Pole Goals and Plans

velvetvixen started this discussion · 10/15/2009

Since I ordered my pole I've been thinking of plans/goals I would like to accomplish: ➡️ Catalog moves from several DVDs so I can hear/see different ways of the same moves. ➡️ Make a list of moves I already know (can use later for refresher or make a choreographed dance.) ➡️ Record/take picture of my body (quarterly?) to see body improvement (wear same outfit?) Measure split distance from floor. (It will be high #...) ➡️ Take my time and learn new moves safely, if not sure of something ask someone! No injuries allowed! ➡️ Go to class 2x per month-work on moves I don't have on DVD (if possible) or what I need help on ➡️ Make a daily stretching routine ➡️ Solve my shoe dilemma ➡️ Try to do the challenge even if I don't post it. ➡️ Post a video one day! (Be hard, I'm pretty private.) ➡️ Not let pole interfere too much with work and home including forums! Pole Dancing is a reward and a hobby! ➡️ Continue to encourage others. 🙂 ➡️ Do a full dance with all the works for my husband (he usually only gets to see bits of pieces.) ➡️ One day be able to do the splits! 🤔 I think the hardest will be developing a daily stretching routine that I can stick up with esp since I'm not flexible at all. Plus posting a video of anything! Also I tend to be cautious, hopefully I don't take forever to attempt a new move b/c I'm afraid of injury! Any suggestions/encouragement is helpful. Thanks. I hope I can meet my goals!

16 replies

witeroze · 10/16/2009
Omg! "Try to do the challenge even if I don't post it" is a GREAT idea- i'm gonna do that too now!! i always make myself miss out on the fun... and i know my vids will probably be too crappy to post lol, but making them anyhow is a good step! my list also has some other common points with yours... i have a spreadsheet of "learnt moves" and "works-in-progress" lol so i never forget. i find it helps. some of my long-term goals: -attend some kinda pole competition (as audience, not competitor lol) -have a pole jam -poledancing on playgrounds /street signs/ trees , etc. lol -hopefully post a pole pic soon, possibly a video 🙂
velvetvixen · 10/16/2009
Attending a pole competition would be really cool! I remember seeing my instructor perform at the studio open house and I was in awe seeing it live. Imagine a whole slew of pole dancing, probably be hard to sit still or maybe you'll just have your mouth hanging open. 😮 He he There probably isn't much near me. Do you live in an area that has more pole related activities going on or would you have to travel? I hope you get to go! You'll have to tell us all about it. My husband is already having too much fun saying "look a pole" , maybe I should try it on things other than a dancer pole. I'm a chicken foot though! Good luck with all your goals. 😀
witeroze · 10/17/2009
i live in Toronto, Canada... pole dancing is not too popular here as far as I know. I've always wanted to go to the US though, so i think a pole competition would be the perfect reason to go! 🥂 lol i have too many issues to solve though before i can travel anytime soon.. lol yah my close friend always says "look a pole" too nowadays haha... i actually attempted a lamp post, but it was way too thick, and it turned out that it wasnt sturdy or supported lol so the huge lamp started shaking like crazy before i could climb it. 😀
MochaKat · 10/17/2009
Love your goals velvetvixen. I have a xpole and dont nearly practice enough. i sit all day or night and watch videos wishing I coulld do those moves. And I always beat myself up because I know I dont practice to get better. So thanks for posting your goals it has been encouragement for me to get off my ass and set and accomplish some goals on my own. I would love to go to a comp also am gonna research some in my area. Am in GA
velvetvixen · 10/18/2009
I read a study in Psychology Today (magazine) that if you visualize or watch how to do something you retain and learn from it, as long as it is done the correct way and it could be more beneficial than practicing the wrong way since our body has body memory from repetition. I hope that makes since. I'm not sure what issue it was, I got it at the library. If you want me to look for it I can, let me know. So your still doing your body good from your watching videos! Taking you time to learn how to do moves the right way is a good idea too. I think we all would admit to watching vidoes and just wishing. Just do what you can and start practicing but no need to beat yourself up b/c we all "dont stay on track." I know I need to set some goals now, b/c in the winter I am more likely to slack. (I hate the cold and winter, I tend to