[Piaketz]

I was doing pole classes for around a year and a half until I shifted to doing silks around almost 3 years ago. And I've been taking lessons in trapeze and lyra for maybe the past year and a half. I still pole by myself at home coz I like it, but I no longer go to formal lessons. I am in the minority who think that silks is easier than pole. But that may have to do with the fact that I have super sweaty hands and hyperextended elbows. I worry about my safety on the pole but my hands and elbows are practically non-issues for me in silks/lyra/trapeze.

The transition is pretty easy if you have the right attitude. I've seen a number of girls with pole backgrounds try aerials and quit really fast because they expected to progress faster than non-polers and that's not always the case. On the flip side I've seen girls with aerial backgrounds try pole and dislike it because it was difficult for them to wrap their brains around a whole different kind of movement. A pole background helps in aerials as you already have a better general fitness level, range of flexibility and body awareness. But yogis, dancers, ballerinas, etc. have just the same advantage. For sure, all disciplines are all definitely good complements of each other. In the end, I think it is your personality that leads you to which apparatus you favor.

The trick is to realize that the movements of pole and aerial, although they may appear similar, are actually quite different. It's a paradigm shift on how you use your body. There is a lot more "pull" and rarely any "push" involved in aerials as opposed to equal amounts of "push" and "pull" like in pole. Aerial movements are a lot more controlled and precise (ie. you can't learn to invert with little kicks on the silks or you'll swing all over the place), whereas in pole you need to understand how to use your body weight and swing your limbs to generate pretty spins. The brainwork is also different. You need to learn how to wrap things around you in silks and trapeze which was totally confusing for me when I first started. If you're good at spinning pole, I think spinning on the lyra will be cake — for me, it's more difficult to work on a spinning pole because the axis is not myself. The pain factor IMHO, is the same for pole and silks, a little more for trap and lyra but still not that bad. You'll just get the bruises and burns in different places, and you'll feel new sensations, like squeezing and scraping on your bony bits. But just like in pole, It's all a matter of getting used to it. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif
Best of luck with aerials and cheers to trying new things!  https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_flower.gif

[Piaketz]

I have hyperextended elbows (and fingers) too and I've been microbending to prevent injury and to be able to do some moves. Sometimes I find that I can do certain moves with my bent arms while hyperextended and it doesn't hurt me, so my teachers and I just leave it at that. It's a challenge, and I learn certain moves much later than other students who don't have this, but I've just learned to accept it and take it in stride. I just have to try a little harder and be patient with myself, or my teachers work with me to find a modification that I can do despite my elbows. Sometimes, I choose to work on something else and I save certain moves for later when I am stronger in general, as sometimes my wrists or elbows hurt from trying to compensate. My lyra teacher thinks my funny elbows work to my advantage sometimes because I am able to grab behind me in strange positions with not much discomfort. I try not to think of it as a disadvantage, though I have yet to find a trick in pole where my hypermobile elbows are useful https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif.

I think aside from the safety precautions, the other thing you can do for your student is to continue to be encouraging, patient and supportive and not make her feel like a freak or excluded from the class when you are teaching a trick that requires straight elbows. Though I'm sure you are doing that now just by asking this question on this forum https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif I've had a few teachers who have been pessimistic or negative to me learning some moves because of this… and let's just say I no longer wish to be their student and am flourishing under the guidance of others. Another thing is to always communicate. My current teachers don't know all the answers to my elbow situation, but they are aware of it. Whenever I do have a problem or if they spot me doing a move and think I am doing something unsafe, we always work together to find a middle ground that works for me. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_flower.gif

[Piaketz]

Oh Trixie… that's just horrid news.   I hope they get caught! But thanks for making us all aware. At least we now know to keep our eyes out for dodgy sellers!

[Piaketz]

I agree 100%  with the PT. I have a very similar problem which has started to bother me constantly. I've recently started seeing a PT and she is doing wonders for my back and my butt! Some states need a doctor's prescription to see a PT and some don't. Some will see you out of pocket regardless of whether or not you have a prescription. You can call your nearest friendly PT office to ask. While all PTs do have general training in different conditions, my advice is to look for a therapist who specializes in sports or dance problems as some specialize in strokes and the like. My PT was able to "get" me and my body. I got a full body assessment, deep tissue release, specialized foam roller coaching and specific stretches and exercises to release my poor irritated nerve. It's helping! She also did a lot of education with me on what was going on with my body mechanics and why I ended up with this pain in the first place and what to be conscious of to avoid reinjury. If you have medical insurance, it should be paid for. I have to pay out of pocket to see a chiro or a massage therapist. While I would like to see them too, I think seeing a PT is just as great (if not better) and easier on my wallet. By the time my PT is done with me, I think my broken butt will be as good as new! Hope your butt gets better soon too https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_flower.gif

[Piaketz]

I was going to pole class for a year and a half when I moved to doing almost entirely aerial dance after the prompting of one of the upper level girls at pole. I wish I could take regular pole lessons, but my schedule no longer jived with the pole teachers I liked. I really love my aerial studio though… I currently take lessons in tissu, static trap and lyra (in fact the wonderful corbyOconnor is one of my trap teachers https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_flower.gif)  I still do pole by myself at home and try to self teach coz I still really like it. Home schooling has been challenging and I still wish I had access to quality studio lessons. At first I thought aerial dance and pole were very similar, but the longer I do both, the more I realize they're different. While aerials have made it easier for me to do things on the pole that involve "pull" muscles or a lot of abs (like aerial inverts/inverted V's or aerial shoulder mounts), things that involve "push" muscles are a bit more of a challenge. I guess I don't get to use my tiny "push" muscles as regularly in aerials. My handstands have begun to get shaky and I lost my caterpillar and have to relearn it… it used to be easy for me when I was taking pole regularly! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_confused.gif

[Piaketz]

That would be so hot on the trapole. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_flower.gif

[Piaketz]

I had the Braun Silk Epi before I got laser. It did not hurt too badly, very tolerable. I thought it was pretty thorough.

