Runemist34
Forum Replies Created
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Hey there!
Total beginners are abundant these days, especially ones with children! It’s awesome to hear you’re wanting to get started, and welcome to the forum!
There can be a lot of information floating around, but there are a few ways to help you out!
First, there is a “search” function on the site, in case you have a question that you are SURE someone else has asked before! This can also be useful for digging up more information on a topic, even if you do ask. I did this after asking the forum about one move, and found the most obscure, tiny piece of advice, and it totally worked for me! So don’t be afraid to go digging around.
Second, the lessons are all set out in order- so, you start at beginner, and go through in order as you work your way up! Obviously, sometimes you’ll be hampered by flexibility (I know for sure I can’t do a split yet, and some of the floorwork moves include those!), but it comes with time, patience, and consistency.
Veena also created a 30 day Takeoff, which is meant for people who have a difficult time figuring out what the heck to do for their home workouts, or how to pace themselves. Starting something like this can be daunting, so definitely check out the 30 day takeoff! You can repeat it as much as you want to, as well!For poles, you must realize that not all poles are created equal- many of the cheaper types are not made to take our weight, and they are very dangerous to dance with! As we are trusting our safety and our health to these poles, there are three brands that everyone swears by and trusts: XPole, Lil Mynx, and Platinum Stages.
I know many of the women here have Xpoles, and love them to bits! They are one of the more prolific in the biz and have many options, in case you need to quickly take your pole down, or you want it to be able to spin, and if you are uncomfortable putting anything into your ceiling. If you’re looking for a used pole, be wary of knockoff Xpoles out there- they have telltale signs (which I currently can’t remember, it’s been a while) and are not particularly safe.
I personally have a Lil Mynx, and have been dancing on them for more than 6 years! I prefer the powder coated (that is, the ones that are coloured), but have also used Stainless steel. My current pole also has the option to spin if I want it to. Lil Mynx comes as one single piece, so you have to make sure your ceilings are tall enough (you can get a custom cut, or just make sure you order slightly smaller than what you have) though they do have an inner pole that extends to fit what you have exactly- you just don’t want to be using that part to dance! I find it very nice to have the single piece, and I’m fine with putting a bolt into my ceiling, so it works well for me!
Platinum stages hasn’t been quite as “hyped” recently as those two, but still have good options if you don’t like the other two.Training 3-4 times a week is the average for most people when engaging in any physical activity- heck, I have a hard enough time getting outside for a run that much in a week! It seems to be the “sweet spot” between not feeling like you’re getting enough, and pushing yourself really hard. So, with that in mind, remember that rest days are SUPER important, as you will be taxing your muscles, and they won’t get stronger if you don’t let them rest. You can always do some gentle yoga, or pick up hooping (as many people here have!) if you feel you still need some kind of physical activity on your rest days.
The feeling that you “need to work on everything” is completely normal! Just take your time, work at your own pace, and relax. You’ll get there!
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Wow, really liking this thread 😉
I’ve performed a couple times on stage, and watched a lot of different performances- mostly Burlesque, but I’ve also watched things like pole dance, and strippers, and just about anything else I can watch 😉
Probably the biggest thing to remember: Confidence!
It can be pretty scary getting up on stage and showing off, and when it comes to pole and burlesque, you’re sometimes showing off more of your body than you normally do. Pole dancing is a lot of strength and showing off, and you need to remember that people are looking at your body, at how you move, at your display!
So, if you’re the more shy, “hide backstage” kind of person, the way I am, you need to find what I like to call your “Inner Diva,” also called the “Inner Drag Queen.” It’s basically the part of you that KNOWS you’re fabulous, and has no problems showing it all off!
Eye contact is definitely a big one- you can actually look above the heads of everyone in the audience (as long as it’s not super multi-tiered!) and they will think you’re making eye contact. Proper posture, slower movements (being able to spend time in a move, allow people to look at you), and big gestures so everyone in the back can see what you’re doing!For me, I always found that moves that seemed “impossible” were the biggest. Things like a Star, or Knee hold, or a Jade Split.
