[hookedonpole]

okay, that's what I'm getting.  At least it's not just me.  Thanks for letting me know.

[hookedonpole]

When I started few years ago @ once a week and no pole at home, the studio had ope pole for students.  I went and even though it wasn't formal class/instruction, instructor would give guidance to get or work on something.  Even with a pole at home, I went to make sure I was working on something correctly. I also say if you can do it.  What do you mean other classes?   But yes, do what will help you get the most out of it without over-working your body/muscles.  Glad you are enjoying it.

[hookedonpole]

I keep eyeing the headstand/handstand workshop also.  I have panic attacks at the thought of handstands 🙁  I tried beginning steps few years ago and keep wanting to try every now and again with no luck.  I recently got some help and am getting the hang of headstands.  So is this workshop for people like me who have not accomplished it yet??

I've also ordered my sv buttons for pole convention!!  Anyway else we'll be identifying each other for those who don't have buttons?

[hookedonpole]

Hi, for bay area, please look up Shelly Lamb's studio in San Francisco AND Twirly Girls Pole Studio in Pleasanton, CA, also Poletential in Redwood City (bay area).  Let me know when you are in bay area and maybe it'll work out for me to take road trip if it's on a weekend.

[hookedonpole]

1)  I wish I'd learned to invert correctly in the beginning, I injured myself kicking and trying to latch on with my foot, but nothing long-lasting, thank goodness.  Anyone kicking into inverts, even shoulder mounts and latching on, take your time and get stronger.  I even struggle with shoulder mount, I seem to have lost what I had accomplished.

2)  Everything everyone has told me about importance of dancing with poling and that I can do it.  I have such a mental block with it and have hard time not comparing myself to others.  With mental block I just can't relax and feel good about it.  https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_sad.gif   I hope I can begin to LISTEN to this advice.

3)  Yes, I wish someone had told me how much $$ I would be spending.  Sometimes I get scared that I'm not handling our finances wisely, but I still spend for poling!

4) Wish someone would have told me about sv A LOT sooner than when I found it.

5)   MOST IMPORTANT, I wish someone had told me what great friends I would find in the pole community!!!!  I had no idea this would happen; through studios, FB, workshops with great instructors and wonderful veneers.  This is the part I love the most.

[hookedonpole]

I struggle with the same thing due to time, or lack of.  I have a wierd work schedule so that doesn't help.  And I "forget" when I'm home watching TV that I could be on the floor warming up muscles, then stretch, etc.  So that's my fault.  But it's a struggle to be consistent and decide what to do and when 🙁

Fourtunately I found an awesome bootcamp fitness place and the trainer is excellent, even for the large group who attends.  But again, due to schedule and it is a 45 minute drive, I only average once a week.  I wish I could go more because I see it has helped strength-wise for my poling, but then it'll take time away from pole.  Especially since there is a studio in my town now that I am going to.

So I plug along and do what I can.  I hope you find something that works for you and that others can give you some suggestions. 🙂

[hookedonpole]

nymph and sparrow, which VADO model do you have?  Aerial Amy loves hers and I keep thinking about getting one.  I can't place my digital camera/tripod too far from my pole due to where the door is and angle and wonder about wide angle on the Vado.

[hookedonpole]

I also use my Panasonic digital camera to record practices and what few challenges I do.  It works fine for me, I just wish I could move it back farther but the location of my pole and angle from the door doesn't allow it.  So I wish it had a wide angle feature to get more space in, but does fine.  I also use Windows Live MovieMaker to edit, nothing fancy.  I have a program called AVS video editor but forget to use it.  I don't record every practice as it's time consuming to stop and start it in between and it runs out of battery or memory too fast to keep it recording.  I do like recording to see what's working and what's not with tricks.

[hookedonpole]

oops, just read your post again and you do have ovoo, how do you like it?

[hookedonpole]

I don't yet, thinking about it because a few people on my pole FB have it and getting together.  Do you have it and how do you like it?

[hookedonpole]

Welcome! This is a great site.  I started at 52 and am now 56 🙂  Hope you get to share your pole journey with us. 

[hookedonpole]

Yeah, I meant to mention to webmaster about it.  It's hard really knowing who is there and who isn't.  Does anyone know if I still show as in chat?  I close it, and there is another logout icon that I click wondering if it logs me out of it.  I just checked right now and no one shows up, wonder if I do now.

I love the Like feature here now 🙂

[hookedonpole]

Welcome to both of you!  Yes, we've all been there with bruises and pain.  But the accomplishment far out-weights it all.  The Superman was herendous with pain/thigh burn, but it's so much fun now.  I also go to a studio once in a while, as well as workshops when I can.  Even though I usually learn something new to add, veena's lessons are a big part of learning for me.  Hope you can share your progress as time goes on.  This is a wonderful site to be part of 🙂

[hookedonpole]

If this is it, maybe I can combine February's and April's LOL

[hookedonpole]

I tend to agree that being a sub she did not have relationship yet.  There are some people who go to a pole class/studio feeling uncertain and if this is the case, it would make someone feel badly about themselves and maybe discouraged to continue.  I have been poling for few years and am not confident with the dance part of it, especially the super-sexy style.  A year ago I went to a studio fairly close to me where the super-sexy style was major focus.  I figured I could participate but skip that part.  The instructor would not give up on trying to "force" me into it in front of the class, I let her talk me into putting on shoes she had at the studio (it was my fault for letting her talk me in to it).  After me saying again, that is not me, she said "oh you're just about the tricks" and walked away.  Needless to say, I never went back.  She is a nice gal, just not good interaction, for me anyway.

I have found two studios that are encouraging and accepting of where I am at my level and style.  Pole can be intimidating anyway without adding to it by an instructor.  And because I feel comfortable at these studios, I am willing to try adding dance/transitions.