firebird
Forum Replies Created
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Hi Hanka! I did see you listed as one of the featured instructors @ PoleCon (I was broke & unable to afford any additional workshops there, unfortunatley). Wish I had discovered this thread sooner! My boss/studio owner & I would have loved to meet you there and likely invite you to visit & teach a workshop at our studio down in San Diego (Fun Pole Fitness). If you are still in the US, or come back, please let me know! Hope your visit to PoleCon & rest of US was great!
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OMG for all the paranoia abt this convo going awry… I think it’s going GREAT! Nice job kicking it off, WM! And kudos to all respondents! Oh I have SOOO many thougts & feelings in this matter, but my fingers will NOT type fast enuf… So to take another maybe briefer angle, I’ll just keep on rolling w/the hi-5’s:
BZ – dude u r BAD ASS! Hockey dude-turned-poler! LOVE IT! So want to meet & pole jam w/u! Love ur story, thanks for sharing, & bravo on voting w/ur heart & $$. As for men in pole, whatev… I’m all for HUMANS & pole… My 2 young SONS are already becoming amazing pole monkeys! I’m so insanely proud of them! Ironically the problem we have at the studio I teach at is we don’t have ENOUGH men, as we TOTALLY welcome them! Hey the more the merrier! And the more “balance” in types of people (gender & all other traits/styles/attitudes/preferences/etc) the better, for ALL of us!
ME — u r a legend, don’t even know if u r a title holder or not, doesn’t matter… Keep doing what ur doing. I’ll have to make a pilgrimmage to the MW comp at some point, I’ve herd so much abt it, always positive & w/high regrd & respect… but dang kinda a trek from my comfy corner in San Diego… One day…And to the person out there who touted showcases as an alternative to competing, HERE HERE!!! Amen to those!! I say rather than growing the number of comps out there, how about we just increase our performance presence?! I mean, I really almost NEVER care who wins, I almost always have my own personal favorites when I go to a competition, and apparently the judges never agree w/me, so whatev… I go to support my friends, all the awesome polers, I love & respect them ALL! And want to learn from ANY & ALL of them!!! But mostly I see any pole event (comp or show) as just a REALLY awesome form of entertainment… And I tend to think the average Joe/Jane feels similarly… Where thankfully these fantastically talented & dedicated performers don’t have to be relegated to an environment wherein they have to worry about takin items of clothing off to a very intimate degree to be able to be invited to strut their skill & be shown some appreciation for what they do.
(& before anyone goes bananas on me, don’t even think for a second that I’m knocking strippers or strip joints! I luv & respect ’em all! But how sad would it be for a dancer that really would like to perform for an audience & only way she is allowed to do that is by agreeing to bare her top, & she is too shy or whatever to do that? And I bet there r still places out there where that’s still the only “option” right now for some practitioners of pole… That’s all I’m saying… Oh no, actually, 1 more thing I’m saying re poling in a strip club as ur “only public performance” option: how often have I not heard my stripper friends talk w/disappointment abt the lack of appreciation/applause/tips/etc they were met with after rockin’ out some killer moves on the pole? Sadly we well know that not every patron that frequents such venues can value the skill / strength / etc of a pole dancer on stage… VERY diff from the crowd u know u can expect at a comp or other such pole show that goes nuts over a beautifully delivered gemini, nevermind a knockout spatchcock!!!)Ok enuf from me (for now)… 🙂
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Ayayay, there I go agn w/my (accidental) dbl posts. Wish that could be fixed? Hey V or webmaster, is there a way to do/fix that? So sorry everyone!
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Hi I’m almost hesitant to reply to all this bc I’m certainly no pro @ the Ayesha. In fact I *just* got this move myself, abt a month ago (very exciting indeed)… Ok so here’s my 2cents on “easing into it” from Ext BF: don’t get too fixated on the “release 1 foot from the pole at a time”. 2 reasons I say this: (1) I had so much frustration w/this for like a year, bc I’ve had a rock-solid EB for a LONG time now, & still could get nowhere near the Ayesha hold (mind u, way diff grips–EB is split, vs what I’ve been told & also read here ober & over that EG is the most basic/intro level hold for the Ayesha). Anyway, brings me # (2): an instructor I work w/ insists u need a rock solid caterpillar (both stationary & climb — she’d even make us do 3-5 reps of this from the floor as prep… HARD!), to 1st launch into it from an EG. Once I got to the correct positioning, I struggled so long w/that “take ur feet off the pole 1 @ a time” business. Well one day alone, I just started to release the feet/legs away from the pole simultaneously, and… WHAM!! I got it!!! And felt pretty solid too! So good thing I had all the strength prep to get me there, but consider that ur balance might be different (because as I’ve read about this thoroughly, apparently everyone’s balance is indeed unique, based on our diff body types). So something to consider if when u r at that point of being ready to remove your legs off the pole, and that 1-@-a-time isn’t working, then maybe try the “remove them both simultaneously from the pole” approach. MIND YOU, I don’t mean swing them wide open in 1 foul swoop! I mean slowly & gradually! Like an inch at a time to make sure u continue to feel solid in the hold.
