Monkey isn’t about brute strength—it’s about proper positioning, muscle engagement and timing.
Once it clicks, it really clicks—and opens up a whole new level in your pole journey.
👉 READY TO KEEP PROGRESSING?
Come take a class with us at COVA Pole & Movement, and we’ll help you build the strength and technique to nail moves like this with confidence! 💪