[azriel]

you probably already know this, but i think it cant be stressed enough how much difference it makes to both warm up the shoulders and to stretch them. other than that, what seems to be keeping you from getting your body around the pole? when i was learning this spin, i remember being scared to really kick off in order to spin around. one time i actually missed the pole with the hand that’s supposed to grab, and hit my head on the pole instead, so you do have to be careful at first..lol i got it on video too.
Have you tried just practicing the pose without spinning at all, and lift your legs too, to get used to the positioning? just walk around and go through the movements without actually spinning, then gradually start kicking off a bit till you’re confident enough to kick off all the way.. hope some of this helps.. if you want/can post a video so maybe you can get better help/advice https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

[azriel]

that’s great advice pole-twista! grippiness is also better when the pole is warmed up- i always slip if the pole is cold. also, someone here had said that taking a hot shower right before using the pole helps in making your skin stickier.

[azriel]

yeah there are so many different names. redke71 has posted a few videos with moves and some of their common names- from beginner pole moves to intermediate-advanced pole moves.. you could check those out to give you an idea of some names! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_tongue.gif

[azriel]

I think this move is way easier if you have your strong arm on the bottom, and the other on top- i can invert both ways, but i can only do the chopper well if i have my strong arm on the bottom.. as ducky says, if you can do other inverts, you can definately get this one without much hassle. good luck!

[azriel]

I would think that before pole dance/vertical gymnastics could be approved for the Olympics, it would have to be presented in a more organized manner- for example- like having official names for all the moves so that judging/rating could be fair and objectively performed. Also, the different spins, holds, inverts, and moves would have to be more clearly defined (of course, there will still be room for creativity). If this is accomplished, I think pole fitness will be finally recognized as a legitimate art/sport and stand a greater chance of entering the Olympic Games. Let’s do it! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_tongue.gif

[azriel]

I’m not a child psychologist, but i do know that children (and teenagers), just like adults, appreciate honesty. At first glance, persuading them that pole dancing/fitness is not sleazy but at the same time telling them not to tell their friends may seem contradictory. So here’s what i think you could explain to them. Maybe you could start by explaining to them that POLE FITNESS (not that i’m against using the word "dancing"- but they are only 11 and need a simpler way of understanding it in their minds as non-sleazy) is still a very new sport. Therefore, many people have never heard of it as such, so if they tell their friends they won’t understand what it is.
You could then proceed by telling them that many people are very closed-minded about new things, and because of their ignorance or because they feel intimidated by these new things, they tend to make fun of them or think things that aren’t true.
If your kids start to feel a bit awkward by this or seem to start doubting again about the "sleaziness" of the hobby, you can then explain to them how this hobby is becoming increasingly popular as a sport, and that you all are "ahead of your time" because one day it will be very common among both women and men, and they will be lucky to have started early and have a head start! Show them youtube videos of Male ChineseIPole Acts- i’ve also seen a good couple’s one from a circus called something like "vertical tango". It’s also quite possible that one day it will be included the olympic games!
Overall, i think the major point to get across to them is that although poling is a great sport (no different than horizontal bars gymnastics and such), we shouldn’t tell too many people about it YET, because it is too new for them to understand it. Try to make them feel special about being a part of something so new that it’s kept secret.
This being said, i just want to make clear that i don’t think any form of this sport is sleazy- it’s an art form no matter what one does with it. And i don’t think it’s shameful to tell people about it, or for children to tell their friends about it. However, i understand the influences of society and sterotypes, and children at that age can be cruel to their peers- so i agree that it may be a good idea to at least try to get them not to tell their friends (who will most likely tell their parents, and actually, That’s where most of the negativity will come from-the parents).
Good luck and i hope others have more advice, maybe better than mine! oh and for your other question, i think a fitness/health professional could give appropriate advice as to what is suitable for children their age concerning exercise/fitness programs. Let us know what happens! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

[azriel]

I have my xpole on a rug, which would be even less stable than a carpet- and it’s just fine. Inverts and everything, and even my boyfriend has played around on it and it hasn’t budged at all. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

[azriel]

I am right-handed too, but i find some spins easier to do with my left arm on top because that arm is more flexible (like reverse grab and pretzel). I think another reason might be because we may grab the pole too tightly with our dominant hand, so we don’t spin as much. However, your pole shouldn’t unscrew either way you spin. i have an xpole and don’t have this problem- and i spin counterclockwise alot. If you’re sure it’s unscrewing/loosening maybe you need to tighten it?