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Hi I’m almost hesitant to reply to all this bc I’m certainly no pro @ the Ayesha. In fact I *just* got this move myself, abt a month ago (very exciting indeed)… Ok so here’s my 2cents on “easing into it” from Ext BF: don’t get too fixated on the “release 1 foot from the pole at a time”. 2 reasons I say this: (1) I had so much frustration w/this for like a year, bc I’ve had a rock-solid EB for a LONG time now, & still could get nowhere near the Ayesha hold (mind u, way diff grips–EB is split, vs what I’ve been told & also read here ober & over that EG is the most basic/intro level hold for the Ayesha). Anyway, brings me # (2): an instructor I work w/ insists u need a rock solid caterpillar (both stationary & climb — she’d even make us do 3-5 reps of this from the floor as prep… HARD!), to 1st launch into it from an EG. Once I got to the correct positioning, I struggled so long w/that “take ur feet off the pole 1 @ a time” business. Well one day alone, I just started to release the feet/legs away from the pole simultaneously, and… WHAM!! I got it!!! And felt pretty solid too! So good thing I had all the strength prep to get me there, but consider that ur balance might be different (because as I’ve read about this thoroughly, apparently everyone’s balance is indeed unique, based on our diff body types). So something to consider if when u r at that point of being ready to remove your legs off the pole, and that 1-@-a-time isn’t working, then maybe try the “remove them both simultaneously from the pole” approach. MIND YOU, I don’t mean swing them wide open in 1 foul swoop! I mean slowly & gradually! Like an inch at a time to make sure u continue to feel solid in the hold.
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So sorry abt the triple-post! Aaargh! Darn iPhone for being too slow & causing me to touch on “Save” button a cpl (read: too many) times!!!
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Interesting that last post brings up safety, which reminds me that besides payment, another thing to factor into negotiations for such a gig is the accomodations for a “bodyguard” — a little tip that most who have spent time in the exotic dance world know. Really any special event (say, outside of your regular “safe haven” where you dance, like a club or studio, etc) for which you get hired, large or small venue/audience, it’s a given that u do NOT go unaccompanied. That “bodyguard” can look like whatever makes most sense to you: someone you work/dance with (recommended of the opp sex), your sig other/BFF, a hired pro, etc… Esp handy to have a built-in set of helping hands to set-up/tear-down ur stage, help w/costume/props, collect tips, serve as a “spotter” if need be, & general “get ur back” sort of stuff like dealing w/grabby-hands, keeping people off your pole (say, whn ur not on it & no 1 else should be either — hello, liability!) or heaven-forbid a real big emergency…
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Interesting that last post brings up safety, which reminds me that besides payment, another thing to factor into negotiations for such a gig is the accomodations for a “bodyguard” — a little tip that most who have spent time in the exotic dance world know. Really any special event (say, outside of your regular “safe haven” where you dance, like a club or studio, etc) for which you get hired, large or small venue/audience, it’s a given that u do NOT go unaccompanied. That “bodyguard” can look like whatever makes most sense to you: someone you work/dance with (recommended of the opp sex), your sig other/BFF, a hired pro, etc… Esp handy to have a built-in set of helping hands to set-up/tear-down ur stage, help w/costume/props, collect tips, serve as a “spotter” if need be, & general “get ur back” sort of stuff like dealing w/grabby-hands, keeping people off your pole (say, whn ur not on it & no 1 else should be either — hello, liability!) or heaven-forbid a real big emergency…
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Interesting that last post brings up safety, which reminds me that besides payment, another thing to factor into negotiations for such a gig is the accomodations for a “bodyguard” — a little tip that most who have spent time in the exotic dance world know. Really any special event (say, outside of your regular “safe haven” where you dance, like a club or studio, etc) for which you get hired, large or small venue/audience, it’s a given that u do NOT go unaccompanied. That “bodyguard” can look like whatever makes most sense to you: someone you work/dance with (recommended of the opp sex), your sig other/BFF, a hired pro, etc… Esp handy to have a built-in set of helping hands to set-up/tear-down ur stage, help w/costume/props, collect tips, serve as a “spotter” if need be, & general “get ur back” sort of stuff like dealing w/grabby-hands, keeping people off your pole (say, whn ur not on it & no 1 else should be either — hello, liability!) or heaven-forbid a real big emergency…
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Oops, sorry for the (LONG!) double-post above! Beware of those sensitive buttons on touch-screens!
