[lisakm]

Good for you, Veena, for making a stand and staying true to your values. And for encouraging all of us to think about our use of social media, and to make an effort to live the fullest lives we can.

And thanks for all the great stuff you offer us right here!

[lisakm]

Yes, there’s so much that I want to improve on, it’s hard to narrow focus for realistic goals and plans. My main goal at this point is the handspring — have long wanted that, and now’s the time. Smaller goals: to get my ayesha back — used to be able to hold it forever on both sides, now can only do one side. And to clean up my allegra and jade split. And to get my aerial shouldermount back, and straight-leg inverts. And to string together some long aerial sequences. And to work on flow and freestyle. Flexibility and strength, too — have been very close to front splits for ages, need to be more consistent with my splits training to solidly get these, and want to be more disciplined with my home workouts. And want to work on back flexibility. And spin tolerance. And to catalog the moves I know, so I can kind of keep them fresh in my mind (and in my practice) and not forget and lose stuff. That’s what I want for this year!

[lisakm]

@ammarice – Just came from open studio where I used the Kelodo earbud while practicing sling. One earbud worked fine for me — I could hear my song over the studio’s music without any problem. And it stayed securely in my ear through plenty of high-impact drops. I’m very happy with this — it’s doing exactly what I had hoped it would!

Good luck with whatever you try!

[lisakm]

I just got a Kelodo earbud from Amazon — it was under $10. Comes with a few different ear molds, and seems to fit very securely. Just tried it on last night — haven’t tried working with it yet. But it feels very secure for pole work. I bought it to work on a sling routine, and I’m concerned about drops — I can’t keep a ponytail holder in my head for long when I’m working on drops. But my husband is pretty sure I won’t have a problem with this…

[lisakm]

I’m really enjoying this! It’s fun to have a new, mystery exercise each day, and these are a good balance — all do-able, but they take some work. This is a nice way to add some new exercises to my repertoire. And like everyone else, I’m really, really hoping (against all odds!) to be the lucky winner! But either way, we’ll all come out winners for having done this.

[lisakm]

Thanks for both of those suggestions! I hadn’t actually thought of either — will play around and see what I come up with.

[lisakm]

Agree on your point about respectability. I haven’t seen the Felix Canes act, but I did see Amaluna a couple of months ago, and absolutely loved the pole acts! As well as the rest of the show.

[lisakm]

Yes, monkey fish is a good one! I like that. Will go with that!

[lisakm]

Thanks, all. And yes, Veena — this does look like the same pose in your photo — minus your crazy flexibility! 🙂

[lisakm]

Thanks, Tropicalpole. Hadn’t ever heard of those! But it looks like these are done with hips behind the pole? Not sure if that would make this a variation of that, or something different.

[lisakm]

She’s my new hero, too! Really, REALLY love that routine.

[lisakm]

I started last year at 47. Had been into flying trapeze for a few years in my early 40s, but had to give that up when household finances declined. Loved pole class from day 1 — much more affordable than trapeze, and just as challenging and exciting. AND something that was actually possible to practice at home — didn’t have that with flying trapeze! Like others have said, I wish this was something I had gotten into when young, but I’m thrilled to be doing it now.

[lisakm]

Toe isn’t purple this time, Frowning, so I’m thinking maybe not the same injury, even though it feels the same. Sorry to hear you’ve broken yours — but it sure makes me feel better to hear about others’ mishaps 🙂

[lisakm]

Thanks for the encouragement, guys. Actually, I don’t know that this is a break — may just be a sprain — didn’t bother going to the doctor this time.

Will do the rest-ice-elevation thing and stay off my foot as much as possible, but will also do some conditioning work tonight — and try to focus on what I actually can do, instead of feeling sorry for myself 🙂

Thanks for the tips on how you all take care of yourselves.

[lisakm]

Melcifer, your spinny version of this is fabulous! I’m going to have to try that. On static, though.