[AllysonKendal]

No problem.

I got my magnetic level from Amazon for like under 10 dollars. Worth it!

Looks like the original xpoles were sold from 06-09 and here is what they look like.

[AllysonKendal]

It’s possible it’s an original xpole, they had threaded joints. I can’t speak to the safety of it if it’s at its limit and thing are moving in static,.. But the nice thing about xpole is they are constantly looking to improve… Meaning they hear customer complaints and fit them.

There were issues people had with the threaded poles, so they addressed that with the joints, people had issues with the joints slipping or stripping and those were corrected as well.

Not that they are perfect, but they are moving in the right direction.

So while what you describe sounds to me like an original xpole, and probably real…. It may not be without issues, it’s possible your pole is real but should still be replaced. It’s possible it’s also fine 🙂

[AllysonKendal]

Thanks Ladies,

Sorry I’ve been slow to respond (life)… but I really really appreciate hearing from everyone.

I’m happy I’m not alone in my feelings! I’m going to ramp up my own conditioning for sure.

Kir Kir, sounds like you’re a great teacher! The privates/semi privates I go to are only an hour (as opposed to 1.5 hours) so I feel like I’m happy we don’t spend too much time doing conditioning because I really want to soak up more knowledge… BUT it also means I have to be more diligent about my home training.

And Phoenix, ha, i did feel like I tried to pace myself…. I got water, I wiped the pole down to “stall” a bit.. but I still was beat! I guess I didn’t pace myself as well as I thought 😛

Alice, I know this has been a struggle for you. I love that you’re really vocal about it, it makes me feel better that I’m not the only one that feels like this sometimes.
PS- if That studio is more south let me know 🙂 Maybe we can jam!

I do have to say, I’ve gotten much better about measuring myself against others, BUT when I know that I can personally do better than I’m doing (because I’m tired, sore, or just having an off day) I get really frustrated 🙁

[AllysonKendal]

I do think it allows you to have the pole off the tailbone and on one cheek. I wasn’t really able to coordinate and hold the whole thing (I was basically learning it the same day I was learning side superman) so I need to revisit it for sure.

[AllysonKendal]

Found it polekat 🙂 https://instagram.com/p/5XW1cIL1_B/

[AllysonKendal]

We once worked on it from side superman… I can’t really think of a good exit though…

[AllysonKendal]

I’m in agreement that it was a poor choice of words, and I agree her intent was not to teach and she did demo good form… This to me isn’t so bad. The most dangerous are the videos instructing newbies to kick up wildly!

I have to say, as much as I don’t feel like beginner is a great choice of words…. I do think there are plenty of well respected and safe studios that require you to be able to invert and leg hang really solidly before moving to the intermediate class. (Granted aerial inverting is maybe a bit more advanced). These places usually have “intro” level classes before the beginner levels. But I guess in the end it’s really just a choice of words, i think its misleading cause it seems imply a length of time someone has been doing it, but I do that think that was her intent. 😜

[AllysonKendal]

Thank you 💕 It’s actually really helpful just to know other people would be frustrated too.

I should just add that in the class description it did say that the class would focus on strength. It’s a “power” moves class,.. I forgot to mention that. I really don’t think it’s the class or the instructor’s fault. I think I just wasn’t up to the task… Which again, is fustrating :/

[AllysonKendal]

Well, I took a class a while back in NY (so not my regular studio) and they always play some music and give you the last few minutes (like 1 or 2 songs) to freestyle. In theory that should be good.

Well the music was just not my style. Some weird electric or techno stuff (i don’t even know)… I remember feeling like a fish out of water… Terrible way to end a class. It was an intro level spin class and everyone there clearly signed up just because they wanted to play or have an unlimited class membership or something… and were far beyond my level. I really felt so dumb. I can barely control the spin, and these girls were amazing. Then it got worse cause I was getting frustrated and I almost left in tears. It’s something I’m going to sit out from now on if I don’t feel comfortable… It’s my money and my time.

