Feeling a little discouraged.

MissChiefNYC started this discussion · 5/3/2011

I've not been around for a while, having suffered through my first and extended pole rut. First the pole needed adjusting, then the A&B poles at the seam became a little jagged (these are my *replacement poles, wasn't an issue at first) . I've lost a little weight, and am squishy. my hips are stiff due to arthritis. Actually, I'm having a bit of the wahhhh wahh poor me (s) Oy vey. I'm looking for some inspiration ladies and gents, and a little encouragement. I'm finding it terribly difficult to climb, and feel like I've reached a plateau. I feel like deleting all of my videos, because they just suck, and show no progression.I feel awkward, and stiff, and un-pretty. ENOUGH ALREADY!!!! Gads! I know it does get better... I guess I'm just needing to vent a little. I practiced some today, and realized that months away can truly hinder any growth. ::sigh:: How do you get through thease times?

6 replies

LoneStarDiva · 5/3/2011
HEy... I just came out of a slump. (Only 6th week at pole fitness- no workout at all last week and was about to give up! Silly me!!😲). I'm starting to think Niki has a point: "Just DO it". I know it sure made me feel better. (Check my post/blog/video from today) THEN go look at YOUR videos and see what all YOU CAN DO!! :):) And thank god (or whoever) that you're not stuck down here with us 'newbies'!! :):) It'll get better - it always does!!
chemgoddess1 · 5/3/2011
I HATE HATE HATE ruts!! The longest one I was in was about 5 months....I would still jump on a pole at the playground but I had not touched mine at home in ages. I find that when I do walk away from it I come back stronger than I ever was. Maybe it is my brian processing the moves I cannot get to a point where my body listens. All it takes for me is that one blissful song that I just dance to...screw the tricks, screw taping, screw EVERYTHING. It is the lights down low, music up high and just working my body around the pole. Do not take down the vids. Go to Redke71 on youtube and take a look at her stuff from 3-4 years ago. Granted, she was still awesome back then but if a champio like Karol keeps her stuff up, you really should do the same. It gives you a video log of just how far you really have come!
Pomegranate · 5/4/2011
Try doing something different like a dance class, extreme stretching class or even an aerial class to see what might perk you up. You might find out that using different muscles and relaxing the ones you use for pole might take you to another place and/or level. Perhaps a hula hoop class. Who knows one of these might get ur juices flowing again and you may even start incorporating something new back on the pole
Jenn · 5/4/2011
I have taken some extensive breaks from the pole myself, some due to injury and overuse, others because of just plain lack of inspiration and frustration. Sometimes I just get so angry at myself because I am not as talented and graceful as some of the other pole dancers that have been practicing half as long as me or have gymnastics/dance backgrounds and can twist their legs behind their necks or bend their backs in half. But then I have to remember that I started doing this for ME, not for anyone else, and I do it because I ENJOY it and want to challenge MYSELF and work to MY best ability. Its not a competition and I don't need to compare myself to everyone else. There is no one to keep up with but myself. Sometimes a break is not a bad idea. Breaks give you time to regroup and let your muscles rest. And if you're pushing yourself to practice and not enjoying it anymore, then what is the point??? Its okay to take a break... If you're afraid of getting weak, try cross training with a different activity. Besides pole, I also practice aerial silks, trapeze and take hip hop dance lessons. I am by no means very good at any of those hobbies, but they all challenge me in different ways and still force me to practice being graceful and fluid. Not to mention they are also fun... so when I get too frustrated with one activity, I reach for anotther. And like Chem said, sometimes you need to just let go of all the things that have you frustrated with yourself and just dance to DANCE... feel the music and enjoy the movement. That's when you need to just crank up the stereo, throw on your favorite mix and just move. Remember why you got a pole in the first place...You may find that is the little push you needed all along to get that spark lit again.
LopsiJulie · 5/4/2011
Yeah.... I took vids last night for the first time just to see what I look like, and it's pretty awful! :) My "extended" butterfly really isn't different from my butterfly! But actually, I'm excited because now I realize all the small things I have to work on (note: point toes!). Hang in there and pole because it's fun!
PolefitFanatic · 5/4/2011
Enter a competition...okay, I know that sounds a bit radical, but it really helps to have the end-game in mind. In New Zealand we now have a amateur pole comp - NZAPP, from beginner levels through to advanced and open, so anyone can enter. In the beginner levels the focus is more on the performance aspect, intermediate has a cap on th move difficulty so it is fair for everyone. I have entered the competition and although it is totally scaring the life out of me, having that goal there is spurring me on no end....And I am entering to compete, not to win. Lots of others I have spoken to are not going to enter until the consider themselves good enough to win - I have no such aspirations, but my pole is improving radically at the moment because of the extra effort I feel I have to put in....