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Social media, inspiring or discouraging?
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( kinda off topic) I like everyones point of view and it opens up different ways of thinking about these situations. I do want to say though in response to “likes” ,”comments” or “shares” as far as facebook is concerned. I could careless about these things on youtube or studioveena etc.. It is nice to have that though, knowing people liked the video and took the time out of their lives to watch it etc..it is a great confidence booster to some. BUT on facebook, it is my personal account. Almost everyone on there except a few of you polers and a few friends of friends, I know everyone. It is my friends and family. So when I post videos, I sometimes get likes and comments and shares but hardly. But I will post pictures of my pole stuff or share some other video and it gets lots of likes! lol. It makes me feel like no one cares really and thats fine too! But it does kinda make you feel like your being a creeper posting this stuff because people will private message me and say awesome or that was bad ass or your getting good but they don’t say that on the video or whatever. They will say “i hope i’m not being a weirdo telling you this”…That right there is like “Am i being a creeper posting this lol” That is what bugs me. If you watched the video and you like it or want to say something, do it on the video!! Don’t pm me unless your scared of your girl or something lol because I am trying to inspire people and share my journey with friends and family like they share their kids and other life things and passions. It makes me feel disheartened thinking that im being a creep. I am not trying to show off or get attention, well maybe a little haha but you know what i mean. I just want to share a big part of my life with friends and family like they do theirs.. So when no one likes it or anything, I feel like i’m being weird or they just don’t like it or get sick of it and that hurts me because these people are my close friends and family. I know most do like it because they have said things to me and encouraged me so I get trapped in my own head putting thoughts in their that have no business being in there lol. It is just the reassurance that some people need, not that it is for attention. Because I don’t give a shit what people think except when it comes to certain people. I am getting over the anxiety of posting this on facebook and will continue to post regardless of likes etc..I already have quite a few wanting to try it out so that is my goal, to motivate people and inspire. That is what i have to remind myself.
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We absolutely need pro’s and pole stars to represent and it’s great to follow them because you will find inspiration. I have no issue with them, they have worked VERY hard and I know how time consuming it is to keep up with posting to social media and I personally find it mentally draining at times, then other times its fun to try and find things people like to share. I’m talking more about what and how pole related companies present pole to the world, at this point in time it doesn’t seem like a general population obtainable exercise or art.
After reading everything it seems I will continue to try and post a mix of inspirational, informational, and the incredible to our sv page?
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Veena’s you are an awesome source of inspiration to the community. Your pro move blog still enters my head often. It’s like yeah it’s a signature trick for a reason. You constantly push the community is a nice direction.
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Thank you 😊
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Veena, I hear what your are saying…it seems like pole related companies sometimes do kind of show just more the trickster side of pole vs. maybe someone just doing a simple pole sit or fireman spin.
I know when I demo (and my instructors) for an intro we try to keep the WOW tricks to a minimum. We try to incorporate more floorwork(the average woman LOVES floorwork), wall work, chair dance, and pole fillers. They are already overwhelmed as it is so we really work the stage presence/persona, walking, sensual movement and connecting with the audience. That seems to work pretty well 🙂
I like to watch videos. I dont really get too discouraged from others progress. I know what I excel at and what type of artists that do the movements that I like (olga koda, eva bembo, etc..) I just learn tricks as I see fit. But I definitely find videos and clips extremely helpful…especially when you teach and you need some new material 😉 There truly is something to learn from everyone. Its cool to see all the different styles out there from around the world. I am just in awe at times b/c when I started my studio 9 years ago it was like one chick on youtube that wore white that pole tricked out of her garage ( i think her name was elena or something like that) and there was one dvd called pole kats. That was it…so to see how this has evolved still blows me away sometimes. -
What do YOU guys see in your social media feeds?
I follow a lot of the stars. I’ll be honest I am inspired by tricks and flexibility. Comming from a figure skating background I have a mind set built in already that I have to get my “tricks ” down solid. But on the same note…. I was so successful in my figure skating journey because I had a balance between my tricks and my dance. The performance side of anything is so important. The in between beats. The quiet pauses. The extension threw your shoulder elbow wrist then finger tips. Your eye contact and pointed toes. I love a trick filled performance. As long as the in between moments are filled with emotion. I do see a lot of clips in my feed. I like them and with them it’s easy. But I also make a point to watch performances and practices all the way threw because I know if I post a 7 min long video it is because I wanted to share those 7 min with you. Were here to aoupirt each other were a family. When I started so many liked my videos and have pointers. Those moments made my day and still do and I want to give that back to others.Do you feel encouraged or discouraged by what you see?
It hits me bouth ways I think. Some of the big tricks I think even tho I’m strong and pretty flexible I still get inside my head too much and think. No freaking way! And some times I take it in as a challenge. Like dragons tail. I was terrified of it but wanted to try it’s not perfect and will never be like Charlees but it’s fun to try and be part of that. I’d say the big stuff motivates me more then discourages meHave we been too spoiled by the video clip to sit down and enjoy a dance?