I’m going to add freestyling to the list of things to do at home. I know you dont have a home pole but I think if you watch some of the non-pole freestyles here (Veena and Stefana come to mind) it can be done without a pole 🙂

[AllysonKendal]

I feel your pain. Amazon reviews can confuse things so much!!! I was looking at knee pads the other day, and someone reviewed them for their twig-like 13 year old daughter saying they fit great, then a grown man said they were too big on him. Hm. Doesn’t add up. In the end I got overwhelmed and I decided I might try and go to a dance or sporting goods store instead.

[AllysonKendal]

Pleaser Women’s Delight-2050/B/M Boot,Black Stretch Patent,10 M US https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000YQYMD6/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_7ccVvb24PBEEF

Is that them?

[AllysonKendal]

I just googled “choosing a lyra” and came up with this site: http://www.simplycircus.com/Equipment_and_Rigging/Circus/Aerial_Hoop

and this SV discussion: https://www.studioveena.com/forums/view/buying_aerial_hoop__20120611104915

they might help!

[AllysonKendal]

try this link actually. http://poledancedictionary.com/moves/343/duchess/

[AllysonKendal]

In Veena’s Gallery she usually has AKA names…

but also check out Pole Dance Dictionary. They have this ask the duchess: [poledancedictionary.com]
They have the AKA names as: Hip Hold Stag (PFA), Medio Jade and Half Jade

Now, the foot is not on the pole as you described… so my guess is that is a variation.

According to that site the Dislocator is a Reverse Grab Spin.

[AllysonKendal]

Thanks! I returned it. My husband was helping me, and honestly there was just no way… Even with two people pulling with all their might it was like the length of one of my legs. It got to the point where we both realized if by chance I did manage to hook it anywhere it would be really freaking dangerous. It would either break my legs in half or snap and seriously hurt someone. I’m wondering if the ballet band is larger. Curious on the measurements.

[AllysonKendal]

veena****

[AllysonKendal]

Forearms stand has the head off the ground.

Evens has a video or pic showing the difference between forearm, elbow and headstand. I forget where I saw it but it helped clear things up for me.

[AllysonKendal]

Yes! Come on guys! Let’s fully fund this amazing project!!! (Did I mention I want that notebook?)

On a more serious(ish) note supporting small pole businesses like PDA, Veena, and KMK and so on helps all of us!!! Supporting the pole industry is important. The more thriving businesses there are the better and stronger the community becomes.

These cartoons are hilarous and show polers as athletic, hard working, and sometimes even goofy.
You might not think of it, but when people share a PDA cartoon about bruises or a difficult move on their timeline on facebook or instagram it brings an awareness to non-polers… 1. about how awesome pole is… and 2. (maybe more importantly) that we aren’t doing this for money or men or anything other than the love of pole!

Lots of Love all around.

[AllysonKendal]

Hey there! And welcome!

Where are you located? That makes it a bit easier to point you in the right direction.

[AllysonKendal]

Would something like this work? http://m.homedepot.com/p/Rubbermaid-Commercial-Products-500-lb-Capacity-Triple-Trolley-Hand-Truck-FG4401-20BLA/100207528/

[AllysonKendal]

Yeah. If I was practicing a specific move for a routine on the same side, such as that little turn on the knee, Or like a drop split, I could see it being useful.

Occasionally I’ll put one mighty grip ankle protector if I’m working on the same thing over and over. 🙂

[AllysonKendal]

Oh yeah, thats rough. and it’s not like parking in NYC is easy or readily available so sometimes you may need to walk a while! I’m wondering if one of those carts they have for lumber at Home Depot would work? You’d probably need one that has a foldable handle though.

Hm… I’m brainstorming.

[AllysonKendal]

Yeah, I think it was brought up in regards to Eva Bembo (but it was more of a knee sleeve)…

I try and be “even” but if I had to pick…. I’d put it on my left knee. While my right side invert is better, my left side is fine and my knee hook on my right knee is much stronger…. I only really have my cupid with my right knee….

And my splits are better with my right leg forward so my left knee would need the cushion

[AllysonKendal]

Clarification… The elbow grip is a solid grip… not that I have it super solidly 😛 Def no boasting about my elbow grip here. haha

[AllysonKendal]

I also find split grip the most stable, and easiest grip… Elbow grip is solid, but it requires a higher level of trust I think… I also find it much harder to get the legs more parallel to the floor in elbow grip because of flexibility. :/