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Hey there!
Many, many people begin pole without being able to even hold their weight up off the ground, in any position. This can be super difficult, and depending on how you have your shoulders engaged, sometimes a little straining 😉
With Veena’s 30 day takeoff, she’ll have you do rest days, which are super important! You heal, and become stronger, during those rest days. Appropriate maintenance and care of your muscles will also help you heal up a little faster- things like foam rolling, having an epsom salt bath (probably would be lovely for some “you” time, too!) and even having a shower where you alternate hot and cold (seriously, I tried it! Not so bad, and it helps keep the muscle soreness away). And massages, if you can afford them 😉
Most people find that working out 3 times a week is best for them- often, this is all we can spare! I would say that a maximum of 5 times a week, and a minimum of 1 time a week, and you would still see progress. Obviously, faster progress with more workouts, but you also want to take into account your energy levels, and your time constraints- are you actually able to muster that much energy five times a week? I know I’m not able to, and I don’t even have children!You don’t need to have worked out before you start pole dancing, as Veena has it all laid out in order- you start at the beginning and work your way through, slowly! Listen to your body, and find out what it needs in order to do the move safely, without any stress or strain, without throwing yourself into it fast and uncontrolled, and you’ll be well on your way 🙂
And welcome to the site! 🙂
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Still figuring out the Periscope thing, but definitely interested in being there when I can!
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Oh I forgot!
Yoga is super easy to get into, but I also had that issue of “where do I start?!”
I started with this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBu-pQG6sTYShe’s a great instructor, the 30 days is free on Youtube (and you can do it over and over and over again!), and she has other stuff on her channel, too, if you’re feeling like you need something else.
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Hey!
Always good to hear from you 🙂
I know how it goes when you get injured or have a “life event” that seems to take you further away from your goals. I’m currently dealing with a shoulder injury- off work for a week and a half, couldn’t even clean my house, just sat around being miserable the whole time. I’m bad at being injured, and I think that’s true for many people. We all have a difficult time taking time “off” to heal, because we’re constantly told that such things are for “weak people,” or that there is simply too much to do.
But, the truth is that you had surgery, a painful and serious procedure that, while perhaps not life-threatening, can still be life-changing. Reminding yourself that you are totally allowed to have down-time, and that you must heal now so that you need not take more time off later, is important. You aren’t like anyone else, and NO ONE can tell you whether you’re doing your own healing right or not, or if you’re “tough enough.” You must heal you!As for feeling sexy… my own feeling of sexiness in most situations does come and go. I’ve noticed that, especially for women, we tend to attach the feeling of sexiness to objects that are intended to “enhance” what we look like in certain ways (such as bras, lingerie, high heeled shoes, sometimes makeup, or our hair, certain types of clothing, our fingernails, our skin and eyes… the list could go on…). The truth, though, is that it’s US that is sexy!
But, you are also tired, healing, and feeling like you’re floundering a bit. These things aren’t often sexy!
So, my suggestion there would be either to take “sexy” completely off the table for a bit- focus on other things, like feeling fluid, feeling strong, feeling like you’re getting a good workout. Or, to break down the idea of “sexy” for yourself- figure out what it is about YOU, and you alone, without any adornments, that makes you feel sexy. Is it your legs? The way you move? Your hair-flips? Find other ways to define it, and then pursue them! See how many definitions of sexy you can come up with, and how many ways you can find that feeling.It does sound like you’re taking a lot on, with work and family and your healing and everything. Remember to be gentle with yourself- life changes! And your needs will change with it. Sometimes, maybe you’ll only get on the pole once a week, or even less. Sometimes, maybe you’ll pole two or three times a week! Obviously, consistency is key when you want major progress, but ANYTHING is better than nothing at all! And, as you get more used to the new routine of work, and as your energy returns and your foot heals (because, trust me, chronic pain or a long-term injury will sap your strength far more than anyone seems to give it credit for), you’ll get more mental and emotional energy for pole, too.
