[polergirl]

I think classes and safety training are crucial, at least until one gets to a certain point. Building a good base is, IMO anyway, a lot tougher to do when you don’t have someone explaining hand positioning, making sure you’re not throwing yourself into moves, etc.

Regular class time maybe isn’t as necessary after a dancer reaches a certain level, but this is where pole jams and the like are a huge positive.

Plus, as you mentioned, classes are fun and inspiring!!

[polergirl]

OMG, from that link amcut just posted…..ARGYLE undies!! Must. have. them.
http://www.thelittleflirt.com/Honeydew-Intimates-Glitter-Argyle-Cotton-Printed-Boy-Short-466-ZXpZX6677

[polergirl]

Pasty yes? Pasty yes.

I believe the phrase you’re looking for is "PERFECT alabaster skin" https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif
Seriously, could your skin look any more beautiful?

Lovely pictures, one and all–easy to see why you’re happy with them! And I love the "guns" shot.

[polergirl]

Thanks! I’m going to have to get out the old pen and notepad and start making meticulous entries. Everyone’s obviously got different things that work differently for them… but right now I feel like too many options are available. Getting some perspective is great. Really appreciate it https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

Trust me, we have all been there! There is a whole universe of pole coolness out there just waiting to be experienced, OMG! But I don’t mind saying, and I’m betting a lot of folks here would agree with me, there is a lot to be said for taking it slow, and truly experiencing each option. I used to learn a move and then think "great, checking that one off, moving on to the next" and so on, just building a catalog of tricks without taking as much time as I should have exploring each move and transitions, etc., but now I’m learning to enjoy the journey, so to speak. Yay!!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

[polergirl]

Being inverted can be really disorienting, so if I were you, I’d go down into handstands. Handstands are GREAT for helping you increase body awareness while upside down on the pole–without being wayyyyy up on the pole. You can play with leg hooks, and figure out which leg seems to be your dominant one. You can stretch from here. You can work on different leg positions and dismounts/slides down. Plus handstands may help hone your balance and allow you to isolate muscles in your core (at least they did that for me), which I still find tremendously helpful when I’m trying new stuff.

ETA: the dismount stuff is really important. You should always have an exit strategy, and if you’ve practiced sliding down out of an invert to the point where you can do it without even thinking, it’s probably not a bad thing. I consider it my "safety" position, lol.

[polergirl]

I think rompers are adorable but I too suffer from long-torso-itis, and they look like poo on me! I love that second one, with the netting and the hood. SO fun and hot all at the same time!!

This thread should be stickied. It contains a FONT of awesome bookmarks and pretties. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

[polergirl]

I was going to talk to my studio owner about it but we are getting super busy and the studio is almost always in use, it seems! Good problem to have, eh??

[polergirl]

VV, I heart you, seriously. That is so cool–he is going to flip out! Has he ever seen you do any pole work? If not, then he will REALLY flip out, lol.

[polergirl]

Do you mind my asking what kind yours are? You seem happy with them….I hope I am happy with mine!

[polergirl]

Please permit me a teensy bump. Any wig wearers here? Veena, how did yours work out when you did your Vday dancey-dance?

[polergirl]

One word of caution….write out a contract for a payment plan and stick to it! It’s always a sticky wicket to borrow money from friends…if you haven’t paid him back but show up with new shoes or buy a round at the bar or whatever, it’d be so easy for him to start feeling resentful. "Well, she doesn’t have money to pay me but she has money for those things…" If you have a payment plan set up it will eliminate that potential scenario.

I’ve seen it happen sooooo many times!

[polergirl]

I sneak peeks at myself constantly so I can adjust body position, etc. Eventually you get used to it. I always know where my mirrors/audience are! Developing and expanding your peripheral vision, if you can, is a good thing too. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

[polergirl]

Well, I dunno, but I’m going to find out! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif I’d think a good-quality lace front would be best for spending any length of time upside down, but who knows? Maybe it’ll prove me wrong!

[polergirl]

Yeah, it took me a while (and a bit of a fall… oops) to figure that one out! I think it looks a bit clumsy, but can only get better! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

…In the meantime, I think I should check out the thread on crash mats! lol!

Yeah, crash mats rock! I learned the hard way that sometimes cushions just get shoved out of the way by my rapidly approaching head. Thank goodness I have been well-schooled in tuck and roll, HAHA.

[polergirl]

Sweetness! Those look FAB and strong! Make sure you get into the habit of keeping the pole between your legs, though, rather than wrapping both around the front and then switching one to the back. If your hands were to slip you’d have nothing at all to hold yourself up with or slow down your descent.