[Runemist34]

Hey Mini, would I be able to get your youtube channel? I’m hopefully going to put up some videos soon…but we’ll see!
I’m sorry you’ve been having problems with trolls…generally, I go by the "Don’t feed the trolls" idea, and if I find some on the other forums I visit, I just don’t bother with it. Only a few times have I actually said something, and generally it’s pretty scathing…though I don’t swear or attack the person directly, I see it as harsh https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_twisted.gif
I’d say…there are always going to be people unhappy with whatever you do. You could be as good and petite as Felix, or as amazing and intense as some of the others I’ve seen, and you would still get negative, stupid comments. I’ve seen a lot of comments to girls who do pole dancing (or really, any dancing) about stupid guys wanting to "tap that" or how the girls are strippers, but they’re just ignorant, and they don’t understand why we do the things we do. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif
So, personally, if I get any negative comments from people, I simply ignore it. I don’t need their garbage if they’re having a bad day, just the same as they don’t need mine.
Perhaps I’m a bit more zen about people than most…I’m pretty understanding about it, most of the time.
Then there are the times I rip someone a new one!
Keep doing what you’re doing, anyways! You know we all love watching https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif

[Runemist34]

(1) How long do you practice?
Usually, I try to go for about a half an hour of straight up dancing, but generally I don’t have the stamina. With stretching and warmup, I can make the half-hour though.

(2) How often do you practice?
I would like to practice once a day, or once every other day, but often it turns into once every couple of weeks. I’m pretty bad for keeping a routine, because I don’t have a daily routine right now (it changes a lot!). I still have the goal of every day or so, though!

(3) Do you just freestyle or do you have a plan of action?
Freestyle, generally. This ends up with quite a bit of the same transitions and moves, and some amount of just walking around the pole, trying to think of something to do, but it’s getting better. I can never remember the routine in my head while I dance, so it’s hard for me to stick to my choreography! I can choreograph, though…

(4) Do you stretch before, after or before & after practicing?
After, when I’m all warm and stuff.

(5) Do you incorporate any strength training & conditioning exercises into your practices?
Yes! I do Pole squats and lifts (or the newbie equivalent, anyways) currently, because those are my two worst areas…the quadriceps, and my upper body strength. It’s getting better though!

(6) Do you self-teach, take classes, or both?
I used to take classes, but I found them sort of…not my thing, not quite the style of dance I wanted. Also, there were quite a few gaps in their knowledge of moves, and when I found out I could learn stuff off the internet, I turned to self-teaching! Still, I would prefer to have a nice class now and then just to get some basic, one on one help…maybe one day I’ll get it, but where I’m moving, I don’t think so! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif

[Runemist34]

Hey! That second video, did anyone else notice the person right at the edge of the stage who grabbed one of the bills?? Or did I just totally imagine that?! It’s right at 2:54 time, her hand comes out, grabs something (I can’t tell, the colours aren’t detailed enough) and then comes back! How awful is that to do to someone putting on a performance?!
Anyways, rage aside, I agree, she is a beautiful performer. Her pole dancing at home was very impressive, and she’s lot a lot of strength! I get the impression she’s not a small girl, either, and she’s got at least some hip on her.
Thanks for showing me!

[Runemist34]

Wow, I totally didn’t think of that! I should totally try that! I almost never use my sewing machine, because half the time I want to make something, I don’t have a pattern or fabric or whatever…but using the stuff I have is a good idea! One day, I want to make corsets and bras and stuff…but I don’t think I’m ready yet. Thanks https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

[Runemist34]

Aw man, I wish we had Targets and TJ Maxes and stuff! My silly little town sux https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif
Howeverr, this DOES give me an idea for a few little shorts and stuff I could use! I’ve got some boyshorts currently, but they positively scream "underwear" and it’s rather…unfortunate, because they’re super comfortable! But, as I do have a sewing machine, maybe I could modify a couple, add fabric or tassels or something, make them look better! And I’ll check out the Hanes ones, ’cause I DO have a wal-mart! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif
And Chem, it sounds like we’ve got about the same size hips! Yaaaay! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

[Runemist34]

Aww, Muse, that was great https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif
I SHOULD know more about depression, since I’ve had it a lot, but I kind of…"forget" and it sneaks up on me in the winter. Last night was awful, I cried most of the night…and had a final exam this morning! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cry.gif I also think much of my little island is in denial about how much snow we’ve been getting the past few years https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif There aren’t too many big, rainproof winter coats to buy for cheap enough considering the winters recently!
Also, yes, I totally forget the news. My news comes from my husband! He’s into that kind of stuff, so I just wait for something interesting from him. I seem to be doing alright with that!
But, yes, you’re all entirely right…I gotta get up, kick myself in the rear, and get back on that pole! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif I also have to get over my fright of my roommates watching me. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif One of them just…stares, you know? Bah, I should just tell him to turn around and drown in his computer some more https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_arrow.gif
So, in light of this one…I’m going to try to create myself a schedule. I’m gonna get up in the morning, go to bed at a decent hour, actually eat food when I should (I skip a lot of meals…mostly breakfast) and really, honestly try. Wish me luck, girls! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_flower.gif

