[keex]

@prncsopower: I’m a NYS Licensed Massage Therapist and Certified Pilates Instructor

My guess is your Tensor Fascia Latae & Glute Medius because they abducts your thigh, not allowing it to hang straight. Plus, your TFL and gluteus maximus insert into the iliotibial tract which will further the pull into abduction. Also, if you have limited range of motion while bringing your knees into your chest, my guess would be tight glutes. So you might wanna try stretching and massaging your TFL, glutes and IT band consistently.

As for anterior pelvic tilt (most common aka "hyperlordosis") vs. posterior pelvic tilt; both are caused by hypertonicity in muscles that create pulling forces on bones and cause misalignment. Stretching and massage of the overly-tight (hypertonic) muscles and strengthening the over-stretched (hypotonic) muscles fosters muscular balance. If you tend toward hyperlordosis, focus on stretching and massaging the muscles that cross the hip, especially your iliopsoas which originates on your lumbar spin. Also, your TFL, sartorius and, as Veena metioned, your rectus femoris. Plus, strengthen your abdominal muscles to help lengthen your lower back muscles and create more symmetry. That can help alleviate back pain.

[keex]

If I’m understanding correctly, it seems as if your hip flexors (especially your tensor fascia latae) and lateral rotators of your hip are tight which can be rectified through consistent flexibility training and massage therapy to those muscles to decrease hypertonicity.

[keex]

LOL! That host was awesome. It cracked me up when she said USPDF lawyers were present and they’d have you arrested. Although their lawyers weren’t there, the USPDF videographer was there and I bet they’ll end up posting all the videos on their website eventually like they just started doing for previous events.

By the way, I can believe I didn’t have a chance to meet my Veener peeps! I swirled in just before the competition started and had to leave the theater with suitcase in tow to hop on the train back to NYC. I would’ve loved to have met you!

[keex]

i think that it’s important to remember that although USPDF was first, it is essentially run by one studio in NYC (as one commenter on alethea’s status mentions) and while that isn’t a bad thing, i think that in the strictest sense, it is a conflict of interest. in terms of long term success, i think that it’s important that the governing and judging bodies of competitions prove themselves to be unbiased in choosing contestants and winners.

I have to correct this. The USPDF and New York Pole Dancing are separate entities. Anna and Wendy are business partners that created and Co-Founded the USPDF together. Wendy is the sole proprietor of New York Pole Dancing which she opened a couple of years before USPDF was even conceived. If the USPDF was biased in terms of picking winners, instructors from NYPD would be USPDF title holders. In fact, none of them is a title-holder.

[keex]

I’m a big fan of yoga too! I just don’t practice it as much as I used to. My fave is Anusara yoga.

[keex]

Pilates. Hands down. It’s all about sourcing your strength, stability, control and stamina from your core. Plus, it focuses on optimal alignment and muscular symmetry which is great for injury prevention and maximizing your strength and flexibility. The key is, you need a great instructor who can assess your needs based on your posture, alignment and fitness goals and who can progress you systematically toward those goals.

[keex]

It literally hurts my heart when I see women so hard on themselves when they’re not selected to compete. As a professional dancer all of my life whose dealt with plenty of "rejection"; I know that there’s 2 ways to deal with it.

1.) be bitter, angry, disappointed; convincing yourself that you suck and that there’s no point in trying in the 1st place and give up on your dreams.

2.) let it inspire you to try harder, train harder, and believe in yourself more.

I know for a fact that Karol Helms was "rejected" the 1st time she submitted for USPDF. The following year, she won the East Coast Regionals and took the title of Miss Sexy. And deservedly so.

Never give up on yourselves or your dreams. Pole dancing is about creativity, self-expression and celebrating our individuality. Add to that some clean technique, smooth & unique transitions, powerful yet controlled spins and gravity-defying tricks plus musicality & artistry, and you’ll be sure to dazzle people at a competition one day.

Lastly, remember that LOTS of people are vying for a limited number of spots. You may be amazing, but so are a bunch of other people. What makes you stand out? You have to rely on more than just being able to do the tricks of the month.

DON’T GIVE UP!

[keex]

oh, and all the finalists were notified yesterday. i read on facebook that the official announcements will go up on the USPDF website soon.

[keex]

Some competitors submitted their videos privately so you can’t find them on YouTube.