Runemist34
Forum Replies Created
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Hey Bellini (great name!)
I used to have exactly the same problem- I could, as I said, “stick like a tree-frog” and do climbs, poses, and holds with ease… but spinning? Well, everyone else looked like they were going gracefully around so many more times than I was, and I couldn’t figure it out!
So, first of all, I’ll say this: If you make 1.5 to 2 revolutions, that is NORMAL. For everyone! If you actually count how many times everyone else actually goes around the pole, you’ll find that it’s the same- 1.5 to 2 revolutions. It feels like so little as you’re doing it, and yet looks so awesome when you’re watching!
Next, the “newbie death-grip” will ease. I swear it will. I no longer fully grip with my hand when doing a fireman spin- just more like a full hand claw, sort of like a sloth gripping onto a branch (what’s with all my animal analogies?).
Keep practicing! I’ve been doing the Fireman spin for like, 6 years now, and it’s almost second-nature… but it took a long time to get there! -
Just wanna say that Stainless steel poles can be a little tricky (granted, I’m in a very humid climate!) because they sometimes just don’t get grippy. I never had to really warm up my stainless, but if it wasn’t grippy, it just wasn’t gonna happen that day. Granted, I was using a Lil Mynx, but I assume that the finish is very similar. I had my stainless for 5 years!
And also, no metal on you should touch that pole. Ever. Scratches and gouges from rings, belt buckles, even shoe straps can seriously harm the pole.
I would see if there’s someplace you can test them out, and check out their assembly, how they feel in your hand. Then you can decide 🙂 -
While I’m inclined to agree with Lucca on the name, the only youtube video I can find is the one more like a back hook spin. The move I think we’re trying to find keeps both feet on the ground.
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I know the one you’re thinking of!! I’ve seen it before- I’ve even DONE it before! However, I can’t think of the name.
More research, I’ll post again once I figure it out.
Either that, or I’ll post a video later today! -
No worries, Raspberry!
I do understand trying to rewire yourself to take things slow, and look at it as a journey, rather than a competition that you’re constantly having to keep up with.
One thing to consider is who you’re trying to impress now: You. You’re the only one left to impress! And, you may not really know what your goal is, or what you would think of as “impressive,” or “good work.”
Sometimes, we can be the absolutely hardest on ourselves! We have the highest goals, the greatest blocks, and the most challenging problems to get through, and all of those things can really destroy our self-esteem and our confidence. Trying to live up to those lofty goals while you’re blocking yourself is this horrible push-pull issue, and not the kind that gets you up in an Iron X!So, take a look, feel out your own challenges and what you want from yourself. Coming from a place where you felt you had to keep up with others can “encourage” the idea that we must “keep up,” and without the others there anymore, you’re left with yourself. It might seem a bit weird, trying to keep up with yourself (you’re already there, right?), but what your mind thinks you SHOULD be able to do, and what you can do, are often very different!
I’m sure you’ll progress really well, and you’ll settle into poleing at home well! 🙂
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Hey RaspberryAlice!
There are a lot of people on here that have started over after a long hiatus, myself included! It can be really frustrating. And, going from the structure of a studio to the wishy-washy time on your own at home can be really difficult, too, because it’s hard to create that kind of mental and physical space for dancing, for learning, and for focus… especially when you don’t have a specific room for your pole, and it’s just hangin’ out in your living room 😉
Also I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone ask “Why should you care?” On this forum. Rest assured, if you need help, we care! This community has been wonderful. I’ve been here about 5 years, and I just keep coming back for more!
So, my first suggestion would be to slow down! I’m sure you feel that this is obvious, but reminding yourself to slow down and enjoy your rediscovery, and get back in touch with your body, can really do wonders. Avoiding an overtraining injury is pretty key with pole dancing, so see if you can find the great things about going slow and really getting into your beginner moves, and your flow!
Next, for aid with grip, since you mentioned you don’t have any “tacky stuff”… as a beginner, I’ve never found I needed it! So, key points there would be to make sure your pole is warm, and that you are warm, before starting work on your new moves in which you need to stick to the pole. Something like a pole sit can be super difficult when you, your pole, or both of you are still cold!
In order to create the space you want and need to get pole dancing and really enjoy it, you can build your own “class structure,” if you like. I’ve found it useful! I start off with a warm up, get into some freestyle, and then work on the more difficult moves I’ve been trying to get. Afterward, I move on to strength work, and then finish off and cool down with stretching and flexibility training. You can keep it super simple!
I often find that working on two or three moves at a time gives me enough variety, especially if I’m really struggling with one of them. One move is just a bit too little, and I get bored. Too many, like four or more, and I get confused and out of focus!I would highly suggest Veena’s 30 day Takeoff, as it can introduce some great structure into your pole life. And, Veena’s library of moves is actually all in order of difficulty, so if you find yourself feeling like you’re pushing too hard, you may want to backtrack and see what else you might learn!
Welcome to the forum 🙂
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Hey there!
