Dwiizie
Forum Replies Created
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I have terrible back bend flexibility, but good flexibility most other places. I never broke a tailbone, but recently bruised it during a skate fall. My hips have been slightly crooked for many years, I just never did anything about it. As I trained more heavily in dance these last 2 years, I built up uneven muscle tone due to my hips being out of line. This created scar tissue and limited mobility in my lower spine, making it feel "compressed" with every back bend, and making the places between my shoulder blades feel so tight, even slight bends done with good form. I tried to correct my hip problem by counter balancing (as in, my right hip dropped, making my whole body tilt, though my legs are exactly the same length) so I recognized I crossed my legs right over left for years and tried to correct by consciously crossing left over right. Well, now I'm even more twisty lol.
I am currently seeing a Chiropractor because of the pain after the skating injury (the one I hurt my tailbone in.) I am AMAZED at the difference I feel after just two visits. The first day, I got in my car, and almost thought I had gotten in the wrong car because the pedals were like an automatic. Then I realized my whole bottom half had shifted toward correctness, and that I was pushing the clutch, thinking it was the brake, and there was no clutch lol. It really was weird, I mean, you climb in your car, your foot placement is second nature, untill an adjustment. The sciatic nerve pain in my back is decreasing by day, increasing mobility in my lower back. I've been told to avoid muscle and flexibility training and anything with impact until we can get me straightened out as much as possible, and then start building small again to put muscles evenly around my core to keep the alignment. I'm more normal structured than before, but because of that, it FEELS like my right leg is longer than my left now. Something I'll get used to. Doc says I'll be better balanced and better protected in any future falls from such injuries.
The only reason I even know I had the hip problem for a long time is from X-rays done back then, and it was suggested then that I see a Chiro, but I wasn't convinced. Years later, here I am. Have you tried a chiro? I can't WAIT until I heal a bit and get back into training. I can already feel that I finally have an even arabesque on both legs. AMAZING. Good luck!
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Singing in the move you will have to pay just as much attention to your face as anything. And if still shots are taken while singing, you'd be suprised at the faces that come out LOL! Don't hold your breath (unless there are advanced pole moves that call for it, I wouldn't know…) Usually when I am doing something difficult, I let the face ride for a while, and when its time to work on that part of things, I get an audience, even if its only a friend or my hubby (someone who understands dance and what you do. If you have a friend that doesn't get it, don't ask her lol, you'll most likely get "That looks good. That looks good too. That's fine" because they aren't sure what to say)
So audience there, do the move, let the face fall where it may.
Then do the move, with the biggest cheerleader smile you can muster.
Then do it with an overly exaggerated almost comical sexy pucker.
Ask for feedback. Record practice so YOU can give yourself feedback. Maybe your sexiest face needs to be "over the topped" a little to come through on stage. Have someone take random photos as you do your routine, and you can feel around for the funky faces. FEEL the emotion/mode/expression you want on your face. If you're playful, use that. If you're all about drippin' sexy, use that too. Drama or burlesque is REALLY helpful when it comes to dancing and faces. That being said, I am a beginner poler, but I've been a dancer/actress/singer forever it seems. I know NOTHING about pole competition or what is expected of a face in that arena. I seem to always look either really excited when pole dancing, or really mournful lol. On days I'm doing good, I look PISSED lol no matter how happy I feel, its pure fury on my face. Good luck!