I use the Clarisonic Mio. I think the other difference from the regular is that it has only one speed (regular Clarisonic has 2) and it does not have a stand. I got it for a really good deal online. It was right after a holiday… can't remember which one (Memorial Day last year?), but it was on skinstore.com. I see that they're 20% off entire store right now… wonder if they'll drop even more for July 4…

Oh and I've always wanted to try Latisse but couldn't stomach the price. I'm using RapidLash ($32 on drugstore.com) right now which has totally different ingredients. I'm on my second week. I don't know if it's just my imagination but I'm noticing some improvement! Will keep you updated in 4 weeks when it's supposed to start kicking in if you are interested. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_flower.gif

 

[Piaketz]

They can do everywhere down there. Waxing hurts worse…

[Piaketz]

Me! I'm taking Alethea's classes, BadAzz's, Michula's and the stretching with David Owen. I've always wanted to learn more about PNF stretching! Hope to see you all there… https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_flower.gif

[Piaketz]

Personally it doesn't bother me to be compared to a stripper. I simply correct people when they assume that I am, just because I am not one, but I am rarely offended by this unless they start making rude comments.

A long time ago when I used to go to pole lessons, one of the girls in my class was a stripper. She was also a single mom of two who was struggling to make ends meet providing for her kids because her deadbeat ex-husband left them. She was trying to put herself through college and didn't have the time to work 3 jobs. But the one thing she could do was dance. She said she actually enjoyed stripping and it made her feel strong. She didn't feel sorry for herself, and though she never advertised the fact that she was a stripper, she didn't hide it either. She came to class for some "me" time and to make friends and learn a trick or two (I think the girls in their club just danced but didn't do any tricks). I got to know her as a person the brief time we were in the same class, and I thought she was a pretty cool girl, who, but for a twist of fate, could have been me.  Honestly, I don't judge. There's a story behind everybody and I think strippers probably have a much more interesting story than I do. And really, it all boils down to all of us just having a passion for pole. Whether we choose to do it athletically, artistically, for an audience, with clothes or without, should it really matter to another pole dancer? https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif

As a personal choice, I might strip if I were dealt the same cirumstances in life and was backed into a desperate situation a well. I don't know. I wish I had enough confidence to know. If anyone wants to see, much less pay to see my alter-ego "Slimer" naked complete with food baby and F.U.P.A. then maybe I just might. Lol! I just know that the next boyfriend is gonna be hella lucky that I have some secret skills up my sleeve https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_flower.gif

[Piaketz]

CapFeb actually shipping to/from Hawaii is the same as in the rest of the US if you use regular post, it just takes a bit longer by a few days. But now if you are shipping liquids that need special handling or want things faster (or if you're buying from eBay where they jack up the price) then it gets more expensive.

[Piaketz]

I don't have a stage name but a friend told me it should be "Slimer" because my hands are so sweaty, I always leave the pole all smudged with my sweat. Haha! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_flower.gif

[Piaketz]

YES! I have/had one too. I say "had" because we are no longer friends. She kept putting me down because of it and I decided I don't need her in my life anymore. She kept mentioning that I pole to other coworkers in my former work place in such a derogatory tone. I got tired of it one day and said YES I POLE AND I LOVE IT! Then whipped out my phone and showed our other coworkers a super simple vid of me doing a reverse grab spin or a gemini or something, and it blew everyone's mind haha! Anyway, the entire office (except her) now thinks it's really cool and they kind of tune her out whenever she starts rolling her eyes at pole.

Oh and I went to an Opus Dei school growing up. Some former high school classmates saw a vid of me on FB doing pole, so they wrote me and told me that they still love me no matter what and were praying for my wayward soul to come back to God. Haha!!! I'm still friends with those poor sweet girls though, I'm trying to "educate" them and at least I think they are trying to open their minds a bit.

Anyway, good for you for showing your friend who's boss! I would have loved to seen her face while you rocked it! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_flower.gif

[Piaketz]

@KuriKat The other faculty at the med school all know that I pole and are highly supportive. Our department chair regularly asks me if she can see my new pics. They are so proud about it that sometimes they even tell the med students and residents, and I cringe a little inside whenever I have to teach said students/residents haha! At the clinic though, only a few people know… my 2 assistants (they saw my bruises), one of the social workers and the psychiatrist. Someone told the SW about my bruises, and she approached me out of concern. Awwww… https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif And the psychiatrist… well, at least she doesn't think I'm crazy lol! I think she's crazier… she used to start secretly gyrating behind everyone's back whenever she saw me coz she likes to tease me (in a friendly way) about pole. I had not-so-nice comments from another colleague at the clinic about me doing aerials though, so I can just imagine what his reaction would be like if he heard that I pole. As a result I try to be careful who I tell now. And I'll die if any of my patients ever found out! Lol! I already get so much flack for looking "too young" already! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_flower.gif

[Piaketz]

Oops I made a mistake. Small 1 oz is $12 and 2 oz is $18. Sorry bout that!