[Fleur]

Congratulations RaRa!

It’s always a great feeling to see one’s own progress https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif That’s why video is so great! Keep it up and post some videos for us to encourage you on if you are able https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_razz.gif

Fleur

[Fleur]

Point in case:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I338QWF69ds

Looks like an x-pole at first, seems decent quality…yeah, it’s NOT. So dangerous. Natasha Richardson just died of a similar injury…

Fleur

[Fleur]

Sounds to me like that deal is too good to be true but maybe I’m just being pessemistic. The following is just my opinion but I thought I would share:

When I decided to buy a pole, I did a lot research because I’m not only putting my buck out there for quality and value but also my own SAFETY. And I like my brain so I’d rather not jog it around by falling off a cheap pole! All of the dancers who I respect and are doing difficult tricks which require a good, stable pole are using the X-pole.

I have heard a lot of complaining about the Lyl Minx from people who had it unscrew from the ceiling and are having grip issues because of the finish. I know three people who own one and complain about it all the time. I have tried it and absolutely HATED it https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_thumbdown.gif . And it requires a ceiling fixture and doesn’t always have a spin option. So I ruled that one out.

I don’t know too many people who own a platinum stages pole BUT I also don’t hear too many people rave about it. I recently danced on PS pole and didn’t like it too much, much prefer the X pole.

Lastly, I DO hear a lot of people say good things about the X-pole, I love mine, I have never had a problem with it, the spin option is great, it doesn’t require a ceiling fixture, and it’s easy to take up and down. I tend to believe you get what you pay for and I’m willing to pay for safety, durability, and quality so that I don’t end up having to get another pole later on down the line. Had Studio Veena been up and running when I was looking to buy my pole, this is definitly where I would have bought it. I didn’t get the perk of free shipping https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif Also, I trust and respect Veena and I know that she would not be selling something that she doesn’t believe is the best quality product out there. She uses them exclusively herself!

Just one person’s opinion, take it for what it’s worth! Happy and safe poling!

Fleur

[Fleur]

Butterflii,

Sounds to me like you’re ready to get your Xpole and join us in the fun! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

for video, you are free to show any of my public youtube ones but they are my less "sexy" ones. Veena has a million and a half amazing videos I’m sure you can link them to https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif

Join us friday for chat!

Fleur

[Fleur]

It is preferable to have the back knee facing the floor since this will keep your hips squarer, however it requires more flexibility in the hip flexor of the back leg and the hamstring of the front leg. In other words, it is harder but it shows better technique. Most people get their splits with the back knee truned out which is ok, just keep trying to square the hips and turn in the back knee after you get that one so your flexibility continues to improve. Good job!

Fleur

[Fleur]

Hey butterflii,

Lol, I’m not rockstar! May I ask if you downloaded the video? I would really rather not have it be circulated around, I post to this site because only members can view the vids.

If your budget doesn’t fit a pole at the moment, try doing some conditioning excercises while waiting another month or two to buy the Xpole? I know Veena has some good strength training moves in her lessons.

Fleur

[Fleur]

Here is my story:

My mother was a professional dancer and dance teacher so I grew up in a dance family. I was a dance major in college and my last year, I was looking up ballet dance videos on youtube. Well, you know that self populated video list on the right hand side that gives you videos you might like based on your search? I saw "Miss Pole Dance Australia 2006" on there and thought "what the heck is THAT?". I have never been to a strip club and had never seen pole dancing before and the only think I could think as I watched this video with my mouth hanging open was: "That is absolutely gorgeous! I want to try THAT"
I immediately looked up a studio in my area and signed up for an intro workshop. With my dance background I picked it up quickly but besides how fun it was, it was by FAR the best workout I have ever found and lady, I’ve done a lot and have always been in good shape (ballet, jazz, modern, yoga, pilated, turbo kickboxing, step, spinning, love the elliptical, power walking, running. etc etc). I couldn’t feel my arms for 48 hours after!!!
From that moment on I was hooked, I would go to the play park after hours and swing on the poles there because I craved it so much but couldn’t afford to take classes all the time (poor college student and all). Shortly after that I moved to Colorado where there were no pole studios and I said, that’s it, I have t keep doing this, so I bought my X-pole. I always save my moeny and rarely spend it on anything for myself but this was an easy decision and the best I’ve made. This is a workout i will never tire of, it’s just so fun that you don’t feel like you’re working out!
I can proudly say that I got my body from 1. my mommy and 2. my POLE. My abs and arms have never looked this good and I’ve always been in good shape.
Lastly, the thing I find so amazing about pole dancing is that it’s not only an AMAZING workout for women (upper body and core, perfect for fighting osteoporosis) but it is a wonderful confidence boost and celebration of femininity. You might not expect this at first thinking "only skinny hot girls do it" but that isn’t true at all! Women of all shapes and sizes absolutely transform on the pole into these beautiful, strong, sensual creatures! I’ve seen it in my classes! Why? Because it gives us CONFIDENCE! And we all know how attractice confidence is.
I am a firm believer that pole fitness is not only the best workout but is also wonderful for our self-esteem and body image.

