Katherine McKinney
Forum Replies Created
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I started working with an amazing instructor at the end of July/early August 2010. I have progressed quickly because I have a background in acrobatics. Although I've lost most of my flexiness from that time period, I still have a lot of core strength. Inverting from a deadlift came fairly easily to me, as did the shoulder mount. I got my invert after about a month and my shoulder mount at about the three month mark.
With that said, I practice at least ten hours a week and sometimes a lot more. I almost never practice for less than two hours when I'm practicing. On any given day, I'm covered in bruises–big, nasty ones. Occasionally, I'll take three or four days off to let them heal, but most of the time, I am a "sky leopard" (a term coined by a friend)!
I don't advocate moving that quickly to anyone; I think my background in dance contributed a lot to my apparent masochism for pole dancing. With that said, although I've gotten a lot of moves because of my strength, I still struggle with technique and especially flexibility. I would give anything to get back to the point where I can touch my toes to the back of my head!
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Especially as you begin inverting, it might be helpful to think about inverting as tipping back rather than swinging up. Moves like Gemini/Scorpio come much easier if you simply tip back into the invert and place your leg rather than trying to move into it from a caterpillar position.
Until my pole studio had a workshop with Pantera, I used to kick up into the invert. Her advice filtered down to me, though, and from that moment, I stopped kicking and began lifting. It has made all the difference, and my invert and my shoulder mount are really strong. I strongly suggest just tuck inverting–that is, positioning yourself as if you're going to invert and then bringing your knees up to your chest and then back down (slowly)–until you are strong enough to tip all the way back and hold when you attempt to invert. I hope that makes sense!
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@Kat86
Whoops! I think my privacy settings keep you from finding me. I tried to add you on my FB–hopefully that will work. If anyone else would like to add me, send a private message and I will posthaste. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_flower.gif
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I think it might have been <i>Down on the Upside</i> by Soundgarden. That would be fun! Either that or the Soundtrack to <i>Best Man</i>.
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I feel that dancing conveys information about your personality to the audience, and it is extremely important to have the audience on your side when you dance! I love watching different types of dancing, but for me, a slow, sensual sexed up routine takes the cake. The routines I love the best are ones where I can tell the dancer is tied up in her dance because she's having a good time. She speaks to the audience with her body, smiles, and makes eye contact, but at the same time, you can tell she's in another world.
As for my personal style–well, I like dancing to truly kitschy and/or bluesy songs, and my style corresponds to the actual music rather than the lyrics. Soaring bits will see me in a twisted ballerina, sexy bits get me booted over onto the floor. 😉 This reminds me–I need to get a video up that's not of me dancing drunkenly!
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My pole is a lady named “Peach.” Then again, I don’t think of my pole as a dancing partner. I think of her as a friend who offers great support when I need it the most. Thinking of her as a guy would make me think too much about phallic imagery, and that would ick me out.
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This is going to be fun! I'm definitely going to choose something kitschy and silly–and definitely a cartoon show!
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By my third day of dancing, I had massive black bruises on my thighs from practicing a pole sit. You are not alone! In fact, I had to stop for about three or four days because they hurt so much. With time, you'll bruise less, but every time you try a new move, expect more bruises! I have a huge shiner under my left knee as we speak!
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Oh. My. Those cookies sound divine. I think I’m going to make them for dessert to ring in the new year tomorrow. Thanks for the great recipe! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif
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I’ve been poling for a little over five months. Getting my own pole a month ago is what’s really helped me develop my skills. My pole instructor calls me a fast learner, but I’m honestly not. Since I work at home, all I do all day is dream about the pole. I dance for hours every day, and I’m covered with bruises at any given time. Last night I poled and/or danced for four hours straight. That’s a bit much even for me, but I generally get in about ten hours of practice a week (at least). Needless to say, today is a rest day. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif
I’ve found that what also helped me is getting a really safe crash mat. I made mine from a vinyl-covered twin mattress. My roommate and I cut it in half and duct-taped the ends. It looks terrible, but it has been incredibly helpful when I’m working on moves that I’m anxious about trying. I routinely pole without the mattress as well because I don’t want to lose the apprehension I have when working on the pole–I think it keeps me from making bad decisions that could end with me in the hospital. I keep telling myself that there’s no hurry to get moves–I’ll get them eventually, and if I continually try to pull off moves that I shouldn’t, I might end up falling a lot farther behind . . . if you know what I mean.
