[chilli_d]

Hey Kelbell,
the x poles are completely removable – you just unscrew the bottom bit and then lower the pole down. The actual pole itself unscrews with an alan key – the old x poles used to be screwed together and could sometimes get stuck (so if you go for the x-pole get the super release tools as well!) but the new x-sport poles have a different locking mechanism by putting a small cylinder half in the top part and half in the bottom and unscrewing it so it expands and locks the 2 parts together. we have these at class on the stage poles and they do keep getting stuck, but I have a friend who hasn’t had any problem with hers .. just make sure you unscrew/lock it as much as you can so it doesn’t twist around inside the pole (covering the alan key hole)
Hope this helps with the X pole, I’ve not had any experience with other brands xx

[chilli_d]

pole-twista that sounds awesome! not sure I’d be able to do an arial invert from a wrist seat (at least not neatly https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

my all time favourite combo of spins is carousel – reverse grab – chair – backwards chair – floater/some variation (eg matrix or pinwheel legs positioning)
the chair – backwards chair in the middle gives it soo much spin as does going straight to reverse grab (i cant get a fast spin when i do carousel)

my fav static is inverted crucifix – extended thigh hold – extended butterfly – flatline scorpio. Although now I think iv cracked the aysha/straight edge I will have to find a combo to include them https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

[chilli_d]

I have the chrome X-pole and its fab! its the sturdiest thing i’ve ever been on and I’ve never taken it down or re-tightened it in over a year (NOT what the company recommend so dont copy https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_razz.gif) my x-pole is 11’5 and i would be confident about death laying at the top (or at least as confident as one can be at death laying https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif also im not that good haha) but i do arial inverts and supermans up there and it doesn’t budge!
@cream, as for grip on the chrome sometimes it can be good, sometimes bad it depends on the weather/humidity of the room .. what I do find though is that before you warm up its slippy and after you’ve been on it for a while and you’re all sweaty, its slippy but theres a point in between where you get kind of tacky and your skin sticks brilliantly! I just adapt my workout to how my body is – do spins when im slipping more and inverts when im gripping more. (btw slippy to me is not flying off the pole but more like i can’t hold a pole sit or invert without sliding slowly or working really hard to stay there). you may find that the reason turning down the temp works is because its stopping you sweat a load before you start.
Char xx

[chilli_d]

Hey Sarah,
I haven’t really got much to add, but if you can get the pole gripping leg into normal butterfly position, then slowly allow the pole to roll down your calf until it catches on your ankle (if you get what I mean) then its slightly easier ‘cos you aren’t pushing out straight into the move so you might find the balancing easier..
once you get this move its quite easy – its my ‘staple’ move – the one I always come back to when im stuck on something else lol, just keep practicing and if your unsure get someone to spot you / have pillows on the floor – for me this always boosts my confidence even if they don’t end up doing anything!
hope this helps
Charlotte

[chilli_d]

Lol I have this problem too! I am tall without heels so NEVER wear them, then trying to invert in them was rediculous haha my balance is soo off! I think I just need to practice with them a bit and meybe try inverting using muscles only (as opposed to a kick off) and see if i can get my head around the long leg thing https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

good luck https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

[chilli_d]

I learn on static and find spinning harder because you have to be that much stronger to hold yourself in one position + stick! but I think that it depends on what you learn on – there are plenty of people who think they know everything because they’ve watched a few videos/ tried fireman on both modes and found that you go faster on spinning with little effort but they have no appreciation for the effort and strength it takes to do many moves and the extra effort it takes to make them look effortless!
I’d take it as a complement when someone says it looks easy because I know how hard it was to learn and the fact that someone is that comfortable with the move speaks volumes as to the work they put into getting it right
https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif just my pennys worth haha xx

[chilli_d]

Hey guys
Thanks to all of you who replied https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif I managed to do an aysha for maybe 3 seconds yesterday before my balance went but my grip was still going strong! (major victory dance!!)
I caterpillar climbed (which I’ve also never managed before) until i felt strong enough to hold and it made an amazing difference even in a few hours so thank you!
Also thanks to smokinangel for the tip about the finger – i tried it out and you’re right – no more wrist pain! although it does hurt between my index and middle finger now :S haha but its less painful so I can deal with that
Thanks again Char xx

[chilli_d]

Hey guys,
Thanks for the replies, I’ll have another go later and try the grip with butterfly. I can caterpiller with the grip (not climb though) and can get my butt away from the pole no problem until I try to take my legs off, then its all my weight on my hands and they dont cope so well haha. I’ll try climbing as well https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif
I’ll check out the lessons next time I’m home – I’m at uni so I cant get to a pole and a computer at the same time (or a pole as often as I’d like) so I’m not gonna buy the lessons till I can use them properly :S
I know I should learn things in a better order but I see videos and fall in love with moves https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif – as with the bruising – as long as its not just me I don’t really care, I guess like with most moves once you get used to it the bruising stops/reduces
Thank you Char xx

[chilli_d]

Hey
I tried the yogini for the first time yesterday and I LOVE it! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif so thanks for introducing me to it https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif
I got into it from the floor which was fine (especially for the first time) but I have to say most of the pain is when you get out of it and get friction/pole burn https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_sad.gif
If you are going to do it from the floor again, start on tip toes so you can sink down and once you are in position really push your leg out and against your hand – this hurt much less as I got a better grip (for me its not so much the bruising/grip that hurts but the friction burns as you slip/come out of moves)
hope this helps https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif
xx

I do both on static/spinning and a trick to get used to doing a Teddy on the spinning is to do it from standing and push off into it a little
wow! I bet that looks amazing! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

[chilli_d]

Ok so I tried this out and the only thing I would add is that you need to make the pencil part of the move (hanging straight with a forearm grip) as long as possible – its very easy to twist into the backwards showgirl without your legs really leaving the pole but it doesn’t look half as nice (or as graceful!)
xx

[chilli_d]

is it tomorrow? ooh good luck!!
xx

[chilli_d]

Hey again https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif
If you are having problems with spin and bending both legs then why not try to get the move with both legs bent (i.e backwards showgirl position). Then once you get the spin right you can concentrate on keeping that leg straight. Sometimes its easier to concentrate on getting one bit right then moving onto the next issue rather than struggling to correct lots of things at once (tho maybe I have a one track mind haha).

Lol Azriel only an hour and a half before I can try this https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif – I dont have a pole at uni and I always frustrate myself by coming on her and/or youtube and finding lots of new things to do .. then have to wait until pole class when I can try them out :@ v annoying https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_razz.gif still xmas holidays next week which means 3 whole weeks of uninterrupted pole https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif
xxx

[chilli_d]

Hey chemgoddess1
just had a look at the vid – havent had a chance to try it out yet cos i cant get to a pole till tonight https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_sad.gif crappy uni room lol
So far as I can see …
She is in the climb position,
releases her L leg whilst keeping grip with R leg
R hand is low (forarm grip), L hand high
swing L leg out and around, releasing right leg and allowing body to turn (kind of like the pencil (?) move)
as she turns back to pole she catches it behind her right knee and follows the move to the ground.

I hope this was the move you were talking about https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif and that this helps. Ill try it out tonight and see if I can find anymore tips
good luck https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_razz.gif
xxx

[chilli_d]

Yep I’d go with extended butterfly too https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif its an awesome move and like amyxshi said most people wont realise you’ve made a mistake .. just keep both move in your head as you go for the ayesha and if it feels like your not gna get it you will be able to switch to the other easliy (and purposefully https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif)
Like Phillypolejess said – people are always impressed by pole – even if they are polers themselves as its a really supportive community https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif
Good luck! I’m sure you’ll be fantastic!
xx

[chilli_d]

Hey sorry to add this on to your post but its kind of related (and may be something you find) …
Does anyone know of a graceful way to get out of this spin rather than just trying to detangle yourself from the pole as quick as possible?
I can do the spin fine but it has to be at the end of a combo for me because I can’t move from this move to another with any kind of grace/prettiness https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_razz.gif
Any tips or combo ideas would be fab!
Thanks
Char xx

Oh also if it helps … i found that once i could get into the position from a spin (i.e. not just walking into the move) i could experiment with kicking off harder and also loosening the various grip points (which helped me continue spinning once in position). Practicing in clothing could hep but make sure you are pretty confident with the move/hold with your top hand first, because you end up twisted around the pole and if you fall it could go pretty wrong!