have no energy and get down.) I'm hoping I can keep up with pole in the winter since exercise is supposed to help with that. I convinced my husband to let me get the pole early for b/day and Christmas while I have motivation cause come winter it will be harder for me. I acknowledge this about my self and hopefully my goals and setting a good routine will help. Setting some goals is a good idea, but you can always change them too. Plus we don't have to follow them perfectly either. Realistic is always better. Some people need a reward or accountability to keep motivated. I also have a list of why to pole/exercise to help motivate me when I don't feel like it. Sometimes a break is necessary too. Good luck with it! 👍
pole-twista · 10/18/2009
i was excited to see this thread. just got done w an ok practice and feeling a little down as seem to be losing some moves i was starting to get (forearm aysha, spinning chopper ect) bc have'nt been motivated lately to push myself. i love making lists of goals so thought i could use this as an inspiration to come up w some new pole goals myslef. well keep us all posted on how your doing and good luck with everything! 🥂
velvetvixen · 10/19/2009
pole-twista- Thanks for the support. I love lists! he he Whip out some goals! Share them if you like or keep them to your sweet self. Good luck with getting those moves back and learning lots more! 🥂
velvetvixen · 1/2/2010
I made some goals and I figured I'd give an update: ➡️ Catalog moves from several DVDs so I can hear/see different ways of the same moves. I cataloged all but my new Art of Pole DVDs. Moves are listed by level and type of move ie. transitions, spins, etc . I also rate my comfort level for each move: Beginner, intermediate, and Expert. I'm only an expert in a few though. lol ➡️ Make a list of moves I already know (can use later for refresher or make a choreographed dance.)I'll just look at the "catalog" list for ideas,there is no need to keep an extra sheet. ➡️ Record/take picture of my body (quarterly?) to see body improvement (wear same outfit?) Measure split distance from floor. (It will be high #...)I never got around to doing this. I will however be taking some pics for my profile soon so maybe I'll do this as well. ➡️ Take my time and learn new moves safely, if not sure of something ask someone! No injuries allowed!I have been going at my own process and trying not to compare myself to others. No injuries due to stretching and getting instruction on moves before attempt. ➡️ Go to class 2x per month-work on moves I don't have on DVD (if possible) or what I need help on I really haven't been going to class.The studio I go to requires you to do moves in order and there is one move I can't get I can do several moves above it. Hopefully I will get it soon. ➡️ Make a daily stretching routine I have a routine for warm up stretches but not one for flexibility stretching. I'm kinda lost what I should be doing to improve flexibility...sigh ➡️ Solve my shoe dilemma Finally found a shoe with an adjustable toe strap! I tried padding the other shoes but it didn't work well for me. ➡️ Try to do the challenge even if I don't post it. I did the challenge for the most part, but nothing too serious/planned. ➡️ Post a video one day! (Be hard, I'm pretty private.)I haven't bought a good vid cam yet, could use phone but wouldn't be good quality. ➡️ Not let pole interfere too much with work and home including forums! Pole Dancing is a reward and a hobby!I'm addicted but I still get stuff done.lol ➡️ Continue to encourage others. 🙂 I'll continue to do so. ➡️ Do a full dance with all the works for my husband (he usually only gets to see bits of pieces.)I have a deadline to do a full show with 2 songs complete with invite in February for my husbands Bday! I haven't planned it yet mainly b/c I keep switching songs. I plan to do this though. ➡️ One day be able to do the splits! One day is the key word. 🙄 Any suggestions/encouragement is helpful. Thanks for reading. I hope I can meet my goals!
velvetvixen · 1/2/2010
The above post was the update on my original goals. Below is my new goals. ➡️ Finish Cataloging moves ➡️ Take pictures for profile and of split progress ➡️ Talk to my studio about moving on past unimportant move I can't get ➡️ Make a daily FLEXIBILITY stretching routine (Help?) ➡️ Continue to encourage others. 🙂 ➡️ Do a full dance with all the works for my husband for his bday 🥂 ➡️ One day be able to do the splits! ➡️ Successfully do pole sit/climb at home (can do in studio.) For some reason I just slide whether pole is warmed up or cold. I got a few suggestions from friends that I will try but any other suggestions are welcome.
