[imgalvin6056]

Thanks
I am trying it from standing si mught he easier if I tried it from squatting . It’s all these little subtle adjustments that matter . I will try learning back more and getting the pole further down on my thigh
Thanks – it’s not easy but at least now the legs are leaving the floor for a second so I will keep on working on it

[imgalvin6056]

You are the best teacher out there . Keep up that guitar – one day it will become part of you just your dancing
All new skills are like that but with time , patience and practice they become part of the artist

[imgalvin6056]

Thanks for your lovely thoughtful response . My motivation for learning pole is to turn personal tragedy into something beautiful. In 2020 , my beautiful husband of over 30 years lost his sanity and tried to kill me . He was arrested and then the full depth of his illness became visible . He developed psychosis , paranoid delusions and lost all executive function . He
left me alone with a 3 year old son that he had been the main carer of . In hindsight I realized that the child he had insisted we have was his way of surviving when his brain was failing . It was the middle of Covid and as an ICU doc I was in the middle of a massive surge of patients . Work kind of became my focus and then my sister ( an avid pole dancer of 60 years of age ) introduced me to pole . It was the first light I saw in months
Two years later and I have survived but I live with incredible grief . Pole dancing is my analogy to prove to myself that I can overcome the impossible and rise again . Pole dancing is a symbol of not just survival but thriving and living again
You are so correct about talent not always coming through in the way we want it to
I am an artist in my spare time and after my husband was arrested I drew the picture below
It’s called Phoenix and Ashes
It’s about rising from the ashes and being reborn
That ia pole to me .
You are an amazing teacher and even through I get frustrated with myself , I will never quit pole as I love it !
It reminds me of the line in Hallelujah ‘ she tied you to your her kitchen chair , She broke your throne, and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah

Sometimes incredible pain brings forth something beautiful

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Thanks Veena that was my sense as well . I feel your tutorials are very safety conscious and let’s ones body adjust before pushing the limits
Like you the only accidents I have had have being doing normal everyday stuff . I fractured my skull after falling down an outside stairs while on vacation in Tofino – simple trip
Good Idea to have a friend online in real time . I also have a panic alarm so that’s another safety measure
I actually feel safer at home than in a studio when I feel the pressure to do what everyone else can do and then my body says a resounding No
Thanks for the wise advice

[imgalvin6056]

Thanks for the welcome back . I am naturally an easily stressed person so patience with my body and self compassion are even harder than learning pole !
I find Kelsey Hontz you tube videos very inspiring
Although a lot lot younger than me , she won her pole achievements by sheer hard work and is brutally honest about how tough she finds it . She has really progressed to be a very inspiring dancer and athlete
With her you tube videos , the supportive group on here and most importantly Veenas amazing guidance – we are on the vertical road to pole success !!!

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Thank you so much 🙏. It’s so inspiring to meet those who started pole later in life . You are clearly loving it and rocking it !
I didnt do any gymnastics or ballet as a kid ( Ireland 1970s – only thing kids did was go to mass and school ) so I find pole very tough but I like it a lot and refuse to quit lol
Warm hugs and thanks again

[imgalvin6056]

Thanks so much Veena for the warm welcome back
. I am glad to be back and more relaxed this time as the grief is less intense and life is more stable .
Glad you got some rest too as pole is tough lol but teaching it is even tougher !
I am weak as a shrimp physically but mentally stronger after being away . Haven’t skied in 2 years but going back this year to the Alps so I have some training lined up on more friendly terrain
So happy to be poling again with new found patience and zen 🤗🤗

[imgalvin6056]

Sounds good – thanks
I like my pleasers and am trying to wear them as much as possible 😀

[imgalvin6056]