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I don't feel discredited, and you would know better than I, and logically, it would make sense that new polers are harder on their poles than experienced ones. I just haven't done enough ON the pole for it to even know me. I keep trying to build up strength in other ways to prepare for poling. I recently posted a blog about the way I am with my pole that would shed light on my habits lol. I haven't even gotten into shorts hardly for the pole, I'm usually in yoga attire because I'm using the conditioning exercises. I've never worn shoes. I've done pole hold, pole climb, and the one "step and squat around" half spin. I'm only even testing spinny mode to see if it works smoothly, as I did the first time I put the pole up. I've never even actually used spinny mode yet. I wanted a pole that would grow with me. The rest is floor work, free weights trying to build strength. Using chairs and walls instead of the pole to build on certain things. I know, all these things are not good practices, I'm trying to get more time in on the pole, I got a mirror, got myself some shorts, and I will move my workouts away from the gym and onto the pole to build pole strength (convenience of having a gym at work and the pole being at home was the only reason I thought that would work)
I dig you on the thread cover totally. Colder weather would really make sense. In the summer its the hottest room in the house. In the winter its the coldest. I tried to bring this up as a potential reason the pole had "settled" and needed adjusting in the first place while talking with Xpole. She kept saying she didn't know what I meant by "settling" and said it shouldn't be settling. But I thought all tension poles were prone to settling, especially after going without regular use. For 2 months my pole was buried because I was recording music, sifting through and cleaning out my wardrobe, storing Christmas presents, etc. When I tried to get back into it after cleaning out the area, it had settled. Not just enough to be "a little loose" It literally just came right down when I did a sturdiness tug.
I'm just still frustrated, I hope its not coming off as defensive, because its intended as sheer bafflement. How it can be fine, perfectly spinny, you take it down, put it back up in the same spot, and suddenly nothing is as it was. The cover feels more than just tight, it feels like grinding metal shards, or that I'll strip the threading if I don't screw it back up PERFECTLY. Even Perfectly, it just grinds. When I first got it, it just screwed on like a soda top, or a mason jar, it just went on….
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Well, simply from tone of voice, I think she was referring to the amount of time that I've had it. I said "When I first got the pole in April"
It is not the older version of the x-pert as far as I know. I just remember some girls saying they liked the old ones better and the new ones caught their ankles because of the thread guard, and mine has the thread guard at the bottom and I can see why someone might have that happen with this particular design.
I think she was just trying to tell me that it was used and worn in, when it really hasn't been used and worn in, I ordered it, brand new, at the end of April, and I haven't given it anywhere near the amount of love I'd like to. You more experienced ladies might "break in" a pole in 8 months, but when I bought this pole, I had never poled in my life, I actually got the bug because I wanted to train for upper body strength to do Aerial Silks and Lyra. The only silks teacher is hours away, but she said pole moves often translate to the silks fairly easily, and there was know way I had room or ability to rig silks in my apt. I could pole though.
I used Veenas lessons for conditioning and went through the beginner lessons. I'm still trying to learn to walk with a toe drag and make it look nice lol There isn't even a scratch on the pole, I never wear rings or any pants with metal. I require anyone wanting to "test spin" to do the same. I take care of this thing like its a baby. Like I said, even when I took it down and needed the extension, I put it on cardboard cushions to make sure it was evenly supported and comfy while it was waiting for surgery.
I don't know. I guess I just need to halt my frustration until I try what they told me to do. It just seems like it shouldn't be that finicky… And she never did address the problem of the thread cover suddenly not screwing on and off easily as it used to, she only addressed the pole wobble. One thing at a time….
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Didn't know that, I was just going by their hours listed on the x pole site under "Contact Us" I described the problem to her, we talked a bit about it, went over what I've already tried. She has advised me to adjust those vertical screws Empyrean mentioned. She told me to loosen the screws, make sure the adjuster rod is all the way in and secure, and retighten the screws, and to make sure I'm hitting the "flats" and not the threading, and see if that doesn't stop the wobble. I'm going to do this when I get home today and hope its fixed. I thought one thing odd, she said I was working with an old pole so they get "worked in" and come loose. I just got the pole less than 8 months ago, and I've so far only been able to use it for conditioning and a little climbing. I've done NO spins, maybe 3 half spins, and only a handful of attempts at a pole sit. That doesn't seem like an old pole thats been "worked in" but I really don't have a basis for comparison. Curse day job. I really want to go home right now and see if it fixes.
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I am waiting for X Pole to open. I'm on the East Coast so I've got 3 minutes until its 8 AM there lol. I was just trying to see if I've missed anything before speaking to them so I can cover whats going on and get to a solution quickly. And yeah, not messing with THOSE screws.
