[SandyBrown]

Great thread!

I've been poling on and off for 4 years now, and throughout this time, I've been single. I'm interested in getting back into the dating game and the responses you all have given thus far have been very helpful! 

 

[SandyBrown]

I tend to use the elliptical and stairmill, in addition to free weights and weight machines when I'm in the gym. 

Outside of the gym, I like to jump rope, do pilates, bodyweight exercises, and use the Nike Training Club iPhone app. 

I've been off the pole for a little over a year, and just started back last week. Doing the exercises I've listed has been helping me to rebuild my endurance. 

[SandyBrown]

I just went to wikipole and saw a picture of it. Looks pretty cool! Now, if I could only do the jade split, this one would be so much fun to try!

[SandyBrown]

I finished the workshop portion of the Climb & Spin instructor certification last month. Wendy was able to set some apprentice teaching hours for me, and those start next week. The manual is very thorough, and while I would say that the bulk of the manual is spin, transitions, floorwork, and the like, throughout the manual are tips for how to effectively cue students, how to tell if someone needs a modification or if someone needs a more advanced move, as well as how to spot if someone is having problems with the fundamentals of something that may be throwing them off. It was a great 7-day workshop.

Also, according to co-creator Kira, if at least 5 people sign up for a workshop, Kira and Wendy will shave off $1000 of the total cost of the program and will conduct the workshop for free.

[SandyBrown]

It took me forever to get this one, too!! I found that clenching my butt cheeks really helped! Also try to "roll" your thighs inward. Good luck!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif Ah, you won’t need luck, you’ll get it!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_sunny.gif

I agree with poleophile! I was scared to death of this move until I learned the trick of clenching the booty cheeks and rolling the thighs inwards.

[SandyBrown]

Yay for Brynlyn (one of my instructors) for making it into the Top 5 AGAIN! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif She was a little down on herself and didn’t think she had done well at all.

I wonder if USPDF will release a video of all of the performances. It was definitely being video taped by a film crew.

ETA: Nevermind. I juts noticed Journey’s response below:

Just as a general FYI:

USPDF does record the competition to give to the competitors – but they can’t sell DVDs to the general public because of the music rights. Maybe they’ll be able to do that someday, but that’s not the case right now

[SandyBrown]

I love my butt. It look me a while to admit it, but since I’ve done weight lifting to broaden my shoulders, I feel that I’m more proportionate. My butt isn’t tight, so when we do booty clapping in class, it’s so much fun to do because there’s something back there to move, lol.

I love my eyes.
I love my smile.
I love my hair.
I’m uber cute.
I love my feet. People seem to be surprised at how pretty my toes are.

[SandyBrown]

Others noticed the changes before I did and I know it was gradual, but some days I have looked at myself and gone: ‘who IS that, she looks so different to the last girl I saw there’!

This is the same with me! Other people started commenting on how my body has changed, particularly the instructors at my studio. I credit it not only to pole dancing, but the class package I continue to buy. It’s called 30 Classes in 30 Days. It consists of 18 pole classes and 12 FIT classes (pilates, booty camp, stretch, yoga). You have to complete each class within 30 days. I’ve done this package in the past but I always stopped to take a less-intensive class package. I’ve been doing this package since January because if you do 3 in a row, the fourth 30 Class package is free. My free package begins next month. I’ve lost 6.5 pounds since January and my jeans and shorts all fit perfectly. I’m hoping to lose an additional 3.5 pounds by the end of the month.

[SandyBrown]

I’ll do a little update. I have my final weigh-in with my personal trainer next week, so I’ll come back and report my measurements. I’ve been getting in my cardio and weights, but I need to get back into pilates and stretching because it definitely helps. Some of my workout clothes are baggy, so I ended up buying new tanks and shorts. I also tried on every pair of jeans and shorts I have, and they all fit nicely! The ones that were baggy, I donated to a local org that works with people living with HIV/AIDS.