And thank you! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_geek.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cat.gif

[Runemist34]

All these little shorts and things make me so jealous! I get nervous about dancing in my underwears (Roommates, y’know?) and I’ve got…well, a rather large hip/ass arrangement? So, most of these things totally don’t fit or work for me! I do happen to have a pair of shorts I got from a local (now possibly disappeared) shop for dancers, but I still have this wedgie problem, and most of my underwear doesn’t work well with it, because it rides and they don’t!
If anyone finds some nice shorts for those of us with big rears, let me know, eh?
Oh, and those PVC ones were SUPER CUTE! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

[Runemist34]

I agree with PDR, you could always do it (if you’re comfortable) without wrapping, but I understand if you get rubbing and irritation. My first thought was to wrap it up, but as she said, not for too long or anything. It sounds like something you really gotta take care of…so good luck!

[Runemist34]

I’ve looked, as I am a pirate cat and I do not pay for my…well, anything. Games, movies, whatever. Anyways, I’ve looked and looked and looked, no pole instruction on for the download, and it makes me very sad. I barely have enough money to get through my next semester, but I really, really want to learn more pole dancing! At least I managed to afford the lessons on here https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif

[Runemist34]

Transitions are really useful and I think that DVD would probably help me out, too (if I had the money) but…
I’ll probably get flamed or something, but I just can’t watch any of the videos that come out of her studio. I used to, because they had nice transitions, did their moves well, and they were kinda pretty girls…but for me, it’s kind of like watching a stripper who’s not into her work. They have no life or joy for their dance when they dance for the camera! I know it’s choreographed, because it sure looks like it! It’s not terribly inspirational when you put it next to others, because choreographed or not, at least other people have some life in them. Sorry. I just had to say it.
That aside, I’d say go for it, if you like her videos! And let me know what you think, because if you find it really helpful, maybe I’ll…er, ask for it for christmas? Or get money from christmas to buy them! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif

[Runemist34]

Wow, those outfits sound great! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif The crystals against a black background probably looked beautiful.
I know from experience that photography can be exhausting on both sides. I’ve been on both the camera end and the model end, and I’ll tell ya, I’ve done some things I didn’t think I could do for long! Like crouching…my knees hate it when I do that https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif
I’m so glad it went well for you! I can’t wait to see some of them! And as long as you didn’t hurt yourself, that’s good. I don’t think people realize how hard actually holding a move is! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_thumleft.gif

[Runemist34]

I hope they’re all up before my subscription runs out…I’m dirt poor now, and on a student loan, with no hope of making more money till I move and get a job for the summer, and even then, I don’t know if I’ll have the space for my pole! Argh! I just realized this. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_pale.gif
Anywho, the new videos look great, Veena!

[Runemist34]

I think you have a great point, Poledanceromance. It isn’t all about the awesome tricks, it’s about getting the courage to give yourself the sexy eyes, and to understand yourself in that capacity, as a sexy person, outside of the bedroom and away from a partner.
Honestly, I like doing the moves that aren’t climbing. I’ve never gone upside down (I don’t have the strength) and I’ve found fulfillment in learning spins, poses, twists and shimmies and understanding how my body works. This next month, I think, will be great for me…a whole month off, and all the time and wanting to pole dance till I can’t stand up anymore!
But, I digress. Perhaps tell your friend about the strength thing, and perhaps even indicate that inversions aren’t everything, and a huge part of performance and the process of dancing is not those tricks…it’s the transitions, the walks, the attitude you can convey by sheer body language. I think that’s one of the biggest reasons why most of us love it so much https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif

[Runemist34]

Well, interesting to have so many good reviews for the lamps! Unfortunately, "covered by insurance" probably doesn’t apply to me, but I might check it out!
I might look in to the cardio in the morning…I want to try getting more exercise this month, and I might try it and see how things go. I know with the general depression (and anxiety) is helped by exercise, so overall it might be better. I’ll see how it works, and let you guys know, eh? And if there are any more suggestions, I’d love to hear them!

[Runemist34]

I agree with Chem, I find my progress to be rather slow, personally. I don’t dance as often as I’d like, but if you’re looking to perform, then you don’t want to be rushing into doing all the moves…the best performances I’ve seen are a few tricks, but with flow, slowness, and control.
I’ve been active for parts of my life, but not something that would help me with the pole. I apparently use my body differently than most, and horseback riding for 3 years has resulted in some very unfortunate knee problems. To that end, I learn these moves very slowly, transitions and certain things I need to do slowly, over and over, as well as trying to make sure I don’t injure myself by thinking I’m strong enough, and finding certain support muscles that just can’t handle it. After a couple of years of on-again-off-again dancing, I’ve never once inverted.
And yes, performing is very different from living-room dancing. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif