dustbunny
Forum Replies Created
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As far as feeling comfortable with freestyling don't worry too much about it, some people (myself included) never will…BUT…that doesn't mean you shouldn't do it. Here is how I taught my students to freestyle.
Get a piece of paper and a marker. Write in nice big, easy to read from a distance, letters.
1. Walk
2. Spin
3. Change direction
Next time you are asked to freestyle, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and try to remember that no one is watching you in particular. Everyone else is doing their own thing too. Place your note on the floor near your pole, and follow the instructions. Yes, for 3 min straight, just walk, spin, and change direction. It might seem like it would be boring, but don't worry about that for now. You can even do the same spin(s) over and over. If you are into the music and it feels right at the time by all means throw in something else, but you don't have to. Give yourself permission to just walk, spin, and change direction.
There is a catch though…no matter what, DON'T STOP MOVING!!! Keep walking if nothing else! Before you know it, 3 minutes will be over and you will have survived! 🙂
Then every time after that, if you want to, you can add just one more move to the list; maybe a transition like pirouettes, cross-steps, hip circles, or figure eights.
I also like Katana's suggestion too. It may seem silly to "dress up" to go workout, but she is right. My freestyles are always better in shoes and sexy outfit, even though I can do less moves with shoes on!
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It's unforetunate but it does happen. I could not get a job for a long time, and although I have no proof that pole dancing stuff on my facebook page was the cause, less than a month after I started a separate facebook page for poledancing and moved all my pics/vids over I got a job! Employers definitely search for candidates on social media sites to see what kind of person you really are.
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I am the same way. I have great balance right side up, but as soon as I'm upside down it all goes to hell. All I can say is keep at it, after YEARS of practice (with no visible improvements) it is starting to come together for me. It is still really, really, painfully slow, but I have begun to have "Aha!" moments in my practices, where everything suddenly becomes focused and I am holding steady for short periods…and…then in all goes to hell. Lol. I learned a lot from doing lifts against the pole, and slow controlled descents. I would say that has made the biggest improvments. I am stubborn, and I refuse to give up on this. Do you skype? Maybe we should get together and practice. 🙂
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It is not super common to see, but it is used in pole. Amy has blogged about wrist wraps in the past.
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The best advice is to just keep at it! I know that sometimes it seems like you are not improving, but one day you will just be able to do something that you could not do the day before. Along with the excersises mentioned already, try practicing pole climbs and fan kicks too, they are great strength builders for inverting. 🙂
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Not tall myself, but I love watching tall girls dance. As Veena said, you have amazing lines…and legs that go on forever (expecially in heels). 🙂
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If you want cheap and breathable go for cotton thongs from your local family department store. (ie. In Canada, Zellers and Walmart are my go-to stores. I don't know what you have for options where you live.)
You may want to try different styles too, Around here I see two slightly different styles, same basic shape but some have more of a "string" that goes up your bottom, on others it's wider maybe just under an inch wide. I personally find the string style more comfortable. They both get right in there https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif, but I find the string style less noticeable overall. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif
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Ugh! I can relate to all the girls here too. I pulled my hammy (left=most flexible side) almost a month ago. I didn't hear the "popping" sound some of you have described though, that would scare the shit out of me! It's the second time this year I've pulled it, and both were my own fault. 🙁 I didn't feel it at the time (either time), but only the next day…and the next week…and the next month(s). It really does feel like it takes forever for these things to heal.
My problem is that I'm easily overly excited (like a puppy). 😛 I work so hard to try to get my splits, and when I finally get them I want to show them off. Well you can't just say to your friend, "oh i got my splits, want to see? Okay, give me an hour to stretch first." You kinda lose the moment. The first time I pulled it, I was doing just that, showing off at the end of a pole class. I figured I was good and warm, but apparently I hadn't done enough stretching of that particular muscle… The second time was really dumb though. I had just gotten my splits back on that side since losing them after pulling it the first time. I was practicing at home, and I didn't really do a warm-up (duh…I know), but I was freestyling for a warmup. You know, no tricks just light spins, transitions and floorwork. Generally works, but I got really into a song and was doing a series of floorwork and I just kind of did them without thinking about it…and I'm still suffering a month later. The good news is that I can finally feel it getting a little better. I can touch my toes on that side again, but straddles are still a killer.
I've promised myself I wont do it again. Twice in one year is plenty, thankyou very much! Pictures are a much better way to show off, and when I do finally get them back, they won't be going into any dances until I KNOW I can do them easily.
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I'm currently trying to learn a lot these moves. 🙂 I have better balance in forearm grip, but the most secure grip for me is split-grip. Elbow grip is horrible for me and I have yet to try twisted grip although I want to. My shoulders are strong and flexible, and the position isn't uncomfortable so I intend to try it just haven't gotten around to it. As for the leg position, I have begun cartwheeling into a straddle (but can't hold a straddle when releasing from the pole?), but I have had the most luck with balance in a straightedge. I haven't tried the jacknife or fang/rubber leg positions yet.
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Most people learn caterpillar climb using either elbow or forearm, but you'll have to try both positions (and on both sides too) to find out which is most stable for you. Veena has great lessons on these moves. 🙂
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I think poledanceromance has nailed it on the head in a lot of ways!
The instructor and other student were (in their own way) complimenting you on your body, not being mean or nasty. Try to remember that, and think of it that way. 🙂 I've had people say similar things to me too, and even though I have my own body issues (like most women), I have learned to just say thankyou and not put too much time into what I really think about it.
As for the music, that was not appropriate especially coming from an instructor! There is a way to dance to just about anything, regardless of ability. I am a bit of a "rocker" myself, and not into a lot of newer "pop music". I also don't have a lot of stamina for a hard and fast rock and roll routine to most of my favorite songs. I make do though. I usually dance at half the pace of the song, but try to do a couple kick ass rockin combos, with a slower section inbetween to catch my breath. 🙂 I say do whatever song you want and show her how it's done!
Above all don't be disheartened about your classes, you will learn the scorpio (and any other move you want) in time. You are not a loser for not keeping up, you are just right for who and where you are. When it feels right, you will get it. 🙂 And chem is right, you don't HAVE to take off your top completely for it, just roll up one side and tuck it under your bra. That is all the skin you need, I did it for years!
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Although I don't claim to be able to do a straightedge (and can't aysha either…but I'm closer if I cartwheel into it, so I understand your confusion in that end). I CAN hold my legs off the pole in a straightedge position for a few seconds when caterpillar climbing! Maybe try it from there, caterpillar up then slide your legs up but before you regrip see if you can move them off to the side of the pole. This is the only way I come close to it, maybe it will work for you.
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I love so many of the sports, but I am the most excited about the gymnastics! 🙂
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You will get used to the extra grippyness of the gloves. You are just so used to slipping and sliding right now, but just like everything pole you will get used to it in time. I also use mighty grip gloves with tack, on super hot/humid days, or pretty much all the time on spin mode. At first I thought the same as you, that they were too grippy, but you learn to adjust. 🙂
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My husband definitely had some hang-ups at first, but with time he has come around. He has even tried it a few times. 🙂 His biggest problem now, is the posting of videos on youtube, facebook, or here on SV. Particularly anything that I'm in a skimpy outfit. I post very few videos in public (YT or FB), and only videos where I'm in shorts and a tank top. Anything that I'm wearing something skimpy (underwear or bikini style outfits) I post here and just don't tell him. LOL
