New gal could use some encouragement

daisyheadmayzie started this discussion · 11/9/2011

Hi Everyone - I'm super new - only been at it for about a month now. I take lessons at a local studio, but I've also purchased a pole for my house and a StudioVeena.com membership. Cause that's how I roll - when I decide to do something, I really go all out! I find that some nights after my class I feel amazing and strong, confident, empowered and hopeful and then others - mmm not so much. I can reason well enough and my brain knows that all things come in time and with lots of practice I will be able to dance the way I can see myself in my head, but sometimes my heart kicks me back 32 years or so (I'm 39) and I feel like the sickly skinny little girl that everyone made fun of on the playground because I couldn't climb the monkey bars or finish the obstacle course like all the other kids. Does anyone have an inspiring experience that they would share with me? Thanks - you all are fabulous!

11 replies

Dadgirl21 · 11/9/2011
all i can say is if my mother of 54 can do it, anyone can. I was the wall flower in school, much like I am assuming you are. I find, as you stated, that the pole empowers. I do the pole for me and for no one else. (my husband thinks it is for him, silly man). It is a good work out and makes my feel "sexy". by day a mild mannered legal secretary, by night a flexible butterfly, lol. Maybe not the best reason but it work. I am very uncomfortable with my sentuality and the pole helps me with that to realize that I can be "sexy". Hope that helps a little.
Platinum Stages · 11/9/2011
Hello @daisyheadmayzie. We see woman of all sizes, shapes and ages who continue to inspire us with their amazing and admirable work. it sounds like you are on the right track. Keep up the great work! You inspire me every single day and I admire you. :-) Erica @Platinum Stages
Dancing Paws · 11/9/2011
I started out not being able to hold onto the pole and now I can do all kinds of spins and tricks. It takes time, hard work and dedication, but it's a lot of fun and totally worth it.
glitterhips · 11/9/2011
I was the chubby girl my entire life who never had boyfriends or anything, not popular, defintely not athletic. So the fact that I can even do pole is amazing to me, I have no formal dance or gymnastics training and started pole with literally no strength...this past August I did a regional pole competition and placed third in my division. I am a former fat girl with no formal instruction and got a trophy for a fitness competition so if that's possible ANYTHING is possible! But I also have a lot to learn still and have been at this for a long time already but seeing how far I can push myself is part of what's kept me going in pole :)
hookedonpole · 11/9/2011
I think you already hit the nail on the head about some days rock and other days, egh! We have all come to realize patience is the key, not comparing to others, etc. I have always been active in some sort of fitness, but when I started pole (@52 yrs old!) it was the most difficult thing I've ever done. I couldn't do a simple pole hold, or anything!!! I had to start all over with fitness, strength building, etc. Along the way I had to learn to have fun (even though it doesn't look like it in my practices) and appreciate what I have accomplished. Welcome to the pole journey AND to studioveena!!!
lucifairy · 11/10/2011
I was the 'Fat weirdo' in my school for years.... then when i was 16 a pole studio opended near my house. I went along and was the only person in the class who after 4 months couldnt invert...the teacher used to laugh at me and wasnt very encouraging, so i left. Plus the fact i could barely manage even a simple spin. This disillusioned me and i decided that pole wasnt for me, i wasnt beautiful/strong/flexy enough :) So i gave up. A year later i had a random urge to start again, so i went down my friends house and had a little swing on her pole and, it all came back!! :D except better. The break did me the world of good and all of a sudden i was doing pretty spins and even inverts. I was hooked again :) Now im doing teddys and working on bow and arrows and i am so proud that i have come so far, even when everybody in my old class doubted me :) and im not that fat anymore WOOHOOO haha and ive lost loads of weight and am getting stronger by the week :D So there we go :) Dont listen to what people say and practise, practise practise!! If i can do it..so can you :) x
daisyheadmayzie · 11/10/2011
Thank you soooo much ladies for your kind words. You all bring tears to my eyes - but good ones ;) This is exactly what I needed, to hear what challenges you've all overcome and how far you've travelled from the past. You inspire me! I will keep your experiences in my mind on days when I'm not feeling strong and in a manner of speaking - your strength and beauty will help keep me going. I am amazed at how the pole has helped me not just in body, but it seems to be helping heal my soul as well. I really think it's the first thing that I've ever done for myself that is truly just for ME. Not for my hubby or my kid, just me. Had a good practice last night and today I just feel....Grace. Not sure what the proper definition of "grace" is, but in my mind that fits for me today. Can't thank you all enough - you gorgeous gals! (Go glitterhips! I'm an inked up gal myself - love it! oh this pole dancing thing is giving me lots of new inky ideas)
jade s · 11/10/2011
I started pole when I was 44 and have been on and off for about 2 years. I had no dance, or athletic background, and zero strength. My class was filled with women who had been extensive dance backgrounds and I just felt like the clumsy oaf that couldn't do anything. It took me 2 whole sessions just to feel comfortable putting my hands on my body! I could get the spins fairly easily, but the strength tricks and the dancing were a huge challenge. I just always felt intimidated. Last year my New Years resolution was to stop comparing myself to the other students. I realized that they had about 20 years of dance experience on me and were a lot stronger and I just had to be me and do my thing. Now I love the progress that I've made with both my strength tricks and my dancing! I actually love the dancing more than throwing tricks! We all have our strengths and weaknesses. Play up on your strengths while you're working on the things that you don't feel satisfied with (especially on days you're not really feeling it). I find with pole that once you're hooked, you're hooked. People either love it or they don't and move on. If you're hooked, and you love it, it won't matter what you look like, how slowly you progress or what anyone else thinks you'll keep doing it anyway. The whole experience has brought me through so many of my issues. Don't try to rush your journey, just enjoy every bit of it : )
luv2poleco · 11/10/2011
Wow, we have so much in common! I'm originally from Fl, 39 yrs old, and just started pole dancing 6 weeks ago. Also, like you I"m not where I would like to be or where I think I should be. Whenever I start thinking like this I try to remember its all about the journey, not the destination. Celebrate the accomplishments you've made already and it doesn't hurt to tell yourself, "Yeah, I rocked that!" when you have nailed that move you've been practicing and practicing. Remind me of all this tomorrow when I'm beyond frustration at my lack of skills,LOL 😉
Veena · 11/13/2011
Hi there! I use to be that sickly girl who couldn't climb on monkey bars!! It gets better!!! It's also very normal to go through ups and downs with your pole journey. Everyone progresses at their own rate, be sure to start with strength training first. This will give you a better foundation for working on spins and pole moves. Xoxo
LopsiJulie · 11/13/2011
I am the girl who learns fast and plateaus faster... only to watch everyone surpase me! That and I get injured all the time because I'm a weee bit crazy. In the past year, I've managed to damage my back/rib, both my arms (tennis elbow and carpal tunnel), pulled my left hamstring, and now hurt my left knee. I KNOW all about set backs. You think I would have stopped by now, but I love pole and other aerials too much! I work to get rid of injuries and get back on the pole (back/ribs, and arms are fine at the moment!) xxx