Floorwork and confidence

Alexis Corinne started this discussion · 8/7/2014

So I'm back to the community after a really long break for health reasons. Unfortunately my old landlord completely destroyed my old pole so now i have to get a new one. Until then I've decided to get into Yoga and to work on my floor work, but when it comes to doing floor work im not that confident. I am on the bigger side and I just don't feel like I can do body rolls and stuff like that. Also when I do some things I feel like I look silly and I dont know how to get past that! I'm really not flexible and i'm very curvacious. Any tips on floor work and what not?

10 replies

AllysonKendal · 8/7/2014
I have started yoga a few weeks ago and I just go to the free classes every week at the Lululemon store near me. Super fun! I think when it comes to floor work or body waves confidence is key! And sometimes that means "fake it til you make it".... And video yourself. If you look silly or awkward you can just delete it... But you might surprise yourself. The times I look the most awkward are when I'm the most tense or concerned with how I look. Starting simply is always best. It's easier to be confident in simpler moves. It's harder to feel sexy when your uncomfortable in a move. Anyway... I kind of want to hear the "landlord destroyed my pole" story. Sounds like drama!!!
Kira · 8/8/2014
your landlord sounds…scary! destroying a pole?! anyway, sorry to hear that. The key to being confident in floor work is just practice! I used to hate floor work and any kind of body rolls but if you keep practicing it you will get better just like with everything in pole/life :) maybe you could leave body rolls and stuff you are uncomfortable with until you feel more confident in floor work. Yoga will be great for floor work as you can modify moves to turn it into poses and you can work on linking moves together. I am assuming you will be practicing this at home and not at a pole/yoga studio so film yourself whenever you have a practice and you will pick up on what body part to move/adjust. A mirror is great but it can cause you to move more awkwardly as you are constantly staring at the mirror. Best thing is to put on a song that makes you want to dance, close the curtains so neighbours can't see, press record on the camera, close your eyes and let your body move. If you look silly then it's only you that will see it! have fun with it :)
Alexis Corinne · 8/8/2014
Worst part? I'm a professional photographer so my video wont be like grainy so if I look crappy....thats really me *cry* hahah!!! Yes I am an at home poler. I am thinking I might also pick up hooping but have NO clue where to start! (whats that? new thread ah!!) I'm so nervous to start practicing. I'm being a procrastinator hehe. So right now I'm making a playlist of some songs. I already feel silly. XD
Stefana of Light · 8/8/2014
Hi! Ok so my floorwork can get really repetitive, so as far as that goes😝 i agree with what's been said practice practice, and i think yoga helped my mind body connection, which poured over into my floorwork. I like how Alethea says sexy starts with silly... it really did for me. I still catch myself acting all weird, but those are my moments!! Good luck on this journey:)
SerenityS · 8/8/2014
I have a home pole but I have a really hard time practicing pole and floor work on it so I started taking one on one classes, that way I have to do it because it's costing money, it worked last night, I was able to do a whole routine, hopefully when I get the confidence I will be able to practice at home.
SharkyHill · 8/8/2014
I am really bad at practicing floorwork. I love the way it looks in videos of other people (Eva Bembo, Alethea, etc...), but when I do it, I feel like I just look so stiff. Then again, I am comparing myself to the aforementioned, so what do I expect? Haha! I spoke to a friend about it, and she reassured me that there aren't really any "rules" or specific moves you have to do to be considered floorwork. She said that it really just depends on what you think feels good and/or looks good on your body. I'm always so concerned that I am doing something wrong when practicing floorwork, so that was really good to hear. She also said to start with some sort of a plan of moves you want to incorporate. I just have to get over my own insecurities. Thanks for starting this topic, it's good to know I'm not totally alone in this. I'm excited to practice tomorrow!
Lee lee · 8/8/2014
Yoga should be a great start because you'll become more body aware. Veena's beginner lessons helped me a lot with floorwork and basic body movement. I definitely recommend getting them. If that's not in the cards right now, I suggest putting on your favourite style of music and freestyling to get an idea of how your body wants to move. Ive found that reminding myself to slow my movements down also helped quite a bit. You don't necessarily have to dance to slow music but just tell yourself to slow it down. Look up various youtube videos to see who/what styles you prefer. For example, I know I like watching the more exotic/sensual dancers so those are the elements of dance that I find easier to emulate. Oh, and Marlo Fisken's flow movement videos are excellent for learning how to move in and out of positions slowly.
Lee lee · 8/8/2014
I forgot to add...try turning off the lights. Give yourself a chance to get used to movement before you start filming yourself, there will be less pressure to be perfect right from the start!
SerenityS · 8/8/2014
I do have red, blue and blacklights too to make me feel better about my performance.
ksthies2805 · 8/14/2014
Hey! I am a plus sized poler too and also happen to be a fellow photog ;) I video with my phone... there's no way I could handle pores and cellulite with my good camera, but my phone gives me lots of confidence! :D