Going too fast for comfort?

Jemmie started this discussion · 7/3/2012

Hi guys, I'm wondering how fast your classes moved. Where I'm from, pole is a very new thing so there aren't a lot of people doing it. As a matter of fact, I only know about two and one of them ended like 2 weeks after it started. This other one IS better than the first, but I think they aren't as cautious as many of you are. We started out with doing walks around the pole and some spins. The week after that we added more spins (forward hook, pole climb, carousel). Week 3 we learnt a spin combo. I missed week 4 but apparently we learnt the fan kick and a move where on hand is above the body the other is right below the body and your legs are in a V. The hip is right up the pole and I gotta tell ya, I hurt my cuchie trying to come out of that. So this is our 5th week, our 5th class and they had us doing the cross ankle release (they called it the inverted crucifix since we did the crucifix before but right side up, not upside down). Anyway, before doing the CAR, the instructor said she was giving us the choice to do it because it was advanced and she doesn't want us to break any bones. I opted not to do it, since I know about the lady that did it and she was paralyzed. I just know it's an advanced move and we only did 5 classes. Other than the CAR though, do you think we are going too fast?

18 replies

Runemist34 · 7/3/2012
I think perhaps you are going a little fast for most beginner classes- conditioning and training, as well as dancing and building combos from what moves you have learned in the previous (or even current) week would be a good thing to work on. This is pole DANCING, not jut pole lifting-yourself-and-doing-tricks. There are a few moves that can really do damage without the strength and conditioning... and they aren't often considered "advanced" movies. The CAR I cannot do yet, and I've been dancing off and on for about four years. I can barely do a basic invert! Because of my lack of strength and general fitness, I was starting from a different place than most... and, I took several breaks, some of them lengthy, and so I had to build back up. Perhaps speak with your instructor and talk about your concerns when it comes to strength, safety and the speed of your class.
Angie La · 7/3/2012
I also think that is a bit fast paced for a class... teaching many people at once to do this kind of stuff, as such a rapid rate, does not sound safe. I learned at home, learning at a faster rate than a normal class, but I did not move that fast. I was also working on strength training b/c I just could not pull myself up--I was SO weak, haha. Even at the rate I was learning things, there were other things I over looked...I didn't work on proper technique, or even spend much time on just doing spins since I was ready to really climb up the pole and start getting my buns in the air. I was a bit rushed, and there are some people who are SO great at spins that I wished I had spent more time on it. On the other hand, I was also training a few days in the week, not just doing a once a week class. I think that it is great that you are noticing this!! Follow your instinct and listen to your body. :)
Whitepony · 7/3/2012
I think that this is not fast at all, it´s rather normal. Of course it also depends on how big the class is and how long you are on the pole each session. The CAR is not a move where you need much strenght or flexibility it´s a move where you have to trust your body and let go. So once you are familiar with pole climbs and pole sit (which I think you discribe with the V-sit position earlier), a CAR would be the next step. Everything also depends on how fast the class learn. Sometime you have a class where everybody is highly motivated and they learn spins, tricks, dance moves very quick but there are also classes where it´s a little slower. Listen to your body, if you don´t feel ready for the CAR don´t do it! If you don´t know how to hold the pole beetween your leg, ask your instructor a couple more times than rather finding your face on the ground :-) If you want to do nail the CAR, try the CKR first, this sometimes gives people more security. And slowly let your body move into the position, once you feel good you can also do it with more dynamic. Hope I could help.
chemgoddess1 · 7/3/2012
I have found that many instructors who go at this pace do so because they do not know how to properly train people in pole. Also to teach carousel in a second class....I won't even go there. Sounds like this person is trying to ride the bandwagon. Know what you can and cannot do and know the dangers of the moves she is teaching.
Veena · 7/3/2012
Talk with your instructor! A carousel isn't a beginner move. If fact, many spins are not beginner moves. You can take a look at the line up of the lessons here and see what a safe beginner progression could be. If you think about it, you've got your weight, plus the added weight the force of swinging away from the pole creates. If your body isn't conditions for this action first, injures happen.
Krista Bocko · 7/3/2012
I agree that it's too much too soon. Beyond the spins and inversions...are you even pole dancing? You're there to dance, presumably, not just trick. I wouldn't like it as a student, and I wouldnt teach that way...
Dancing Paws · 7/3/2012
That is very fast. I did not learn a CAR until almost a year of poling. Not to mention, fan kicks and the cradle take ALOT of strength to do without hurting yourself (and I cannot imagine that all the students have the proper strength.)
Dancing Paws · 7/3/2012
That is very fast. I did not learn a CAR until almost a year of poling. Not to mention, fan kicks and the cradle take ALOT of strength to do without hurting yourself (and I cannot imagine that all the students have the proper strength.)