And to Chem, yes we checked with a level. I say 3 points because we level it one way, then level it 90 degrees across that, so if you were looking down on the pole, it would be a noon shadow on a big plus sign. We tighten it there. Then we check from a random 3rd point because if we did our job right the first time, it should be level no matter where you check it. This time, we just checked with a level after set up, and its level. And yes, I'm adjusting the 3 screws to the flats, not into the threading. I will call xpole, its 11:02 🙂 Thanks you guys for your help. Talking it out prepares me better to talk to customer service as well. I have horrible anxiety over that sort of thing. Here I go!
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Also, technically, once you tighten the three screws back after adjusting, the pole should be as it is. As in, the thread cover is to complete the solid surface and stuff, but if it wasn't there, the pole should still stand correctly right? Because when we tighten it and put the screws back without putting the cover up, and do a "pole check" pull, the thread piece moves back and forth, as in, the pole is straight, the dome is cool, the base is in check, and there is just a slight "hinge" effect where the threading enters the pole above it. It would seem as though there should be little to no wiggle room there….
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Absolutely sure the pole is level, from 3 different vantage points. We actually marked the floor the first time we leveled it out, so we just line the pole up with the circles on the ceiling, and its carpet indentation on the floor. I only took it down to change the top attachment, I don't take it anywhere else, it doesn't go up and down, its just this once, it worked perfectly before. I took such care with it, "wear and tear" is not an issue here….
I'm sure the x joints are proper. This pole was very easy for me to put together and adjust, and the mechanics never confused me untill now.
Why would the thread cover suddenly not screw on easily, and why is the pole doing this now when it was perfect before. Spun perfect, thread cover perfect, nice and firm but not too tight.
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I am having this same problem with my pole. I got it in April, used the 5 inch attachment, spinny mode was fine, everything was level. My pole space got junked up for a minute around Christmas. It also got colder. I went to check my pole, and it was loose. It was at the very top of its thread, so I changed out the 5 inch attachment for the 10 inch. It was too tall by juuuuuuust a little bit. I took the pole down, set the dome to the side, and used the two cardboard pole covers as little props to keep the pole from putting sideways pressure on the base. I prompty ordered an 8 inch attachment, and re-erected the pole. The first problem was that the extender thread cover no longer screws and unscrews with ease. It takes man power to get it on and off. Before, it was EASY. Then, after all was set up, level, adjusted, NOT overtightened, I set spinny mode. The thing went around like the pole was bowed, but it wasn't. I untightened it while holding the dome against the ceiling, and spun the pole. The top was connecting fine, no wiggle. I started to retighten it, as I do, I see the threading is wobbling around, creating the bowing effect. I recheck leveling, start to tighten again, and the screw is still bowing. I'm going to take the pole down again tonight and try taking the base off and putting it back on and see if that works, but I am so upset and frustrated. It was FINE until I took it down and put it back up. And it WAS at the very top of the threading with the 5 inch attachment and it didn't wiggle or bow. It extends and retracts with ease. Its where the bottom of the threading attaches to the base where its like the one short thing that goes in the bottom of the pole is stuck instead of like an up side down t, more like a shallow / :(:(:( I feel like crying! I finally tackled all the projects in that room to get to my pole so I could really DO it, and now its pole problems. Hubby also brought up the possibility that when it got loose the first time, maybe the floor settled unevenly and the base will always be uneven. I don't even know how I'd check for that. Its carpeted, and the carpet has a nice pole base imprint that looks even to me. Argh! 🙁 Help 🙁 🙁
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Well, I would say go to a salon too, but if someone gave me that advice, I'd say $$$$! lol. So if you're in the same boat, I can try to help. When you stripped your hair, you removed the color molecules, leaving the hair very porous and able to accept new dyes and color pigment molecules. Thats why you bleach before dying funky colors, it isn't just because it shows better on lighter hair, the bleach basically eats a bunch of holes in your hair, and then the new colors can bond and stay.
I have done the exact same thing you describe to my own hair before. The thing is, your roots haven't been through as much processing, so they aren't as porous, and will react to box type dyes basically as intended.
After stripping your hair below the roots, leaving open "holes" you basically put new hair dye. Your roots picked it up as it should, the rest clung to any brown molecules in the blonde dye you bought.
