[dustbunny]

I love rockin' on the pole to heavy metal and rock and roll.  My stamina is not that great, so I usually take it at half pace so I can keep breathing.  😛  Besides a ton of the bands that have already been mentioned I like Soundgarden, Rush, Pink Floyd, Led Zepplin…the list goes on.  🙂

[dustbunny]

First time I did an inverted crucifix, I literally let go for less than half a second.  I was terrified to take and keep my hands off the pole…but you should have seen the look on my face!  For that half a second or so, I was a pole goddess.  🙂

It is totally normal to feel fear in some positions, as Scandalicious said, just give yourself time.  And in the meantime, use a spotter and crashmats (even couch cushions are better than nothing) when you practice. 

[dustbunny]

Doing slow controlled descents from the basic invert position is a great way to help strengthen your muscles so that you can invert properly without swinging as well as hold that inverted V position.  Make sure you keep your arms bent (don't just hang) and your shoulders engaged! 🙂

[dustbunny]

When installed PROPERLY it will not damage ceilings or floors.  🙂  Overtightening can cause damage to the ceiling, and so can not being properly located under a joist.

 

[dustbunny]

You should show her some videos of Paunobs here on SV!  She's 50 and just had her first paid performance gig after poling for 2 years. 🙂

Or Lyme Lyte, also here on SV, who is in her 40's and has just achieved her splits (never had them earlier in life)!  https://www.studioveena.com/photos/view_photo/4fc50f6d-44d0-4521-8071-17570ac37250

Or this woman who is 72!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVGWNejMoy8

Obviously, more mature women may have some limitations because of previous injuries, or weight issues but honestly even young people deal with those.  The point here is that with time and patience the strength and flexibility needed for pole dancing can be achieved at any age!  And it is fun, and empowering too!

[dustbunny]

This makes me think about that song, "Favorite Things" from the Sound of Music!

Here goes:

dancing

learning a new trick

teaching pole (helping others learn a new trick)

gymnastics

CHOCOLATE

ice cream

Kahlua

the last three put together 🙂

listening to music

snuggling with hubby

being with friends

sleeping in on days off

and STUDIO VEENA!

 

[dustbunny]

In the scorpio (inside leg hang) my inside leg contacts the pole at the upper inner thigh, and at the lower outer calf right near my ankle.  I have also seen people do this move with it closer to the knee though.  I think everyone finds it more stable or more comfortable in slightly different positions.

[dustbunny]

Just take it slow and easy!  You can always build up speed later.  Try both directions, and moves on both sides. Some poses work better moving backwards, some are better moving forwards.  Some things are easier on spin, because the pull gives you a little bit of weightlessness, but some things are harder because it tries to throw you off.  😛 Like most things in pole (and life), everybody's experience will be different.  Don't be afraid to laugh at yourself either, you will likely get thrown a few times but everybody does.  Oh yeah, and you always feel like you're spinning faster than it looks to anybody else.  lol 

Good luck!

[dustbunny]

I have heard of girls doing this to learn the death lay.  With the old top loading poles, it is impossible to learn if you have too much adjuster rod showing, and unsafe to grip on the adjuster cover.  I don't think it would likely hurt the pole if you put it up TEMPORARILY to learn a move, but I wouldn't be doing anything that put a lot of sideways force on the pole (big spins, etc.) because the big dome at the top is a safety feature to keep it from falling down.

[dustbunny]

Same thing happened to me after I learned superman.  Did it a bunch of times one week, and then…nothing.  Lost it for a good few months before it came back to me.  Longest frickin months of my life!  🙁

[dustbunny]

Ooh, I recently had a hankering to listen to some Spice Girls! 

[dustbunny]

Great idea…now I just need to find some places!

[dustbunny]

Maybe not steroids but I have heard of dancers and gymnasts using energy boosting type drugs, because they train for so many hours every week.  I definitely don't want to hear about drugs in our sport…although in time, it is bound to happen eventually.  Some people just HAVE to be the best, no matter what.

I would be really dissapointed if I heard that one of my pole idols (or friends) were taking drugs to make them "better".  🙁

[dustbunny]

Congratz Glitter, and best wishes!

[dustbunny]

@CapFeb, Where to start… ummm, 3 part time jobs, and a hubby who doesn't want me staring into the computer during the small amount of time we actually have together every day are the biggest factors.  😛 Doing the bare minimum of house and yard work (just enough to keep the house running; ie laundery when the piles reach the ceiling, lol) takes up any leftover.  Everyone else must work and have family/home obligations too though…