I have been thinking more about what you said Pole Adventures and I am taking your advice . I am also taking Veenas advice about tracking my own progress . I feel a lot more comfortable now
Part of the problem I think Is the wide range of abilities in a beginner pole studio class.
I know everyone says pole is an individual journey and don’t compare but it’s human nature to compare . It’s a problem that pole studios have traditionally put on the learner.
By telling learners not to compare themselves to others as everyone is unique , studios have unintentionally disowned any responsibility to stratify class’s by ability with any level of objective accuracy .
Skiing does this well . Learner skiers are asked to do a run down a green hill before being assigned to a group . If you think you are black diamond ready but you can’t edge you are not going to be in the advanced class and if you are a rusty but rather advanced skier you are not going to be put in with those who are learning to keep their skis parallel right throughout the turn !
What results from this objective assessment are classes that are as well matched as they can be for ability levels . No mention is made of skiing being an individual journey and no reminder not to to compare … no need as that the instructors sorting helmet put everyone in an appropriate class to their ability level before the class started .
Pole may ultimately be more diverse than skiing but the fundamentals of any sport are what beginners need as they are the common stem from which diversity evolves
When a studio class is called ‘beginner’ one naturally assumes everyone is roughly equal but that’s not true at all in pole .
Some may nor be beginners ,some may have dance or gymnastics backgrounds and some may be quick learners . I am none of these !
So I stopped going to class and only learn online at home with my own pole and Veenas very well taught progressive program
That way it truly is an individual journey for me and I won’t be comparing myself to any one but myself
I think pole studios would do well to address this issue as they are losing a lot of business if they don’t cater to those who need a slower pace than a 25 year old ex gymnast . If the average woman or man is in their own home with a pole and a well taught online course , they can enjoy a really individual journey with the only comparison being with themselves
Pole studios could adopt strategies used by other sports .
Rather than asking students to self identify their level , a simple observed routine would be a much more accurate way to assign them to a suitable series
That way ‘ false ‘ beginners , rapid learners and ex gymnasts could be placed in higher level classes while people like me could be put with real raw beginners
Pole is a wonderful sport but studios needs to start teaching new comers in the same way other sports do … or it they risk losing a lot of students to better taught on line courses

[imgalvin6056]

Thanks everyone
That helps a lot . I too find that my pole ability fluctuates with my mood . I spent alot of this week doing complicated legal paperwork to try and improve my situation and I am now hoping it works but it will take months to be resolved .
Pole , art and cats are my life blood . Pole takes me to another place – if a woman can fly she can do anything .
I will stick with your online lessons Veena as you know how to teach in a very progressive systematic format
Thanks again 🙏

[imgalvin6056]

This is my current ability

[imgalvin6056]

Hi and Thanks
I like your question Veena – why am I doing pole . That’s a great starting point . I am doing pole because I used to be an advanced skier bur last year by husband of over 30 years and ski partner became mentally ill and tried to kill me . He was arrested and our lives fell apart
I have PSTD and am under enormous stress as every responsibility including our young child ( a child we had only because he insisted ) and my husbands care fell to me .
I took up pole because nothing else helped me . For me pole is therapy .
I have linked my ability to survive the massive trauma in my life to my ability to progress at pole
To me if I can master a near impossible but beautiful sport . I can survive a near impossible situation
I am by nature a very high achiever and push myself to my limits
I learned to ski in my 49s and am now a ski instructor
Pole is nore than a sport ti me , irs a healthy distraction from the horror that befell me
I agree that leaving public classes may be a smart idea as I find your program more suitable for me
I find it progresses more at my pace and doesn’t suddenly toss me something I have no hope of doing
Thanks again 🙏

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Thanks i had a look . These are great . I will try those
I am signing up for weekly suspension classes locally
( managed to locate an instructor ) and will get a hammock fitted in my basement gym
This could be fun
Thanks 🙏

[imgalvin6056]

Thanks – At 53 this is bit of an undertaking for me but I love it so much
I lost my husband to severe mental illness this year and normally as an avid skier I would spend winter skiing but that was something he and I did together and the grief is too great to face it just yet – but I will go back to it
So enter pole dancing – the most beautiful sport for body and soul . Long road ahead but hey this is fun !
Wow I had a look at your you tube channel – Wowzer!!!!!!
You rock !!! You are amazing . So graceful and strong
Absolutely beautiful
Thanks for encouraging me 🤗🤗

[imgalvin6056]

Thanks 🙏