frenchhornprof
Forum Replies Created
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I consider myself unflexible as well, and I didn't have much upper body strength when I started. I think you'll surprise yourself at how much strength you gain if you pole a few times a week. I don't do much to supplement poling, I don't go to a gym or lift weights, but I do try to stretch at least once a week. After a year, I can get my right split every now and again. I started pole at a studio, but then just used Veena's lessons for about 9 months. I'm back at a studio now. I think the lessons are a great way to go. I never tried the Art of Pole, but I'm guessing you'll get everything you need as a beginner from Veena's lessons online. If you're okay with enjoying a steady progression, I think you'll be fine, but if you're impatient and want those strength based tricks faster, you might have to cross-train. That being said, Veena has some strengthening and stretching exercises on her lessons.
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I would be willing to beta test.
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I live near Tacoma and go to Poledello. It's a fantastic studio, and the instructor is very good. It's a ways away from Everett, though.
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I'm in, too. I lost quite a bit of flexibility over the summer due to traveling, but I'm back on the horse. My right side is close, but my left is far off.
My latest photos: https://www.studioveena.com/photos/view_album/512d88d3-c214-4eea-87d5-47c10ac37250
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I've been pole dancing for a year and I haven't lost much weight to speak of, but I have gained some awesome muscle. I love seeing the women on here who aren't stick thin but can bust some crazy moves. I eat healthily, and am working on eating fewer processed foods. I usually pole 3-5 days a week, and this summer I've been going to a studio once a week. I use Veena's stretching to increase flexibility and lessons for getting my form right on moves.
To address the self esteem issue, the best thing pole has done for my perception of my body image is to be okay with my cellulite. Most media erases the fact that it exists, is normal, and can even be present in very skinny people depending on their body. Even though I don't have that athletic body that would be nice to have, pole has been the one thing to help me be more happy with the body I currently have.
I really like going to the studio because it challenges me in ways I don't always get at home. Plus, there are all body types at the studio, and most people are encouraging. In my experience people tend not to be too concerned with how much a person weighs because we're all so busy achieving our next goals on the pole.
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I have a 45mm (TG, not Chrome), and I much prefer that diameter. I think it's easier to do hand grip related tricks on a 45, especially if your hands are smaller. Bottom line, I'm glad I got the 45.
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As far as family, they are supportive of my enthusiasm. My parents haven't seen any of my videos, but they have seen photos, and they've never said anything disheartening. I'm pretty sure my family thinks it's a fad that will drop off soon, but they're rather open-minded in the meantime. My husband is very supportive, and he patiently watches all the new videos I've been making. As far as Facebook goes, I have posted a select few photos of my more impressive achievements, and I'll get a few comments on those. An interesting thing happened recently however: I decided to post a video on Facebook since I've been poling for a year and I think I've got some neat stuff. I wanted to share because I want to represent the gymnastic and artistic side of pole to the community. Normally, I'll get a few comments on photos in the first day after the post, but with this video, I've gotten no response. It seems that people are staying away from it like the plague. I guess the greater community isn't ready for it yet. Now that I've been doing pole for a while, I'm really used to the attire, and shorts and a sports bra seem quite modest. For other non-polers though, I get the feeling they're not so excited about seeing my midriff.
In the meantime, thank goodness we have Veena and her site that let's us share our accomplishments and exchange enthusiastic responses!
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Spatchcock. Kudos to those who can do it, but it's never looked elegant to me.
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Congratulations on the weight loss, Villianvixen! That is a great accomplishment. Keep it up.
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Autumn, a lot of people keep their lives compartmentalized for easier maneuvering inside various communities. Just because two of your passions don't intersect doesn't mean that either of them is wrong, or that you need to feel bad. I can imagine you would like to tell your church community about pole because it's so much fun, and you enjoy it. Some church communities would be open to your representation of the sport, others might not be. I myself have wanted to share my enthusiasm for the activity with people I work with (musicians and teachers). Some of them know because I have posted a few photos on Facebook. Usually when I present it to them as a skill that requires a high level of strength and flexibility, they are more accepting. As with anything, people are generally wary of and concerned about things on which they are not educated. Many of my colleagues accept the fact that I pole even if they aren't fans. But many of them are intrigued.
Perhaps there are a few people in your church community who you think might be open to hearing about how you feel about pole. When I tell people about it, I usually try to find a Youtube video of a professional being incredible. I particularly like the Pole Art ones that feature pole as a creative/athletic art form. Everyone's okay with ballet right? Well, this is just vertical ballet. 🙂
When people see someone they consider to be an upstanding citizen and good person representing something with which they are not familiar or misinformed they might start to change their opinion. I think we can all be gentle advocates/educators. But we do have to be sensitive to when it will be welcome and when it absolutely won't.
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I didn't have much arm or shoulder strength when I started 7 months ago, but something that really helped me was doing pole holds like in Veena's Strength Routine. Actually, that whole routine has some good strengthening moves. Knee tucks are good for both arms and core (standing like you're going to invert and then just pulling your knees up to your chest). Shoulder presses are also great. You can do them with your legs on a chair or on the pole.
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Glitter, I'm sorry that you received such insensitive comments from someone. I've watched some of your videos, and I love the unique character that you bring to your art. You really carry your body well, and that wonderful attitude helps me realize that we don't have to be unhappy with our body shape, especially when we are exercising and being active. One of the things I've discovered about pole is that it helps me to be much more comfortable with my body. And one of the things about this site that I like is that I see so many other ladies of different shapes and sizes being comfortable with their bodies. I'm also very impressed with what you and many people here can do, be it flexibility, strength, flow, creativity. (Take your splits for example.) These things are so much more than how much the person weighs.
Perhaps the negative commentor will come to her senses. Maybe she's lashing out due to her own self criticism and insecurities. For yourself, know that you are a positive reinforcement and enthusiastic example for many of us here.
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I can't touch my toes with my legs straight out in front. But I bet if I keep working on it, I'll get there.
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Ooops! I mixed up my short names. I got the Lucia ones, not the Mikaela. It's the Lucia that are bigger and cover more area. Sorry for the mix-up.
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The Mikaela shorts are definitely tall enough to cover your underwear. They provide more coverage than the initial photo shows. You might watch the video on the website comparing the Mikaela shorts and the Lucia shorts. The Lucia shorts are smaller.