When you see images of medieval spinning, the women are almost always using a raised distaff and holding the spindle low to the opposite side. Kathelyne has devoted a blog to exploring this, and the difference between this method and how we tend to learn nowadays (Please ignore the first video on the linked page - it is pure misinformation. Don't go there.)
Historic and contemporary images of Romanian, Portuguese, French, and Balkan spinners show a similar style. Seeing so many representations of this technique made me want to try. I'm not very good at it, but recently I've changed the type of wool I'm using, and I have the good fortune to try out a vintage Serbian spindle, which is very inspiring.
For some reason, this arrangement attracts me. When I see the distaff and spindle, I want to spin.
I've been trying to learn how to spin by flicking the spindle in-hand, maybe just barely suspending (which I can't do, but Cyndy demonstrates very nicely.)