[Leeannpole]

I stretch every other day for about a hour, also a good warm up first help IE aerobics get your muscles warmed up before stretching, stretching cold muscles can cause injury. Its took me years to increase my flex and I'm still not at a level that i would like to be but iv took on stretching as part of a weekly work out even if I'm not getting far with it i carry on.

I think it can be quite boring stretching especially if you feel your not making progress its easy to give up, i try to stretch in different ways with different music to make it less boring just keep working on it and you will see progress even if its only smallhttps://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

[Leeannpole]

Also individuality is important, to be yourself and do what makes you happy in a routine really shows. If its very mechanical and rigid or repetive it shows i love good flow and effortlessness i also like new moves and tricks keeps things exiting and fresh to watch https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

[Leeannpole]

Well done https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

[Leeannpole]

Iv been working on floor movement (so not natural at this) but everytime i get something new i feel just as chuffed as when getting a new pole move and i feel it just as much as a good workout toohttps://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

[Leeannpole]

Gloves are a good idea for getting used to moves and increasing grip but they could become a necessity, iv always had problems with grip and the best grip aid iv used (and iv used a lot) is dry hands. Maybe dedicate half a practise with gloves and half without. Also iv found that using a pole cloth that's been washed with fabric conditioner make the pole a bit slick too. Its a problem i think most polers havehttps://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

[Leeannpole]

Well i remember when i started and i was all for tricks and to be honest that's all i would do, now I'm loving the dance side after all it is pole dancing and not gymnastics. The perfect performance for me is a mixture of everything and everything has to be controlled even the tricks you perform can incorporate movement to the music https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

[Leeannpole]

I totally understand and have started to practise a lot more, iv really found just dancing with the pole with no spins or tricks then using the floor you have to think that the floor is part of the pole you can learn so much for example look at some other forms of dance like breakdancing, you don't have to perform it like a breakdancer but slow it down mess with it, also yoga poses start with the basics and build it up, you have to look at learning floor work like learn pole spins and tricks and enjoy it just as much.https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

[Leeannpole]

Iv been looking into installing a hoop, iv asked the store for advise and they said id need to have a structural engineer to see if its safe to install. So is it the same principle for silks?

[Leeannpole]

This is just me but the knee hold does not hurt me at all anymore but iv been doing it a few years now,i have no pain are marks nothing.As for the cradle no hands that does not hurt me anymore either but did to start i dont know wheather doing it long term can damage you but personally if you keep doing the move in a safe way ie: just do it once everytime you practise your body will get used to the move i think its a bit like breaking in a new pair of shoes https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

[Leeannpole]

Personally i feel its much tougher on spinny.I learnt on static for years then just recently iv been doing a lot on spinny and the background from learning on static has helped and i have to say im totally in love with spinny ,moves look so graceful and also feel more graceful to me anyway.
As for people saying its cheating on spinny pole well they obviously haven’t tried to balance a straight edge while spinning so i don’t take to much notice https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif

[Leeannpole]

Great work its a tough move iv been doing this a while i first saw tess taylor aka polelushes doing it i just call it the elbow grip shouldermount https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif Great job hun https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

[Leeannpole]

You don’t need to be able to do the twisted handspring lift to do the phoenix spin it all about the momentum of the spin and using the side muscles and leg to push up, i could do the phoenix a long time before i could get the twisted lift i have done a vid its not very good and you might need to turn the volume right up, but this it how i progressed from the baby phoenix to pushing up into it without kicking. I say push because that’s what you do not lift anyway i posted the link https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

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

[Leeannpole]

Ouch, i have always got busies the worst ones are on the arms (and they look like grab marks) my hubby goes mad lol says it looks like there’s been a domestic not good really https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_redface.gif