I like clips to a point. It’s awsome to get a trick or combo down love seeing it. However where is the struggle. Where is the time it took to get that move. Where was the falls and trips. The bruises and angry grumbles and screams. The tears … Before the happy dance it’s not all a happy dance I post the entry’s to my tricks and exits and more then one attempt because it’s real. The reality of trying to get a move. That is think can be motivating I it’s self. And is important for people new into pole and the communityHow can we get everyone here to help spread the word that pole IS for EVERYONE?
Taking the time to watch epithets videos.teading there comments and adding our own comments. Making sure to thank those who take time to coment in our own posts
But not hidding. Not being afraid or scared. By being confidant in our selves and abilities no mater what stage we are at. We need to share. We need to share our dances that are trick free we need to embrace that. We need to share the struggles behind the achievement of a new move and embrace the journey. It’s like the behind the seans of pole dance.
I watched a video the other day about how pole dance fitness has realy taken over. The fitness side is the big focus now. Pushing the sexy side. The dance side the flow and grace has disappeared and it is all about strength. I think we need to remember to dance. I think it could be that simple dance and share get back to basics. Perfect our basics and build on the basics of pole. And promote each other. We are all so unique in our styles that is something not everyone thinks of. The diversity of pole. Style swap challenges. Finding your freestyle does some amazing work on turning the focus of pole dance away from the big “wow ” tricks and turns it into a “wow” performance threw movement and flow.
Those are just my thoughts. Even if we did something like a non invert challenge dance. Showing how a routine can still be impressive without inverts. Or getting back to the basics. How can we elongate. Re create. Accentuate basic moves.
Remember your first fireman spin. Or back hook. How awaome that was. We need to share that
So I will let my rant come to an end. That was long. Thanks for this post veena -
This video REALLY explains how I feel, I almost cried! I’m not just saying this because I own the joint but let me add that with SV I don’t feel disconnected, I’m not sure what it is, but I’ve always felt like I really get to know you guys on here. On FB I’ve always felt like it was a contest even among people who are my real friends to get them to see what I’m posting. Sometimes FB leaves me with questions did they see this post, do they care if I’m not posting, maybe they only like me for _____ reason? Why didn’t they “like” this photo, video, comment etc… I don’t know I may just be crazy. lol
Here’s the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7dLU6fk9QY
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Yes, Veena! I love this video….it really speaks volumes.
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Veena that video made me cry!!!!
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I’d like to post a more thoughtful reply, but I’m a bit short on time at the moment.
Everyone who has posted has hit upon lots of great points. I deactivated my Facebook account earlier this year for a variety of reasons, which I could go into at length. I only have a LinkedIn because it’s a professional necessity in my field. When the topic of social media invariably comes up in conversation and I respond that I disabled my account, people are either shocked, think I’m hiding something, or that I was harassed. The reality is, I was tired of the nonsense. I was experiencing the “look at me, look how much better my life is than yours” problem in both my regular social life and within the pole dance community. I really dislike what social media has done to our society, and the way it has affected how we treat one another.
I really appreciate how hard Veena works to keep this community a positive experience for everyone, from total beginner to pro, and most importantly for everyone who is somewhere in the middle. It is not an easy thing to do on the modern internet. I would have given up pole dancing a very long time ago if not for this place. I’ll never be pro level or even advanced level, I don’t have the desire, physical gifts, or nerve. This is the only place where I feel like I can be a casual poler, the same way I am a casual gardener, foodie, reader, writer, hiker, film critic, etc. and not be treated like a second-class citizen. I don’t have a flat split, I sweat too much to want to attempt anything dangerous without a mat, and I have close to zero dance training or stage presence. But I think pole dancing is fun, and here, I feel like that is enough.
I recently read an excellent 2012 book by MIT prof Sherry Turkle. I think everyone should read it and think hard about how much value social media adds to their lives versus what it costs.
http://www.amazon.com/Alone-Together-Expect-Technology-Other/dp/0465031463/If you don’t have time to read the book, the author did a TED talk that covered some of the key points:
http://www.ted.com/talks/sherry_turkle_alone_together -
I really like that video and feel the same way Veena, I used to hate social media and was never on FB hardly ever because I thought it was stupid and feel the same way that guy described in the video but this year I gave in. What I realize though is the only good thing from it is being able to keep in touch with people you would have lost contact with or people you would only see at high school reunions lol until the invention of social media. However on that same note, besides people who live far away and distant relatives etc, I guess the only people that matter are the ones you stay in contact with off of social media I suppose. I would rather have 3 or 4 good friends that will come over, meet up, or pick up the phone and call you then 100+ friends who only will stay in touch with facebook and would not have cared otherwise about you if it weren’t for social media..