I agree with what the others have said here. It’s strange how differently our bodies adapt to pole-dancing! I think it’s neat that we all have moves we’re naturally better at than others–it makes for more variety and beauty in performance! Sometimes, limits open the door to creativity. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_jokercolor.gif
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Everyone, please feel free to add my FB pole page as well! My e-mail is mailto:krmckinn@valdosta.edu. Hope to hear from some of you soon! Nothing makes me happier than seeing new pole pics and videos! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_colors.gif
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Stainless steel is the most slippery, and chrome has medium grip. The consensus, I think, is that brass is the grippiest. Like I said, though, if you want reliability (and grippiness) for little cash, Lil Mynx rotator is the way to go.
As far as the rotator, though, I’m guessing you haven’t tried spinning either? The spinning mechanism will throw your body a lot harder against the pole when spinning, but there’s still plenty of friction. And I’ve found that spins are just plain tough when spinning on the rotator–thanks to centrifugal force.
As for the grip, I think a lot of people use it, but I’ve always been cautioned by my instructor not to rely on it because it can keep you from building up the strength to actually hold moves. Plus, she thinks you can come to rely too much on it–which can lead to injuries when it fails. Of course, I’m not saying that using grip is bad–just that you might want to consider seeing what you’re working with before you start purchasing expensive grip. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif If you really do get that sweaty, maybe getting a grippy pole will not be bad for you, you know what I mean? Your sweat might provide a nice little buffer from the burn. There are also gloves you can try that help you stick to the pole. I’ve never used any grip or gloves, so I would definitely not be the expert on how well any of them work. I will say this, though–I got drunk and was poling when I shouldn’t have been at a party at my house, and I did a teddy and now have a huge burn scar on the inside of my arm. I definitely understand what you mean when it comes to that! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_salut.gif
PS. Not trying to start an argument/discussion about the relative merits of using/not using grip. Just talking about my own experience and my instructor’s, which I of course acknowledge may be different from that of others! There is no one way much of the time!
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I can’t speak for brass or titanium because I haven’t tried them, but the Lil Mynx colors have a reputation for being incredibly sticky. I have a pink rotator, and I sometimes don’t even wipe the pole down once during practice. My other friends have played on it and said the same thing. The downfall–more bruises, and slides are TOUGH on your skin.
I wouldn’t change it, although someday I might try for the titanium. Right now, though, I don’t have all that much experience, and Lil Mynx feels really safe and grips really well. As an addendum, the Lil Mynx’s are nicely priced–my rotator was $300, shipping included.
Also, have you tried showering before poling? I find that I always stick better if I shower before I pole, and I sweat less, too. Also, washing my hands before I pole makes them stick much better. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_basketball.gif
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name: K
age: 26
location: Tallahassee, FL
stage name: Aerial
lessons or self taught: A little bit of both, actually.
spin or static: I haven’t done much spinning, even though my Mynx does spin.
shoes or barefoot: I have six inch and eight inch heels! Occasionally I’ll go barefoot for practice, but not that often!
favorite pole move: I really enjoy Magician’s Assistant (you call it Advanced Plank on here), and I really like the Teddy.
day job: I am a tutor.
your best/sexiest feature: My natural red hair always catches attention, and unfortunately, so does my Kardashian-esque rear end. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif
how you got into pole dancing: I began stripping at a club. I didn’t really like it, but I fell in love with pole work. I do love to perform in front of others, but I couldn’t really handle the "hustle."
how you found out about studioveena.com: I was searching for information about the best pole to buy. I haven’t looked back since I purchased my pink Lil’ Mynx!
if you were a pair of underwear would you be a thong, boy shorts, bikini cut or granny panties: Hmmm. I’d probably be scoop-V bottoms–the kind hot women wore in the 90s on the beach. Quirky but still HAWT. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif -
Yes, I pole at AOTCW after hours pretty often! The owner Marion is nice, and my instructor PoleKat is the best instructor I’ve ever seen. Let me know of a day when you’re free, and I’ll try to put something together if you’d like. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif
