Has anybody ever....

The Vivacious G started this discussion · 3/4/2014

been astounded or shocked at their own pole progress? I ask because I'm just starting pole and when I watch videos and see pictures, I can just NOT imagine myself being able to move, climb, and pose like that despite my strong desire. I'm not saying that I don't believe in myself, I'm just trying to imagine how other may have felt at the beginning of their pole journeys. Thank in advance for you input.

9 replies

sassylina · 3/4/2014
oh girl yes. I recently did something I didn't think I was strong enough for but was able to hold it. I surprise myself every time when I think something is going to be hard to learn, to find out I am stronger then I thought and it isnt as hard as I always thought.
polergirl · 3/4/2014
I imagine that many people here will say they could never imagine themselves doing full climb, or inversion, or pole sit, or [insert move here]. And then one day, you've conditioned and trained and spent hours just dancing because you needed pole therapy and BOOM. You climb! Or invert! For me, all that stuff was in my wildest dreams. But I kept working at it, and I got better, stronger, more confident, and now I can do things I never imagined!
AnnVann · 3/4/2014
I'm still a newbie, so it's fresh in my mind! It's an absolute miracle how things progress!! I remember not being able to grip the pole at all... couldn't begin to climb... couldn't pole sit for longer than half a second. Something happens. Your body learns where the "sweet spot" is. I recall specifically getting a shin bruise every time I tried to climb. Then adjusting the position a hair, and Bang! It works, and it doesn't hurt! This has been true about every new move. I am quickly learning to never say never!
Phoenix Hunter · 3/4/2014
Yes!! I am absolutely amazed at the stuff I have accomplished in just 6 months of poling. It's crazy!! I never thought I could do the things I can do because I know how I felt in my body when I started. my idea of the limitations I had for myself my whole life have been thrown out the window.
chemgoddess1 · 3/4/2014
I still am amazed at all of the things I can do now that I never thought were possible!
Saphyre · 3/4/2014
The first thing I did was look at your profile. Yup. You have "over the age of 40 /new poler syndrome". Everyone who is just starting has this to some degree, but I believe once you are past 40 it is even worse! I started at the age of 47 after a 3 year illness. During my first class, we did a Pole Hold. Looked simple enough. I could barely hold myself up before my feet came crashing to the floor. At the end of the class, our instructor did a freestyle routine and I watched in awe. I could not imagine myself doing ANY of that! By the 6th week, I was doing 10 Pole Holds as a warm up. Then came inverting. I CANNOT imagine my dizzy self going upside down!! I'm going to crack my head open! A few weeks later, I couldn't get enough of hanging like a bat. I remember at one point I told my husband that I would probably reach my limit pretty quickly as to how much I could progress. Here I am, just over 2 years later and I am still progressing. Keep in mind that not every trick/spin/move is for everybody. You do what you are comfortable with, and you will learn what your limitations are. Take it slow, have fun, and be AMAZED with your bad self!!!!
Veena · 3/4/2014
Our bodies are crazy amazing and we are capable of so much more then we can fathom!! :)
Amdoug · 3/4/2014
I have had the good fortune to meet some really amazing instructors and get great encouragement from some ladies on this site. I didn't even really know about pole fitness and dance until last September. I never had upper body strength and am super shy so for me to be where I am now, comfortable in my own skin & to enroll in my third series of classes plus workshops on sensual movement is amazing to me! I have a long way to go and wish I had stumbled upon it earlier but I am so encouraged about making my baby steps when each of my teachers have said this week the transformation from then to now is so noticeable. Yes I wish I was better and sexy at it, but I will just continue to make progress where I can and ENJOY the journey.
The Vivacious G · 3/5/2014
Thank you ladies for all of your replies. It just strengthens my desire to keep pressing on. :)