SpyralBound
Forum Replies Created
-
I have a similar problem with my X-Pole (45mm TG – not sure what model, husband bought it for me over a year ago).
It doesn't really thunk, but it does seem to have one spot in its rotation that it gets hung up on, almost like the rotation is lopsided somehow. When you're actually up there spinning on it, you don't really feel it, and it does make for a slower spin (which I don't mind so much). But if you're just standing next to it and turning it with your hand, you can feel it "catch" almost?
I've been trying to figure this out forever. At first I thought it was because I had it set up on carpet and the carpet was uneven, but I'm in a new house and have wood floors, and it still does it. But not *every* time, which is the weird thing. Every once in a while I set it up and it spins smoothly, but most of the time, it has that catch.
It doesn't look bowed to me, nor does the level indicate that it is (though I will have my husband take a look too). I'd be surprised if bowing was the problem, because it's been doing this pretty much since I got it.
I suppose it could be overtightened – after having the darn thing come loose a few times while I was on it (no injuries), I'm a little paranoid about having it tight enough to prevent that.
I was messing with it last night and noticed this time it wasn't just getting caught, but groaning as it rotated, and the groaning seemed to come from the dome, so I'm going to take it all apart tonight and get a closer look.
-
@portableninja, I can relate! One time while we were getting frisky, he wanted me to sorta dance for him, not on the pole but more like a lap dance, and I turned into a laughing mess because I felt so, so awkward and not sexy. And he's like "You can dance all sexy up on the pole, why not this?" I couldn't explain it.
Maybe it's the "all eyes on me" factor (even if there's just 2 eyes), suddenly I'm under a spotlight. And the whole point is to impress him, so there's another layer of performance anxiety – and my natural reaction to that is to laugh like an idiot.
Then just a few nights ago, the same opportunity came up, and I felt that instant fear of awkward non-sexiness come up again, and consciously said to myself "Oh come on just DO IT." Ironically, I sort of had to pretend he wasn't there and keep my back turned or eyes closed for some of it before I started feeling comfortable. (Corby, that's probably the Facade thing you're talking about.)
Funny how pole can build you up and make you feel so confident and rockstar sexy, and then all it takes is the right/wrong person asking you for a dance and suddenly all that confidence drains out into a puddle on the floor and you're a self-conscious beginner again.
-
My problem is the opposite of LillyBilly – my husband thinks the tricks are cool, but is totally bored by floorwork, transitions and dance. I have to beg him to watch my videos, and I see his eyes glaze over when I start talking pole. But that's OK, his hobby is brewing beer and he has to beg me to taste his beers, and I politely nod and smile when he tells me about all the new recipes he's dreaming up. It's a fair trade-off.
I've thought about putting on an actual show for him but am discouraged by his lack of interest in the dancing part (I can't just bust out mad tricks!), and I also don't think he'd follow 'club rules.' Seducing this man is pointless, he's "always on" and ready to rock-and-roll if I so much as wink at him. I don't think I could get him to sit still for even a short dance – a few body waves into it, he'd be grabbing me off my feet and carrying me to the bedroom.
It's kind of sad because pole has really put me in touch with my own sexiness and I'd like to display that for him, but eh, not really worth getting upset over. I just dance by myself for an imaginary Russell Crowe and it all works out just fine for everyone, haha.
-
This is WONDERFUL! This should be required reading for all teachers and pole studio owners.
I am plus size in the breasts only (I do wear a size 12 but refuse to consider myself "plus" just because of that) and, though I try hard not to compare myself to the skinny-mini dancers I meet all the time, I can't help noticing that my body is just plain different from theirs. Not better or worse, but different. Like when I do a shoulder stand (lying on back with legs and hips up in the air), I have to be careful that my boobs don't creep up on my face and suffocate me! That difficulty might not even occur to someone with a smaller cup size.
Thanks so much for sharing, Diva.
-
I think the best one I've gotten so far was, post-frisky-times with the hubby, he said he was impressed by the muscle definition he could see in my upper back.
https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif
My massage therapist frequently comments on my calves, and my fellow yoga students are envious of my inversions. I just got back from a class actually and some of the other students were all https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_surprised.gif because I nailed the headstand on my first try. It's not all that different a concept from the elbow stands I practice regularly and I'm used to being upside down. What can I say?
-
hehe, don't feel bad Casey.
Kinda reminds me of something a bit off topic… The street I live off of is called "Wolfangel Road." Now, to me, that looks like it should be pronounced "Wolf Angel," as in the spiritual beings with halos and wings, so that's how I say it. But everyone I talk to locally says "Wolf Angle" as in triangle.
Drives…me…BATTY … but for all I know, they're right and I'm wrong and this is is some sort of localism that I'm not getting. (To my knowledge, it was named after some dude, so maybe the family pronounced it angle?)
I've been seriously tempted to call the police or fire station (not 911, obvs.) to say "Ok, so when you guys get a call to this road, how do YOU say it?"
But that's just my desperate need to be right … I'm trying to let it rest, LOL…
-
Now here's the REAL mystery question.
Who the hell is Brian? And why won't he play it safe?
-
Well Veena makes them look easy 🙂
Here's what the "beginner level" looks like (for elbow stands).
https://www.studioveena.com/videos/view/4e4fc697-6474-4c65-8998-23870ac37250
It involves a lot of false starts, jumps, and awkward entries. Practicing against a wall, with a crash mat so you don't stub your toes if you fall down, is highly recommended.
-
Ah, see? All in the same family. 🙂
-
Oh yeah no doubt, I just mean it scares me personally, not that she shouldn't be doing it.
Actually, now that I think about it, this looks like a variation of the Dangerous Brian. Which I'm sure has earned its nickname. That one terrifies me too.
-
Can't help thinking that looks *really* dangerous. Any move where the top of the foot is a primary POC like that freaks me the hell out.
-
Time spent dwelling on what you *coulda* done in the past is time wasted. 🙂 You're still young, you've got plenty of time to become an ace pole dancer. And maybe use this time to advocate and educate, too – a lot of people outside the community are still not used to the idea of a male pole dancer, so become a champion for your sport. Do some sweet street poling!
(I'm saying this and realizing I have no idea what the culture in Tanzania is like. If it's risky for you to pole in public – like if you might get attacked by other men or something – then of course, disregard the above.)
But yeah, anyway, playing "coulda woulda shoulda" and beating yourself up for not taking up pole sooner, is not making you a better dancer. Floorwork and strength work, as others have suggested, will make you a better dancer. So many beginners are so eager to get to "the fun stuff," the spins and tricks, and have to go back and learn floorwork and transitions later, and they kick themselves for it. You've actually got a pretty big advantage from that perspective. 🙂
-
Oh boy, we have Saturday Night Fever on vinyl, but no digital disco of any kind… I might need to get creative for this one.
-
From the way you describe it, you're doing actual headstands, like with your head on the floor? Those are *really* tough – Veena herself recently shared a video on her FB about headstands, elbowstands and handstands, and even she recommended against the headstand (with your head on the floor). Even with a cushion there for safety, there's a world of difference between resting your weight on your head vs. on your forearms, elbows or hands.
The feeling you're getting might be related to the pressure of your weight on your skull, in addition to just the blood rushing to your head. Maybe try elbowstands or handstands and see if it still feels that bad?
