[SissyBuns]

Awwww!!!!! It’s the birthday?! That’s so cool! How long?

[SissyBuns]

Yeah that move at 1:30 was really cool! I was like "what the – ? I gotta see that again!" https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif

I have to be honest, that was the first time I’ve ever seen nipples tassles (spelling?) before… lol https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_redface.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

Pasties! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

[SissyBuns]

I also need to add my 5 cents on inverting. I started inverting very early. I was taking classes at a studio that offered them in 5 different levels;

Level 1 strenghtening, walking and transitions
Level 2 Transitions, simple spins and strength
Level 3 Transitions, spins and strength
Level 4 Climbing, intricate spins, inverted moves and strength
Level 5 More elaborate spins & advanced pole tricks (as stated on the website LOL http://xposefitness.com/locations.htm )

I am a strong lvl 2 and get by comfortably but still learning in lvl 3. Due to my work/school/family/life schedule (and not having a pole at home to practice with) and the class schedule, I had to start attending lvl 4 classes just to go and I was taught to invert. I’m able to invert on both sides but it wasn’t until recently that I learned I’m not strong enough to do it properly.

I kind of just kick my leg up until it hooks then situate myself on the pole and after that I can’t do much. It feels good to be able to do it but now I know that I’m no doing it properly so I’m haning up my invert until I have the strength to do it right, and I know I’ll benefit from it greatly in the end. Fleur your post was crazy helpful and I will be doing all of those things to invert "properly" from now on.

I used to brag that I was lvl 4…. but I didn’t belong there safely. I’m proudly demoting myself to lvl 2 https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

[SissyBuns]

Yay to Fleur, Veena and Trina.
Now Aunty Rouge’ two cents.

I can’t invert as I don’t have that strength in my abs – yet. But I know what it is and how to fix it.
I can invert by flinging my legs up and hoping for the best, then pulling myself up by my shins. Not good.
hands get stuck by the knees as I can’t lift my hips above my head.
Also explains the sprained big toe… (kicked the pole at about 8′)

So to invert properly, means a lot of hard work for some of us. And I completely agree about taking your time to ensure you have the strength, it will pay off at a later stage when you can alley oop / basic invert from up the pole. Flinging or jumping is merely using the ground to get you up, once up a pole, you need to use your abs to get up. For us, inverting is near the end of beginner level, when just about ready to go into intermediate. That’s anywhere between 6 weeks and 2 years. I’ve had one student doing the Jamilla split after 5 months, but she’s incredibly strong, very athletic and had crazy strong abs. I have others that after a year are still not ready to invert.

I’m tough with my students, I won’t teach them to invert, but will let them do the conditioning exercises mentioned. But then, I have other tricks up my sleeve that I teach, like different moves, stretching, freestyle etc. Not having a tutor to say, hold back and correct technique is difficult. If in doubt, don’t do it, the injuries are not worth the perceived glory. I’ve seen advanced dancers fall on their heads from inverts (not Lisa Lewis either, she’s just trashy), I’ve injured my shoulder from not being ready and bad technique. So we are cautious with good reason.

So, when I say "invertin’s for crazy folk", I mean it. Don’t do it until you have the strength in your abs and upper body. There’s other far more cool things to do at the earlier stages: aerials, routines, laybacks (again, needs strength and don’t do it unless you’re really sure or have had a lesson), sexy stuff, holds, climbs…. the list goes on.

LOL I always wondered why you said inverting was fo crazy folk LOL!!!!

[SissyBuns]

I lift…been doing it now for just over two years, now bulking to get ready to compete in March 2010…FOOD IS VERY NECESSARY!! BREAKFAST is a MUST!! I never used to be able to eat until I slowly made myself..just a few bites at breakfast then a snack 3 hrs later, then lunch, then a snack, then dinner…it wasn’t long and my body needed the food and my progress excelled! I do a shake and a simple carb right after working out, I take a Casein protein shake before bed to keep my metabolism going for 7 hrs. It is very important to get your carbs and healthy fasts because protein requires carbs to synthesize (YOU CAN NOT BUILD MUSCLE WITHOUT CARBS), the basic rule of thumb is 40% protein (1gram/per lb of your lean body mass), 40% complex carbs (Nothing with white flour is complex), and 20% Healthy fats (Omega 3’s, 6, and 9’s) which you can find in fish, nuts etc. I can’t eat much fish so I supplement with flax seed oil with omega 3’s three times a day. I am lifting heavy and my workout changes every two weeks. I do have a basic one that will help anyone jump start a strength training program…let me know if anyone is interested and I will post it! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

Have I told you that you rule lately?

