[PoleGrrrrl]

I definitely notice when I practice either tricks or dancing, that I have to mentally tell myself to ‘hold, hooollldd’, and ‘hooollldd’ a little bit more – it looks much better! At first I thought I was lookin like an idiot staying in a pose for so long, but I think when you’re on the pole you don’t realise how quickly you move, and what seemed like a ridiculously long amount of time, was actually just about right.

The same would work for dancing, if you hold the finishing pose for that move it gives the (often pretend) watcher the opportunity to admire the position and lines. If I’m doing a trick, I try and hold for a slow count of 5 secs before moving out of it – so often we just try and fit in as many moves as possible, but if you only ever see transitioning in and out constantly, its hard to go ‘awww pretty!’ https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

[PoleGrrrrl]

Yeah I paid 50 euro for the physio last week, though that was kind of mates rates, I would expect that it may be a little cheaper further out from Dublin?

[PoleGrrrrl]

y’know, now that I think about it, I can count at least 3 other people I know that have torn or damaged hammies and other muscles when doing that drop into splits (the rest of them weren’t drunk either, so maybe it was less the drunk and more the cold muscles that did it https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif )

That shizzle is dangerous, I do believe I will now be staying away from any drops into flexi-type moves lest I damage even more of my poor overworked body https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_blackeye.gif

[PoleGrrrrl]

I agree with Stephanie Trena, your best bet is to go and see a physio. I had pulled something in/near my hip flexor trying to do an allegra when all my muscles were cold, and I was in intermittent pain for a couple of weeks. When I finally went to see a physio, he didn’t even touch around my hip flexor, he dug his fingers under my hip bone in my stomach (yeah, WTF, right?), but yet it really helped loosen it up. It could very well be that the opposing, or supporting muscles/ligaments/joints are what the issue is with your injury, which is something only a physio will know how to treat. Trust me, its worth the € https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

[PoleGrrrrl]

I will preface this by saying, these are the moves that I don’t like putting in my practice or choreography, as opposed to watching other people perform them.

Most things with excessively bent knees I’m not a fan of – knee hold, brass monkey, yogini, cupid with the bottom leg bent & hooked on the pole, marley, etc. I think its just because I don’t like the lines on those moves, although one or two of them in a routine can look nice. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_scratch.gif

Performance wise I prefer ones that have a nice balance of flow, transitions, spins & tricks, I find ones that just stuff as many tricks as possible in harder to appreciate because you don’t have time to admire the moves, and their transitions are clunky and awkward.

I may be starting arguments here, but my personal opinion is I don’t like male pole dancers trying to dance like female pole dancers – I find watching it uncomfortable. I understand that’s probably because that’s how their taught, but I love more seeing strong moves/ slow lifts in guys, who are true to their own original style of dance (i.e. club dancing or break dancing) – and I mean seriously how would you feel if you saw some random guy on the dancefloor at the club grinding his hips like a chick? ew!

[PoleGrrrrl]

hey irish cailin we will be hosting Pantera workshops in dublin on the 13th & 14th of july in our studios. As the majority of Spin students are at a beginner/intermediate level, most of the workshops will be catered to just that, rather than just people that can SM, TG and RG to their hearts content! She’ll also be doing a performance at the end of them, and, of course, the ever awesome Deb Riley will also be in attendance to keep an eye on Pantera https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif . I’ll let you know details when the times & costs are set. (And this way you’ve got 4 months to practice and get better for the class!)

xx

[PoleGrrrrl]

Oh yes I saw this too, I absolutely LOVE Amy, she’s such a pretty dancer, and her flow is one of the best I’ve seen. Such a beautiful interpretation of the song.

[PoleGrrrrl]

I’m so sorry for you loss Veena, its so difficult to lose a close family member, the hurt and pain is almost physical. My thoughts are with you, please take all the time you need, we’ll all be ready and waiting with loads of virtual hugs and kisses for when you return.