FreeTheSun · 1/2/2010
Good luck with all your goals. A lot of them are mine too. With the pole sit, if you are sliding on a warm pole make sure that you are squeezing super hard with the legs, that you are actually warm too, and that your skin isn't desert dry. Bbeing winter this is an issue for me, I drink lots of H20 but have to lotion somewhat consistantly otherwise my skin is so dry I slip right off, just be sure there is no residue on your skin when you go to pole otherwise it doesn't help anything.
velvetvixen · 4/19/2010
➡️ Finish Cataloging moves (Haven't done all the way, I'll add more advanced moves when I get closer to them.) ➡️ Take pictures for profile and of split progress (I have pics on facebook. Never did work on splits yet.) ➡️ Talk to my studio about moving on past unimportant move I can't get (I decided to be self-taught.) ➡️ Make a daily FLEXIBILITY stretching routine (Help?) ➡️ Continue to encourage others. 🙂Continue to do so ➡️ Do a full dance with all the works for my husband for his bday 🥂 ( I did a improv dance and was happy with the whole thing. So much fun!) ➡️ One day be able to do the splits! (One day is key word.) ➡️ Successfully do pole sit/climb at home (can do in studio.) For some reason I just slide whether pole is warmed up or cold. (I can sit but need to work on climbs.)
velvetvixen · 4/19/2010
The above post was the update on my original goals. Below is my new goals. I've been struggling with motivation lately. I'm going to keep it simple this time and not come up with an elaborate list! I'll use rewards this time! Goal 1: Get the invert on my own. How: Have my husband help me once a week. Practice from floor when by myself. Timeline: Before next pole jam. Reward: If I can achieve invert by self and get another inverted move, I will purchase a pole mat. Bonus: maybe a pic of me inverting at the next jam. 🙂 Goal 2: Quit being chicken. I'm a very cautious person and don't like the idea of injury. For example, I'm one to read manuals before using things, and I wear earplugs/safety glasses when I mow. (My friend actually injured her eye...right after she got lasik!) It also doesn't help I am sensitive to pain in general-get migraines etc all the time. How: Bought cream for bruises, use it. Get mat, must get Goal 1. Suggestions please? I need help with this one. Timeline: It will probably be ongoing. Reward: New moves, quicker maybe? Motivation Helpers: Put up pole pics from our jam in pole room (inspiration and seeing fellow polers.) Organize pole closet (clothes inspire me sometimes) Find new music Get a fan Anything else that can help motivate?
pole-twista · 7/13/2010
oh i love reading everyone's goals! ok so mine are 💣 learn jacknife by end of summer 💣 be able to kick up into straight edge in cartwheel and handspring mount 💣 straighten out flag as much as possible 💣 keep working on TG 💣 pole 2x week 30mins min (dance, tricks, whatever) 💣 design and dance to a routine 💣 catch up on all past challenges wanted to do. (might post 1 tonight) 💣 master no hand genie 💣 keep working towrads shld. mt. flip, no hand wrist seat, and few others LOVE this thread! ☀️ 🌸
velvetvixen · 7/13/2010
pole-twista-Great goals! They are very specific and measurable. Just out of curiosity, have you designed a routine before?
velvetvixen · 7/13/2010
I need to update my goals again. ➡️ Work on more inverted moves and sits (I have mat now!) ➡️ Come up with Stretching Routine ➡️ Put up more pole pics on my wall for inspiration ➡️ Try to note more transitions ➡️ Get a webcam so I can post videos again ➡️ Work on stage presence
velvetvixen · 1/2/2011
First of all, as long as I am having fun with pole that is all that matters! Any progress is progress even if its not what I hoped for. Post videos even if I feel I'm not improving/ not good enough, it is what it is. Find new pole music Become stronger and work on more inverted moves Put up pole pics on my wall for inspiration Work on flow and "stage presence" Support and encourage polers in any way I can Dance for my husband more