TheDiva
Forum Replies Created
-
I am currently working my way through NASM’s textbook and study manual in hopes of getting certified this summer. This shit is NO JOKE, but I like it. I already have AFAA group fit and X-Pert, so they help a little, but I still find myself putting in real work to understand what the hell I’m readying. I’m not sure how I’ll use my cert exactly, but I’m hyped about being a hardcore fitness nerd and having douchey conversations about muscle groups help me to twerk.
-
What’s good Bubbla? First of all, thunder thighs is soooooo 90’s. I refer to my own stems as 100% MAHAGONY BUILDINGS BRANCHES (and not those little small ass twig branches, but the branches that they build HOUSES and BASEMENTS out of).
My solid ass legs have been a huge asset to me, but I had to learn how to use them to my advantage. At first, it feels super weird and awkward to get them around the pole; but once I found my hip groove and tilted my ass up, it was a wrap. I can climb my ass off and straight chill up there. Also, cause I have so much damn leg muscle, I can support the weight of someone else on them and not die. That makes for some cool pole partner trouble.
GO BUBBLE GO!!!!!!!!!!
-
I agree that plus dancers are fully capable of competing with others, as demonstrated by Aileen Vegas winning multiple titles in 2013. I like that distinct divisions give light to the unique contributions of certain cultures. They do not always seek to give an unfair advantage or pity points to those “less abled” in some way.
Ironically, when birds of a feather flock together, the very trait that usually singles them out individually becomes obsolete because they ALL have that shit, allowing them to focus on real shit like who’s getting drunk first when they fly to South Beach for the winter. What I have also noticed is that the CROWD also stops giving two fucks about what makes them different and respects them for just being bomb at what they do.
-
Let me combine all of my FB responses into one:
First, I am beyond flattered that Charley, Lori and others consider me a leader in this niche. Thank you SO MUCH for the recognition! This is a messy, complicated topic, so no real hate on those who don’t agree with me.
Charley Crystal, PLEASE make a plus size division because I want to win another title and I can’t enter my own comp LOL.
I have no quams about a traditional size dancer producing something for larger dancers. As long as you don’t use ignorant shit like “big girl” and “thick chick” I will cosign. I also think it is great to talk to the plus size pole peeps for input.
Personally, I enjoy having specific divisions that go out o a limb. Dangerous Curves is about celsbrating diversity. I was tired of being the only person who looked like me on stage and wanted some plus size company. I’m black, which means I have my PhD in being comfortable being the only minority somewhere. In pole, my size is my minority card. Every so often, I just get exhausted and tired and bored being the minority. A plus size comp is my way to not be the “only.” It feels WONDERFUL. Plus size and athlete are rarely used in the same sentence. People don’t know we exsist. Fuck that. I need everyone to know we are here and have real value in sports.
I’m outspoken, loud, bold, and intend on making a career off of broken stereotypes. I don’t know any other way to be at this point. Plus, I’ve pretty much run out of fucks to give.
About defining plus size: that question is the hardest part of all this. No matter what you say, it’ll always be complicated, so no hate how you choose to define it. I ask my competitors to self identify as plus size, citing that a size 14+ is a LOOSE estimate of where plus starts. If a size 6 came to me and felt plus size, I’d be damned before I fought her. The saddest part is when you start getting hit up by people who ask you if they are big enough, trying to justify their extra 5 LBS as proof they are huge. BODY DYSMORPHIA LIKE WHOA?! I will also full admit that my system of self identification is flawed. I’m ready to accept any and all SV/FB drama that will ensue, lol.
BMI can suck a dick.
I wear a 12-16 these days. To Eurocentric (white) pop culture, I am for sure larger then what is considered acceptable. For colored people, I’m average or too small to be a true plus size.
-
Hi Alexis. I’m a size 12-16, 38DD and have been poling for 6 years. Here’s what I recommend:
1) Lane Bryant (www.landbryant.com) has great sports bras that don’t look terrible. These will hold the living daylights out of your boobs: http://www.lanebryant.com/active/sports-bras/20230c20242/index.cat. They are worth every penny.
2) I wrote about this very subject and have a list of places to shop here: https://www.studioveena.com/forums/view/51363425-6660-48b5-b188-1ce60ac37250#bottom
3) Surprisingly, Bad Kitty’s Brazilian cut pole shorts fit well! I assumed they’d be far too small, but they have good gut coverage and make your ass look great.
-
Awesome news, Rachel. So glad this dream came true for you!
-
In regards to USPDF, I believe it was a financial issue. With APFC, I think it folded under the weight of its own drama, lol.
-
I think something that is just as important, if not more, then who certifies you is that you have experience in all aspects in the industry: teacher (or shadower), student, performer, businesswoman, etc. I believe the women (and dudes!) who have the most varied experiences make the strongest teachers. You could go to the Harvard of pole schools, but your students really won’t give a damn if you are flat and boring and one dimensional. Make sure to devote time to thinking about what kind of teaching style may work for you, what kinds of things you WANT to teach, and what you don’t need to mess with. I *LOVE* performance prep work, but can’t teach a knee hold to save my life, lol.
-
I am very, very lucky because my parents have been real cool with pole since day one (six years ago now). I know the dilema — I was performing a lot, but it was always to super trashy music and I usually ended up topless, lol. My father used to be a gym teacher and is a huge sports junkie, so he looks at pole from a trainer's point of view (after he say me dance last year: "you should start doing some bicep curls and shoulder presses . . ."). My coming out dance last year wasn't just for my father, but BOTH my parents, three aunts, a whole bunch of cousins and my 71-year-old grandmother. I was nervous because I know how nasty I am in my heart, but I picked a song that let me still have a lot of fun and get everyone singing along with me.
Perhaps you can invite your Dad for a rehearsal instead of the full show? That way he can see the "behind the scenes" and you can wear regular practice clothes. It might also be cool for both of you guys to have a private tour of the studio and maybe meet one or two of your instructors. I think that would be a good way to ease him into that side of your life and give him a special place that nobody else gets.
Above all, I think your father is fucking awesome for wanting to be there for his daughter!
-
If all you took away from a class was gyrating and grinding on the pole, I cannot help but wonder if you were blind, def and dumb.
-
Thank you Prilladonna! I'd be honored if you posted this on your blog. That is so cool. All I ask is that you put up a link to my YouTube channel: youtube.com/RozTheDiva. You can reach me at roslyn.mays@gmail.com if you have questions. Thanks!!!!!
-
@StudioVeena, here's the blog link: https://www.studioveena.com/blogs/view/Coaching_Plus_Size_Pole_Dancers_20130306115743
-
Pankake, thank you so much! I'm glad you found it helpful. I wear 12 through 16 and have big ass boobs that get in the way for certain moves where I have to bring both elbows together right over the bust line (flag much?!?!). And last night I physically manuever my stomach around the pole to do a flat Jade.
The concept of a plus size dancer is very, very new for a lot of people, particularly the ones who've been very fit their entire lives. I just wrote this based on my experiences and what my friends have trouble with. Glad the word is spreading!
-
That would be terrific, Veena! Would you like me to do it or do you want those honors?