Veena
Forum Replies Created
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Great! Being naturally flexy is always helpful. Often people find they are able to gain flexibility fast in one area, like the hips or hamstrings and find the shoulders or back challenging.
I’m not sure what advanced classes look like for your studio, but I’d say you should have a solid ballerina aka eagle and moves like the dove or bridge before working towards the RM.
It’s important to not only stretch but strengthen the muscle you’ll be using.
These lessons will help! Camel stretch, up and over stretch, shoulder clock stretch, reverse shoulder stretch, upper back stretch, upper back and shoulder stretch and advanced ballerina stretch, and foot to head stretch!
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It would help to know where you’re level of flexibility and pole is right now.
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By top hand I mean the hand towards the ceiling this is the hand that could be true, cup or twisted…the bottom hand will always stay in True grip.
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Yes, that’s exactly the progression I tend to see!! Look down to get your balance figured out, then move on to neutral or up, because like you mentioned, it’s scary to switch your gaze to up, especially if you have a tall ceiling or an angled ceiling…. That with the body pulling away from the pole isn’t something most people are comfortable with right away. So many moves are not just “simply do this” and then you’ve got it, it’s a process. That’s why I came up with the idea of programs.
On a different note: The Ayesha a good example of move where the top wrist can be unhappy using true grip (thumb up) and one might need to switch to cup grip or TG if they have the mobility for it.
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Here’s how I teach this move now and in person.
First, I don’t mention head position and see what they naturally do. If they don’t seem to have a preference I teach head looking at the floor just as you would for any other balance moves on the ground. Like handstand, in fact try this. Do a handstand in the middle of the floor and look up, unless you have a solid handstand and lots of experience, head up or neutral will not (usually) be an optimal position for learning balance. Looking at the floor is usually the most common instruction and usually most helpful. I say usually because there are always exceptions and a good instructor knows this and will be able to accommodate. This is why I teach head looking at the floor first…. once they feel steady in balancing, you can move on to neutral head (looking straight at the pole) or looking up at the pole or ceiling. If the student naturally looks up, that totally fine too, but if they really struggle with balance I then have them try head down to see if that helps. Switching head placement can be an ah ha, moment in balance!
As far as hollow body, it’s not such an issue with ayasha because the legs are open and not straight. This means a lot of the “hollow” will come from correct placement of the hips and legs, as in teaching to rotate from the hips (turning knees to the floor) instead of just open leg into straddle v, ( I cover this in a few lessons ) and insuring they push through the shoulders correctly and avoid blocking them into a back and down placement.
Now if you’re talking about getting into an Ayesha from a cartwheel mount or handspring, looking up at the pole first can help them learn where to hook the foot when starting with half cartwheel.
Anyway my point is, either way is fine, go with what is most comfortable and once you nail your balance you’ll be able to place your head where ever you like!! 🙂
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I totally know what you mean and I have one leg that use to have the problem! There are lots of things that will help and what Latin said is correct! Imagine extending through the back of the knees.
If you have the lessons check out the Nailed it, flow program we work on leg lines in there. Also try choosing one of these routine to do 2 or 3 times per week.
Lower body conditioning https://www.studioveena.com/lessons/view/5914d0df-43bc-4f0e-add1-219aac110006
Lower body routine https://www.studioveena.com/lessons/view/52e9d171-5724-43b2-8784-47960a9aa0eb
Sexy legs and abs routine https://www.studioveena.com/lessons/view/5444937f-b2f4-4995-bd1f-7c2d0a9aa0eb
There’s a lot of info in the Veena’s tips section of the lessons too https://www.studioveena.com/lessons/view_category/veenas-tips
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Oh that’s a cool song Caituhlin!
I’d suggest watching some off pole dancers to get a different perspective on things you could do!
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Looks great! I look down in mine (just like in handstands etc)…unless I’ve planned some kind of trick that I might need to have my eye on the pole for, then I might switch my gaze. You can choose to do what feels natural 🙂
Bending the arm is more about where you want to be positioned, neither way is right or wrong. I’ve got a TON of new things in the works so stay tuned 🙂
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OH and I have a brass xpole 40 and honestly the finish of the platinum is much better!
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It’s permanent as in affixed to both the floor and ceiling, it doesn’t come down. I love my brass but you can purchase stainless steel 38s too.
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My new pole is a 38 I LOVE it! IT’S A PERMANENT MOUNTED POLE I don’t know that you can get a 38 in a removable. Mine is a brass platinum stages brand, but I purchased from xpole. Contact them and they should be able to help!
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I make sure to have rest days in the programs so as long as you do your best to allow for rest then you should be fine! Since you’re not a new dancer pushing from time to time can be helpful! If you start to feel like you are too tired and sore all the time then it’s time to back off.
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Yes, I think it’s important to note that ANY type of split grip inverted or upright can be bad for you! There are many things to factor in so it’s not a one grip fits all or every level even.
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It depends on the heel!
If you get clear heels they tend to be heavier than colored. So the taller ones are heaver if they are clear, I don’t notice a difference in weight with my taller colored heels tho. I think dancing in 7 inch heels is more comfortable than the shorter 6 and under…but that’s if you get a nice quality heel. Like Pleaser and Ellie. The extra weight doesn’t help in any pole moves 🙂
If you’re asking about the chromed heels…. the color does wear off over time, the straps color will flake off over time too. Go with clear straps if you don’t want flaking. Honestly I think a 7 inch is a good way to go. 8 might be a little too much if you are not super great with balance….but again if you can try them on you might find a style that is 8 inches that feels stable. It’s all about how the heel is made!
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You don’t have to learn TG. 🙂 The only time I use it is when I’m inverted and the TG arm is below me (so arm at my side and not overhead). This keeps any pinching off the shoulder joint.