And thank u PlatAni for all ur insight on this! I tend to think my chopper’s pretty solid, so I guess this will put that claim to the test… And personally, I think I like how ALL moves look on spinny rather than on static…
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I just saw it & had a new revelation! So maybe the reason that getting into it from chopper seems more intuitive & automatic is bc that leg (as u reach around to grab the pole above it) is ALREADY extended??? At least for me, there is a definite fear factor in releasing the lower 1/2 of the leg off the pole, bc I’m using it to hold so much from that Scorpio pose — so now don’t want to let go (wisely so, bc indeed it’s a diff grip on that leg entirely!), bc o/w I might eat u-know-what if I do (and indeed that’s exactly what’s happened plenty of times by now). Ok, will go back trying via chopper (boy that foot is hard to grab back there, isn’t it?)…
Wait one more ? for y’all abt this: u think maybe this is 1 that’s actually meant to be more effective on spinny? I know PlatAni says should be irrelevant, but I have sometimes wondered abt this, esp bc everytime I study the Queen Allegra herself, she’s always in Spin mode getting into this, so starting to think there’s s’thing to that… Tho I know the Aussie’s really like (master!) their spinning pole, but somehow that all jives that maybe spin helps w/this AU-pole-star-originated move…
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I just saw it & had a new revelation! So maybe the reason that getting into it from chopper seems more intuitive & automatic is bc that leg (as u reach around to grab the pole above it) is ALREADY extended??? At least for me, there is a definite fear factor in releasing the lower 1/2 of the leg off the pole, bc I’m using it to hold so much from that Scorpio pose — so now don’t want to let go (wisely so, bc indeed it’s a diff grip on that leg entirely!), bc o/w I might eat u-know-what if I do (and indeed that’s exactly what’s happened plenty of times by now). Ok, will go back trying via chopper (boy that foot is hard to grab back there, isn’t it?)…
Wait one more ? for y’all abt this: u think maybe this is 1 that’s actually meant to be more effective on spinny? I know PlatAni says should be irrelevant, but I have sometimes wondered abt this, esp bc everytime I study the Queen Allegra herself, she’s always in Spin mode getting into this, so starting to think there’s s’thing to that… Tho I know the Aussie’s really like (master!) their spinning pole, but somehow that all jives that maybe spin helps w/this AU-pole-star-originated move…
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The “jallegra” – I like it! Yes I am the 5’1″-longer legs-short torso-even shorter arms-body design too, and have been onto this since I 1st started trying to learn the elusive Allegra (and SHE, by the way seems to like getting into it from chopper too, since that’s mostly how I’ve seen her do it). So yes I also struggle w/ really gripping the pole well around my very large thigh, wanting to grab my own thigh instead. But I seem to be too upright to hold myself there when I indeed hold my thigh (not pole) w/just that inner thigh grip (no hand grip) to hold me up, such that when I “unhook” that ankle/calf, I eat $h*t everytime. In fact I was ready to give up after trying over & over, & then hearing a fellow poler tell me that she asked Natasha Wang abt trying to do this by holding thigh instead of pole, and she claimed Natasha said that was not possible. 🙁 Then 1 day, an ad for classes w/Natasha shows up in my Inbox — and at the very top of that email is this picture of Natasha herself that I couldn’t believe I was looking at (found a copy of it here):
http://tips.fitnessreloaded.com/usa-pole-fitness-champion-natasha-wang-live/Hmmm… So it *IS* possible after all? FYI I attempted it only 1ce so far, seems the trickier part becomes hooking that low elbow, but wasn’t impossible & I did it & was even able to hold a few secs (granted, struggling to breathe in the process!)…
