[chumpchkin]

I don't have the lessons right now because I don't have access to my pole at the moment, but I was planning to get them after winter break (when I'll also be working again, so I can spend money!).

I've been doing….would they be called half-split stretches? I have one leg folded under me and the other out to the side, and I try to sink down to the floor (I can't get all the way there). I also usually put my butt against a wall and let my legs fall out to the side, and hope that gravity will be my friend. And I sit in as close as I can get to a full straddle, inch forward if possible, and then flatten my stomach on the floor. But it never seems to get any closer. I feel like I'm forgetting to do something really obvious and important! I've been totally stagnating on this one forever.

[chumpchkin]

I always do it with the knees up. I'd been doing that because of my ballet training, because knees rolled forward looks so WRONG to me, but now that I've just tried it….I can't do it! My knees and legs just won't turn that way more than slightly. It's really weird. Does that have anything to do with why I'm not progressing…?

[chumpchkin]

I also have asthma and have done both programs! I liked P90X about a million times better. It made me stronger overall, and the trainer (Tony Horton) is so charming and likeable that it made the work go by faster. The trainer for Insanity (Shaun T) is honestly kind of annoying, in my opinion.

In regards to asthma: Typically, I would just bring my inhaler with me and take a few puffs whenever I was starting to wheeze, and that kept me going for the rest of the workout. Insanity will leave you VERY breathless, since it's constant running and jumping. P90X will give you a bit more of a break on some days as far as asthma goes, since sometimes you'll be doing weight training or yoga.

P90X is really freaking hard, but I found it so rewarding. I was just finishing it when I got started with pole seriously, and it made all the strength moves so much easier. I think a good alternative if you really don't have time, though, is Tony's Ten-Minute Trainer, which utilizes a lot of combination moves so that you're working your whole body at once. You can do from ten minutes to half an hour every day, and if you do it with a lot of intensity, you will see results (though obviously not anything like the results of P90X).

Let me know if you have any other specific questions about either of the programs!

[chumpchkin]

I think I have an idea for the routine! I'll dance to the "Money Song" from "Cabaret" (I know it rather well since I directed the show last semester!). I plan on coming out in business attire, with a briefcase full of dollar bills, and stripping down to a green corset (later pasties) and thong, and rolling around in the money. My only concern is that the song is only three minutes long…

Anyway, I didn't actually know that I'd made it into the competition until yesterday, and the burlesque group that's hosting is offering workshops in a WEEK. So I have to come up with my routine stat! Thank you all for your help…I hope to videotape it so I can post it here!

[chumpchkin]

OR, just do one or the other and try to reinterpret a character somehow.

[chumpchkin]

Have we had a Disney challenge yet? Dress as your favorite Disney princess (or any character, really) and dance to a Disney song!

[chumpchkin]

I have a 50 mm X-pert. I've heard that the 45 is easier to grip with your hands, though more painful for grips with other parts of your body (since it's skinnier and presumably digs in more). I've also heard that it's best to start with a 50 mm to develop your grip–but I don't know that for sure, and I'm sure other people will have varying opinions. The 50 mm has worked great for me, though!

[chumpchkin]

Maybe try unscrewing the pole from the ceiling a tiny bit? If it's screwed in too tightly, it won't spin properly. Mine was like that for ages. Just make sure you don't unscrew it so much that it's unstable!

[chumpchkin]

I recently ordered the gorgeous Savage Wrap-Around Top from Bad Kitty, and it fits like a dream and I ADORE it. I also got some of the Micro Shorts, and they also fit perfectly….but I have a completely flat chest and no hips at all. So it might be that the fit isn't quite as nice if you have a lovely curvy shape! If you're boy-shaped like me, though, I highly recommend. It's so flattering I can't stand it.

[chumpchkin]

As another biased sweaty-hander, I don't really think an antiperspirant counts as "aid," it's just putting you on the same level as people whose hands don't sweat ridiculously. I can dance fine at the beginning of a practice, before my hands start to sweat, but after that it's all over. I use Tite Grip just so that my hands are reasonably dry, and it certainly doesn't help me stick to the pole at all. So. I think if you don't have sweaty hands, you should be fine, and if you do, try an antiperspirant.

I also think it's fair to use grip aids for new moves to get the positioning down–and maybe even to give you confidence. There are a lot of moves you literally can't do if you're too afraid, like inverting, for example.

[chumpchkin]

Amy, your link didn't come through (could you try it again?) but I did attempt it in my new video that I just posted. I was using my hands, but hopefully I can phase that out! It's a super cool transition though, and really fun to do, so thank you so much!

[chumpchkin]

Amy, that sounds awesome. Do you by any chance have a video of it?

[chumpchkin]

It's really just pressing in towards your body. You also get a little bit of support from your torso–you can probably see from the video that there's a point of contact on your side.

Also, thank you so much! I feel like I have a long way to go on making it look pretty and smooth, but it means a lot to me that you think it looks easy!

[chumpchkin]

Sassafrassle, I definitely have disproportionately big arms! They're just like that, when I have a lot of muscle there and when I don't. It doesn't stop me from doing either the Rocketman or Rocketwoman–maybe at the most I might slip a little more in the process than someone with smaller arms. But I find the Rocketwoman very secure since your arms keep you locked in.

[chumpchkin]

PERFECT, PoleFitMom. That's exactly what I was looking for. Also, I can't believe I didn't remember that, since I watched your video twice when you originally put it up!