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I just stopped at the Hallmark store for a greeting card and saw this. We are beginning to wise up!
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Hahah!
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Amazing video. I really don’t use social media outside of SV. I opened a pole FB last summer for a group I was strengthening/conditioning with. Now that has ended and I rarely use it. It is pole friends only as I don’t welcome any additional drama into my “normal life”. I would close it except I use it to reach out to people for Skype jams and pole networking. However, I am not active enough for most people to really care…. Unless I am pulling some big trick. I shared my “Love out of Lust” video there and it was barely noticed *shrugs*. (So what I have SV!!) I am so grateful too as I would have probably quit without this place, since I have NO studio access. Hmmmm… Back to the point I am not discouraged by social media these days as I have accepted and love MY journey. With all it’s set backs and flaws, if is mine. After 3 years of poling I FINALLY don’t chase anything but my own enjoyment. I do like social media for ideas, but simply ignore/de-friend/forget anyone that makes me feel bad about myself OR that I find condescending or rude. Who has time?
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What do YOU guys see in your social media feeds?
I’m not following many of the elite polers and I think it has to do with the fact that I’m more interested in those that I can have some kind of a two-way communication with. With the elites it’s usually not like that, with a few exceptions.
In general those who not only post pics or vids but also write something and share their thoughts get my interest to a larger extent. One girl whose page I’ve liked post a mix of pics/vids, blogposts and thoughts (usually training related but anyway in a personal manner). She doesn’t get nearly as many likes or comments (if any) on the texts but I think it’s probably a win for her anyway that she keeps doing it. I think that is what could be bringing in genuine fans. Any hard training athlete is able to do some mind-blowing tricks but not everyone seem to have an interesting personality (or is able to make it shine through).
SO, my advice to Veena regarding what to post is to keep up the variety. Don’t focus on the amount of likes, shares, comments too much because if you only show the wow-tricks, you’ll soon be just one in the crowd of advanced/pro polers. Remember your target group and what has made studioveena successful (because it’s not the impossible trick I guess?).Do you feel encouraged or discouraged by what you see?
Encouraged, but not always excited :). Because of the inflation of big tricks, they have in some sense become mainstream. It’s nice to show to people that you’ve nailed something difficult, but since that what everyone else does as well, social media is just full of it. I get tired of both myself and others (not aimed at anyone specific) on facebook and instagram evenso more. There’s something stressful about those medias. I like youtube better for various reasons. One of them is that there as rule I post longer videos that I have had to edit and work with. For example I collect contortion clips over months and make it one video before I upload. So it doesn’t feel like the instantly attention-seeking thing when you just have to show straight away what you managed to accomplish tonight at the gym. There are times when I wished I was only on youtube and here. SV and youtube are like the pacific oceans to me where I can feel more relaxed while FB and IG can be draining. Yet they are fun in their own ways so I’m split :).
Have we been too spoiled by the video clip to sit down and enjoy a dance?
This relates to what I said about some medias being stressed. Facebook is one of them and just like others, I usually don’t watch full-length videos on there. The feed is something we normally just scroll through when there is a minute or so over. And then the easy sharing of short IG vids helps making the short clip a standard. Another reason is probably the amount of friends many of us have these. If we had had 50 instead of 500 the newsfeed had been much more manageable.
How can we get everyone here to help spread the word that pole IS for EVERYONE?
On a smaller scale, by keep posting variety I think, whether they are much watched/liked or not. It will at least show that there’s something else than the super-trick.
@CrazyKosters: I had a rant about people sending messages instead of liking in another thread. Some want to hide their activities and moreover I think that perhaps liking a pole video is considered extra â€dangerous†due to the reputation of pole. But I don’t think YOU should have to feel like the creep!
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Well said! And thanks for the last bit lol, I shouldn’t have to feel like the creep! lol
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Veena, first let me say that I often turn to your videos for ideas and inspiration!
I’m not a dancer, so choreography is a foreign language to me, but I’m learning. This past year I’ve had some injury and health set-backs, and in my recoveries, I’ve been emphasizing correct form (which I didn’t learn in the beginning), working on my Other Side, and actual dancing. I’ve also fallen in love with spin mode — I need to take motion sickness pills to do it, but it’s worth it — to the extent that for a recent studio showcase, I had two poles on spin. Also working really hard on the dancing, and self-expression (I’ve got the dead-pan thing nailed down a little too tightly!)At my age (60) I won’t compare myself to others … I appreciate what my body can do, and simply try to improve. And if I want to compare myself to other sexagenarians, there’s Greta Pontarelli and Bel Jeremiah … so I’m much better off comparing myself to me! There’s no rainbow Marchenko in my future, but I’m doing some things I never expected to achieve. Also working on those fundamentals to make them really pretty, and delighting on perfecting my pirouette.
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