[jsheridan]

I learned it as capezio.

[jsheridan]

I am usually a small, but I wear XS in bad kitty, the SM mikas fit me perfectly.

[jsheridan]

If it makes you uncomfortable, definitely talk to them. However, almost any liability contract ever will say that. Ours says that, and we are OCD about safety, spotting, and proper rigging. Human error is a thing that happens in any industry, and the business is protecting themselves. Talking to them about their rigging and safety practices should ease your mind.

[jsheridan]

An X-Pole will, but it depends more on proper installation. Many larger people do some hardcore stuff on the poles. With proper installation, prep, and conditioning, there is no reason he can’t invert.

[jsheridan]

They are metric, and most stores sell them in sets. Depending on how old your pole is, it will vary. Is the adjuster rod exposed while tightening the pole? If yes, it is/can be, it is probably a 4mm, if not, a 5 mm. If its older than 2012, then I am not sure, I have never used poles that old.

[jsheridan]

I am a 32B and the small is fine, but a tad big so I took in the straps. I know a 34B who the small is perfect for. I always go smaller w bad kitty tops.

[jsheridan]

I actually strongly disagree with your makeup analogy. CVS makeup won’t kill or permanently disable you ( unless you have an allergy or eat it). A cheap pole can, even with basics. A better one is comparing to a beginner driver. Sure, you don’t want to put a new driver in a brand new Mercedes. By you DEFINITELY want them in a well made car with airbags, working seat belts, and good brakes. The pole you have is the equivalent of a car that brakes sometimes but will probably crumple in an accident. If that pole snaps, which they are well known for, while you are spinning or climbing or working on sits (all lower level, pre invert stuff) you can get seriously injured, break bones, suffer a concussion, or other freak injury. Obviously, it’s your call because it’s your life but 200 for a pole is way cheaper than any ER visit.

[jsheridan]

Don’t be afraid to go simple. A nice sit with a cute pose or hair flip usually makes the best photos. Have your favorite hard tricks ready, but all my favorite photos are simple but expressive, versus struggling to stay in a move. That struggle will really show in your photo.

[jsheridan]

yay, I love lyra! So excited to see more people on it.

A few things to note: the rig on trapeze rigging says the weight limit is 200, probably means it can support 2000. Most aerialists recommend a 10:1 ratio of strength to weight, to account for drops, swinging, etc. I do not know that a chair swing has this safety factor accounted for. Secondly, rigging from trees is almost always dangerous. I am not saying it cannot be done, but you need to have a rigger and a certified arborist out to look at the tree (and at that point, just pay for a rig. Probably costs the same). If you are not both of those things, you cannot determine the strength of a branch or the health of the tree. A branch may appear thick and healthy, but could be completely hollow inside from rot and could snap in a heavy wind, let alone someone swinging on it. If any of our students rig from trees, we warn them and if they continue to do it, we do not allow them to take classes. Its known in the aerial world to be dangerous and we refuse to condone it or let other students think we condone it. Also, wrapping slings around a branch will cause it to die significantly faster, making it weaker and more likely to snap.

Finally, before you rig inside, check with a rigger and your insurance company. Depending on your house, it may not be constructed to support point loads from the ceiling. Most houses need some reinforcement so speaking to a professional will help the most. Also, if any damage occurs to you or your house from aerial, few insurance policies cover it and you will be on the hook for all expenses. Most insurance companies specifically exclude any aerial activity from their policies. Just FYI.

I’m not trying to bring you down, I am trying to honest and keep you safe! Happy flying! While I am not a rigger, I have a lot of experience with the basics (how, why, etc). I cant do the math or the reinforcement, but can help guide you.

[jsheridan]

I have a student this happens to. She had to focus on building her shoulder strength, making sure she was staying pushed out. Take it slow, work on butterflys/extended butterflys, catepillar climbs, etc. It will take you extra time to build the strength because you need extra to stabilize than the average person.

[jsheridan]

I agree with the others, I teach the pole sit as “do what is best for you” then expand if they are capable. If you have thicker thighs or narrow or tight hips, crossing the knee can be painful. If you have wide hips or skinny legs with a thigh gap, crossing at the ankles can feel impossible. My male students have only had minor issues with leg hair. It can all be worked around, you just need to be aware. Both my male students are straight…if it matters (They are more into strength moves and less into dancey stuff.) I do not teach the exact same curriculum. Obviously, the basics, safety, and order of progressions are the same, but they advance faster in some ways and slower in others. They are usually awesome with inverts, hand grips and strength moves, where I find my females tend to rock the flex and leg holds. Again, not totally gender dependent. They are both inflexible, but making progress. I teach a mix of moves in the class, so no one feels like they didnt succeed. We will alternate strength moves with flex moves and I offer progressions so when someone does really well with the basic move, they can try adding a harder variation or transition, so I am still teaching the same things. I have been able to integrate both genders in the same classes pretty easily, so let me know any questions, I would love to help!

[jsheridan]

I can guarantee the worst thing you can do is overdo it and injure it to where you are out months. Try taking a week off (you will barely lose anything) and see how you feel. Ease back in slowly. Have your instructor check your form with everything to make sure you arent doing a move incorrect to cause the injury. Some basic isolation moves or flex work might be ok, again depending on what you did to it. Do not do anything that causes even slight discomfort.

If after a week, there is still pain, go see a doctor (or if there is pain in basic life activities before that, I dont know how you injured it). A doctor or PT can tell you exactly what you should and should not be doing.

It might be a good time to work on choreography, flexibility, or floorwork. No one can give specific advice without knowing what type of injury or how severe.

[jsheridan]

There are a lot. Definitely Natasha Wang, Maggie Ann, Karol Helms, Alethea Austin, Jenyne Butterfly, Seanmichael Rau, Aerial Amy, Sasja Lee, Sarah Jade, I think Samantha Star, Michelle Shimmy, Maddie Sparkle. There are definitely others, but I cant remember off the top of my head! Everyone’s body is different, some people just have the little extra and some people have time to work for hours a day (while others have full time jobs, kids, etc). Much like any other sport, you can get really good by working hard, but your body may not support the hours of daily training needed to be the elite level. there are also so many different comps. Some are more performance based, some are more skill based. Finding a comp that works with your skills will help!

[jsheridan]

From a tic-toc. have you done that move before?

[jsheridan]

Spinning the static pole is one of my favorite things! There are tricks to it, depending on what move you are trying to spin. For spins from the floor, holding it long enough to do several different poses is a combination of getting proper momentum, like reaching the leg out, as well as having the strength to hold yourself up and away from the pole to get several rotations. The spinning climb actually comes from your hands, and as you reach up, rotate the hands so as you pull into them, you rotate. If you do it smoothly, it just looks like you are still spinning. For spinning moves on the pole, sometimes it comes from twisting your hips/shoulders, sometimes it comes from your hands. For anything to spin on the static pole, you need to be really confident in that move so you can loosen your grip and not slide off. I am not sure what level you are at, but these moves do take time and a lot of practice. Let me know if you want video of how to do any of them.