[SissyBuns]

My sister has a bad dog and a boyfriend who can’t stand him, but….the dog was there first so they’re like a package deal LOL. He’s gotten used to the dog and knows how much it means to her, even though he (the dog) does some crazy stuff, he would never ask her to get rid of him. It would really be like asking her to give up an unruly child.

Not to say that my sister may not get fed up and get rid of him herself LOL…..that damn dog is loosing it…..

[SissyBuns]

hehehe amcut

no need to explain to me, both my dog and cat slept in the bed with me when I had pets https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif I did have a partner actually in past who said, "It’s either me or the dog." I packed their bags for them! They had to go https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif No discussion. But then again, they were a bad lay https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif told you I know how yall think! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_tongue.gif

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!

[SissyBuns]

I was going to make a very funny comment…then realized I don’t know how to spell pasties (pastys?) https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

[SissyBuns]

I TOTALLY AGREE with SissyBuns! I have the Flirty Girl pole, i got it because you could pay in installments, but you would be better just saving your money and buying the x-pole. The Flirty Girl pole isn’t a horrible pole, it hasn’t fallen or any of the terrible things i hear about the peek-a-boo poles. i have learned everything on it, but the studio i was taking classes in had lil’ mynx poles and they were a thousand times better. It tore up my ceiling as well (and i rent, woops!!) and it loosens up very quickly so you constantly have to stop to tighten it. The finish is kinda crappy and can get pretty slippery, the dvds are a waste of time, you’ll learn so much more from Veena and other great dancers on YouTube. I’d say splurge on the X-Pole and pay the $99 bucks for the year of Veena’s lessons and you will be more than happy you did! Now i have wasted $260 bucks on the Flirty Girl pole and i want the X-pole which is gunna be another $300 some odd bucks, so in the end i screwed myself…I guess this has taught me that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!! Good Luck and i hope this was helpful!!

LOL I rent too!!!!!

I’m gonna have to pay to have this hole in my cieling repaired before I move LOL

[SissyBuns]

I have this one patient, he’s a young marine (I work in a military hospital) and when he first started he was so shy and quiet and even walked kind of slouched over. When he came in for his final appointment I barely recognized him. Not just because of his skin but because of his whole demeanor. His posture was better, he was smiling, he was chatting everyone up. His transformation was amazing.

[SissyBuns]

When/if I ever make a video I’ll probably do it on my digital camera LOL

[SissyBuns]

Hi Toccara,
I bought the Flirty Girl pole as my first pole and I wasn’t happy with it. It tore up my cieling and it’s not very sturdy. It was spinning with me when I spun! LOL

I only used it twice and now it’s sitting in my closet. I didn’t like the dvd’s much either. I felt like I got better instruction from Veenas lessons and youtube (and classes).

I wouldn’t say this pole is as bad as the Carmen/Peek a Boo poles (from my experience, and I have that one too) but if you’re gonna spend the money you might as well get a good one that will last and that you know people love. I have never heard anything bad about the x-pole and I loooooooooove mine. It doesn’t come with dvd’s but you can always get those seperate or just use the good ole World Wide Web LOL. Hell, I can send you my flirty girl dvd’s if you want em…LOL. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_sunny.gif

[SissyBuns]

I agree with Veena, when I first started I was very intimidated by the pole and was happy to just be spinning on it ( half spins) and doing hip rolls and stuff and feeling sexy. The fire man is an easy one for beginners and it’s a fun one too https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif Very "spinny" LOL

[SissyBuns]

I’ve sent you a request, Christina.

I got you! I added you https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif

[SissyBuns]

This is so sweet and such a good idea! Especially for those of us that are so critical of ourselves! It almost seems as if that’s just what women do. We can’t just take a compliment.

"Oh your spins are so pretty…."
"No way, my fat ass thighs make them look clumsy"

Why can’t we just say "Thanks"?

I’d love to write a dear body letter….but it would take me forever! I put this old body through a lot over the past 30 years, but I can say that in my old age I have learned to appreciate what I have and do my best to treat it right https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_thumright.gif