[LatinPoler]

I think chrome is the standar for competitions, so maybe that’s something to keep in mind if that is your goal. I have chrome and dry skin and yes, it’s slippery at first. I use Dew Pole Ultra in Winter and Medium in Summer, plus iTac or PoleMamas on contact points. Mighty grip doesn’t work for me, but every body is different. I tried Firm Grip once and that was too much grip for me, but I know girls that love it. To warm up my pole, I just climb to the top and slide down slowly three or four times and that makes the trick. It’s also a good warm up for yourself 😉

[LatinPoler]

Thank you ladies!!! I will keep at it without obsessing 😉 .I’m uploading a video in a new thread, I
It just let me upload pictutes from here.

[LatinPoler]

Thanks! They are not perfectly squared but at this point I don’t care much. I guess that eventually will happen over time. I try to keep my back hip as closed as posible when I get into the split, then when I get tired, I turn it out a little. It’s not that easy for me because I don’t have good external rotation.

[LatinPoler]

Thank you! I read somewhere, maybe here, that consistency is key. I tried to stretch 3 times a week, but I had several hiatus due to other priorities and minor injuries. I was at about 9 inch from the floor in my front splits and 12 inch or more in my middle splits when I started. I think I have an average flexibility by nature, I’m not super bendy but not super stiff either. My point is that it is achievable if you put in the effort. 😉 Good luck!

[LatinPoler]

Thank you! Yes, that makes sense.

[LatinPoler]

Thanks again Phoenix! Great advice, I will follow it. Good to know that it’s not just me 🙂

[LatinPoler]

Thank you Phoenix and Veena! Yes, I am aware of the 30 Day program but I haven’t had the chance to follow it yet. So, now that I’m thinking about it, TOMORROW is going to be the day. It is Monday, and that’s always a good day to start plans.
One of the reasons behind my question is that I always feel that I need more warm up than what’s included in the classes I have attended… So I thought I might be overdoing the warm up. Frankly, I prefer to stretch on my own because I can tailor the warm up, the exercises and how long I hold the stretches to my needs.

[LatinPoler]

Also, you may want to have a look at the change cycle: http://changingminds.org/disciplines/change_management/kubler_ross/kubler_ross.htm
You are probably in the early stages since this is new. You’ll move forward and heal for sure.
Besides dancing, aerobic activities with focus in lower body like running or cycling can be an option if allowed.

[LatinPoler]

Hi Anita,
I’m so sorry for you! I feel your pain. When I started poling, I injured myself twice – which made me stay away from pole for a while. I had also been careful, warmed up well, etc. But I guess I was not engaging my upper body correctly and maybe overtraining. I felt really frustrated. But I was patient, heeled, and here I am again. I know it is difficult, but take your time, it will improve, and once it does, start slowly. It is better to wait until it is fully recovered than restarting too soon and risking to a new injury. Veena has a fantastic video about injuries and recovery.
Cannot you do any pole at all? I mean, maybe you cannot invert, but what about climbs and sits and grounded flow, and floorwork?
I love yoga. I used to get massages to relax my muscles and now I do yoga instead. There are many types of yoga, heated power yoga can be extrenous but at the same time kind on your body. Yin yoga is relaxing. It will help your flexibility, core strenght, wrist strength and body awareness and all those skills can be transfered to pole once you heel. Also, it can help calm your frustration.
If your doctor agrees, maybe you can take dance classes too. Or even theater. Or chair dance, or burlesque. This can help you with pole too.
Good luck and get well soon!
Warm hugs.

[LatinPoler]

Back to the Rocking Legs and Abs question: Meh. It’s not terribly bad, but I don’t think it is the best either. To me, there is no enough hamstring stretching (maybe because my hamstrings are soooo tight). I don’t think she gives good instruction on the hip flexor stretching either, she doesn’t remind you to tuck the pelvis and squeeze the butt. I like the middle splits routine better than the front splits one. And I like Black is the New Black better too.
If you feel that you want something else besides Veena’s lessons, maybe only for variety, I would recommend Fit and Bendy DVDs – Get Bent specially.

[LatinPoler]

If you pay for the subscription to Cleo’s online studio, you’ll get access to the streaming versions for both DVDs (along with all the other tutorials and features). It may be something you want to consider…

[LatinPoler]

Thanks Hookedonpole! I have been poling for about a year. I think I have a solid choreo with moves I can do well, but anyway… I am quiet perfectionist and I think that’s causing me trouble. I should just relax and do it, not to worry that much about nailing it to the detail. It is “just” a local studio recital, not a public event or a competition…

[LatinPoler]

No leg flexibility. Focus is back, shoulders, hips. There are also two abs chapters and two short sequences for legs and butt toning.

[LatinPoler]

My volleyball kneedpads are the ones that AllysonKendal posted, in my case in Senior. They didn’t work for me… too bulky, no grip, didn’t stay in place.

[LatinPoler]

I have muscular legs too and I wear L in Mighty Grip/Liquid Motion (they are the same thing). I don’t think the M would have fitted. Here’s the sizing chart:

https://www.amazon.com/Liquid-Motion-Knee-Climbing-Pads/dp/B00AD9W17I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1477683057&sr=8-1&keywords=mighty+grip+knee+pads

I wore regular Volleyball kneepads before and I didn’t like them, there are way too bulky, besides, you cannot do anything that entails climb or invert on the pole while wearing them.