[PoleGrrrrl]

I’m Irish too… no, wait, I’m Australian with an Irish passport https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif I’m in Dublin, if you’re looking for any class based lessons I’d recommend Spin dance in Walkinstown where I go – its great!

[PoleGrrrrl]

tbh I don’t really mind that he used my photo, I’m actually kind of glad that he used a more artistic one, I would have thought a guy and website like this would be more likely to use one of the many dodgy cliche stripper with her fake boobs hangin out pics. Shows a lot more respect for the idea of pole dancing as a serious, well, not necessarily sport, but something to be considered outside of the traditional strip bar.

I wouldn’t worry too much about the comments, PH just attracts the freakoids and crazy people that love to leave slanderous comments about whatever the topic is. They are quite amusing though!

I am surprised that he didn’t use the pic of the Japanese winner that surely would have been submitted alongside this press release from the IPDF.

[PoleGrrrrl]

I was at a masterclass recently and one of the girls I was sharing the pole with had really skinny legs and constantly slid down the pole when trying to do the CAR. I had a similar problem when I was training at bobbi’s where their poles are half the diameter of the normal xpole I use.

So ended up getting an great tip from the instructor – rather than trying to release just from a sit with your ankles crossed, pike your hips downwards, and bring your crossed legs up. This means that rather than the pole sitting between the furtherest (that’s prob not a word) points between each thigh (i.e.the top of your legs), bringing your leg up means that there is less distance between the pole and your legs (ie there’ll be more friction) as the pole gets closer to the place where your ankles/calves actually physically cross. And only then do you start releasing your hands and laying backwards.

Again I’m terrible at explaining stuff but I hope that helps https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

[PoleGrrrrl]

glitterhips you’re not alone in your freakdom, I’m much more confidant in my elbow than split grip (which is still a bit dodge), and like everyone else I use my dominant hand on the bottom.

joni1 the only thing I can suggest that helped me get the elbow ayesha is to do it from maybe the second caterpiller climb (with the elbow). I found initially my elbow grip was much more secure when doing it from that move, i think because you’re kind of pulling (hard) the elbow up and away from the pole, and therefore its in the right position to release your legs. At first when I was learning this move I just sort of placed my elbow into it, which doesn’t work and I slid down- you really need to pull back on the elbow to get that security.

I know i have repeated ‘elbow’ 10 times here and it might not make too much sense https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_confused.gif but hopefully it helps a bit https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

[PoleGrrrrl]

***looks guiltily at several empty takeaway latte cups on her desk***

https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_redface.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_redface.gif

[PoleGrrrrl]

Everyone’s different, but here’s a few suggestions.

1. Stop drinking beer. (Not even one).
Beer is the worst alcohol for tummies – shorts/spirits are nowhere near as bad. I’ve seen guys that have given up beer and within a couple of months that protruding belly just disappears.

2. Don’t eat carbs after 6pm (or at least, eat as little as possible).
Some say this is an urban myth, but I believe its true – the energy comes from carbs isn’t really used late at night (unless you’ve got a late pole session planned), so more often than not the energy just morphs into fat. Its totally wasteful to eat like a load of pasta at 7-8pm at night, the kjs just go straight on the hips (or belly https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif ). This is used by guys at my thai boxing gym to cut weight (whether just for a fight or long term) and it works.

3. Water water water water water water water water water water water water water.

4. Focus on pole moves that work your transverse abdominals – i.e. the lower abs, so things like lifting your legs up while in the shouldermount etc. It might not reduce the fat on the belly but it should tighten it up a bit.

5. Make sure you eat protein and a small amount of carbs after exercise.
Its important to refuel your body after exercise, particularly with protein as its something to do with fat burning/muscle building. I can’t remember the connection exactly but it is to do with weight loss.

Hope this helps https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

[PoleGrrrrl]

I know there is an international one with a mens section that ran end of last year – http://www.polechampionship.com/

I think the finalists were voted in via youtube videos? I could be wrong…