[Charley]

Platinum Stages has a vaulted ceiling adapter you’ll have to order with your pole. you can get a multipiece or one piece cut to size. multipiece poles are solid up tp 12ft. you will have some flex in the pole – the taller the pole the more flex you’ll have. as long as you install it properly you’ll be fine.

I have 3 PS poles – they are great!

[Charley]

I go through phases with my poles – I have the X up right now and am loving it. I find the smaller diameter much easier and I think the chrome is stickier than the stainless.

I would encourage anyone who plans to dance at night clubs or in public venues to invest in a 2” stainless pole – it’s the standard diameter and if you can dance on stainless – you can dance on anything. I only use PS poles if I am working with an exotic dancer and they’ve been thankful since most clubs have either stainless or brass.

I really like the smooth finish of the PS pole – I can do drops so easily and quick manuvres without sticking. For spins, transitions and elbow grips I love the X pole. I like the smaller ceiling plate on the PS pole and it’s very easy to go from static to spin (just pull a pin) you can do it in the middle of a routine and it’s a seamless transition.

X is better in the winter and my PS is better in summer.

[Charley]

https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif Congrats! Glad it went well!!! You are certainly ambitious! Pole climbing already! Take it slow and enjoy, it’s a wonderful journey!

I teach the back hook first – only because I am sick of the fireman. A beginner level spin is a beginner level spin. I kinda think people first natural reaction is to do a fireman – when I first got my pole I can and did a fireman with no prior knowledge of pole at all – so the back hook is a bit more challenging and a little off the beaten path of what you’d normally feel like doing on a pole. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_compress.gif

[Charley]

A lot of great points have been mentioned.

I’d like to add that it all starts with grocery shopping. If you don’t buy ice cream you won’t eat ice cream.

The thing about losing weight is that it’s a process and it doesn’t happen overnight. The best way to change your habits is to eliminate the bad food from your house. I am a big believer in eat what you want. But if you like chocolate and have a big bag of m&m’s around it’s easy to eat the whole bag. I buy snack size chocolate bars so if I want chocolate I can have some without eating a whole candybar. If I want ice cream I buy a pint instead of a gallon. If you like fruit flavored ice creams try sorbet or sherbert. Use Extra Virgin Olive Oil instead of cooking oil. But the best advice besides getting rid of food you don’t want to eat is to make a list and stick with it when you go to the grocery store. I shop at Costco a lot and it’s great to buy a big box of Oatmeal and granola, etc. because I shop less often (only go to the grocery store for produce) so I am less often tempted to buy things. Costco also has a great selection of organic meats. We get organic chicken and beef – it tastes better and has less fat. I can buy so much of it and store it so I don’t have to shop often – again keeps me from buying things I don’t need. Also helps to shop after a meal. Everything looks good when you shop.

I think it’s hard to jump from eating a lot of processed/packaged foods to making your own healthy dinners and cooking takes time. So shopping at a whole foods store is great you can still buy canned/jarred foods but they are generally more natural and aren’t chock full of sugars and preservatives. It’s good to read the labels on packaged food. If it has a long list of things you can’t pronounce you might not want to eat it.

After that it’s just a matter of following everyone else’s advice. Grab a granola bar (I like nature valley) in the morning, drink your water, etc.

Also consider if you are working out then you may actually gain weight – I did but it’s from muscle.

Not everyone has a stick think body type – remember bones and organs will have weight, lol! You want some amount of fat on your body.

The sexiest thing anyone can be is happy https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_flower.gif

[Charley]

A friend of mine is a new mom and she poled a bit during the first trimester, after that she took her pole down. She was fairly ill a lot during her pregnancy though. Everyone is different.

I think working on transitions is fine – it’s up to you if you’d like to spin. I’d caution against doing anything you haven’t already learned.

Veena, is pretty much the utmost authority on this issue. We were just discussing her last night at a workshop I did when women were asking if I’d ever had children and if pole was good for loosing baby weight. I had used Veena as an example of someone who was able to get right back to an advanced level in quite a short amount of time. My friend also has been able to get right back to where she was since having her baby. So the muscle memory is there.

Also, if you take classes or were looking to, many instructors won’t instruct a pregnant woman. I for one will not, because I don’t know your level of physical fitness personally and would worry about teaching you something that could be harmful to the baby. WITH THAT BEING SAID – pregnant woman are more than welcome to come to me to work on cardio and pole transtions and perfect and polish the things they already know. I don’t see why a pregnant woman couldn’t walk around a pole – I mean you still have to walk right? I think pole transitions can be an excellent source of exercise and it’s low impact.

If I became pregnant I wouldn’t stop poling unless I was ill or a high risk pregnancy. But I may be similar to YogaBeachBabe – I might need the universe to tell me to slow down sometimes. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

Good luck with whatever you choose to do.

[Charley]

Another thing I’ve been told is the ability to do oversplits is need for a flat jade. Being that I cannot split much less oversplit – I am not sure the validity of that statement but those who’ve I’ve trained on jade can over split for what it’s worth.

I don’t perform this move, while I can get into position I can’t even do the splits on the floor.

Practice this move out of inverted hip hold and very low to the ground. be sure to have mats or pillows below you. It’s very easy to slip out of this move.

I am sure you’ll get it in no time.

[Charley]

Ooooh brasss…..*drools*

[Charley]

This is probably a little late but the best way to do this is off to the side of the pole rather than in front of it.

BIG caterpillar up and butt out, your going to wrap your elbow around the pole – make it nice and tight in the elbow pit – push with your lower hand and extend away from the pole.

A really good way to get comfortable with the elbow grip, same goes for forearm, is to practice your reverse climb with it.

[Charley]

In no way is having your body on the pole cheating! And your using albow grip! Impressive https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

This is a difficult move and it’s a move that takes time to transition. It’s a very strong and tough move, youshould be very proud!!!!

[Charley]

Wow! What a warm welcome!! Thank you so much. So sorry about chat yesterday my cmputer can’t do too many things at once.

I look forward to getting to know everyone much better!

Sasha I liked your floor work and lapdance tutorials!

[Charley]

Hey Charley! I live in Michigan, too- in the country north of Pontiac. Where do you teach? I’m still pretty new to poling, but I’m getting to a place where I could use a spotter and some live direction for the more advanced moves. Welcome to Studio Veena! Jungle Cat lied, we do bite outside of holidays, but only when begged! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_jokercolor.gif

Hi Untamedshrew https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

I have a workshop coming in CommerceTownship which is *near* Keego Harbor.

I also do privates – have pole will travel, haha.

I also teach in the Downriver, Detroit area.

HI Jungle Cat! I’ve seen you around on a couple of other forums! Good to see more men taking interest in this sport. I am glad you are now a pole addict. I can’t break away from it myself. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_shaking2.gif and twisted is a good thing! I do math problems in my head when I have insomnia.

https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_DJ.gif I used to be radio DJ then moved to audio production – editing and producing sound.