Before doing anything else to it, I would replenish and make use of pony tails/hats. To replenish, a filler to fix some of the hair will help. Keratin treatments are good, I like APHogee brand.
If it was me, I'd do a hair fixer treatment. ( http://www.amazon.com/Loreal-Hair-Fixer-6-applications/dp/B000CPJPT0/ref=sr_1_1?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1324482652&sr=1) Deep condition (whatever deep conditioner works best, usually something you have to leave in, I like Cholesterol type stuff for this kind of job.) Then keratin (http://www.amazon.com/Aphogee-Keratin-Green-Tea-Restructurizer/dp/B000142P12). Then another "filler" treatment (http://www.sallybeauty.com/Aphogree-treatment/SBS-670567,default,pd.html?cgid=Hair02 ), and one more deep condition with whatever you chose. That should get the hair ok to work with again. Use everything according to directions if you choose to do this. You will also need stuff to recolor with. I still think its cheaper than the salon, but a lot of work on your part.
Use a neutral protein filler before using dye, that will fill in some of the holes to keep color from bonding to them. I still don't think you're going to be able to go platinum or anything at this time without pro help.
You could technically try stripping once more after giving the hair some time to heal, and then bleach the ever living hell out of it while using a filler, but you could possibly fry your hair beyond repair, and/or end up with the same results if you're unfamiliar with the chemistry. When I did this (about 5 times in a very short period), I ended up getting everything but the roots chopped off and starting fresh with a Jamie Lee Curtis hairstyle because my ends had chemically fried together and were the texture of linen cloth.
So in the end, you may have to just go to a salon, but if you want to try my "home remedy" have at it, I'm all for home experimentation with hair, especially when you know what elements you're working with. I see this is from November, so hopefullyyou found help by now, I just felt like sharing, as hair dye is a hobby of mine lol. So good luck to you or anyone else in the same predicament!
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I didn't know they had all those different extensions. I just ordered one that should fit lol. Thanks Nina!
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I don't know what is going on, I was completely unable to do this again. I couldn't even do the scootch version. One attempt seemed like it was about to be successful, but my foot slipped, my tummy stuck to the pole, and I just let myself down and got the bumpy skid thing with my tummy skin grip. I kept thinking "mind over matter, you did it once, you can do it again, you're a beast, you're STRONG" and all the self encouragement in the world wasn't helping. I'm not giving up, just like "how can I do it near effortlessly ONCE and then I go back and its like it was before" With a lot of activities, I try and try, and then have a breakthrough, and I never have trouble with it again, like riding a bike. This is not like that at all. I also can't figure out how to do a pole hold and lift my legs without banging my lady parts on the pole. I can bend the knees and lift my legs behind me, like in normal pole hold, I mean the kind where you have a bent knee V. Maybe I'm hunching my back more than I realize. I want so much just to have something to show for my hard work. I think I'm also stressing because I've lost a lot of weight, and now I'm 11 pounds from goal, and I feel impatient. I want it NOW lol. It feels so hard to build muscle and lose fat at the same time. I almost wonder if I should focus more on cardio to get rid of the fat and then rebuild any tone I've lost after the fact. But I also think my cardio is so much more effective when I'm working on strength training, but the scale doesn't budge. In case anyone wants to know, I'm 5'5, and 138lbs. I started my weight loss journey when I topped out at 191lbs.
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I've seen LoneStarDiva around here, she says "too old" is not an excuse lol. I also have seen a few bigger girls around here that are great. Tiger Adams has some beautiful pictures I just saw yesterday. My mom wouldn't even consider getting on a pole I don't think. This was a very interesting blog here: https://www.studioveena.com/blogs/view/The_Beauty__Challenges_of_Plus_Sized_Polers_20110425110713
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Or foot undies hehehe! http://www.zappos.com/multiview/7251899/521
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I haven't been poling long enough to know whats good and whats not for pole stuff, but I've been dancing forever. I've been thinking about getting a pair of these things: http://www.zappos.com/multiview/7135568/3 They let your pivot and turn on the ball of your foot without sticking to the floor or getting rugburn, but leave your heal and toes free. Anyone tried them? Worth it to get a pair?