bambi9 started this discussion ·
Hi. Does anyone else here fight with thte ugly thinking pole face and know the best way to defeat it. I tend to press my lips together in a thin line when I am attempting challenging moves. I am about to compete for the first time and would like the ugly pole face to go bye bye so I can have a great time and great video without going wow I look stupid. Thanks
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You might start practicing dancing, while concentrating on having the sexy face. Start just doing transitional moves and floorwork, so you CAN focus on your face, then slowly work in a few spins. During the spin, close your eyes, touch your hair, throw your head back, etc. Then add moves like the CAR, again, you can close your eyes, soften your mouth a LITTLE (you don't want to look slack jawed), run your hands down your body, etc. In tricks you might want to focus on just softening your mouth and closing your eyes (nothing scarier than big wide eyes.) 😲 Subtle facial expressions like cocking one eyebrow, squinting your eyes (not scary squinting, but a seductive squint), a little smirk, etc. Video tape it and watch it, see what works and what doesn't and go from there.
If you have to concentrate that hard to get a move you really should not have it included in a performance. There are quite a few threads regarding competition prep that have a lot of good tips.
bambi9 ·
@sensualscimitar Thanks that is a great idea I have soem time v=before competition. @chemgoddess I have the move down I just appear to have a silly face. I have about 2 months before competition so now it is getting rid of rough edges so I can feel happy with my performance and this is one of my weak points thanks for the adivce.
I have the worst sexy face! It looks more like scowl monster face so I try to smile instead.
There was a thread started about what position to start a move in so the final product is the best angle....not sure if it went anywhere. I know a lot of moves look better viewed from the side or in reverse which means you would not be facing an audience (unless you are surrounded) when entering the move. Best I can say is practice, practice, practice and videotape. (basically the same as sensual stated)
amy ·
if you're pressing your lips together, are you holding your breath?
bambi9 ·
@amy. I don't believe I am but I have debated about singing during the move. I am generally a nose breather.
amy ·
i ask because generally people hold their breaths when they do difficult moves, not realizing that breathing through the movement makes it easier and more fluid... also, if you fully extend and stretch in moves, it makes them look less rigid, forces you to breathe into them, and really reach, which tends to make you relax your face. does that make sense? think of going into an outisde leg hang, and at the initial moment of lifting and hooking you may be making an effortful face, but as you drop your head back, and reach with teh back leg, you are forced to stretch and reach into the move, which requires breath-- the more you exhale into it, the more you can extend. i think that a lot of times, we're harder on ourselves then we should be. you might think your concentration face looks completely stupid but i'd be willing to bet money that not 1 out of 10 other people notice it.
Dwiizie ·
Singing in the move you will have to pay just as much attention to your face as anything. And if still shots are taken while singing, you'd be suprised at the faces that come out LOL! Don't hold your breath (unless there are advanced pole moves that call for it, I wouldn't know...) Usually when I am doing something difficult, I let the face ride for a while, and when its time to work on that part of things, I get an audience, even if its only a friend or my hubby (someone who understands dance and what you do. If you have a friend that doesn't get it, don't ask her lol, you'll most likely get "That looks good. That looks good too. That's fine" because they aren't sure what to say) So audience there, do the move, let the face fall where it may. Then do the move, with the biggest cheerleader smile you can muster. Then do it with an overly exaggerated almost comical sexy pucker. Ask for feedback. Record practice so YOU can give yourself feedback. Maybe your sexiest face needs to be "over the topped" a little to come through on stage. Have someone take random photos as you do your routine, and you can feel around for the funky faces. FEEL the emotion/mode/expression you want on your face. If you're playful, use that. If you're all about drippin' sexy, use that too. Drama or burlesque is REALLY helpful when it comes to dancing and faces. That being said, I am a beginner poler, but I've been a dancer/actress/singer forever it seems. I know NOTHING about pole competition or what is expected of a face in that arena. I seem to always look either really excited when pole dancing, or really mournful lol. On days I'm doing good, I look PISSED lol no matter how happy I feel, its pure fury on my face. Good luck!
