[RoseMay]

Ah I understand now, thanks for clarifying this Veena 🙂

[RoseMay]

This is dangerous? https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_surprised.gif I thought "hanging" here means so use the biceps of the top arm more and keeping the top arm bent. When I tried this technique with a split grip butterfly it felt so much better on my lower shoulder.

So just to clarify … in a "normal" inverted split glit most of the weight is really resting on the bottom arm?

[RoseMay]

To the chinese pole topic … I found an interesting manual of the basics to download:

http://www.fedec.eu/resources.1637.html

(under the basic circus arts instruction manual, chapter 5)

Maybe it's helpful 🙂

[RoseMay]

Thanks for sharing! I didn't know about this site but since you posted this link I listened to 6 or 7 different playlists https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif It's great for finding new music.

[RoseMay]

Pole dance is just such a versatile sport and hobby. I feel that there's so much you can work on and learn that it will never get boring. That's not why I started in the first place, but it's the main reason why I'm still doing it.

There are of course the many tricks you can learn, the strength training you can do to get them, the flexibility training you can do to make them pretty … and if you don't feel like doing strenous training you can always just dance … and there are many different dance styles you can combine with pole dancing. Then there's the floorwork and acrobatics and gymnastics part. And you can think of your own choreographies and costumes.

And apart from all the physical things, I also learned how to use a camera and edit videos and photos. I also started to learn to "listen" to music … I mean hearing where you can put accents in your dance and stuff like that. In general I started to always look for new music. And not to forget the lightning for videos … before pole dance I never thought about anything like that, but it makes a huge difference. Oh and last but not least I'm finally learning to walk in heels https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

So yeah, I'm sure it will keep me interested for a while https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cool.gif

[RoseMay]

One way to reduce the growth of calluses is to pay close attention to the grip. Especially on poles with a smaller diameter.

Try not to grip in a way that the skin on the hand is folded. This usually happens under the middle finger.

Instead you should grip in a way that the skin is "straight". The difference lies in the angle the hand grips the object. If the grip starts from the middle part of the hand (right under the fingers) it won't fold the skin. If the grip starts from just above the thumb it will fold it and cause extra calluses.

It's kinda difficult to describe https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_confused.gif It's a technique I learned in weightlifting (the smaller the thing you're gripping the more important this is) – and I never had any problems with calluses.

[RoseMay]

Oh sorry KittyCat, I didn't see your answer when I typed my reply  https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_confused.gif

[RoseMay]

If you do the plank with both legs straight and crossed you can turn that into a CAR by tilting the hips back and leaning back 🙂 So being comfortable with straight leg planks will help with feeling more secure in the CAR.

Oh and if you can't do an elbowstand or handstand I wouldn't try the iguana mount.

Maybe learning elbowstands will help a bit with the fear of going upside down? Because you can get used to it in a different and more secure position, especially if you start against a wall.

[RoseMay]

Well I think which dvds you do is totally up to you 🙂 She says at the beginning of each dvd to do it 5 times a week to gain flexibility and 3 times a week to maintain flexibility.

It kinda depends on your goals which one you should do. If the main goal are the splits I'd concentrate on the pure splits. If you want back flexibility as well then do the stretching for pole as well.

I think Alethea also said somewhere that the stretching for pole is more suited for beginners.

I personally had great results with alternating between both dvds 🙂

[RoseMay]

From the day since I got them to the day to my first split I used her pure splits and stretching for pole dvds alternating almost every day. I did them 11 times in total (it's like 55 min per dvd) until I was down to the ground.

I didn't hold the poses any longer than Alethea does in the dvds. And I did not do any other stretching.

The only thing I changed in the routine was that while she does her freedance at the end of the dvd I stretched for the front splits again for a few minutes. I'm really happy with the results https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

Though I think the pure splits dvd does a lot more for the splits (of course). So if the main goal are the splits I'd concentrate on that one 🙂

[RoseMay]

If you'd like to buy a dvd I can recommend Aletheas Pure Splits dvd. It got me down to the ground in my front splits from maybe 4 inches off the ground within 2 weeks!

[RoseMay]

I think the sun salutation IS the warmup in the valentino brothers dvds? At least it is for their beginner series.

Camilla, you can download these dvds online on their website https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

[RoseMay]

Okay you asked for it https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif

It's definately NOT normal to do crazy stuff on the pole in the beginning. I have a weightlifting background and holding my own weight was no problem for me at the beginning …. but it still took me 4 practice sessions until I was able to do a fireman spin and for a normal pole climb I needed 12 practice sessions!

It's not only about the strength, but also about coordination, knowing what to do with your hands and feet etc.

If you just keep practicing you will be stronger in no time. And the flexibility also takes times and practice. Just commit to your training and you will soon see some results https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

For the sweaty hands you can try grip aids (e.g. Tite Grip).

[RoseMay]

I do mostly mobility exercises. Mobility is not the same as stretching. It's just to move the joints in different directions and warm the muscles up.

Here are some example exercises for the legs:

– circles/swinging around with the ankles, knees, the whole leg and the hips

– 10 squats; when you do the last rep rest in the bottom position for 10 sec, then do a squat walk across the room

– lunges: stand upright and pull one leg tucked to your chest, hold for 10 sec; then lower the leg down into a lunge, hold for 10 sec

– side lunges: stand upright with straddled legs, lower down to one side, the other leg stays straight, hold for 10 sec

– inchworm walks: from a plank position walk your feet towards your hands as far as you can get them; then walk your hands out so that you are in a plank position again; fom here walk the feet again towards your hands etc

– leg kicks in all directions

– sun salutations from yoga

[RoseMay]

Haha, my butt is the same https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

When I try to film a move "pretty" I'll always do it on spinning mode. This way you'll catch it in all its glory from all angles. For more difficult tricks I'll just spin slowly and the video will still show it from different angles.

And on static, before I do a trick, I think about in which direction I want it to show to the camera and then I figure out where I have to climb up etc. Sometimes it takes more takes to make it look like it looks in my head https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif But with more filming practice this will get better.