[grayeyes]

I don’t have a set schedule rather I do what I can when I can. On average I would say I pole about 1.5 hrs twice a week (at home) and maybe every other week I take a one-hour class at the studio. I lift weights about once a week but do lower body strength training at least twice a week because it’s physical therapy for my knee. I really hate cardio and probably only average once a week. Flexibility and yoga type stuff I throw in every now and then maybe every other week.

[grayeyes]

I don’t know enough about poles to comment on the defect but my studio has brass Pole Danzer poles and I like them. They have much better grip than my stainless steel pole at home.

[grayeyes]

Dang! Hopefully you didn’t suffer any other injuries. I wouldn’t mind going to silicone myself but I’m not switching ’em out until something happens that makes it a necessity. Good luck to you.

[grayeyes]

Oh bummer! How did it happen? Every time I get a mammogram I think that will be the end of mine.

[grayeyes]

Great thread. When I started pole I was into it strictly from an acrobatic aspect and I actually thought heels looked weird on pole dancers. To me it seemed like most of the routine was in the air so why would the dancer wear shoes? In my mind it was almost seemed like a trapeze artist wearing shoes. Then I bought Veena’s lessons and went through some of the beginning lessons like sexy walks and how to do a sexy squat. I put on some of my dress heels and was like, hey, wait a minute, that looks pretty sexy. I bought some clear plastic Pleasers on Amazon for $35 and I am 100% hooked on them. If you had told me a month ago I would be addicted to these silly shoes I would not have believed you. Now that’s one of the best parts of poling. I practice with and without them but mostly with. I’m like a little girl with her mom’s heels on–love them. I would wear them to McDonald’s with shorts if I didn’t think I would get propositioned for being a working girl. Interestingly, I have only once seen anyone wear heels in my studio–not sure why. As others have said, I find the heels empowering. I feel like the sexiest woman alive in those heels.

[grayeyes]

Thanks for the descriptions Koidragon–I couldn’t figure out what an angel curl was! 🙂

[grayeyes]

At any given time I do some yoga, weight training, cardio like running or DVD workouts, rock climbing (rarely) and the occasional obstacle course race–virtually any kind of activity. I think they all help each other and I think variety is very good for overall fitness. What I don’t do as much as I should is flexibility training. I very occasionally do Felix Cane’s flexibility DVD but it’s hard to expect results when it’s only once every few weeks!

[grayeyes]

I would love to take co-ed classes. Of course if someone is there to be a peeping tom I would expect the instructor to ask that person to leave. I can imagine that many women would not be comfortable with it so I think having some classes that are women-only is probably a good idea and perhaps necessary from a business perspective. I think 9 out of 10 classes I would probably choose co-ed if it’s available. Guys are always good for the mix–at least in my opinion. I have taken one class with a guy who does some Chinese pole and was also working on partnering tricks with one of the other girls in class–made me do a double take at first but then didn’t bother me a bit.

[grayeyes]

I also feel your pain. I have a stainless steel Lil Mynx. When I bought it my pole instructor at the studio immediately told me to try to buy something else when I can afford it–I was a bit disappointed with that. I knew stainless would be more slippery than others and, like you, I thought I would eventually have a stronger grip and working on other poles would be that much easier. I don’t want to buy a different pole–I bought the Lil Mynx for several reasons and I love it (other than the slipperiness). I did okay in the summer but winter (in the Midwest) has been a challenge. My instructor told me it was going to get worse and naive as I was I wondered why because I keep the house plenty warm. Humidity! I cannot stay on to save my life. I’ve steamed it, used vinegar, used alcohol, etc.–no help. It’s a bit better warmed up but not enough. I have to use grip aid at least on my knees and thighs and sometimes hands. I have run the humidifier in my room for hours prior to working on the pole and it’s not enough. I’m considering a whole house humidifier. The studio I go to has brass Pole Danzer poles and I’ve never used grip aid there and don’t need it.

I mostly use Itac2 and some Mighty Grip. I tried a bit today with no success but I didn’t think to add Mighty Grip to it so I’ll try that next. Gorilla Gold did nothing for me. Liquid Grip didn’t help either and Dry Hands was okay but not really my issue (thighs and knees are my issue). I’m new to this so I don’t have tons of experience but I keep going back to Itac if I really want to get something done. I also realize grip aids will be different for everybody because all of our bodies and the conditions of our environments are different. I bought sample sizes and went from there. Good luck–I feel your frustration.

[grayeyes]

Love it!

[grayeyes]

I am accessing on a PC and an ipad–have not accessed by phone. I use Mozilla Firefox browser. Because you asked about browser I tried Internet Explorer and it functions at normal speed. Do I just need to use IE or is there something I can do to make Firefox work faster. Thanks.

[grayeyes]

For about the last two weeks the Veena website runs incredibly slow for me. I’m not having any other problems with my computer and do not have this issue with other websites. For instance, when I clicked on your post to respond to it, it took more than 60 seconds for it to open the page. Any thoughts?

[grayeyes]

SophieP, Been thinking about you. Hope you’re doing okay. Post an update when you’re up to it.

[grayeyes]

I thought an app would be quicker to get to but I’ll try the link for the icon. Functions I would like in an app:

-be able to search for a trick/spin/whatever by its name
-be able to put lessons into different categories such as favorites, in progress, achieved.
-group lessons by static or spin pole or trick versus a spin

I’m new to Studio Veena lessons so maybe some of these things are possible on the website now and I just haven’t figured it out.

[grayeyes]

SophieP, please do keep us posted. I hope you recover quickly, that the cancer was found early and that the lumpectomy will be the only treatment you need.