Are you putting the pole between these two fingers? As in, pointer finger around one side, and the middle and other fingers around the other way?
That’s my first thought for the reason this part would be in pain. I know that sometimes fingers slip into that position, so you may not even be aware of it, since you’ll be focusing on other things, like your abs and your feet.
Try to keep the pointer finger pointing directly down to the ground! It puts a lot less strain and stretch on that area, and also gives you a lot more stability (and keeps your wrist safe, too!), even if it doesn’t seem like it at first!
A way to practice is just putting your hands in the right positions, and then slowly and carefully trying to transfer your weight, just a bit. You can then work up to full weight, and your hands shouldn’t hurt anymore! -
Hi joiceiamara!
When it comes to flexibility training, you are working your muscles, and you may be working them (and damaging them) in a very similar way to when you do strength training. The creation of micro-tears in your muscles is considered where the soreness comes from, so you must give your body time to heal properly! Just like any exercise where you’re exerting yourself, rest days are super important.
As for the actual stretching part, the intention is to reach your muscles ONLY to the point of discomfort, not pain! You should NOT be in pain while stretching- it’s a fine line, but a really important one!
You may find that as you begin your stretch for 60 seconds, the discomfort will fade, and you’ll be able to go a little bit further. You can keep doing this till you’re at “max stretch” for yourself at that time, and hold it for the rest of your 60 seconds.But yes, the main things are to make sure to have rest days (usually two per week), and not to go to the point of pain- just discomfort.
Good luck! -
Hi Em!
Welcome to Studio Veena! We’re always happy to see new people here 🙂
It sounds like you were more into the intermediate skills- a helicopter here is definitely not beginner! Most spins aren’t either! I’m sure you’ll see a lot of progress with your dancing- the background will definitely help!
And, hopefully it’ll help with your muscle issues, as well. I know it has helped with my own muscle weaknesses, as long as I’m smart about it!
Looking forward to hearing about your progress, and maybe seeing some videos! -
I think that you can adjust them a bit to get the rest days to all go together. I know someone else was asking about doing the 30 day Takeoff and the 30 days to Flexy at the same time, and Veena said that you can just change things up a bit and get the rest days to all fit together.
I’m sure adjusting the Ab challenge wouldn’t be too hard! -
Becca, it’s good that you’re still stretching! Flexy training can be tiring, so I understand 😉
Phoenix, that’s awesome! I’m totally freaked out about doing oversplits training- I’m shocked that my hips are THIS far, but oversplits?
I guess I’ll cross that bridge when I get there 😛
Those middle splits are sooo flat, I’m envious! -
Thread Necromancy!
It’s been like 15 days since I saw anything in this one, so I thought I’d post and check in!
I don’t have any pictures for now (who knew they’d be so hard for me to get all the time!!) but I am still stretching and working at it!
So, my front right and left splits are coming along- sometimes I feel like they aren’t doing anything, and then mornings like this one, I wonder if I’ve gone too far! But I’m really excited, I’m more flexible in the hips than I’ve ever been!
The middle splits, well, they still suck a bit to stretch (I’ve been doing it with knees bent, to stay stable). Apparently tight hips “runs in the family,” and I’m so determined that it will not drag me down! But, it’s a stretch that I’ve always avoided, so I shouldn’t be too surprised about it being unpleasant for a bit!I hope everyone else is seeing progress and keeping up with it! I’m always so excited to see everyone’s progress, even if I don’t reply 🙂
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There’s no reason to be embarrassed- I actually weigh the same as you do, and I’m a bit shorter, 5′ 7″. My hips are about 41 inches, so I’m not that far off.
Honestly, I gained the weight when I started running, but I lost quite a bit of size.
Anyways, what business of it is anyone else’s what you weigh? If they don’t understand that the number on the scale is not an accurate estimation of health, or of your fitness, or of how your body looks and feels, then why tell them at all?
Perhaps they need a little more education 😉 -
I just wanted to mention that I have been inspired to do the same thing! I took some cues from your spreadsheet, and just… ran with it. I scoured all the pole moves lists I know of! I have nearly 100 moves just in the beginner/intermediate range, haha 😉
I’ve been organizing them by way of difficulty, too, so that I can just go down the list and feel comfortable doing all the moves (similar to how Veena has hers set up).
I’ve actually noticed that some of these create some pretty cool combos, too! Maybe it’ll teach me to take my time and come up with some more ways to transition through things, since I’ll have so many options! -
Pole is going to make you strong- in many ways, you’re using your muscles to lift parts, or all of you! The arm and upper body strength required, as well as the core strength required, will really encourage your body to put on muscle and get strong. That’s a big reason why many of us come to pole in the beginning!
And, the whole “muscle weighs more than fat” thing is totally true! You’ll put on muscle, but you won’t be as big.
So, in many ways, your scale will “lie” to you. Many people believe that the more fit they are, the lower the number on the scale, but that is definitely not true! I’m the thinnest I have ever been, as well as the fittest, but my scale indicates that I am also the heaviest!