[carriej]

Oh thank goodness someone else has bigger calves! I’m a great size but my legs are just built thicker!! I went to the store today to find PVC boots that lace and zip and none of them fit my lower leg!! The laces were kind of just for show I think. If anyone does have thicker legs but have found kick ass PVC boots, PLEASE let me know.

[carriej]

I just kicked my doorknob. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_sad.gif

[carriej]

All I can say for now is: Crazy a** caterpillar climb! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_twisted.gif

I just learned to do a couple of crappy ones in a row on one side. That’s about it.

[carriej]

Trophy-
Good point about the level thing. I got most all spins on the first try. I got most inverts, climbing, crucifix, scorpio, gemini, butterfly, extended butterfly, superman, and tons of others all within a few practices. Now, I’m trying stuff that is taking longer and everything has slowed down significantly. Plus I had no idea how less grippy the pole would be when it is truly cold outside. I was hoping the poles at the studio would be better but no luck. Everyone in my class was sliding and there were only simple inverts.

Maybe I’ll get some good old tall vinyl boots to stick better for now. Anyone else have tips on sticking? I know the typical wipe the pole, wash hands, warm up yourself and pole, pole grip stuff…

EDIT: After writing this, I discovered the magic of mighty grip. I had tried it back in summer and I felt more slippery. Just tried it again and I got all my moves back! Hurray! Thanks yall.

[carriej]

I’m glad to hear that everyone hits a rut every now and then (not that I’d wish it on anyone lol). jayjay-thanks for mentioning things that have been different. I think part of my problem was that we had an open house at the dance studio last Saturday and I poled for like 4 hours on and off (mostly on). I didn’t think it was a big deal because I’ve had long sessions before and took off for a couple of days after but when I went to pole class tonight some of the other girls said that they were feeling that they hadn’t fully recovered yet so I felt a little better about that. It is so hard to take a break but I’ve just got to!

I do really need to work on transitions and floor work. I avoid them cause I love the tricks so much! It will look a lot better to mix it all together a bit better though!

This is my first winter poleing. Do we just stick less in the winter or am I imagining things?
https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_santa.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_rendeer.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_rendeer.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_rendeer.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_rendeer.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_rendeer.gif

[carriej]

Yeah, I think the shouldermount is the next one that I’ll end up getting. The thing is that after a couple tries on each side, my shoulder hurts and my abs won’t engage as much as in the first few tries. I guess there are moves that I should be perfecting. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cry.gif After pole class tonight, I just need to take some time off I think. My mind and soul are telling me to pole because I love it so much but I think my body is begging for some rest. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cry.gif

[carriej]

whoa jc! What great videos! Your moves look great and I can see your excitement to be poleing! I hope that I can stay as positive and excited as you when I get into some of those moves! Looking good! BTW, everytime I see one of your vids I’m so glad that a guy is poleing. What a perfect combination of grace and strength you’ve got!

[carriej]

Great suggestions so far ladies! I start feeling like crap usually in January and February. I never noticed the trend before my pointed it out to me one winter. I was complaining and depressed and she said, "Well, it is February you know!" When I asked her what she meant, she reminded me that I get this way every winter. It hasn’t hit me yet this year but I know the feeling. I have found that light (natural, tanning, whatever) helps. The tanning is great for me since my dermatologist recommended it for my skin issues anyway (my skin probs can get really severe without it) , it feels like I’m on a 15 minute vacation at the beach, and it has the light factor. Plus, just recognizing the depression can help.

[carriej]

I just signed up for the strickly tricks workshop!! Charlottesville’s only an hour and a half from my house! As it gets closer, let’s all talk more about what workshops everyone’s taking and maybe plans to meet up before, in between, and after! I’m so excited!

[carriej]

Wow! Yeah, that was a great vid. I just got into the pose from swinging around but not able to spin! That was cool.

[carriej]

hey junglecat,
i just got the caterpillar tonight! It’s so funny to me how everyone is so unique! You use the elbow and I can’t figure that one out for the life of me! I got the forearm! I’ll work on your way next! hehe

I’m just glad I finally got it at all! Now I gotta figure out how to do more than one without being exhausted! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_pale.gif

[carriej]

Yay, yay, yay! So, I put on a great song, wiped the pole down, washed my hands with dish soap, pointed my magic finger and GOT IT (kinda)! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_surprised.gif Now, if anyone else had seen it, they would have seen my legs move up the pole ummm about six inches but hey, at least I’m not superglued to the pole. No way I could go up more than one time though. I’ll have to keep with it and go back through the posts in previous caterpillar forums to see which grip folks prefer. Maybe I’ll get some hints there too.

Why is it so funny to me that the positioning of one finger can mean the difference between getting a move and not? https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_scratch.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif

It always helps me to talk out the moves with you all! Thanks!!

[carriej]

I’m trying forearm. I got further than ever tonight by pretty much just working on this move over and over and actually slid my legs up once! I think you’re right, once I nail the caterpillar I think I’ll be able to move on kinda quickly (and safely). Thanks for the magic finger tip. I’m about to try it, never heard of it before. When you use the forearm grip, does your hand turn as far as it can inward and do you also use skin on the bicep?

[carriej]

Hey wanders! I agree with the last post. I can’t yet caterpillar climb and it’s exactly right that I don’t feel good enough yet to let go with my legs so I haven’t done a regular aysha yet. I’m trying to think of the next moves for you … maybe a butterfly and extended butterfly an iguana mount and a superman (unless you’ve already got those!!) I also recently got a reverse aysha so maybe you could go that way.

Next step for me…learn to caterpillar climb so I can start to leg go with my legs some!!
Happy poling!

[carriej]

Aw crap. I’m right down in Virginia and I had thought about how fun it would be meetin everyone when the thread began. I’m doing christmas with my stepkids that weekend though and can’t be missing for a whole day. Please please please keep me in mind next time everyone gets together. Have a blast! I’ll be thinking about you all.