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Hi & welcome to SV & (back!) to the pole! As an instructor, I’ll echo what others have suggested abt trying classes at a local studio. And just to even the playing field a bit here, I’ll also plug Pole Kittens, just bc I met & pole-jammed (& even went bargain shopping!) w/1 of their instructors who happened to be visiting San Diego, & came to our studio while in town. Cindy was awesome & so much fun, & if I recall correctly she & her peers there @PK had the same pole instructor training/certification we’ve upheld at our studio since it opened 3 years ago (Pole Position Fitness methodology developed many yrs ago by Sharon Polsky) — so I’m kinda partial to that fact since it’s based on proper anatomic/kinesthetic principles & safety, etc. Anyway, for all I know maybe Bella Forza also uses the same methodology. But anyway, I’ll say the same thing that I say to those who 1st try our studio & ask us abt others: try them all & see where u like the most & feel like u can make ur pole home. And I mean it. We refuse to bad-mouth another studio for a competitive edge, as that is just scarcity-minded behavior that also reeks of unprofessionalism. Especially because we are quite successful and we believe in what we do and that we do it well, and in supporting a “feel-&-show the love” vibe throughout the pole world. So enjoy exploring ur options! 🙂
Also, here’s a tip on spins that I just posted to another veener: try holding lower (as low as u possibly can while remaining standing upright) on the pole w/the low hand, so it pushes u away from the pole more. That should result in 4 desirable things: (1) more spin due in part to ur odds vs gravity being improved & also less body frixn on pole slowing u down; (2) easier transition from 1 spin to the next when doing combos; (3) more controlled (read: smoother) descent/landing; (4) almost the most important reason & why we teach this as a fundamental rule to all spins, is that the more u train ur body to hold low (& strong!) w/that lower hand/arm, the more u can train that arm to even start supporting some of yout weight, hence reducing the burden on ur primary (inside) supporting arm/shoulder. Even if it’s just taking 5-10% of the load off the main supporting shoulder, we well know that any little bit helps! Pole spins r so gorgeous & dynamic, but they can be some of the most damaging moves in pole dancing. Hope that helps!
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Hi & welcome to SV & (back!) to the pole! As an instructor, I’ll echo what others have suggested abt trying classes at a local studio. And just to even the playing field a bit here, I’ll also plug Pole Kittens, just bc I met & pole-jammed (& even went bargain shopping!) w/1 of their instructors who happened to be visiting San Diego, & came to our studio while in town. Cindy was awesome & so much fun, & if I recall correctly she & her peers there @PK had the same pole instructor training/certification we’ve upheld at our studio since it opened 3 years ago (Pole Position Fitness methodology developed many yrs ago by Sharon Polsky) — so I’m kinda partial to that fact since it’s based on proper anatomic/kinesthetic principles & safety, etc. Anyway, for all I know maybe Bella Forza also uses the same methodology. But anyway, I’ll say the same thing that I say to those who 1st try our studio & ask us abt others: try them all & see where u like the most & feel like u can make ur pole home. And I mean it. We refuse to bad-mouth another studio for a competitive edge, as that is just scarcity-minded behavior that also reeks of unprofessionalism. Especially because we are quite successful and we believe in what we do and that we do it well, and in supporting a “feel-&-show the love” vibe throughout the pole world. So enjoy exploring ur options! 🙂
Also, here’s a tip on spins that I just posted to another veener: try holding lower (as low as u possibly can while remaining standing upright) on the pole w/the low hand, so it pushes u away from the pole more. That should result in 4 desirable things: (1) more spin due in part to ur odds vs gravity being improved & also less body frixn on pole slowing u down; (2) easier transition from 1 spin to the next when doing combos; (3) more controlled (read: smoother) descent/landing; (4) almost the most important reason & why we teach this as a fundamental rule to all spins, is that the more u train ur body to hold low (& strong!) w/that lower hand/arm, the more u can train that arm to even start supporting some of yout weight, hence reducing the burden on ur primary (inside) supporting arm/shoulder. Even if it’s just taking 5-10% of the load off the main supporting shoulder, we well know that any little bit helps! Pole spins r so gorgeous & dynamic, but they can be some of the most damaging moves in pole dancing. Hope that helps!