[Hazi411]

Thanks heaps SV 🙂 the studio teaches the shoulder mount from the floor too, but I will definitely take a look at your lesson as well, and I will practice some more from the ground. Its probably also the fact that when I do mansge to do the SM from standing, I think I might be so shocked that I might forget to hold on!!

Re the term “she”, it must be a cultural thing – one of those things that’s perfectly OK in one country, but may be considered rude in another (like cursing, or nudity, for example. ) I was brought up in England and as children we were always told off for referring to someone as “she” instead of using their name, but as I said, I wasn’t offended, but some people might be. Hope this clarifies the situation 🙂

[Hazi411]

Excuse me chemgoddess1 – "she"? 😉 ) (sorry, but where I come from, referring to someone as "she" can be viewed as being offensive, but rest assured I am not offended, just mildly amused!)

First off, I have to say I got a couple of the names of the moves wrong.  I always get the two confused.  "The Candy" is what Bobbi's studios call the shoulder mount thingy.  The grip they use is called "knot grip".  I will try to describe it: with the pole on your right side, put your right arm up then kind of twist it so that the back of your hand is facing your body, then bring your left arm up and place your hand below your right, in a cup grip, with the back of your hand facing the inside of your right arm)

The "Celia" is the one which is like a Teddy – except it's not the Teddy, because you have your right arm *up* on the pole so you're basically holding on with your right arm, both legs in a V shape (but higher than in the Teddy), and your *left* arm is the one that holds on to your leg.  Hope that makes sense.

The iguana mount (Bobbi's studios call that one "The Darryl Hannah"!) we do from the floor.  I have seen it done from a layback, and I can do that one, so I know I have the strength to hold myself up there.  The reason I struggle with the iguana is because sometimes I can't get my feet (or foot) up onto the pole when doing it from the floor.  It doesn't help that the poles are spinny ones!

chipandchar – yes I'm a bit the same.  Some of the more "advanced" moves I can do, but I struggle with some of the "easier" moves.  Often it's just a simple "tweak" that's required.

Thanks so much for what you wrote about figuring out *why* I'm struggling with some moves – that's made me realise that part of why I struggle with the shoulder mount is the fear of "what do I do when I get up there?" (although I haven't yet managed to get my foot/feet up close enough to the pole anyways!).  Other than that, it's probably a combination of all the things you mentioned, plus probably over-thinking some things, and also trying to remember everything for the various moves (engage shoulders/pull abs in/tuck pelvis under ….oh and don't forget to breathe correctly either!)

Most times, I can do the chopper from the ground (unless I'm tired), but doing it from *up* the pole is a whole other story.  The one time I *did* manage to do it, was because the instructor said it's the same as doing it from the ground, except your feet are off the ground, so I gave it a go with my feet *just* off the ground, and managed to "get" it, but haven't been able to do it again. I think maybe I will try a private with one of the instructors I haven't had at this level, and see how I go with that. In the meantime, I will keep at it – I'm not giving up!!

Thanks so much for all your help everyone.  I love this forum, everyone is so supportive and helpful xx

 

 

[Hazi411]

Thanks megan12, that's what I would normally do if it's only one move I'm stuck on.  However, I've got the stage where I still need to work on one move from each of the lower levels, which is why I'm wondering what's my best course of action. 

There are some moves – twisted grip shoulder mount, iguana mount, and one which Bobbi's calls "The Candy" which are introduced at the lower levels but are continued through several levels.  I haven't yet got the shoulder mount, the iguana is a bit hit and miss, and the candy I haven't yet got, although I am getting closer!

The Candy is one where you are hanging on with one arm, whilst holding your legs up in a v, with the hand that' snot on the pole, holding your outside leg.

BeccaH – I have been trying to practice knee tucks whenever I can.  I also make a point of coming down from the chopper slowly, and in controlled way, as I've heard that doing that also helps to build up the muscles. 

I love being upside down.  The fear of handstands is more to do with thinking my arms won't support me 😉 

Ly Kieu Le – my flexibility is pretty good.  I am not far from the front splits on either side, but have quite a way to go with my center split. My back and shoulder flexibility still needs a lot of work though. 

I was interested to hear that you have a private every 2 weeks.

I am just about to start flexibility training again in earnest, as my favourite flex instructor is back from maternity leave, so that should help with that area.

amy – I'm having 2 lessons a week, with a bit of practice whenever I can (which isn't often , as I've been battling chronic tiredness for some time). I'm about to cut that down to one lesson a week at my current studio, and one lesson with a different studio, to give myself some different moves to work on, so will see how that goes for the next couple of months.

Thanks everyone!

 

[Hazi411]

Oh gosh I thought it was just me who got freaked out by handstands!  I also find a lot of moves are hit and miss for me too.

I have the Jamilla pole DVDs.  On one of those, she teaches getting into a handstand from the floor, by putting your feet and legs on the pole, then "walking" your hand towards the pole, whiile gripping the pole with your legs.  Start from standing with your back to the pole, then put your hands down on the floor in front of you, with your feet/legs on the opposite side of the pole, then hook one foot on, then the other one.

I also did a handstand/headstand workshop with Shimmy.  She teaches you to practice handstands by going into a lunge, reaching as far forward as you can with your hand, place your hands on the ground, one leg straight, foot on the floor, and the other leg in the air, then do a kind of "hop" up with your foot that's on the floor, until you can get used to the feeling, before you progress to doing handstands against the wall.

When I learn a new move, I like to have an "exit strategy" in place, just in case, so that I can get out of the move safely.

Strangely, I seem to have no fear when doing "backwards" moves (spins, and CKR, CAR for instance – maybe it's something to do with being left handed!)

 

 

[Hazi411]

I've done two workshops and had a private with her.  Am hoping to have another private with her (maybe at the WA Pole Camp 2014, as she will be doing workshops there).  She is fabulous.  A lovely lovely person, very down to earth, and funny – and fun!  She and Nic make a great team. 

Enjoy your 5 private lessons with her 🙂

[Hazi411]

Have had several different instructors (not as bad as it sounds – the studio runs an Int 3 class (sometimes more than one) per day, and there are 5 instructors who teach at that level.  There are other studios around, although my current one is the most convenient.  I have decided to enrol at another studio for a term, to learn some different things, as I think that will help.

I think it's partly a case of feeling that I've been at this level for a long time without making a lot of progress, although that's probably just my perception.  I just seem to be repeating, repeating, repeating the same stuff over and over again.

Definitely don't want to injure myself (been there, done that a couple of times at the current studio but I hope I've learned from those mistakes!) 

I do have a pole at home, and am trying to practice when I can – mostly just trying to build strength, rather than practicing moves, as such. 

I plan to subscribe to Veena's lessons again once I have my "pole room" properly set up…it's a work in progress at the moment.  Hopefully I will get it set up in the next couple of weeks or so.  (I work full time and am currently experiencing a bout of depression which causes me to sleep for about 9 hours or more a night, which of course cuts into my "spare" time.)

I have heaps of moves and transitions I want to try out too….I recently attended the first West Australian Pole Camp, and learned heaps from all the different instructors there. 

My current studio teaches a limited range of moves, compared to what's "out there" (they teach mostly the "pretty" moves, and at least 25-50% of each lesson is taken up with learning a routine over the 8 week term – which is good for learning transitions, and for building up stamina, of course).

[Hazi411]

Oh help!  I don't want an increase in size!  I think they are a bit perkier though – yay!

[Hazi411]

I lost my "upside down V" (helicopter/chopper) for a while, but it seems to be back now.  I just wish I could nail the same move from *up* the pole, but sadly I haven't had success with this.  I did do it once, with my feet *just* off the floor, but it must've been beginners luck!

[Hazi411]

Oh Aspygirl, I think I know how you feel (i wear a 30gg if I can get it, but modtly a 32g). I tend to wear Cleo by Panache’s Jude t shirt plunge bra with a cheap crop top (not the sort that has elastic at the bottom) over it for class. For a performance I would probably wear the same bra, either decorated in some way, or under “something”. Hope this helps.

[Hazi411]

Ha! What award did he win? Idiot of the year? (just my humble opinion)

[Hazi411]

Thanks portableninja 🙂  I have that bra, but in a different colourway. The pink is *very* pretty though 🙂 

At the moment I mostly wear the Panache Cleo Jude bras (moulded cup), with a crop top over it.  Definitely agree that small band/large cup is not well catered for.  I agree with you that so many manufacturers think large boobs = large all over. 

For our end of term (which was also end of year) performance the year before last, I bought a moulded cup red bra in a 16E (so that the cups fitted), and I chopped the surplus fabric out of the underband strap at the back – which also had the benefit of bringing the straps closer to the centre at the back, which was better for me, as, in addition to the large boobs/narrow back, I also have narrow and sloping shoulders!

[Hazi411]

I have 30GG boobs (very narrow back, and very boobalicious).  I find it very frustrating that pole tops "only" fit up to a D cup (or DD if you're lucky).  With my boobs, I have no chance! And I grew them myself, so it's not like they're surgically enhanced and would stay up on their own!

 

[Hazi411]

I have 30GG boobs (very narrow back, and very boobalicious).  I find it very frustrating that pole tops "only" fit up to a D cup (or DD if you're lucky).  With my boobs, I have no chance! And I grew them myself, so it's not like they're surgically enhanced and would stay up on their own!

 

[Hazi411]

I just attended a couple of workshops with Luxe L'etoile (Liquid Luxe).  She suggested Bikram Yoga.  I am seriously also considering aerial yoga, as classes have just opened up not too far from my work.

 

[Hazi411]

Has anyone been (or does anyone go to) Polepeople? I have a couple of their DVD’s which are good and would love to have lessons there.