[LillyBilly]

Ahhhh!!! So fun, my mind is blown! We should do it with all moves!

Gemini –> Cupid –> Extended Butterfly

Gemini –> Leg switch to scorpio –> Allegra –> Ayesha (?)

Gemini –> Cradle –> Superman

[LillyBilly]

Thanks, girls, but what I meant was – is it still a safe grip if I switch the straight and bent hands?

[LillyBilly]

Don't know about inner thighs (I have a somewhat dark skin so it seems normal to me that my thighs are dark), but I used to have strange dark armpits. I think it was because of hair removal, because once I did permanent removal the darkness was gone…

[LillyBilly]

Big change!

Good luck 🙂

[LillyBilly]

LOL!

[LillyBilly]

Lol! I see bugs everywhere 🙂

Sorry, webmaster!

[LillyBilly]

I think it's a site bug…

[LillyBilly]

Can't see the facebook discussion or youtube video…

[LillyBilly]

Don't forget to try the shoe with them at the store, though!

[LillyBilly]

For size issues (and comfort) – you can buy silicon inserts that protect the ball of your feet and make the shoe a bit tighter. There are tons of models on the web, just google it. For example:

http://www.amazon.com/kilofly-Silicone-Cushion-Shoe-Insoles/dp/B005KEWKV8

[LillyBilly]

Actually, don't like to dance in heels, but I do like wearing super-high heels when I go out. I have very weak ankles, and I find that buying the right shoe for you is critical if you don't want to sprain them. Here are some guidelines I find useful –

1. Make sure that the curve of the shoe fits the curve of your feet. If there is space between the arch of your feet and the shoe – don't buy it, no matter how pretty it is! It will hurt you.

2. Make sure the shoe hold your feet well – your legs shouldn't slide inside the shoe, and when you lift your leg from the ground the shoe should hold firm and not be wobbly. 

3. Put the shoe on the floor (don't wear it), and try to rock it sideways – how easily does it fall? It shouldn't. Is the heel aligned at the center of the shoe (look from the back)? Repeat with other shoe, they are not always completely identical.

4. Now wear the shoe. Is the heel aligned with your ankle (look from the side and the back)? Try to press the leg sideways, see if you lose balance to either direction. Repeat with other shoe – the shoes and legs are not always symetrical.

If steps 3 or 4 fail – don't buy the shoe, you are likely to sparin your ankle in them.

5. Make sure you have enough space for your fingers, and that the strap that is holding them is firm and is holding your leg well. Prefer wide straps – if you do lose balance, your fingers may slide out and it's painful (true story).

6. I find that for walking (I don't know about dance), it is helpful that the sole of the shoe and the heel have good grip.

Some other things – 

Practice walking with your shoes at home. I used to go back and forth in my living room until I got it.

Watch your posture – streight back, tummy tucked, head up, shoulders down. Like in dance – you have to keep your balance and you can't do that if your upper body is swaying like a noodle. 

That said, I find that letting my hips move from side to side as I walk helps me stay balanced and looks better.

And have fun with it, high heels rock 🙂

[LillyBilly]

I suspect I got some kind of skin infection at the studio, so I bought my own yoga mat and I clean my pole every time before I work on it. 

I want to buy ballet slippers and a big bottle of rubbing alcohol as well…

[LillyBilly]

(I will limit my TG use)

[LillyBilly]

Thanks Amy 🙂

[LillyBilly]

I've read your post, it made things clearer, thanks!

I don't think twisted grip is more impressive than other grips – they all look the same to me as long as the overall arm position is similar https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif I just feel that it is a much more comfortable and safe grip than any other grip I tried. With this TG stall (?), for example, I can't hold it with split grip because my body keeps rotating sideways and hurting my bottom hand. TG somehow makes more sense because I can use my back muscles to stay in position. 

I did have some wrist problems, but with my lower hand and they were unrelated to twisted grip – I used to have really weak wrists and experiences random pains before I started poling, but I found that if I practice just holding myself with split grip in the air, after a while my wrists get stronger and don't hurt anymore. I don't know if it makes sense https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_confused.gif

That said, I will keep in mind what you wrote about shoulder engagement. We use twisted grip a lot in the studio, now that I think about it (there are some wonderful spins with TG!), and while it never gave any of us any trouble, I don't want to hurt myself.

By the way, is it even possible to do reverse grabs to phoenix with oher grips?