[Tine007]

Oh, cool!!! Thanks for posting, Mindy! 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 directly put it on my wish list for my next Amazon order https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif
Self-massage rocks, so far I’m addicted to Yamuna balls and my foam roller, but would love to try trigger points https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_salut.gif

I’ve also forwarded it to my friend who has shoulder problems from competitive swimming, and it started again on her bad side since we started poling… https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_sad.gif

[Tine007]

Hi Trena,

I have an implant for 5 years now, exchanged once after 3 years.

In general, the first time I got it, it took about 3-4 weeks to heal completely till I didn’t feel it at all. In that period it was a bit uncomfortable to get pressure on it, like lying on it. After that, it was OK in everyday life (wasn’t poling or doing yoga yet at that point).
When it got exchanged, it healed much faster, I think because the hole was already there, it just got put a little higher up. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_thumleft.gif

In yoga, I was careful first with anything involving that arm wrapped around my leg/knee. I needed a little getting used to, but I figured out how to place the arm and not get the knee right on it https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif Even acroyoga worked fine, only once I had to ask to go down, I was hanging on my partner’s feet, which were placed under my arms close to the arm pit, and my legs floating in air parallel to the floor. In other words, my whole weight was hanging on the small area between his feet and my arms. It worked the first time, the second time I got my implant caught and it pinched somewhat uncomfortable, so I asked to get down, but could still dismount in a controlled manner https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif . My partner was feeling totally bad… I should have told him beforehand, but I so forget because I usually don’t feel it… https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_redface.gif

But seriously, pole burn is much worse in my opinion… https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_twisted.gif I think the worst thing that can happen is to get a bruise 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

On the pole, I first was scared to do the reverse spins in buddy grip with my left on the bottom, but that was all mental… https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif Now I’m happily spinning both ways and it doesn’t bother me. Any inversion prep I’ve tried is fine so far, too. I can’t get upside down yet, so I can’t comment on more advanced tricks.
My plan is to learn the other side first, to figure out the general how-to before I need to think about my implant at the same time https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_rambo.gif

From everything (yoga, pole, everyday life) together, I’d say it also gets desensitized in time, because the more I use the inside of that arm (sleeping on it, wrapping in yoga, hanging on the pole…) the less I feel it in those situations.

Please take my word with caution and listen to your body, as this is my personal experience, but I am not qualified to give advice in medical and pole questions https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif
Hope this is a little helpful nevertheless https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_salut.gif

[Tine007]

My #1 wish is larger sizes for us ladies with queen-size bums (I have 43" hips, lots of padding on an already big frame https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif ) https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

In pole class, I prefer full coverage, to not flash anyone and calm my butt-self-conciousness.
I also wear undies under my shorts (not when I play at home in a bikini, of course), and I don’t like when undie peeks out https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_surprised.gif

At home, I pole in everything from full coverage to what I believe is "bikini cut" in the underwear department. My butt is definitely not made for thongs and super-skimpy cuts…
Same for my bikinis, but at the beach or the pool I’m not shaking my butt https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif

I totally agree on good crotch-coverage (no wax for me…).

on the top – I like anything between hip-hugger (right under the hip bones – not too low, because I hate when my butt crawls out on top when sitting down… https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_confused.gif and I have a high waist/long lower back) and just under the belly button.

And I like cotton with a little spandex.

so my main points in summary:
1. X…L size
2. crotch coverage
… and then I’d put all 3 cuts on my wish list https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif
Multiple colors??? https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_colors.gif
Can’t wait!!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_bounce.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_bounce.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_bounce.gif

[Tine007]

Hi asmara,

I’m same weight as you and I’m very happy with my X-pole, as long as it’s properly tightened it’s not going anywhere.
In class we also use the X-Pole, so I was lucky to try before I ordered mine https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif
It even holds my guy friend, who is 240 pounds, with jumping on, no problem https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_thumleft.gif

I even trust my pole more that I trust my ceiling, but it’s on the joist and life is good https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

[Tine007]

but i can’t chopper!!! not for the life of me! lol i have been working my abs extra hard in the gym to try to get it!

Hi sima,
Just a thought, take with caution, ’cause I can’t even invert yet https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_redface.gif
My yoga brain is wondering how flexible your hamstrings and adductors are. If you can invert fine, that sounds like your abs are doing OK. But if your legs won’t fold over all the way your center of gravity might be away from the pole?! 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

For me, I’m beginner, so there isn’t much yet (no inverts)…

https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_arrow.gif Easy:
beginner spins "regular" grip (except see below)
split grip V spin (left side on top – my weaker https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_exclaim.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_question.gif )
head/forearm/handstand and backbends (I’m a yoga addict… so much easier than *pulling* myself up, lol!!)
transitions (I belly dance https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_farao.gif )
floorwork https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_bounce.gif

https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_arrow.gif Hard:
anything Chair (esp. on the right, which is my strong side 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 )
cradle (can do jump-tuck holds, but not spin)
split grip right side on top (I think it’s my wrist flexibility in the bottom hand)
sit (still *hurts* like hell https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif )

[Tine007]

Hmmmm I wonder if you could use duct tape to make kind of a cuff to slip over the ball of your foot?
That sounds very uncomfortable, Veena https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_confused.gif
I assume you talk about bare feet and not heels?