So take it easy 🙂 You’re doing well!
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Love them! And would love to see more for beginner stuff, but I love seeing all of them 🙂 I can’t wait to be able to use them!
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Hey there!
Congrats on your decision to buy your own pole! The transition from studio to home-pole can be a little jarring, but it’s definitely do-able.
I danced on a stainless steel for quite some time as a beginner, and now that I have a powder-coated one, I honestly prefer the latter. I think I would have been more sure of my grip when I was starting out if I had a powder coated pole, which is definitely something to consider.
However, yes, they can be harsh on the skin, no matter what your level! I’ve not torn my skin on mine, but I have heard of it occasionally happening (some people go hard).
Also, if you preferred the feel of stainless, you can still go with stainless! It all depends on what you like, and what feels best for you.Also, the three “trusted” brands for the majority of pole dancers is X-Pole, Lil Mynx, and Platinum stages. It’s important to get poles that are built strong and safe, because you are trusting your weight, your safety, and your strength to them!
Any of those three have been tested, and are danced upon by the people here and everywhere else. I honestly would be wary of any other pole brand! Yes, they’re cheaper, but much like buying a tattoo- you get what you pay for! Cheaper does not necessarily mean safe, or still useable. Please be careful! -
Hey there!
Veena has some videos about appropriate shoulder engagement and placement, which is really important for moves such as inversions (and also pull ups, butterfly, Iron X…). It’s Here: https://www.studioveena.com/videos/view/52462459-db10-473f-ab4a-646d0ac37250Also, if you’re finding that one movement in particular is doing some kind of damage, you likely need to work on that movement in a slow, controlled, and non-painful way. So, for instance, working on your side-pole knee tucks and being very slow and controlled on the way down. You can do this close to the ground so that full extension of your legs isn’t a problem, until you feel you have it under control, and then you can slowly work your way up to a full standing position. This will also help you learn to engage your abs during your inverts!
Using brute strength, if you have it, can be very rewarding in the short term, and can make you feel like you have accomplished a lot… and, please don’t get me wrong, having that brute strength is fantastic! But, much like having a large dog, if you haven’t trained it to behave properly, your brute strength can pull you along into some unfortunate situations. This is where technique comes in.
I know that most people who use strength tend to “throw themselves in,” and can sometimes go very quickly into and out of moves, because that strength only lasts a short time.
So, my suggestion there would be to begin with the beginner’s work… and slow it down. Like, really slow it down! Take half a song for a plank pose. Spend some time upside down in a CKR and see what happens. Endurance is going to suck and you may not be able to do these poses well at a slower pace. You might feel frustrated, like you’re setting yourself back… so, make sure you set specific and realistic goals! Set a timer and work on doing one move, as slow as possible, and see if you can make it for, or longer than, that timer. Challenge yourself to take the time! Your technique will be forced to come out to play, and your strength will also become incredible! -
Go to a doctor!!
Any pain that is that strong and lasts more than two days, especially if it is affecting your regular movements, really needs to be looked at by a professional! -
Hey there! Welcome to StudioVeena!
It can be really daunting to look at all the crazy pole dancing moves, and know that you aren’t strong/flexible/skilled enough yet to do them… and, it can also make us think that we have to dive in, go hard, and MAKE ourselves do it, which is definitely the wrong way!
For flexibility training, you must be careful, and you must also realize that dreams of the splits and crazy back flexibility are years away. Yes, I really mean years. Very few people, if they have not been training previously, can achieve the splits or any other kind of serious flexibility very quickly at all.
You should be warm when you train your flexibility- I recall Veena explaining it once like this: Think of your muscles as similar to cheese; when they are cold, they are hard and crumbly! But when they are warm, they will stretch and not break so easy.
Obviously, if you push yourself too hard, they will still break.
The way to know how much is “too much” is listening to your body- are you uncomfortable? Would you say you are in pain? The two are not the same, and being in pain is a BIG NO. Uncomfortable perhaps, but if you are in pain, you must ease off!
