[Audball]

Oh Moth that sounds like a bit of a nightmare!

Being in Ireland, I doubt there’s anywhere that will do free returns (There may be one company, but I was in contact with them and the woman was so rude, that I really don’t want to go there!)

The people i’m ordering from say go up one size, but maybe not in open toe, so maybe i’ll just stick with my size (UK 6) and see what happens. I’m so excited, I’ve never had shoes like these before! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif Let’s hope they fit, thanks guys!

[Audball]

Welcome to StudioVeena! I’m in Ireland, got my pole in January, and this website has been a godsend to me, as I don’t go to a studio either. Everyone here is so supportive and full of advice, it’s great. Hope you’re pole arrives soon! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

[Audball]

Is he allowed to use your pic like that? It is an amazing pic though, I must say i’d be totally flattered!

[Audball]

Thanks Foxy, I actually downloaded GIMP, but I will look for tutorials, as I haven’t really figured it out yet, thanks!

Thanks Webmaster, I’ll have a look at those https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

[Audball]

That’s so great! love hearing stories like that! Awwwh https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

[Audball]

I use hydrocortisone cream when it’s really itchy, but I try to stay away from as much as possible as steroids can cause skin thinning etc. and apparently you can become tolerant to it.
I’ve been to my GP (physician) and she just prescribed me hydrocortisone and emollient cream. Haven’t been to a dermatologist. I wonder if they’d do allergy testing to see if there’s something causing this, as before I got this, I didn’t have eczema before.
Sissybuns, is it mostly babies and children with eczema you see, or are there many people like me, with later onset eczema?

[Audball]

Thanks Veronika, but I think this site is for people who have photoshop, and I don’t have that software unfortunately!

[Audball]

I will write this down and try and get it during this week, as several people have mentioned it now. My bedroom is full of tubs and tubes of all sorts of creams, so maybe this will be the one! Lol, for anyone else suffering with eczema out there, I have been using dexeryl lotion, and it’s great https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

[Audball]

Oh gosh, a dent sounds bad, i’d call them about that. As for the x joint, mine does the same, after a while it seems to twist around, I guess I didnt tighten it enough when I was putting it up. Mine has twisted a lot, so I don’t know how i’m going to get it down, and I have to take it down in a few days, so please please, let me know how you get on!

[Audball]

That makes sense, still sounds hard though https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif I think I saw a video of someone doing it at one stage actually, it looks easier to invert into it, or maybe thigh hold… Hmmm. Looking forward to trying it!

[Audball]

Thanks sissybuns. Yea I found that vid. God she’s amazing! She gets into it from what looks like a thigh hold in the first bit. Probably looks a lot more doable than it is, but may try it later if i’m feeling brave (aka stupid!) https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_razz.gif

[Audball]

Oh god, sounds hard. Is there a way to try it really close to the ground. I keep trying to think of how i might get into it in my head.. but it just doesn’t seem possible.. lol (this move is way out of my league, but would be interested to give a little go!)

[Audball]

I agree with chloe, in that you could buy your pole from a dealer, eg. studioveena. It means they make some money, but it doesn’t cost you any more than it would normally. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

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Is the best way to get into superman from inverting, like Veena does in her lessons?

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I can’t say as I haven’t yet seen them, although I do know that xpole do legitimately sell xpoles on ebay. Also, if the price is the same and has the same adevertising as xpole than it’s probably safe to assume it’s legit. However, I’d give xpole a call to verify that before forking over a wad of cash! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

[Audball]

It felt like it took me ages to get the crucifix and pole sit. It took me a while to realise how hard you have to squeeze. When other people do it, it looks so easy, but that’s because they’ve had so much practise i guess! So when you’re dong your pole sit, squeeze your thighs closer together! And in the crucifix, I think feet have more importance than i’d realised too (and they got the most bruises), push them against the pole.

squeeze squeeze squeeze!!

[Audball]

About the thread, it is technically not supposed to be exposed as it’s only supposed to be wound out 5 inches, or else you need a bigger extension. However, I couldn’t fit the bigger extension into my ceiling, and with the smaller extension, I need to have some of the thread exposed. I rang xpole about this and they said it’s fine up to 6 inches (1 inch thread showing) as they leave a big safety margin.

The only thing i’d be careful with if your using the bottom of the pole, like for a handspring mount, make sure the adjuster cover is really tight as if it loosens, you could slip i guess. (maybe that’s just me being silly and not tightening it enough though!)