dancing in the gray · 7/3/2012
Holy fast! I am in my 10th month of poling, and we are now learning CARs and CKRs. Not only do you need strength, but your skin also needs conditioning. Please, find a different studio or follow Veena's lessons at home. Do your body the favor.
Whitepony · 7/3/2012
oopppsss, that means the studio where I go is waaaaay too fast :-) We learnt our inverts in the 6th lesson and I do remember that we also had the CAR pretty fast. But for me everything is fine as it is. I´ve been poling for 4 month now and I wouldn´t want it to be slower (but I also trained a lot at home).
Krista Bocko · 7/3/2012
I always stress how important it is to be grounded in the earth FIRST. Strength takes time to build, and with as de-conditioned as most students are when they come in to a studio for aerials (yes, they may be 'fit', but being a runner doesn't mean they have the upper body or core strength) they are in no way ready to take their hips over head after 5 weeks. Most women don't even have poles, so they are only able to practice one hour per week. I always wonder what kind of dancers these studios are turning out, as I can't imagine doing all these moves so quickly and also learning how to flow them together in a dance.
Jemmie · 7/3/2012
We did make up a routine that incorporates the moves, last class was the only full "moves" day. But I'm not comfortable with it mentally, because I've been watching this site for about a year I have certain standards and precautions in my head, so I'm going to take the time off and seek other options. I also wanted an activity outside of work/school where I can be around people so I was really looking forward to this as a bonus. The ladies are cool, but I guess I gotta find another activity for friends lol. Kinda sad about that part. Anyway, thanks for the advice everybody.
jade s · 7/3/2012
This seems really fast to me. Poling is about progression and each person progresses differently. So many studios get hung up on "levels" and certain tricks that you have to achieve for each one rather than instead of progressively teaching transitions and moves that build strength, stamina, and confidence to advance on to the next move. If a student isn't able to hold their own body weight on the pole, I keep their feet on the ground and work on strengthening and confidence building moves until they can. Advancing students too quickly can not only lead to physical injury, but also cause discouragement and knaw away at confidence rather than building it. Please be careful. If you subscribe to Veena's lessons, they show a perfect progression of moves and tricks that lead into the next.
Jemmie · 7/4/2012
I actually seem to be doing alright in the class. I can climb because I have good upper body strength. I couldn't do the carousel the first time but I got it the second day that I tried. I CANNOT do the fan kick for the life of me. There are some moves I can do and some I cannot. But I don't seem to bruise easily and I seem to have the strength for it. I have never gone home aching. But I still want to learn slowly, just be make sure that I won't cause injury and that I actually learn good technique and not just do it however. I'm surprised how well I'm taking it, but I wonder if the reason why I'm not aching is because I don't know how to engage the right muscles. I really use a lot of my upper body strength rather than my thighs or abs.
Jemmie · 7/4/2012
I've been waiting for when I can use Veena's lessons. I can't bring a pole to my parents' home so I have to wait til I move out OR try to persuade my boyfriend to have one in his place once he gets one. The cost for the pole is another thing I'm worried about, I'm not working yet. So it's going to be a while but I am planning to get these lessons. I like that most of her beginner moves are strengthening moves and then she moves onto spins in intermediate. I also like how she explains body position on the pole.
chipandchar · 7/4/2012
Um, yeah. I'd say you are definitely going too fast! I can't imagine doing that many new tricks in one week, every week. My hands were sore and blistered (literally my blisters ripped open from spinning so much) in the first week. Even if you have the skill and the strength conditioning to do it, you're body..in my opinion..isn't ready. And by body, I mean, your skin isn't tough enough..and you have lots of little muscles you aren't used to using. Like your fingers and hand muscles...I don't care how fit you are, nobody's hands or wrists are usually that strong starting out. You don't see ppl at the gym doing wrist exercises.haha (Well, unless they play on a pole like us!) And I was COVERED in brusises. My family thought my bf was abusing me. haha Those didn't stop until my skin toughened up from mastering the moves. Ya know? It's just too painful starting out. I remember the pole sit nearly killed my inner thighs. If I were you, if there wasn't another pole studio nearby...i'd just take notes on technique during class..and do what i felt comfortable doing and then come home and work at it at my own pace. At least talk to your instructor.
chipandchar · 7/4/2012
Also if you can't get a pole right now...do what I did...I went to the nearest play ground...haha and had a nice go on that pole! haha (When there wasn't other ppl there...it's usually pretty deserted here lol)
Jemmie · 7/4/2012
@chipandchar, lol that's cute. I should look out for potential poles then. Yeah I was wondering why I'm not getting bruises. I was afraid of them but when I didn't get them it was like I didn't get my badge of honour LOL. When I climb I try avoiding using my feet because I really don't want to cut them. But I KNOW I shouldn't do that.