Remember to take at least two rest days per week, as well. Flexibility training will react similarly in your muscles to strength training- you need rest days! A consistent practice is very important, but rest days are equally as important.
Stretching, which is simply bringing your muscles to their current maximum stretch without trying to push it, is often done after a strength training workout, and is not meant to increase flexibility! It’s meant to maintain flexibility. Some people will do their flexy training after strength training (as you will already hopefully be warm), and that is also acceptable.Getting warm can be anything between a good bit of cardio to get your blood moving for about 15 minutes, to a really hot shower or bath.
You have only just started on this journey, and taking it slow is an excellent way to prevent injury and to keep yourself motivated! Don’t let anyone else’s journey make you feel like you’re not doing it right: Only you, and your body, will know if you are or not.
Also, if you would like some lessons for home as well, Veena provides them here on the website. She has her 30 day takeoff and 30 days of flexy as part of the lessons, and they’re a good way to get you started, and a good way to get used to the way these things are meant to progress over time. She also has great breakdowns of moves, and has an excellent sense of which moves are accessible to which levels of pole dancers- her focus is often to prevent injury!
If you want to check them out, use the code GET3FREE and you’ll have three days of unlimited access to the lessons, so you can see if they are for you! -
Omg that was awesome! I don’t watch enough Ellen 😉
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Hey there!
Congratulations on your decision to pick up pole dancing, and I hope that it provides you everything that you’re hoping for! Pole dancing can be really hard, but it is also very rewarding!As for poles, there are three “main” companies that most of us feel are reputable and reliable enough to trust our weight and our lives (in many ways) to. Those companies are Lil Mynx, X-pole, and Platinum Stages.
Lots of women here have X-poles, and swear by them! They have different kinds of options for metal type, spinning or not spinning, and their versatility for travel.
Lil Mynx is what I have, and I’ve enjoyed their poles very much. They usually come as one single piece, and can be powder-coated, as well as stainless steel. Again, spinning and not spinning.
Platinum stages I haven’t heard much about recently, but they are still kickin’ and have a good selection as well!Depending on your space and your preferences to what you do with that space (like, Lil Mynx requires to put a single bolt into the ceiling, where X-pole does not), any of these would be a great choice!
I would say, if you can, go for a pole that can do both spinning and not spinning, because as you grow as a pole dancer, you can explore both!
Also, see if you can find a pole studio nearby and try their poles out, even if it’s for one drop-in class. See what you like of the finish, what things seem to work about the poles, and what doesn’t. That way you can be a little more sure of what you want! -
Welcome back! And YES WE DID NOTICE! Don’t sell yourself so short! Happy to hear that things are good for you- getting married and having kids is exciting!
I poled on a linoleum floor for a while! My pole (lil mynx) didn’t leave a single mark on that floor, no matter what I did! My pole had little rubber feet on the bottom, and it seemed to work really well.
However, I did find the floor to be extremely grippy on my feet, and actually very painful to do any sort of turns or pirouettes on. So, I got some dancer’s foot pads, and wore those! -
Unfortunately, spot-reducing is a myth, and it’s simply not possible to target a certain area of the body and intend for that area to lose fat.
Engaging in appropriate cardio workout, strength training (such as pole), and a healthy diet is the way to go, but cannot necessarily guarantee the exact results you’re looking for.
For some people, it’s very difficult to lose more weight than what they already have done, and the more you lose, the harder it is to lose yet more of it. Many women (though, not all) find that the tummy and hips are places where we keep fat, and that is simply a matter of your genetics. Fat stored on the hips can also help retain estrogen, which will make menopause easier to go through. However, other women find that this area is easy to slim down, and the rest is not- it’s all down to your genetics.So, my suggestion is to engage in a balanced, healthy lifestyle where you are happy with what you are able to do, you are happy with your physical abilities, and that you are happy with how strong you are. And, then to take the time to realize that, for many people, some fat is healthier than none at all. You are beautiful, and it has nothing to do with your hips or belly having a little fat on them.