I love my xpertm but i’m wondering about the whole putting it up without a ladder thing. Don’t they say it’s important to have the dome resting flat on the ceiling. How can you reliably do that without holding the dome onto the ceiling as you tighten the pole? It’s not a huge problem for me as my ceilings aren’t that high, but wondering if there’s an easier way?

[Audball]

I use my macbook with the built in camera and I think it’s great. I tried to use my digital camera before but uploading the vids took ages. I just put my macbook on a chair and push it as far away as I can. Feel free to take a look at my vids to see what you think. I export mine as medium quality usually, but you can choose better quality.

I had a problem with imovie at first, as it seemed to zoom in on my movies, cutting out a lot of it, and it looked too zoomed in. If you go to project properties and choose timing > ‘fit to frame’ instead of ‘crop’ than it could sort your problem, it did for me!

[Audball]

I’m going to agree with poledanceromance here that we need to make a distinction between being self taught (i.e. youtube taught!) or using Veena’s lessons. I’ve never been to a pole dancing class, but I wouldn’t consider myself self taught. Veena taught me!

I understand that lessons would be great for meeting people. However, it’s the safety thing I don’t wholly agree with. I feel safe on my pole at home. With my cushions, and boyfriend nearby if necessary. I know the pole won’t be slippy (no ones been on it with fake tan etc!), I know he’s there if I need to shout and get help, and most of all, I don’t feel I need to hurry up, as there’s no one waiting to use the pole. Wheras, at lessons near me anyway, there is one instructor for up to 20 people, how can that be more safe?

There is a level of self control for beginners with a pole at home whether you take lessons or not. I have been taking Veena’s advice and not poling everyday, warming up, cooling down etc. The one time I ignored that, I pushed myself to far and hurt my arm, but it wasn’t serious and I learned from that!

In terms of feedback, I feel that recording myself is satisfactory. I watch myself and I can tell when it looks wrong by comparing myself to how it looks in the lessons. Sometimes it’s even more obvious. Also, I can upload the videos to get feedback, eg. when I first inverted.

Another pro of being ‘home-taught’ I’ll call it! You can move at your own pace. I was afraid to fork out 80eur after buying my 250eur pole as I know that I have some dancing experience, and may get bored, being in a class where most people can’t practice at home. So in a few weeks I had most of the beginner moves down, but it may have taken me more time to invert, for example. This also allows me to fit in poling around my busy schedule, and there’s the obvious lack of travel time.

Having said that, I would like to attend a regular pole class, but I can’t due to my schedule. However, I’m hoping to get to a pay as you go sort of lesson in the next few weeks. Just wanted to put a word in for us people who pole alone!

[Audball]

I heard about those but am yet to implement them as i’m too forgetful! I heard that rubbing a bruise wen you get it is supposed to stop it becoming so pronounced colour wise, as it will disperse the blood. But I know that that’s the last thing you want to do with a fresh bruise!!

Looking forward to seeing what people suggest about this one!

[Audball]

Well i managed to record my Feb challenge the other day as I eventually got over my sweaty hands. Have about 7 takes, none of which i’m totally happy which, guess that’s typical. Now have to get the courage to post it aaarrrgh!! lol tomorrow… yeah…

[Audball]

I’ve been looking into pole mats and they are so expensive, but I really would like to get one at some stage. The 2" ones seem fairly affordable, but do the actually give much padding, as they look like they’d still hurt quite a bit to land on from an invert! Is it worth forking out for the 4 or 6", or is a 2" one okay?

Does anyone know about decent pole mats in UK/Ireland?

[Audball]

This sounds awesome velvetvixen, go you! I’m afraid im going to be staying with bf at the in laws for Vday, (and away from my pole!) so will be keeping it more traditional. Booked in for a hair appointment in the afternoon, maybe some shopping wiht bf, then booked in at a french restaurant for a late dinner. Boring, but should be nice anyway https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

[Audball]

Once I tried looking in the mirror while doing a reverse grab spin. Bad idea! Got a major neck cramp! Unless you have mirrors everywhere, it’s probably pretty impossible. Video yourself and watch it back. I do it during all of my practices when I can, and it’s amazing what you see on the video that you never would have noticed otherwise!

[Audball]

If it means you can get a pole then go for it! Just make sure you both agree when and how you will pay him back, and it often helps to have it in writing, just so there’s no confusion!