Finishing Touches...

HilaryKate aka LolaSlaytor started this discussion · 4/27/2013

I was wondering if anyone could offer tips for working on finesse - those finishing touches like what you do with a free arm, your hands, your head and your facial expressions. I've worked hard (and still am working) on pointed toes, and straight lines with my legs but I find the upper body just isn't coming along as well. I don't have that beautiful hair that lends itself to flipping - it's very fine, so I rarely wear it down for dance because it just winds up so flat and stringy looking by the end of a dance. When I look at my videos that I take during practices, I notice I look down a lot, or just towards the pole. And if I have a free arm, it usually just looks super awkward! I'm thinking of applying for my first competition so any tips would be really appreciated! Thanks :)

5 replies

pegasusaerialfitness · 4/28/2013
I have a hard time at this my self. I find looking at my hands or feet help create a better line
polergirl · 4/28/2013
This is a constsnt struggle for me too. I think one of the absolute best for inspiration is Rhiannan Nichole. Her arm and hand movements are always super deliberate but don't look staged at all. I find her style to be mesmerizing...... Particularly this set of vids http://youtu.be/VsWTDGyqCAE http://youtu.be/h7Nv2tU3M48 http://youtu.be/QpMhr6M7W6I
Deesse Jesse · 4/28/2013
I like to think I have some decent lines and face. I mostly attribute it to a lot of performing and ballet when I was young. When I was in ballet class taking my exams we'd do these center port-de-bras and our teacher would tell us to make a story in our heads to go along with the movements. I used to make The. Most. Elaborate. stories for my port-de-bras! Each movement had a meaning in my story that I wanted to express with my whole body. Spoiler: I was an angsty teen so it was a lot of unrequited love stories lol Like one movement was reaching out to ask someone to stay, and the next was sweeping my arms down which meant I knew they couldn't. I think it really helped though! It's really helped my body awareness and I think having a story in your mind that you want to communicate can really make a visible difference
hookedonpole · 4/28/2013
I can so relate, I do the same thing. I don't pole "dance" much, mostly pole for fitness, exercise, workouts. I go to a studio where I end up attempting free dance or routine once in a while and UGH!. I'll be posting a short vid of one at my class this past week for warm-up. I wish I could improve this and maybe I would if I made more of an effort. I hope you get some tips here that I can use :)
calipolepixie · 4/29/2013
You are not alone. I have the same issues. I try to just dance every now & then to practice just feeling the music & expressing it through my pole movements but it doesn't really ever turn out right. The problem is mostly not being able to mesh & execute all the elements of pole-dance, tricks & fluidity together. I've decided that I will probably just start taking workshops or class series' a few times a year that focus on flow, transitions, choreography etc. I figure eventually my inner pole vixen will fully bloom & emerge. Hopefully.