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Hi Nicole, did you loosen the two hex screws at the bottom of the pole? It will not slide on the base if they are screwed in all the way. Once you’ve done that line up it up with the X’s and tighten it down. This has been a common problem with a simple solution. 🙂

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I have a strict policy regarding the proper progression. When I get women that have been poling from another state/city that want to for example drop in for an open pole, they are told that their skills will be assessed and they need to tell us points of contact that are needed before they can pole (We have an instructor in ALL open poles to make sure everyone is doing things correctly, and to assist them/spot). The same goes for students that join classes on a regular basis. When they start to move up, they are assessed for their ability, are they solid, are they performing the move correctly, have they learned how to safely exit.

This is my BUTT, and safety is always FIRST! When we start a new “Intro” series, they are told on the first day that they will do things according to our curriculum, not what they’ve seen on YouTube or fb, NO EXCEPTIONS! again this is my BUTT! They are also informed that the consequences of not following policy will get them booted out (depending on the severity of violation, some are restricted or have to go back to basics). I also let them know that it is not only their safety we are concerned about, but the safety of our instructors, and anyone who feels they can’t comply with our policy is free to leave. I have had only 5 people in 4 1/2 years walk out because they felt I was holding them back. Having said that, when someone is working hard, getting their practices in, attending regularly, and are excelling, I test them to see which level would be more appropriate, and if they are bumped up, I make sure they have the skills to keep up (I work with them during open pole to fill in what could be gaps if they skip a level). What it all boils down to for me is SAFETY, not MONEY! I have to look out for students and staff, and I have sustained an excellent reputation for this.

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Hi Saeth, when you invert, try pushing your legs with your hips up toward the ceiling. It gets your legs higher, then when you bend to get into your knee pit, point your toes toward the floor (of course they won’t literally go to the floor, but will give you a more secure hold to remove your hands). If your profile pic is what your your outside leg hang (or Gemini looks like), your leg is not bent enough and will cause you to trap your hand with more pressure from your thigh. As for Crucifix, when you turn, make sure you are removing your inside arm (the one closest to the pole), then use that free hands to grab the pole by your head/shoulders to remove your other hands from between your knees/lower thigh. These have worked very well with my students. 🙂

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Ok, I’ve had some students that went through this. The joints go in hard if you don’t loosen them before you try to put them in, in other words if the joint was fully expanded and had to be forced, it will pry the slots apart, and eventually the joint will twist and not stay lined up. Secondly, make sure the screws you loosen for the spin mode are out and level with the outside of the pole, it even one is not out far enough it will catch on the screw as it spins. Another problem is when the pole is not lined up on the bottom 3 screws. When you are first screwing the adjuster to the height you need and tighten it, if the screws are not perfectly lined up with the flat part of the adjuster rod (the rod is covered by the metal sleeve at the bottom of the pole)your pole will catch and not spin properly. These seem to be the most common problems, and are an easy fix. 🙂 Hope this helps a bit!

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I did not have a studio to go either, I taught myself at home at first, then did Veena’s lessons. I loved that I could learn at my own pace. Being older I was terrified of falling, or breaking bones. I was quite comfortable with Veena’s structure. Now some years later, I own the only studio where I live. I still purchase lessons for a year, every year because Veena is a wonderful source for me as a poler, studio owner, and instructor! AND! her videos are available 24/7! So you do it when you have time! 🙂

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If you are subscribed to Veena’s lessons, and you haven’t poled before, it’s best to start her 30 day program. Her lessons are in order, and they will advise you on what to do. If you find you have other questions, you can post a question for Venna and she will respond to you with an answer! Her lessons are very similar to studio classes. If you are learning at home, they are EXCELLENT! They are also very helpful to supplement your classes with if you attend a class. Hope this helps! 🙂

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quancutie23, that’s a good way to handle it, but continue to cheer your fellow students on, and continue to be a good example for them. You’d be surprised how much(positive)impact you’ll have on those around you, because you care! 🙂 Pole on!!!

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Casi, I know for myself with running my studio and teaching as well, no matter how well I try to keep up with new information to continually educate myself and my staff, I fall short on occasion and a student or instructor will bring something to me to check out. I really appreciate that! It shows me they not only care, but want our studio to continue to offer the best we can, so I think if you have good instructors, they will probably appreciate your input! Keep me posted! 😊

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Casi, try finding or putting together a warm up you’ve seen that you feel might work, then ask to speak to your instructor, or even the owner privately and share your feelings along with a suggestion…the worst they can do is say no. As a studio owner/instructor, I have had students come to me with suggestions/ideas, I LOVE that they care enough about what they are doing/learning that they give input! In order for us to continue to challenge our students, we need to change things up periodically. I consider what they’ve shared, and after considering 1) is it feasible, 2) Is it going to be safe, and 3) Does it fit with what we are teaching at that time, we may implement it! You might want to suggest a suggestion box for your studio/school, it’s a great way for everyone to share their ideas! Our students are very much a part of what we do, we are here because of them! 🙂

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quancutie23, I was addressing the fact that regardless of what you feel, if you are not on staff and you spotted someone as a student, you as well as the studio can be sued. Veena is right, wait until there is a private moment to pull the instructor aside to discuss your concerns. Whether we agree or disagree with how things are being done, it still is not our place to step in on someone else s business. I don’t disagree that the scenario that was described is a whole lot of wrong on the part of part of the instructor/studio, but it is still their business to chose right or wrong how they want things done. Yes, it is a shame that there are places like that, that don’t seem to care about the people that have entrusted their safety to them. There are many studio owners/instructors that have been working hard to change that. Sadly it takes time, and hopefully it doesn’t cost someone a serious injury, or perhaps even their life. I have been a member of SV since it’s beginning, and am unable to get on as much as I would like, having said that, I’m not here to fight or start an argument, I’m just as concerned about these situations as you. 🙂

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No, as with any other business that you do not own, you do not have the right to interfere with their business( calling out an instructor, or trying to redirect their customer/student). You do have the right to leave if you don’t like what hey are doing, or how they do it, as well as sharing your thoughts with others outside of their Establishment.

I agree, allot of these things should not be taught to newcomers, they need to be taught the basic foundation and fundamentals, as well as specific strength and conditioning exercises. Also, students should never spot other students in a class (it’s different if you are at a friend’s home poling), that’s what the instructors are for, they are insured to do this, not a student. 🙂

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Thanks Veena! We need to have you back here!!!!

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Thanks, and YES, grayeyes! Veena inspired me to have the courage to be ME!!

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Yes, it’s my 59th birthday!! It’s AWESOME sharing your anniversary day with you!!!

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I don’t usually respond to these type of threads, however, as a business owner, I have to be concerned with quality, not only for carefully selecting cost effective products, but also providing quality products to my students from companies that have integrity. I personally am not impressed when a company plays a public blame game. I would think it would behoove that company to take responsibility to try to rectify the problem of their either unhappy customers, and or improve their product if there have been enough complaints.

I have to say that I’ve dealt with X-Pole, and Lil Mynx. When ever I’ve had an issue, that company has “owned” the problem and gone above and beyond to rectify it! If a company (any company), wants to meet or surpass the competition, they need to focus on providing not only a quality product, but excellent customer service. I am not impressed with a company behaving like a high school kid, and publicly stating it’s someone else s fault. If you believe you have something good, then focus on that, if there are issues with it, own it, and fix it! That’s how I run my business….and it WORKS!! That’s my professional opinion. 🙂