[Tine007]

This is so interesting, and I was wondering if it’s just me being weird, lol!!!

At home I practice everything both sides. Which I am used to in yoga and belly dance (even if a choreography uses only one side, we drill both)
I decided I will also practice pole on both sides after my first class. We went just one direction, and my teacher told us to keep the boobs level aka lift the ouside boob to be parallel with the inside one (that brings the shoulders back and down). After class I felt like my left boob was still sticking out and found myself a lamp post to go around the other way to balance myself https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif Changing sides also means getting less dizzy https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif

I’m totally right-handed and right is stronger than left, but some spins work much better on the left (chair and carousel). But also with time, my preference shifted from right to left, somehow left has more control https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_scratch.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_scratch.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_scratch.gif Not sure why this is…

In class, we are usually shown right side. My teacher doesn’t insist on doing both sides, but she is OK with it. So for choreography/combos I can just add a direction change to get on the best hand https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

[Tine007]

I once figured out a way of stretching using the pole! Basically, you lay down next to it, swing your foot up, and scoot yourself down until you feel the resistance…
Cool! Kinda like an extended butterfly on the ground? I tried to hook both inside or outside leg. Feels like a good prep for when (if) I’ll get upside down…
To get into the hamstring, I needed to make sure the leg stays straight (it wanted to bend, which resulted more in a hip stretch https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_scratch.gif ), means engage the quads a little, which is good because it makes the hamstring relax and protects the knee. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_thumleft.gif The further I went, the more difficult it was to not slip off the pole though.
I’m not sure if this gets a different part of the hamstring than the strap, because with the pole the leg was always slightly out- or inwards, while strap takes it straight back…
Sorry for all that rambling, just my 2 cents https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/alien.gif

[Tine007]

Some striped leg warmers in addition to Tutu and shorts??? https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_question.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_scratch.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_question.gif

[Tine007]

You are very welcome!!
Of course we expect videos https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

[Tine007]

OUCH!!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif
That look about like my bruise (even though my hoop is only 2 pounds)…
I think it’s just a bit too heavy… my hoops don’t have sand, I was recommended not to use one with filling that moves (I guess because the hoop is not balanced that way, anyone knows??)
Hope you can get a better one soon!

I use a home-made pole that I bought from the studio I go to. Its made from plumbers piping which is quite hard and its filled with sand!!!
and I hope you mean hoop and not pole, LOL https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif

[Tine007]

I am really enjoying the making of hoops if not as much as the actual hooping itself.
Hooping is also a great warm up exercise too I have found.

Cool, do you sell hoops?
I also warm up with my hoop before poling https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_thumright.gif

do you use weighted hoops or just reg ones from kids stores? where do you find weighted hoops? are there dvds to teach you? this sounds like fun and a great workout!

Kids hoops are too small and lightweight and thus really difficult to use as an adult.
Regular adult hoops seem to be between 35-45" (larger = slower) and 1.5-2 pounds (some call this weighted, but there is no extra weight in the tubing. You can also get even heavier ones, for more of a workout, less for dancing). Then there are same size, but lighter weight, sometimes called pregnancy or performance hoops, they are a bit more difficult to use, but give less bruises.
I got my first one from hoopnotica.com, now I totally love HappyHoopyLove’s store on ebay (http://stores.shop.ebay.com/HAPPY-HOOPY-LOVE__W0QQ_armrsZ1). She makes high quality custom hoops for a good price, has the best customer service ever, and also sent me links to great tutorials on youtube.
I’m mainly working with the hoopnotica DVDs (rented from netflix) and the youtube tutorials.