Have you considered getting something like FootUndeez or Dance Paws? They are stretchy half-socks (toes sticking out) with a leather patch under the ball of the foot. They even have cute printed ones or with rhinestones.
Might need some tape in addition, mine at least don’t go that well on carpet by themselves.

Discount Dance Supply has a bunch of different ones and they are not that expensive:
http://www.discountdance.com/frame_set.php3?mf=/dancewear/page_TB_p1.html

Not sure how to add your own decoration though https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_colors.gif

[Tine007]

My Xpole also holds fine with my popcorn ceiling ( I also asked here at SV before I ordered it, to make sure it would not destroy my ceiling https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_thumright.gif ).
My leasing office would kill me if I scraped the popcorn off the ceiling https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_pale.gif

[Tine007]

My Follow-up:
I taped clear packing tape under my ballroom shoes and it works like a charm!!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_thumright.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_thumleft.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
Turning now works so fantastic that I need to get used to the extra angular momentum… almost missed the pole, lol!!
Dizzy now…. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_compress.gif
Thanks to whoever originally suggested this and Amcut for reminding us https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

[Tine007]

Whoever said to put tape on the bottom of their heels when working with carpet is a GOD.
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 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 https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif
I don’t have pleasers (yet), but sometimes, when I feel like heels I use my ballroom dance shoes and suede sole + carpet sticks like Velcro… https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_shaking.gif
I’m definitely gonna try, thanks for the tip!!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_bounce.gif I also missed the original post…

[Tine007]

would anyone be willing to post an ‘idiots video guide’ to the stretches?
Poleski

Veena has a great video on stretching for splits: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZMEGqdgGRs

And I totally swear by a good yoga class (you’ll find Felix’s and Veena’s stretchens in there, too https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif ). There you stretch and strengthen the whole body, and you learn how to do it safely https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_thumright.gif

[Tine007]

This is my first challenge!
http://www.studioveena.com/video/gallery/August-challenge-floorwork-Killing-me-softly-
Good it was a beginner-friendly one https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif
I promise my next vid will actually have some POLE in it, lol https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_jokercolor.gif

[Tine007]

I hope you recover soon!!! Please be careful!!
I totally agree with yoga and ottersocks https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_thumleft.gif but have another 2 cents to add:

I prefer practicing against a wall rather than the pole because the pole is easy to miss with your foot or slip off with your back and then you can strain god-knows-what…

Also, I don’t like the cushion because it is wobbly and can slip. A yoga mat gives you enough cushioning, is flat and sticky, aka non-slip and not only 15-20 bucks https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_thumright.gif

Not sure if I missed it – after measuring the distance between your elbows, as Yoga described, clasp your hands and open the palms so that only your fingers are interlaced. Then place the back of your head against your palms so you are cupping it with your hands (makes any sense?!??). This way you are able to take some pressure off the head.

Although kicking up gets you the momentum to get up at all in the beginning, my yoga instructor suggested to try tucking both knees to your chest after walking the feet in and then slowly lift your feet up. You can start hovering just a little over the floor, and when you get stronger, lift and straighten the legs. This way it is a little harder because you use your abs instead of momentum, but you gain the control you need to get and stay up, rather than just smashing into the wall. It really helped me to get my headstand.

Tine

[Tine007]

Awesome!!! Thanks for posting https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_thumleft.gif

[Tine007]

Forgot to say… the best place to buy I found is Amazon, they have it for 4-5 bucks under "used and new". https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

And be prepared to get a sore a$$ https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif I love this DVD and my butt still burns, even though I’m used to this for almost 4 years https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

The "yoga" and "Pilates" fusion are also good (although there isn’t much traditional yoga and pilates in there), but focus more on the softer movements (hip circles/rolls, hip figure-8s, body rolls/undulations).

[Tine007]

Svetlana a pole dancer from Russia teaches booty poppin’ classes and has a few vids out too. She seems to teach everyone to pop their booty from a low position… almost like squatting on the floor. Maybe this helps people realize how to control their butt muscles better?

Yep https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif She uses finest belly dance technique here. Different look than the Polewaxers’ way though.

The lady who invented this way of squeezing your glutes to move your hips is belly dancer Suhaila Salimpour. She has an awesome workout DVD series out called "Bellydance Fitness Fusion for Beginners" and the most interesting DVD for the booty stuff is the "Buns". Here is the DVD trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gE9SOTkrNzg
The key exercise to condition your glutes to move that way is to sit on the floor in a straddle, legs relaxed, and then squeeze and release your glutes. You can start with both together, like you want to hop up and down while sitting on a chair, then you try just one side (of course you’d also do the other) and then alternating right, left…

The advantage over using your foot to push your hips up or pump the knees (while standing), as a lot of belly dancers do, is that first it is safer for the knees, plus you don’t need the feet on the floor, AKA you can do it on the floor, with one leg up in the air, doing different stuff with your legs, layer other movements on top https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_thumleft.gif
While belly dancing, you’d use only alternating or single side squeezes, because both at the same time looks much like copulating dogs…. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cyclops_ani.gif

The front-back locking motion are pelvic locks: You use your lower back muscles to lock your butt back and lower abs to lock it front.

Happy booty shaking https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif