[HollySatine]

I tend to avoid news stories and videos about stuff like this because sometimes I can't help but be annoyed despite however neutral the program tries to seem, and I think like the negitivity I feel towards some of the comments made in the video is largely due to media spin and editing.  For example, when one woman in the video said "Are you doing it for sex in exhange for money, you know, what are you doing it for?" my initial thought was, what?! why would you think that?? you're obviously super ignorant if you don't think that hanging upside down from a pole isn't a workout – that's what they're doing it for, not sex trafficking!  And then I thought, well she could have easily been saying "I think it's a great idea but some people might have this misconception…" in the part that was cut out.  I think even when the news program wants to appear neutral, they probably cut things together in a way that will polarize viewers and fuel debate on both sides… which seems a little underhanded if you ask me.

[HollySatine]

I haven't started learning those moves yet but what it sounds like (if you have set up your pole correctly and the cover is as tight as it can be) is, since you mentioned that using your left hand only tightens the cover, maybe your grip isn't strong enough yet to keep your weight from shifting, causing the hand on the cover to rotate a little (or enough at least to loosen the cover)?  I know there are some moves where I can feel myself rotating because I can't keep my weight totally balanced, and since you are just learning these two moves maybe you have a similar problem?

 

[HollySatine]

will do. thanks!

[HollySatine]

Nevermind about not feeling the tackiness, I feel it now – but I'm still sweating right through it and it doesn't give me any grip.  Other suggestions anyway?

[HollySatine]

I totally understand how you feel because I've been there.  When I was in high school, I did Irish dance with my best friend (I got her into it originally).  The thing about it, though, was that we were literally competing against each other – to advance to the next level, you had to earn it by entering a competition and dancing better than all the other girls, and only the top couple dancers would be able to advance to compete in a higher level.  In other words, you could learn "Advanced Beginner" level steps, but you couldn't call yourself an Advanced Beginner technically if you didn't place in competition.  Anyway, it came to a point where she improved faster (despite hardly ever practicing) and got into a higher level, and I became so frustrated because I was constantly stuck below her that I stopped enjoying it for a long time before I eventually quit.  I came to dread the class (despite being in different levels we continued to be taught in the same dance class) and after a while I gave it up because going had become unhealthy.  On top of all that, despite not taking my frustration out on my best friend, we grew apart for various reasons and our friendship became strained. 

There are several things I wish I could have changed about the whole ordeal, but now, I feel like pole dancing more than fills the void I felt after quitting Irish dance – plus, I can now do things that would amaze my high school friend if she saw them (and I'm stronger and more muscular than she is now too!).  I'd like to think I'm more mature now and don't get jealous as easily as I used to, but unfortunately I think that would be a lie.  We can't help what we feel, but we can help how we handle the situation.  I have a very good friend who gave me the info that got me into pole, but when I decided to start taking pole classes and she didn't think it was for her, I didn't push her into doing it anyway – I knew better from experience and (maybe selfishly) didn't want to end up feeling sorry I'd made her try the class if she turned out to be a lot better than me.  For some reason, it's a lot easier to be supportive of someone you don't know than a close friend, especially if you start at the same level…

I would say that getting a pole at home is the best thing you can do for yourself.  And while you're at it, if you're inverting then a pole mat is also a great investment.  You'll find that the safer you feel learning new moves, the faster you'll improve.  And what's great about poling at home is that you can look totally goofy and ungraceful and no one will be there to judge you or one-up you.  Plus, at home you can take pictures and video of yourself dancing and practicing moves, which is both a wonderful learning tool for the moves you're working on and a great confidence booster for the moves you rock at!

I might be a hypocrite by saying that you shouldn't quit pole dance, but Veena has such awesome lessons on here (better than most DVD's you can buy!) that poling at home should only help your confidence and boost your skill.  So best of luck and keep on poling! 🙂

[HollySatine]

I am not sure what to tell you about the back pain (hopefully someone else will have advice for you about that) except that maybe it will go away when you are able to do the move correctly? I just recently got the tuck invert (same thing as chopper/inverted V/etc. right? there are so many names for this one) and what really helped me was tipping my head back – are you doing this? grip the pole, pull your knees up to your chest, and tip backwards as you extend your legs in a V.  When you tilt back, be sure to look at a point on the wall behind you to ensure that your head isn't working against you in this move. Also, your arms will straighten more as you go backwards.  As you already know, pull up and engage your shoulders before you come down to touch the floor.  Hope this helps!

[HollySatine]

thanks!

[HollySatine]

oh okay, I know exactly what you mean now. Thanks! 🙂

[HollySatine]

oh but can you explain the gemini to hip hold? I'm having trouble visualizing it.  also what is a rollout?

[HollySatine]

thanks polergirl, I'll try that!

[HollySatine]

thanks!

[HollySatine]

can someone repost the sugaring link? all of the ones above seem to have gotten cut off like this:

http://www.beauty-fitness-savvy.com/sug … moval.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[HollySatine]

*aerial

;b

[HollySatine]

"even if my performances became 50% floor and 50% aerial, I would still hope to see the video thereafter and feel confident that I "danced" through all of the performance.  In fact, I have started specifying between "aerial dancing" and "grounded dancing" with students and other people.  So in short, I enjoy aerial dancing and I enjoy grounded dancing when they are executed fully, instead of a trick reel or instead of a grounded dance using a pole as a prop."

StellarMotion I really like how you put this! I totally agree with you and I love the term "arial dance" 🙂

[HollySatine]

I've been poling for 6 or 7 months now and still get bruised every time I pole, but it's always the worst when I'm working on a new move or doing a lot of floorwork.  I don't think it's anything to worry about if you know you're healthy otherwise.  I've never used arnica but I'm planning on trying it – although I'm not sure how well it will work since I have really pale skin which I don't think helps…