I had my first glass of soda last weekend, and it tasted odd. I’m going to limit myself to maybe one a month, if that. I still need to work on getting in my water. As far as my diet goes, I’ve been getting in more fruits, veggies, and protein (lots of tuna chicken, eggs, protein shakes, and beans). I still need to work on getting in my multivitamins.

I feel like I’ve been more peaceful in my mental state. I wale up each morning, and I set my intentions for how I want my day to go, and my days usually end up the way I envision. I focus on looking for positive things throughout my days and I have gotten back into my meditation practice as well.

As far as my pole goals, I’ve gotten successful at inverting with straight legs on both sides. My floorwork has gotten better, and I’m able to hold my inversions instead of just doing them and then transitioning quickly into something else. My superman has gotten much better, and I even tried the jamilla split on my own today. I wasn’t completely parallel but at least I didn’t fall, lol. I held the knee hold for 2 seconds yesterday! (whoo!). Everything else, I still need to work on. The goal now is getting in and out of moves smoothly. I also need to tape myself more (even though it sucks seeing yourself on tape). Finally, I’m on my way to becoming certified in pole dance instruction at my studio. I attended a 7 day intensive training, observed two certified instructors, and have taken 2 classes from certified instructors. All there is left is to complete the written test, the skills test, and teach 2 classes.

[SandyBrown]

Alethea had one of her hands handcuffed to the pole during the beginning of her routine, and it was so surprising and hot, might I add. I had a feeling that she would win. I heard today that she also dislocated her knee at some point before her routine, but she went out and performed anyway!

I too thought that Sara would give some new moves/tricks, but I kind of got the feeling that she didn’t seem really into what she was doing.

[SandyBrown]

Last year, people wore whatever they wanted to wear to the competition, plus it was still a bit cooler I think. Some women had on heels and jeans and cute tops. Some wore their pole studio’s ‘nalia. I didn’t go to the after-party, so I’m thinking if you want to be cute for the after-party, you should probably wear that outfit to the competition in case you don’t want to change afterwards.

[SandyBrown]

ari aka Kari828 staying at The W Hotel, the Court
Amy aka Amyxshii staying at home
Kee AKA bauderlady staying at the W The Court
Christina AKA SissyBuns staying at the Days Inn on 94th
Jacq ("Jake") aka Foxy Rei staying at The W, The Court
Ellen AKA ottersocks staying at The W, The Court
Amber AKA fleur staying at The W, The Court
Nicole AKA sandybrown, saying at home (Harlem) and volunteering at both amateur and pro competitions

[SandyBrown]

Awesome glitterhips! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

[SandyBrown]

I juts placed this on hold at one of the local libraries. I can’t wait to get it!

[SandyBrown]

This is a really great thread, I think I’ll join in:

Fitness Goals:
Lose 2 inches from my waist (currently 27 in)
Lose 2 inches from my thighs (currently 19.5 in each)
Lose between 1-2 inches from upper arms
Do at least 30 min of cardio for 3-4 days a week
Do weight training for upper and lower body
Pole 3-4 days a week
Pilates 3 days a week
Daily and nightly stretching

Food Goals:
Add more fruits, veggies, and protein to my diet
Drink more water (at least 6 cups a day)
Eat 3 meals and 2 snacks a day
Take a daily multivitamin
Continue to limit my soda intake (I haven’t had any since January 30, 2010)
Stop bored/emotional eating

Mental Goals:
Think more positively
Set intentions for the day
Remain focused on desired outcomes
Smile more
Meditate

Pole Goals:
Inverting with straight legs on my left and right sides
Practice holding inverted positions
Work more on floorwork
Developing smoother transitions in and out of inversions/spins
Become successful and getting in and out of the following: Jade/Jamilla spilt, superman, side split, gemini/scorpio, trap dismount, matrix spin, iguana and handstand variations (peel feet off from, and not kicking up), inverted pencil variations, knee hold, yogini)
Tape myself practicing and doing routines
Become a certified pole instructor at my studio