Hope to see you hoop soon https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

[Tine007]

I got a big dark (almost black) purple bruise on my hip from hooping, right where the hoop smacked on my hip bone. Darker (not bigger though) that what I got from poling so far, and that are quiete a lot….
I think I had it for 3 weeks, despite of arnica gel, and it did hurt…. I quit hip hooping for a few days to make it go away… by now, I’m fine and don’t bruise there anymore.
However, the hoopnotica DVD already announced there will be more bruising when starting to hoop on the legs… https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_colors.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_rambo.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_rambo.gif
I got a lighter hoop in addition to my "standard" weight hoop, and I use that now for trying new moves. sometimes it’s easier, sometimes not, but definitely doesn’t hurt as much (I love it especially for hand hooping, the heavier one hurts my knuckles…) https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

I wanna see some hooping vids guys.
Yes, Ma’am https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_salut.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_salut.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_salut.gif
I recorded a hooping session while my pole was down (more space for hooping https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif ), but still need to cut it. And I look like I’m pregnant, I pop my belly out to push the hoop https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_redface.gif (plus, I carry a descent layer of German chocolate around my belly to start with https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif ) but I think I’ll post anyways https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_geek.gif

[Tine007]

yep, ebay has a lot, look for "hip scarf".
They are usually one-size because you tie them around your hips.

Bellydance-shop.com (http://www.bellydance-shop.com/hip-scarves/) has currently sale, 50% off, so most of them are 19 $, which is a really good price https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_thumleft.gif

Not sure if this is what you want for the feathers…
Meleea’s bazaar (http://www.beledi.com/categories.php) has feather fans and feather boas.

[Tine007]

Same problem here https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_scratch.gif Help please https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_salut.gif

[Tine007]

Thank you for sharing, these sound great to mix things up a bit https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

It’s funny how things are connected, I know about half of them from yoga, pilates and dance, and will for sure try the other ones https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_thumright.gif

Static #5 and 6 I do in the hot tub, with the foot on the edge of the pool or the handrail. Splits themselves are fun in the hot tub, too https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

[Tine007]

Thank you. I am interested is dropping a few pounds, but I just had the wrong idea as to why I could not invert. And yes, I would like to maintain my curves. LOL!!
I’m actually also hoping that poling in combination with hula-hooping will shed a few of my extra pounds as side effect https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif Don’t have the energy and time for (healthy) cooking everyday, unfortunately…

[Tine007]

I’m having the same problem… It was already in tech-related, but looks like there is no fix yet https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_sad.gif

[Tine007]

Hi Kyra,

greetings to a fellow German https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif
I’m originally from Dortmund, but currently in sunny California https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_sunny.gif
Have fun poling! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_compress.gif

[Tine007]

Hi Tara,
first of all congrats for the weight you lost, that is truly an accomplishment!!!
I checked out your pictures and think you look fabulous!!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif Nothing wrong with some curves around well-tones muscles https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif

I’m working on Fleur’s check-list, too, and in class we do similar things to build strength https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_thumleft.gif I can already see some biceps https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_bounce.gif I’m carrying a bunch of extra pounds but I’m getting closer and closer to inverting, so hopefully soon…

[Tine007]

Yay, thank you, thank you, thank you, girls!!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_smurfin.gif

I’m also worried that a regular bra will let the girls jump out, or that the wires will poke me in the arm pit (sometimes the side of my boob gets in the way, and I’m not even inverting https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif ).
I usually live in my tie dyed cotton uniboob sports bras, they are cheap, comfy, colorful and upside-down proof, but not sexy https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_geek.gif
I was looking for something dualboob that looks nice (not like a grandma bra) and is available in 38 D https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cyclops_ani.gif
I will try one or two of the Champion ones, they can be returned if doesn’t fit https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

I’d also like to share my favorite well-fitting and nice-looking bra top, from my belly dance wear supplier:
http://www.lrosedesigns.com/products/cholibra.html

Because the back is laced it fits perfectly and stays put, even for my D cups.
They custom make everything, so you can choose from a large variety of nice fabrics (cotton lycra, nylon, stretch velvet, metal, holographic…), it is well made, and with 18-20$ I find it rather affordable https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif
The nylon version is the only bikini top I have that really fits (in my price range). They also have bikini bottoms and shorts to go with it. The only thing to be aware of is that an order can take 3-4 weeks because everything is custom made and they get plenty of orders.