Forum Replies Created

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  • Runemist34

    Member
    December 30, 2014 at 11:33 am in reply to: Polers who Instagram…

    Is it bad that I laugh so hard at guys that say stuff like that? There’s this huge misconception among a certain group of men that, somehow, women ALL love that stuff (or should I say “their stuff”?).
    I also found it super useful to know how to report, block, and hide comments, so thanks everyone 🙂 I’m still a bit of an instagram newb myself.

  • I agree with the others on the subject of twisted grip- it can be very dangerous. What you’re basically doing is twisting the shoulder around to maximum, and then trying to keep it in that way while applying weight. One moment of weakness, one tiny over-twist, and the entire shoulder is blown apart, tendons strained or ripped, and you’re out for months at the least.
    When it comes to strength with these moves, you MAY have it- it might just be about technique. I know that, with split grip, there are a lot of smaller, less-used muscles being worked pretty hard in that grip. Jamilla, in The Art of Pole Dvd’s, teaches doing little toe-taps while keeping your upper body controlled and stable in split grip, until you learn to increase the time that you are able to hold yourself up. I’ve found this to be fairly useful.
    Sometimes, there are moves that really are super simple, but take a lot of time and practice when it comes to really getting them. Squared shoulders, index finger pointing down on the bottom hand, and use of the lats are all things to think about… and can each be a challenge to get used to as you work into the move.
    I previously struggled with a proper pole hold till I learned the proper techniques and alignment- now, I’m getting a lot stronger with it!

    As for cup grip… I don’t think of this one as a beginner, or even intermediate grip, and depending on what you’re doing, it might be an incredibly hard thing to get- years and years of work. Things like elbow-grip, forearm-grip, and perhaps split grip will help you get there.

    Just take it slow, be patient, and enjoy the journey!

  • Runemist34

    Member
    December 26, 2014 at 8:49 pm in reply to: CHRISTMAS TREE SPLITS CHALLENGE AGAIN? I am in!

    Hey Lochesh!
    Some of us have had hamstrings pulled too hard, or strained from impatient stretching. After a time (up to about six months), some gentle stretching can resume, and then later, actual flexibility training. It can be a long road, but the most important thing is to give it the time and care it requires to heal, and make sure to pay close attention, so as not to injure it again!

  • Runemist34

    Member
    December 25, 2014 at 11:20 pm in reply to: SV JANUARY Challenge!

    Possibly a silly question: How do I use that picture on my Instagram? I’m not sure exactly how to use the app fully yet, and I know I did it once but I no longer remember!

  • Runemist34

    Member
    December 24, 2014 at 11:48 pm in reply to: Maximizing safety or succumbing to fear?

    There are two things I would say about this…
    First, is that we can injure ourselves perfectly well without pole dancing. I’ve heard of people breaking their ankles simply by getting out of bed, or paralyzing themselves by going down the same set of stairs they’d been traversing for years. Humans are perfectly capable of hurting themselves- we’re not exactly a perfectly-balanced bunch. You ever tried to breathe a muffin? Same sort of thing! We just have occasional problems. Our bodies are not machines, as much as we would like to think of them that way; machines are perfect, they do the same thing over and over without fail, and always the same. We’re not like that.

    Secondly, having dealt with an anxiety disorder for most of my life, I know a thing or two about fear. I HAVE actually fallen out of a Cross Ankle Release, and I was completely terrified of snapping my neck when attempting a somersault.
    The thing I’ve learned most recently is this: The more you avoid the thing you are afraid of, the more afraid you will be of it.
    I tried a somersault a few years ago. On my bed, with my friend giving me pointers, in the safest and least embarrassing situation I could possibly have created. I did it! A few times! And, I am no longer afraid of them. They aren’t exactly part of my “regular movement,” but I no longer feel fear.
    I have been working on the Cross Ankle Release for some time- again, in the safest ways I can create. I do it lifting up from the ground, and simply holding the grip. I’m teaching myself to get used to the hold, and I’m teaching myself about all the nuances of the hold. I’ll have rock-solid abs by the time I’m up to it, too 😉

    It can be very difficult to face down fears, but it is best to do so right at the beginning, when you start to feel the fear in the first place. Tackling a nervous tension is far, far easier than taking down a full-blown phobia. I’m currently doing a very slow, controlled and quite terrifying practice of exposure training to get rid of my phobia of driving. It built up after years of avoiding driving at all- and, some bad experiences with my Ex.

    Push through, and remember that you may be fallible… but you can do your best to be present, to practice safely, and to be respectful of the danger.

  • Runemist34

    Member
    December 24, 2014 at 7:51 pm in reply to: SV JANUARY Challenge!

    Excited to give it a go!
    I am away for the week of 12-19, as my birthday is the 11th and I’m being “treated” to a trip to Arizona to meet with family… but, I’ll be sure to make up the challenge videos when I come back!

  • Runemist34

    Member
    December 24, 2014 at 4:31 pm in reply to: #beautifulbeginnerbasics challenge idea

    Looks awesome! I agree, it’s easy to read, and it’s very nice to look at! I like the poses on it, too. I think they’re all good for beginners and those who are just working on their foundational pole work.

