[LillyBilly]

I've recently started taking ballet lessons. I hope it will strengthen my legs, help my dancing technique and improve my posture…

[LillyBilly]

Hmm… We work on moves like this a lot in the studio.

Start from the shooting star. Make sure you are comfortable, and have a strong knee pit grip (I always tell my friends they should feel secure in this move while using only the top/bottom hand and switch between them).

https://www.studioveena.com/galleries/view/4f87a0b3-4748-4ae7-9395-40e50ac37250

Then, do the marley from higer up the pole:

https://www.studioveena.com/lessons/view/4f985686-ab20-4fdf-a0b7-29570ac37250

You will need a different version fron Veena's though – hold both legs with your hands, the top leg with the top hand.

Note that you can enter the marley from a shooting star, and that your position is similar to the spin position, you only need to extend your lower leg, so practice that as well.

Now, do the "side spin":

https://www.studioveena.com/lessons/view/4fabd27d-7dd4-4745-860e-73a80ac37250

But extend it into shooting star position (don't stay tucked like Veena does). This is the height you will be in on the pole during Oona's spin. 

When you feel comfortable with that, Move from shooting star to marley with extended lower leg while spinning. You can use your lower hand to make sure you don't smash your face into the floor while doind the transition. This is Oona's spin done safely.

Then, you can try to go dircectly into the marley/knee hold position without going through shooting star first. Use a  crush mat for your first attempts…

Good luck!

[LillyBilly]

We just tried to learn it yesterday for the first time (I didn't get it). We use different grip –  we use the other (the one that is supposed to go off the pole eventually) to hold our weight, like this:

https://www.studioveena.com/galleries/view/4f88eb00-6f9c-4764-a7be-294b0ac37250

So the beginning comes out quite similar to a brass monkey:

https://www.studioveena.com/lessons/view/4d29e398-df68-4373-9e78-1cdd0ac37250

and only after we are secure, we take it off. 
I think it is safer this way, but may be harder to get into the move because of the rotation.

[LillyBilly]

I tend to get caught up in technical things when I dance, for instance, I may try to use all the tricks I can think of and practice new ones, but forget to actually dance. 

This is why, when I freestyle, I like to limit my options. I may choose not to do inverted tricks (or any trick at all), and focus only on floorwork and basic pole moves. I may choose 3-4 tricks and spins that must be in my dance, and must be the only tricks and spins in my dance. I also try to come up with one thing to focus on – it may be flow, extension, expression, dancing in the music or something similar.

I think that sometimes, when we have too many options, we don't see the forest for the trees and lose focus on what we want to do. For me, freestyling is not about chaining moves. Limiting my options frees my mind and forces me to really get creative and expressive with my dance.

[LillyBilly]

Not a black woman here, I just wanted to say I LOVE LOVE LOVE natural black hair. I think it's mighty sexy – short or long. I'm sorry if I'm being inappropriate or anything. I just don't understand how anyone could dislike a feature as breathtaking and amazing as this type of hair.

Off I go now, sorry…

[LillyBilly]

Found this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYESpVLx1bc

[LillyBilly]

I used to have a boyfriend who wasn't supportive of my hobbies (even after talking about them and what they mean to me). I dumped him and kept my hobbies.

My current boyfriend admires everything I do.

[LillyBilly]

I do everything on both sides.

Every move uses different muscles, and you want to be more or less balanced (I think it reduces the chances of injury). Plus, it makes learning new moves and transitions way easier: some transitions won't allow you to use only your strong side, and if you already have some muscle memory you won't have to re-learn every move on your weak side before being able to learn the transition.

I also think that knowing how to do everything on both sides gives you more flexibility when planning choreographies.

 

[LillyBilly]

I call it extreme dancing 🙂

[LillyBilly]

On an average week (I usually skip one acrobatics/basic pole every week):

– Flexibility and conditioning studio – 3 hours (one "regular" class ~1 hr long, one advanced – 2hrs). These are pretty extreme and really improve your technique (pointe, extension etc). 

– 1 Private lesson – we work on dance technique and build a choreography

– 2 advanced pole classes – usually working on new tricks/sequence

– 1 Strip dance class (no pole)

– 2 Beginner level pole classes – in these classes, advanced students really focus on cleaning up all the moves we already know.

– 1 Acrobatics class – handstands and stuff without the pole

– At least one streching session at home/between classes with Veena's routine

And if I have time or just really need it, some freestyle at home.

[LillyBilly]

This is awsome!!!

[LillyBilly]

Wonderful idea!

[LillyBilly]

Congrats! It took me ages as well, so I know how hapy you must be!

[LillyBilly]

Good idea…

[LillyBilly]

@Cherished OMG, this is a fantastic idea! I never thought of that, thanks!