Runemist34
Forum Replies Created
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Thank you! I’m always doing lots of stretches for the rest of my body (splits, arms, shoulders, hips, calves…), but that was the only one for my actual back. I’m pretty adamant about doing my core strength exercises, too, and I’m very aware of pushing myself too far in a stretch… I’ve done it before (not with my back) and it SUCKED. Never again.
Forgive me but… what’s a “dh”? -
Robinb- totally agree with you! My boobs are about the same size (I’m a bit smaller around the waist, though), so… it really is very hard to find pole clothes. Especially cute or sexy ones! I suppose I sort of see bathing suits as “socially acceptable underwear,” in that if you changed the material slightly, it WOULD be underwear, so that’s why I asked. 🙂
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Is a bathing suit considered “underwear”? What would you say if you were teaching someone like me, who couldn’t find any “proper” pole clothes?
I’m curious 🙂 Definitely something we need to think about -
I think it’s sort of a hard conversation to have… especially when it comes to pole dancing. A lot of people don’t like to think about, or point to the “stripper” side of things, or the roots of where pole dancing has come from, and they try very hard to get away from that. It can also stem from a lot of fear or rejection, because some of us still get the “Oh, so you’re a stripper now?” kind of reaction from the people we tell.
However, you could also make an excellent argument that people’s bodies are built differently- I may not need to wear super short shorts to get the grip I need from some moves, where someone else may actually need the kind of grip they get from their lower bum area, thus needing shorter shorts than I do. When getting into more advanced moves, it becomes very important to wear less clothing. Have they also considered the fact that, as a larger chested woman, I cannot find a top that shows my belly and fits my boobs? I’m sure there are a lot of women like me. I would basically have to come in a bikini top, or perhaps sew my own tops (not an option for many people), or just wear my bra.
Besides, you could be fully clothed, and still look like a “stripper” when you dance, due to the way you dance, and the things you’re doing with your face and hands. You could look totally athletic while also actively removing clothing, or wearing nothing at all. One could argue that our much-loved platform shoes are too “stripper-ish,” and ban those, even though a lot of women love the look of them, not for sexual reasons, but for how they make our legs look, how tall we feel wearing them, and their fantastic designs.Like I said, it’s not an easy thing to discuss, but I think you also bring up some excellent points about what women’s empowerment can mean for a lot of people (as in, for some of us, it’s connecting to our sensuality), and what it means to feel shame around our bodies, and try to cover them up.
I think it’s an important conversation to have, and that Pole as a community and as a hobby is really challenging a lot of the previous notions around women, their bodies, and their strength, in all ways- physically, mentally, sexually. It all depends on what you’re looking for, and what you need. -
Monicaspoleworld: I would die of fangirling too hard. I would be totally over-the-moon excited to meet one of those guys… just as I am totally excited to meet anyone who I can share pole with!
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I’m for it. I think that people are people, it doesn’t really matter what it is you’re doing- women can be just as creepy as men when it comes to anything sexy.
I think that, as a good compromise, you could offer all three: Men only, Women only, and co-ed, so that people have a choice. If you don’t get much interest for one of the types, you could ask about blending them into the co-ed class instead, or offer private lessons at a slightly reduced rate (they would probably need fewer classes, too), so that everyone could still learn and pole.
I think someone that a lot of us don’t think about is the fact that each sex has something different to give, and to work on. Men DO have that raw upper-body strength, which has been proven to me time and again by my boyfriend and my roommate… but they don’t have a lot of that pain tolerance (which was, actually, proven on Mythbusters), and they don’t have the kind of lower body strength women have. They are also challenged by a different center of balance than women are (makes it easier for us to, say, sit on the pole without our hands).
I would love to have some guys around to enjoy pole with, as much as I would love to have ladies around!Like I said, everyone can get creepy about stuff like that. If someone is getting creepy vibes, you could always invite them to talk to you about it (if you’re instructing, of course). No one wants to be uncomfortable about being leered at just because they’re upside down, and their boobs are in their face.
Likewise, I’m sure a guy doesn’t want to be leered at when he’s wearing booty shorts. -
No problem! This is definitely a move I need to work on as well (it’s been a while since I’ve tried it), and writing out that stuff really helped me get it all back into my head 😉
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Really big thing for a lot of these kinds of moves (where you’re facing the pole and trying to lift your legs) is rounding your back. Your quads aren’t really strong enough to lift your whole leg, and neither are your hip flexors- they need help from your core! So, when you get your body into position, think of creating a C shape with your back, pressing away from the pole. This will help your core lift your legs, making them “lighter” for your other muscles.
You could also think of it as pushing your lady-bits up and forward, trying to point them toward the pole, or even toward the ceiling!
Otherwise, for the upper back and arm strength, you really need to make sure to have your shoulders in neutral position. Don’t let them lift up toward your ears or anything, and don’t bring them too far back. Your arms are using a push/pull mechanism, where your top arm is pulling hard against the pole, and your bottom arm is pushing against it.
Please, please be sure to keep at least your index finger of your bottom hand pointing toward the ground. If you try to wrap all of your fingers around the pole, you create a lot of twist in your wrist, and this can cause a lot of strain, and even injury. Be careful with your wrists!!
At first, you might just want to work on lifting your knees up, and not straightening your legs. Get the hand, shoulder and back position in line first. I really like to see this one as a kind of kick, anyways- knees come up, and then BAM you kick your legs out! Looks really awesome.
Greater flexibility in your hip flexors and toward the splits can also help to make this move look cool. Don’t worry if your legs seem like their pointing directly forward at first… the flexibility and strength will come 🙂 -
I’ve never even understood how to get into the remi sit! I would love to work on this one, too, but… my legs/feet never seem to want to get into it!
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I sort of see pole dancing like I do martial arts and tai chi- it’s a lifetime of being a beginner. You’ll always be learning, growing, changing, and making it new. It’s a creative art! I consider myself to be a beginner, and I’ve been dancing for a few years (though not consistently) now!
I do love these quotes, though. I didn’t know any of that about Natasha, and I’m suddenly inspired to check out her stuff! -
I want to see Ireland sssooooo bad! I apparently have Irish on both sides of my family, and I’m trying to trace them… not easy! I’ve also discovered that the harp is the “national instrument,” and I just got mine in September. Weird stuff!
One day, I’ll get there 😉 It’s definitely on the list! -
Honestly, the people complaining about being “too old to find new friends” should meet my Mum. I’m making new friends at the age of 27, SHE is making new friends at the age of 60!
Friends are created through common interests most of the time (it gives you a direct and easy connection), so making friends through Pole is pretty logical. You should tell these people to get out there and make some friends, too!
Also I would love to be able to travel more and meet so many of you people! Stupid money! -
Omg, Krissykiki, I would totally have a pole jam with you!
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I have!
I went to Iceland last April- my furthest “vacation,” and my first time out of North America. I met Eva there. She isn’t on here as much anymore, but, we had a pretty good time. She picked me up from my hotel, and we went to her pole studio for a bit. She was a bit shy (which, I noticed, most Icelanders can be), but she’s an awesome dancer! I was in total awe!
I’d love to travel around Canada and meet some more Veeners… I haven’t seen anything past Manitoba, so I’d love to learn more about the provinces past that! -
As far as I know (I actually did ask her), none of her tops are for larger-chested ladies. Something about DD and lower, I believe. Her shorts are super cute, though, and I may order some when I have some spending money!
Actually, I’ve never found a good pole top for anyone above a DD 🙁