Newbie with lots of questions...

Red Khaleesi started this discussion · 7/26/2014

Hi all! I'm still very new to pole. I bought my first pole in March, started classes in a studio (that's over an hour away and across state lines lol) that I can only get to once a week about 2 months ago. I upgraded my pole earlier this week to an Xpert (it was my birthday gift). I'm so eager to learn and I know there's so much I need to do. But I feel like only going to class once a week isn't enough. Did anyone else feel this way? I think it's mainly because while my instructor has a clear learning plan while I'm in studio, I don't have much "homework". I end up doing the same things over and over that I already can do well. I want to progress faster, and I am going to upgrade my membership here....but I guess ultimately my biggest question is how much do you really feel like is acceptable to try at home? I know I have to listen to my body and so on but I just kind of feel lost during self practice and like it's not getting me anywhere.

10 replies

BagLady · 7/27/2014
Hey, I'm not sure how helpful I can be since I've never trained at a studio. Are you asking how much is acceptable safety wise? There's the obvious precautions (like spotters, crash pads etc) but I've found Veenas lessons to err greatly on the side of caution. Many moves she teaches how to practice from the floor. (This has been really helpful for me, to figure out what is going where and really get a feel for the contact points). Another great feature is the 'search' button up top. I'll find a move from Veenas lessons, work on it a lot, and then usually search it to see how other people do the move, or find discussion or ideas for combos etc etc. For self practice just pick something appealing to you within your range. Filming your practice for yourself is very helpful just to see how your doing moves & sharing them here you can get a lot of good advice from multiple view points. Anyhow, welcome!
Red Khaleesi · 7/27/2014
@BagLady Having a spotter outside of class is pretty much a no go....I'm probably the only person in town that actually recognizes pole as a sport and not something reserved for seedy clubs and/or bachelorette parties. Asking someone to help would be like pulling teeth lol. I'm looking to invest in crash mats but it will probably be a while since my X-Pole purchase just KILLED my bank account lol. I'm so amazed at those of you who are completely self taught!! I DO need to invest in a camera and some bigger mirrors probably lol. But that's a perfect point you just made about my range...I'm not sure what it is!! My studio doesn't go by "levels".....class is usually no more than 3 ppl and you get pretty much individual instruction. So outside of naming some of the thinks I can do, I have no clue what my range or level would be other than knowing I'm new lol. But you were a great help, anyways, lol.
Tamarinda · 7/27/2014
I highly suggest Veena's lessons. Not only does she have pole moves, but she also has strengthening which is always good for a newbie :). Another great thing about her lessons is that she has them in a progressive order so it gives you an idea on what to work on next and things that are within your range. If you do not have a subscription, you can still click on the lessons tab and see the order she has them in to give yourself an idea of things in your level. You won't be able to watch it, but you can see the name of the move and maybe search the move on youtube or google to see what it is. She's very knowledgeable and her lessons got me from nothing to an ariel invert over time. I don't think poling at home is unsafe as long as someone isn't careless and also one who doesn't do moves that are way beyond their level. If you have Veena's lessons it's even safer because she teaches about proper muscle engagement, proper form, scapular placement, etc. etc.
Cherished · 7/27/2014
I second both BagLady and Tamarinda. The lessons are really good and serve as a one stop shop in conjunction with this site. I also learn without a spotter. For the poor girl's crashmat I bought the biggest pillows I could find at walmart and duct taped them together (I left them in the plastic so the tape would stick) I placed them around the pole and put a blanket over them. Sometimes I used couch cushions. Where there's a will there's a way :)
Red Khaleesi · 7/27/2014
Oh that's a good idea for the crash mat.
WebJunk · 7/27/2014
It does not sound like you are getting a real lot from the studio classes. You should leave those classes with lots of "homework" and have new things to work on each week. Am I wrong, anyone else? When you can access the lessons it will be a huge help to give you focus on what to work on next. Your once a week lesson can be an issue because if you get home and a detail you missed or was not said during class you are lost until the next week. With the lessons you can play them over & over again. I have to do that. For safety follow the lessons carefully especially the contact points Veena gives. If you are using the contact points given then that is most of what will keep you from having a fall. For slipping during basic spins and moves (you did not say what you are working on) you only need a couple of exercise mats you might even have or are fairly inexpensive. Baglady & Tamarinda covered the rest of what you need to know. (and some that I needed to know)
marithim · 7/27/2014
@ Webjunk, I agree but for a different reason. Not having homework is normal because most studio's assume that you don't have a pole at home. As for once a week classes, if there is constant rehashing of the material, you should possibly talk to the teacher. My studio only does each level once or twice a week (in the morning and in the evening) and it is expected that each student can only attend one of the classes a week. To be fair my studio is a woman's fitness studio that does a pole -yoga variant, a chair fitness class and fly gym classes as well and is pretty small. Have you talked to the instructor at the studio? Tell her than you like coming, but every time you come they do the same things, maybe ask her what days you should go that are better, or ask her to keep that in mind when you sign up for the classes. Also, Studio Veena can help supplement (especially if you didn't really get the move the first time in class), and there are other dancing videos that can help as well, or give a different perspective (I have the Felix Cane DVDs as well).
Red Khaleesi · 7/27/2014
@Webjunk I did subscribe so I can access the lessons, hopefully that will help some. @sojuske8761 I think there's a bit of a misunderstanding. My instructor knows I have a pole at home, as I'd actually consulted her and told her that BEFORE I started class. It was at her suggestion I upgraded to the Xpert. And as I stated, they don't go by levels or stages, it's almost more like individual instruction just in a group setting; that said it doesn't really matter what days I go (which my schedule would never allow for me to go the dame days every week anyway, I work retail). It's not that I do the same thing over and over in class, it's when I get home I have no clue whether to continue to just do the same thing or attempt to advance on my own. My instructor is great actually. She directed me here, a couple Facebook poling groups, and more. I hope subscribing will help supplement and help me figure out what to do when I'm not actually in the studio.
Princess Buttercup · 7/28/2014
It sounds like your instructor is encouraging you which is good. I practice 2 days a week at home and go to a studio 1 day a week. I always practice with friends if I can, are there other gals at the studio that might practice with you? It keeps me motivated. I used to get lost and didnt know what to work on during home practice so I went through Veenas gallery and used it to identify what I had already learned and what moves might be in my reach to practice. I have a giant white board with a list of moves so I don't have to stand around and try to remember what to do!
Veena · 7/28/2014
If you want a guideline to follow try the 30 day take off program, you'll have 30 days of me telling you exactly what to do for 30 days. Including what stretches, conditioning, strength, pole work, everything! Also keep in mind that all lessons go in order, and each section has a getting started video that tells you info you'll need to know about the section. Don't forget to read the Descriptions for each lesson also listed below the main player are 'related' lessons that you can use to build up to the lesson shown on the main player if you are having trouble with the lesson. :)