Just saying hello :)

Introducing myself here--so glad I found this site for tutorials/instruction! I found pole through a belly dance friend who is an instructor at an aerial fitness studio near me. Bellydance and weightlifting were my primary sources of fitness, but I decided to take a break from bellydance and performing. I'm not terribly flexible, so I thought it'd be nice to check out the more intense stretching classes the aerial fitness studio offered. As I figured it would, my curiosity got the better of me and at the encouragement of my instructor friend, I finally tried the Intro to Pole class one day six week ago. I have been smitten ever since. I've purchased/installed an Xpole Xpert in my basement, and am committed to seeing how far I can progress long-term. My concern is trying to do too much, too soon. As a weightlifter for almost 16 years, I'm pretty strong and could invert/climb the pole since the first/2nd class. Last week (week 5), I tried my first intermediate class, and was able to shoulder mount both sides and go into inverted crucifix with minimal assistance. The problem was by the end of class, I was ready to bonk. I don't want to go too fast, or burn out/injure myself because I think I'm strong enough to do something once. I think the trick is to be able to do it and not be absolutely destroyed for two days afterwards, correct?? I know there is a learning curve, and when getting used to new tricks/conditioning, you feel worse before you get better. I'm ok with that--I just want to make sure I'm not going too fast. Looking forward to learning so much here!!