  • Runemist34

    Member
    December 23, 2014 at 11:48 pm in reply to: Beginner-Pole Suggestions please!!!

    Hey there!
    This is a great place for total beginners! Veena’s lessons (I can see you have a star indicating that you have them) are awesome, she is great at explaining things, and if you have any questions or concerns, she and the rest of us are here to give you a hand!
    As for purchasing a pole, there are a lot of people who are “hardcore fans” of either Lil Mynx, or X-pole. Both are totally reputable brands, and both have their ups and downs!
    I use a Lil Mynx, my former pole was their stationary stainless steel pole, which I found somewhat slippery, but quite reliable in general. I now have a powder-coated, spin/static pole that used to be for sale here on the website (sadly, the beautiful purple colour turned out to be a bit too expensive to continue making), and I absolutely love it. For me, it’s the perfect pole!
    X-Pole is also extremely well-loved. Unlike Lil Mynx which comes as one solid piece, the X-pole can come apart and be packed away quite easily. Both are quickly erected. The X-pole also does not require a bolt through the ceiling (the Lil Mynx does), but you do need to find a stud to mount it against, as with ANY pole you get.
    I know that both come in various sizes and finishes, and this can aid or hinder your grip possibilities. It’s often an “experiment” kind of thing, and sometimes you get lucky and find the absolutely perfect pole- and, sometimes, you just fight along till you can get a different one and try again 😉
    Most poles run about $300.
    I would also say to be very wary of any other brands (you can always ask or search the forums if you find one that looks good! There are many brands, and some are still up-and-coming), and be very careful about purchasing something second-hand or on Ebay. There are knockoff X-poles that falsely advertise to be real X-poles, and there are also pole brands (such as Peek-a-boo and Carmen Electra) that advertise being safe to dance on, and are REALLY NOT SAFE!

    I hope that your pole journey is super fun, and I can’t wait to see you around the forums, and watch your videos, if you put any up!
    Some of Veena’s conditioning videos you can actually start doing without a pole, as well- in some instances, a pole is completely unnecessary, and in other ways, you can use a wall or a doorway to help!

  • Runemist34

    Member
    December 23, 2014 at 12:32 am in reply to: what is this move called?

    Well, the grip on the pole you’re describing is called “Split grip,” and used as a hold in the way you seem to indicate is… difficult to give a “name” to, as the pole community is pretty confusing when it comes to actually determining what is a separate moves, and the names of those moves.
    However, I would call that the “Split Grip V,” and I learned that move in the studio as a “Flick kick.”

    Just be careful with the split grip, as it can be quite hard on the wrists!

  • Runemist34

    Member
    December 23, 2014 at 12:14 am in reply to: #beautifulbeginnerbasics challenge idea

    I deeply dislike that song, but I agree with SVbeautifulbasics or back2basicpole
    Something that links us back to SV would be nice 🙂

  • Runemist34

    Member
    December 22, 2014 at 10:15 pm in reply to: lil mynx rattles

    Only time my first Lil mynx rattled or clanged was when I struck it from the side, or was too rough with it on a horizontal level.
    If your pole is clanging or rattling when spinning, it may need some looking at? Perhaps the Lil Mynx people would know more (I know they creep around the forums a bit!)

  • Runemist34

    Member
    December 22, 2014 at 10:12 pm in reply to: #beautifulbeginnerbasics challenge idea

    I actually find spins to be FAR easier than any kind of elbow/head/hand stand!
    For moves like those, you could have alternates for newbies of various skills.

  • Runemist34

    Member
    December 22, 2014 at 1:32 pm in reply to: newbie2013

    Hey there!
    Sounds like you’ve just started your pole journey, so I hope that you have fun with it!
    Depending on how grueling your pole classes are, and also how expensive and how often they run, it’s best to leave at least one day in between when you’re starting out. Some people, however, can pole dance five days a week… but they are generally very athletic to begin with! The day of rest is for your muscles to repair themselves, so it’s very important.
    The range, usually, is between once a week and five times a week… but definitely no more than that!

    As for holding yourself up on the pole, it does sort of depend on which move you’re doing… but for a basic pole hold (facing the pole, just using your arms), it can take a long time to really feel strong at it. It’s best to make sure your form is correct, and that you’re engaging the correct muscles! That can make all the difference!

  • Runemist34

    Member
    December 22, 2014 at 1:26 pm in reply to: bigger arms

    Ooh yes, much bigger arms on me!
    I find that most women’s clothing isn’t made for larger shoulders or arms, and I have a large bust and tiny waist to top that off, so… shirts are difficult.
    Most of mine stretch, so I can get my beefy guns in them 😛 ahah

  • Runemist34

    Member
    December 21, 2014 at 9:18 pm in reply to: Broken coccyx

    Probably best to talk to a doctor about it! As much as we might not thing the coccyx bone is particularly useful for things, it can (as you’ve found) be extremely painful.
    If you did talk to a doctor about it, did they give you a timeframe? Any follow-up appointments? Have they checked you out since, so that you know the bone had healed?
    I’m really sorry to hear that you’ve had such a long time in healing, and I hope that it gets figured out, and you find a way to heal quickly! Either that, or perhaps, for a while, certain pole moves would be best avoided till you’re completely healed.

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