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Congrats, girl!  An exhilarating achievement, isn't it!  ps: In the meantime, probably your bf could be your spotter so you could continue to invert, while waiting for the crash mat to arrive?  LOL

[stardust]

Amy's unhooked knee hold's picture is absolutely gorgeous! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_flower.gif I recall there was a forum post quite sometime ago, where unhooked knee hold was mentioned.  At that time, I thought is unhooked version even possible?? https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif

Well, after poling slightly more than a year now, finally I gave a try on the unhooked version.

Here's mine:

https://www.studioveena.com/photos/view_photo/4de8a3f4-d52c-4cb8-9e48-7aba0ac37250

Thanks for the inspiration! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif

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Finding the sweet spot on the bottom leg (not on the bony part), pulling with the top leg (really secure knee grip), set both legs wide apart and push hips forward are the main keys for me.  It did hurt the first times with bruises! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_confused.gif  Caution, even if you found the sweet spot, it still does hurt when you do it for the first times!  But, over time the pain will subside and this move will come to you naturally & easily. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif  Recently, I did the unhooked knee hold version, it's like learning knee hold all over again, I have to find a new sweet spot & getting new bruises AGAIN! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif  Good luck, you can do it!  https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

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I remember I saw this vid last year & my jaw was on the floor!  After a year seeing it again, my jaw is STILL on the floor!   LOL   She is just incredibly strong https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif  ps: @moonflower:  Yes, I need to recover my jaw from the floor as well, LOL

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I noticed you mentioned outside leg.  But, there's a move Alethea did at 2:54, which sounds like what you described (but she's using inside leg)?  

http://www.youtube.com/user/aletheaaustin#p/u/37/Gw2Ga0oZU5g

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@EVamp83:  Hi, in case you still haven't locate the list of finalists, here's the link.

Pro:

http://uspoledance.com/?p=639

 

Amateur:

http://uspoledance.com/?p=652

 

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Yup, spinning pole and controlled dismount wouldn't be any problem.  However, the only time there's loud 'thud' sound is when I accidentally fell off the pole (once in a while https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif )!  I guess the downstairs' neighbor must have heard it, but so far they never complained https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif

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@Shellectra:  You will get it with practice!  Your progress shown in your pics has been amazing! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif

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This is an interesting thread, everyone has their favorite grip!  For aysha, I started with: forearm grip –> elbow grip –> split grip.  I find going from forearm / elbow grips to split grip takes much longer time.  https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif

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Honestly, I had no idea what was Black Widow until I saw it in the PoleDanceCommunity vid https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif

http://www.youtube.com/user/poledancecommunity#p/search/0/ybKIJseGAQk

 

 

 

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Hi Clinky, there are actually pictures of the Knot in the wikipole (2 variations).

Black widow, it's actually a stag spin or some called it reverse sunwheel spin.

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WOW!  I'm so loving that vid right now!

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You need vocals for your theme music?  Try checking out no 1) & no 2):

1)  From 2:12 onwards, the music does sound more upbeat…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVlFCNvp2zI

 

2)  This is a fusion of classical & contemporary, very energetic, see how you like it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3V0opKObsPY

 

3)  There are movies' soundtracks too.  Try checking out these on youtube too.

     i)  The curse of the golden flower

    ii)  The red cliff

    iii)  Crouching tiger, hidden dragon

   iv)  Hero

   v)  The house of flying daggers

  vi)  The last samurai

Good luck with listening & choosing!

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Hi, thought you might be interested with Kitaro's Matsuri, check it out on youtube!

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I can see that when members post to your profile, now it's in order of latest sequence!  There are certainly a lot of other new things, too!

Thanks a lot for the awesome hard work, Webmaster!