[grayeyes]

Thanks Runemist. I’ve done stretching and strengthening exercises for months, fascial release by the physical therapist, ice, daily anti-inflammatories for months and the steroid injection most recently, which was great while it lasted which was only until I started using the shoulder again when the doc said I could a month later. Doc diagnosed the labrum tear by MRI and also adhesive capsulitis as I’ve lost some range of motion. I scheduled another appt but have to wait a month to see him.

[grayeyes]

@latinpoler Thank you–I’m trying 🙂

[grayeyes]

@grayeyespoles but I’m injured so no pole posts for quite a while but old ones are there. Hopefully someday soon there will be pole again. 🙁

[grayeyes]

Every time I try to buy something from them almost nothing is available so I stopped trying. I don’t own any of their stuff because of this.

[grayeyes]

Dry Hands changed my poling life and I didn’t even realize I had sweaty hands. I just thought I had the weakest hands in the world. Turns out Dry Hands made a huge difference for me. I had been using Mighty Grip but for me there is no comparison with how much Dry Hands helped me.

[grayeyes]

Ditto everything Stiletto Jeau said, nearly word for word. Her somewhat more serious style was right up my alley. She’s not overly serious–it came off to me as perhaps more of a trained teacher than some others and she keeps moving and doesn’t let things get off track.

[grayeyes]

Deadlift and iron X

[grayeyes]

Well I’ve never competed so I’m probably not the best person to answer but I have all the same characteristics as you–shy, introverted, socially awkward.

Do you have to attend these practices? I would feel exactly the same as you, I believe, if I was competing. Looking at your profile I see you have performed on stage musically so being on stage is probably not a huge deal for you so I don’t understand why you would have to be part of these practices.

I don’t really fit in when I go to the studio either especially at the beginning of class when everyone else is very chatty and giggly and sharing stories and I’m standing there thinking, let’s focus and get on with this. I paid for class not social hour–I know, not cool but that’s what I’m thinking every time. I tend to chill out as the class goes on but I’m at least something of an oddball at the studio too. Doesn’t help that I’m pushing 50 and everyone else is a good bit younger so I imagine they don’t know what to make of me for a lot of reasons.

If you’re only three weeks out I suppose you only have a few more of these practices to get through. If they are required, perhaps you can buy yourself a week off with some “other commitment” you have at that time that you simply can’t miss. Maybe even that would give you a little mental break to get away from it.

Good luck with the comp–let us know how it goes.

[grayeyes]

I’m 48 and started in my mid 40s. You’d be surprised what us “seasoned” gals can still do–though I do wish I had started younger as I do have some unwelcome limitations, flexibility being one of them. The other I would say is I’m more prone to injury (never got hurt when I was younger) and it now takes FOREVER (it seems) to heal so do be careful and smart but enjoy..and welcome.

[grayeyes]

I was a gymnast many moons ago and got lots of calluses from bars. They would get too big and would actually tear off. As you have said keeping a little callus there can be good and protects your skin so we would essentially file/shave mdown with a pumice to keep them from getting too big, pretty much like you might do to calluses on your feet. I don’t know for sure if that will keep them from flaking off but it keeps them from tearing off.

[grayeyes]

I love it. Very cool and I love your outfit–so simple and pretty.

[grayeyes]

Thank you all!

[grayeyes]

Thanks, ladies. There is a garage (not heated) but we’re park in the garage folks, particularly in cold Ohio winters.
As for the light, I’m picturing a big hole in the ceiling underneath that light fixture but perhaps not. Do I just take down the light and put the pole wherever the nearest stud is?

As far as possibly vaulting the ceiling there is a little bit of attic up there and my dad did say it needs to be rafters not trusses in order to be vaulted or perhaps to not cost a fortune to be vaulted. It is rafters but I’m sure it’s still going to be expensive. Convincing my husband this is necessary will be the real trick. I’ve been so spoiled with my ten foot ceiling. There is a 17 foot ceiling in the living room but I don’t think there would be room to pole without moving every stick of furniture as it’s not a big room and the expense of a 17′ pole appears to be substantial.

Sigh.

[grayeyes]

Oh criminy. That really sucks. 🙁

[grayeyes]

Dry Hands–literally changed my poling. I didn’t even think I had sweaty hands but after using Dry Hands I can do so much more. Prior to that I used Mighty Grip but Dry Hands is much better for me. I’ve also used Itac 2 but it’s too sticky for me except perhaps behind knees or something but I wouldn’t put it on my hands. I even tried Cramer’s Firm Grip but it is very sticky also and I would personally only use it like Itac behind a knee or something. I pole on a Lil Mynx SS.