Fleur

[Fleur]

I am also struggling with this move. How do you usually get into superman? I usually go into it from shoulder mount and so the hand that is holding the pole is lower than if you go into it from an invert to that hip turn down. You either need to bring the top hand up or lower down your legs. I seem to be unable to convince my legs to ease up off the pole and slide down https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_sad.gif I’ve only managed to do it once and hated it so much I dropped it so I haven’t tried again…Not very helpful but at least you know you’re not the only one struggling!

Fleur

[Fleur]

Spinny takes some getting used to. At first I couldn’t control the speed at all! The thing to remember is that you don’t need momentum when you’re on spin mode, you can pretty much just pick yourself up off the floor and you’ll be good to go! I find that it takes a lot more grip and forearm strength and you need to really make sure you have good lat strength so that you don’t hurt your shoulders. Basically, if you go into a spin you don’t need to swing the leg around or push hips into a fall like you do on static mode, it’s much more controlled otherwise you get too much speed! It takes some playing around until you get used to it, just keep at it https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

Fleur

[Fleur]

Hey skivvies,

It was great to meet you in chat on friday https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif
I have my pole in my bedroom and sometimes, at night, or if I get antsy, I hop on it for just a song or two and feel much better afterward. I don’t necessarily do any tricks, not even spins sometimes, but getting moving and having the pole there definitly helps! I think it’s a good idea to move the pole to the bedroom but I don’t necessarily think you should do a song a day. It shouldn’t be a chore, like something you check off your list of things-to-do. Do a dance when the feeling hits you otherwise don’t worry about it! It’s good to have days off anyway! I definitly don’t dance everyday, I try for every other day.

Fleur

[Fleur]

Are you asking for tips to break in the sheos themselves? or for getting used to dancing with shoes?

If it’s the latter, here are a couple things that may help:
1. Dance on an even surface rather than carpet if possible
2. Always keep your weight on your toes rather than the heel, it will allow you to have more balance and control and greatly decreases your chance of twisting your ankle.
3. Practice barefoot but on your toes when you dance without the shoes, that way you get used to dancing with your weight on the ball of your foot and not the heel.
4. CONTROL your pole movements!!! If you don’t have crazy momentum and aren’t falling out of moves but rather are moving through your movements in a controlled manner while using the arms and back to support yourself, you won’t need to relly on your feet as much!

Hope this helps! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

Fleur

[Fleur]

You certainly do sound frustrated! I’ll tell you one way to convince people that it is a legitimate workout: YOUR OWN BODY! The change in my muscle tone and strength is absolutely undeniable and no one who sees it can say that pole dancing is an incredible workout to have produced that change in my body! Pole dancing DID originate in strip clubs so I don’t think it’s fair to say that strippers shouldn’t be credited for it but not all pole dancers are strippers and that is the stereotype you’re fighting. Luckily for me, I live in California where people are very open minded but it’s going to take more time elsewhere for this to be accepted as a sport/art.

Ok, I really need to go study for my chem final now…

Fleur

[Fleur]

Ugh, I’m going to be in FINALS mode from 8am-4pm tomorow…so I won’t be on chat until I get home after effing physics. I can’t wait because I’ll be on chat with my favorite pole people and I’ll be done and on spring break!!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

[Fleur]

I definitly have my strong arm holding me. When you get ready to do the flip into superman try it with your strong arm as the top arm and really focus on pulling on it so that your weak arm isn’t having to support as much weight on the bottom. It may be that you will end up holding with your weak arm if you can’t flip over the other way and that’s ok! You ‘ll just be working out the weak arm https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif It’s good to do things on both sides anyway!

Fleur

[Fleur]

Hello and welcome! Join us on friday for chat day and you can meet everyone https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif
Fleur