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Studio Poles… And do you care?!
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To me, the size of poles is very important. While I learned on 50mm, they now hurt my wrists. I also have been disappointed by studios that have poles that appear beat up by jewelry, heels, etc or poorly maintained multi-piece poles. The seams have cut my legs and arms!
Someone here mentioned the lack of response they get from studios when making inquires about pole size. I agree that canned responses or a lack of response is not acceptable. Students with questions deserve answers…and that means that the studio’s web site should probably include pole size on their FAQ sheet.
Just one more thought – for people who are always shopping price, I say lowest price doesn’t translate into best pole buy. Often, discount studios do everything on the cheap – from not cleaning their floors (hair balls, dust and more) to having substandard instructors and poorly maintained poles. Taking pole lessons definitely costs $, and when you don’t have a lot to spend, it makes sense to invest it well. Sometimes that means that instead of taking lessons in a group setting, doing a private or semi-private with a friend at a similar level in a quality studio would be money better spent. Also, supplementing lessons with a Studio Veena membership is, to me, a smart way to go.
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Ok so i’m updating….
After going to the 50mm Brass studio twice… I opted not to go last week because I was frustrated (and really tired from a busy week)… I was going to give it another go this week, but I realized they were closed to “raise the roof” Which is great. They are removing the drop ceiling and gaining a few extra feet.
But its a shame because people there are nice… my frustration last week was the pole burn. Yes, the 50mm was not ideal but I don’t even think that was my issue. I’m not used to the brass… and its possible that because its 50mm there is more surface area… but I just found things that should be no big deal for me (like pulling up from gemini and twisting into figurehead) were extremely painful and frustrating. I imagine if we were going like isolated trick practice this would be fine.. but moving through combos was rough. I felt like my skin was not ready for this at all… I imagine it would get used to it, like it did when I first started poling. I just found it frustrating because I knew I could do these things… and she’d walk around and give me great pointers, and I was trying to just say thank you and take in her pointers but in my head I’m like (UGH, WTF, I SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO THIS)
And I think the brass is the issue with why my shouldermount isn’t going well on those poles. I was fine in a V, but think I was having trouble sliding my shoulder down to get my legs fully to the pole… Afterwards, I knew it hurt but I couldn’t tell if it was internal (like a bruise I couldn’t see) or my skin…. But the minute the sun shined on it and it stung I realized it was the skin. :/
Anyway I will go back because I have more classes and I’m interested in trying longer poles! But yeah, I’m not sure if once a week (or every few weeks) is really enough to make it ever get easier so I’m not sure how much I’ll actually go once my class card ends.
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That sounds so frustrating. Is there another class at the studio you can go to? Maybe a lower level or open pole where you can work on tricks individually until your body gets used to the size and finish of the poles.
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Thanks dustbunny! Good advice. The classes I went to were mixed level class… but I might try a pole flow class or something (but thats something I struggle with too, and I’m not sure how trick heavy it is) I guess I’m just not “in love”, like the first time I went to a lesson with my usual instructor (at her home).
But my instructor just had her knee surgery yesterday, but she is feeling ok, and she signed her lease in her appt for another month…. so I guess as long as she is around and feeling better I’ll just try and go to her.
And also I completely redid my pole room so I think I need to just get used to pushing myself more at home. With the occasional class here or there. 🙂
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Hi Allyson – Brass does a number on your skin if you are not used to it. I got awful blisters on my hands from an intensive weekend workshop on brass poles some years ago.
Regarding home practice, I learned pole originally on Skype from on-line lessons. There are lots of pole sisters who would/could arrange for facetime or skype sessions. I know you might be skeptical, but the real time communication from someone who is watching you (and you her) can help break down moves, support each other, give tips, etc. It;s just a thought….I skype/facetime with some of my local friends, but the Studio Veena sisterhood I’m sure would be enthusiastic about the opportunity to cyber pole.
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