[LatinPoler]

Agreed, pole is not only tricks and inverts! Personally I’m much more amazed by a pretty flow than by crazy tricks.

Said that, in my humble opinion, to be able to invert you need two things: 1) overall body strength, 2) overcome fears (be uncomfortable as Runemist said). Veena’s program will help you with overall body strength for sure. When you are inverting, all the body is working! Core of course, but you also need strong legs to help with the lift and grab the pole once you are upside down, and arms to hold you. Regarding fears, it depends on the person. If you have never been inverted before (basically if you have not done gymnastics), then this can be a struggle.

In my case, I was able to do the V-invert/Chopper almost since day one, because I had the strength (I have been working out since I can remember). But the Regular invert/Inverted Crucifix too way longer… I had be get accustomed to the vertical upside down position. But I kept and it and got it. I helped me to practice, use a crash mat and a spotter.

Good luck! You can do it.

[LatinPoler]

Thank you Allyson and Euthalia and everybody else!

I went to the Chiro today. He took some X-rays and made some tests and examination. I need to return tomorrow for the diagnosis and discuss treatment. But the good news is that he thinks it’s muscular… a muscle strain in the lower back area maybe. He told me that floating ribs are higher in the back (OK, I thought I knew more about anatomy!) and the pain should be more up towards the back and not to the side/front that is where I mostly feel it. I’ll know more tomorrow anyway.

I asked him about rest and he confirmed that yes, rest is needed now but hopefully they’ll get be back on soon. Fingers crossed!!

I’ll keep you posted. I don’t know why, but writing here helps me feel better… kind of feel your support.

Love XXX

[LatinPoler]

Thanks for the info! I hope mine is not broken…

[LatinPoler]

Thanks for the responses ladies! Yikes, it’s so difficult to rest when you are an active person 🙁 But yes, I have to think long term… two months seems long now but it is not that much if you look overall. Maybe time to focus on something else.

[LatinPoler]

*an order*

[LatinPoler]

I received and order from them yesterday so they should be OK. However, I noticed the “made in China” tag and the fabric seemed thinner to the touch… Now I understand why! I’m very small busted and I can wear some of their tops but I have to add removable padding to make them look more flattering, at least their tops are ready for the inserts. I like their Brazils but not their Itsy or Competition shorts. All and all, not my favorite brand even though occasionally I order from them, when they have specials mostly.

[LatinPoler]

Puppy pose is great, agreed! Veena, it would be great to have a follow-along routine for shoulders/upper back. I know there are classes for individual stretches that are great for reference, but it would be awesome to have a routine. Stretchit has a very good 15 min YouTube video I’ve been doing recently, I recommend it.

[LatinPoler]

I wear 8 in street shoes and open toe Pleasers and Ellie’s, the fit perfectly- toes aligned with edge. I wear 9 in closed Pleaser boots. Maybe 8 would fit too, but considering the socks and that your feet will heat up and probably swell a little because of that, I think 9 is the right choice. I recommend sizing up.

[LatinPoler]

After a hard day at work, the last thing I want to do is to put more pressure on me trying to learn new, advanced tricks, or going to a studio class that may or may not like and besides I will have to follow more “orders” anyway 🙂 So I usually do something less intense. I love dancing, so I may do some low flow or floorwork and flexibility. As others said, usually the most difficult step is the first one and once you are moving and adrenaline kicks in, you’ll feel up to doing harder things. If not, that’s OK – stick to the initial plan of grounded work and flexibility, yoga, flowmotion or whatever is appealing to do. Even a brisk walk, outdoor activities are usually mood boosters (if weather cooperates).

[LatinPoler]

I have sweaty hands too. Use a combination of Tite Grip and Dry hands. Tite Grip, you need to put it about 30 min before poling… that’s usually my warmup and conditioning, so if I’m poling at home I just put it when I’m going to pole. If I’m going to the studio, when I leave home. Then I put Dry hands on top as needed during my pole session. Also keep in mind, new moves, especially if they feel scary, are going to make you sweat more due to the stress. It will improve over time as you get familiar with those moves.

[LatinPoler]

Thanks Stiletto, that really helped!

[LatinPoler]

I decided to go to “tricks class” yesterday after over a year. And I can tell you, I had this post on my mind all the time. I signed up for an advanced class, because I think I’m advanced. I can invert, I can shouldermount, I can do many splitty moves, I can do a Yogini… that’s advanced! Well, the class theme was one handed handstands. I am not proficient in handstands, I can do a few regular or two handed ones, but not one handed and frankly, I’m not interested in them. I don’t think they are right for me, given my body shape and lack of shoulder flexibility. As Veena says, not all moves are right for everybody. So I let the teacher know I was not ready for one handed handstands. I would have expected her to understand and to give me training wheels or a modification, but her answer was a smirk and a “I’m sorry”, before instructing the rest of the class do another crazy brass monkey-ish handstand. Seriously? I was about to step out of the class but I had signed up for the next class which was flow (with a different teacher), so I ended up basically stretching my splits in a corner and getting very annoyed, thinking about this post. Not to mention I will not take any other class with that teacher. Such a waste of time and money! So bottom line, I’d much rather train at home at my own pace, saving time and money.

[LatinPoler]

I agree with Allison, I started to see real progress when I started poling at home and recording myself, focusing on what I thought I could do and wanted to do. To me music, dance and flow are important but studios usually focus more on tricks and have just one or two flow classes a week. Now I do 99% of my pole training at home. I found a new studio and I’m going back to flow classes once a week, but that’s it.

[LatinPoler]

This is a very general question, and everybody is different, so I don’t think there is a right answer to this. It will depend on your background, areas where you want to focus, current level…

[LatinPoler]

To me, strenght is key to smooth movement. Maybe you can use momentum on spinning, but still need strenght to control. I’m not saying you are weak though, it’s just my general opinion. Also lines, which usually are related to strenght. Flexed feet and micro bending do not look pretty. You may wanto to try Veena’s invert program.