Charley
Forum Replies Created
-
Like Veena, I go into this from flatline. I don't have a lot of flexibility so I have acouple of variations on this for not so flexy people if that is an issue. Also it was mentioned that the length of your waist plays a big part in this too – I an a bit short waisted so this move is pretty painful on my less dominant side. Make sure you are turning your torso away from the pole a bit. That really helps a lot. you can support yourself with your outside or lower hand until you get comfotrable with the iunner thigh grip.
3:25 in this vid here https://www.studioveena.com/videos/view/4fd6239a-3dd0-42a9-a9c8-185a0ac37250
Allegra isn't my best move but hopefully this will help.
-
I have had a TG for up with constant use from teaching and it has not faded at all. But I have seen LOTS of TG's fade. So if you don't want to look of a faded pole eventually – it's totally smart to go with something silver. 🙂
The thing with SS is that I can honestly tell you that I have been on great SS from both LM and PS and really icky slippy SS from both companies. So maybe your decision is about the mount. You had mentioned in your OP that you wanted to steer clear of LM because of the way it mounts (and I did have issues with mine) so maybe it's a question of XP SS or PS SS.
-
Do you live in the US? I can say that probably most studios you will visit in the US will have 50's. It was the industry standard but now there are many comps that use 45's. In strip clubs 50's are pretty much the standard – although that too can vary – but most likely it will be a 50.
So, it kinda depends and what you're doing. I recommend to my students who dance to get 50's because that's what they perform on, students who just do it for fun – I have them play on both and decided, students who want to compete – I usually say to get the 45.
In Australia I know there are studios that use 50,45 and some that use .38's. There isn't that much of a standard and as we grow it will be interesting to see which pole surfaces as the "one" 🙂
-
I'm confused on the X-pole site it says the pole is solid brass? IS it coated or solid?
"What is the difference in pole finishes?
Brass – solid brass with enhanced grip
Titanium Gold – electronically coated to enhance grip
Chrome – most popular & best for general use
What is the difference in pole diameters (thickness)?
45mm (1.75in) – easy to grip with your hands and used in worldwide competitions
50mm (2in) – best grip for leg holds & inversions"
-
I've been on many TG poles that have faded in color but they seem to retain their grip when compared to the chrome.
Stainless Steel can be tempermental no matter WHO you order through. I'v eowned 5 PS poles (I think it was 5 anyway maybe 6?) and I could have 4 set up in a room, they would all grip a bit differently. I've been in many SS LM's and found the same to be true. Some were very grippy, others not. My friend has a PS SS and the bottom piece is larger than the pole and it scratches us on occasion, I don't like the bottom load design from PS at all. Installation is easy – goes up quick, is very sturdy and hers is really grippy and spins very smoothly. I have no experience with X-pole SS so can't help.
Chrome is the most inexpensive. It's grip is similar to SS but more consistant – I recommend chrome unless you have sweaty hands and in that the case the TG helps a little.
-
Anything chrome gets beat up pretty fast – I've been pretty careful not to wear my chromes a lot so they will last longer.
Also – I just wanted to pipe up on DIY rhinestones. The pleaser pair with the rhinestone heel was $57.99 that's actually not that bad of a deal. The shine of the rhinestone comes from the quality – I recommend swarovksi but there are others you can buy that are beautiful but they aren't cheap – atleast $7-8/gross and you might want 2 sizes plus glue add about $3.00 so all in all you are at about $20 in materials and $40 for a basic shoe and you are at $60. So it's not necessarily always cheaper to DIY, plus there is your time.
One more thing on rhinestone shoes – if the stones are set in on the shoe they will last longer than gluing them on the surface and thus when repaired will last longer. I haven't found a really great way of fixing rhinestones on the platform part of the shoe -DIY so they stay on – so maybe someone has some advice (I use E600.)
The great thinkg about chrome shoes is when you scuff them up real good and that takes awhile – they cover with glitter the best because they are already shiny – so they provide a great base – you can just do a thin coat of glitter onthem and good as new 🙂 But glittering is also not super cheap – you would use a different glue and ofcourse have to buy the glitter and it's messy. But they do refurcish VERY nicely. I highly recommend chromes- even if they scuff because of this 🙂
-
LOVE!
-
It's not a defect, your x-joint slipped – all you have to do is grab a broom handle (a sturdy one) and knock it out. It's really easy. Once it's out make sure you are going back and forth between the screws to ensure you are opening the joint evenly. 🙂 No worries, your pole is good. They are closed until the 2nd – they've been closed for the Holidays. They're customer service is really good – it's just the holidays.
Also – EXTREMELY sorry for your loss. I know there are no words.
-
I didn't get there and this isn't my Christmas tree but for me, this is amazing!
https://www.studioveena.com/photos/view_photo/50dd2eb9-7f00-401d-9bc8-740d0ac37250
-
The problem with the knock off x-poles is the inconsistant quality but otherwise if all your pieces fit securely together they aren't that different from the original model. Things like flaking are more likely and evetually you will need to buy a new pole.
My recommendation will always be to buy an X-Pole because of the quality and level of customer support but if it's just out of y our price range then Lil Mynx makes a great sturdy powered coated pole – you will have to drill into your ceiling. The knock of X's are fine the issue is just getting one that works. I had a student purchase one off of ebay and the pieces didn't fit, she sent the pole back several times and eventually gave up and got an X-pert. I've known others who received such poles and they worked great for them.
X-joints used to be a piain but it's not a problem on the new poles and I know what you mean because I have 2 older models where the X-Joints slip more easily and I've had it happen once but thankfully knew what to do and got it fixed right away.
-
It depends on the quality of instruction in your area, how you learn best and what your goals are.
I am a big believer in live instruction because of the instant feedback but importantly at the intermediate/advanced level having a spotter to assist you. I am self taught for the most part and I can tell you that what I *thought* a move was and was being done correctly was pretty far off in some cases. I no longer self teach – I have someone who spots me and either helps me break down a move, or repeats my own break down back to me as I am going through the actual move up on the pole.
With that being said…there are some instructors who are not educated in the pole and how the body works with it. That's WORSE than self teaching because in some cases students are taught things far beyond their level and in many cases find themselves injured.
Studio Veena offers high quality lessons and instruction and I would recommend coming HERE before buying DVD's if you can afford it. There are a lot of options and modifications available to you on this site that you wouldn't get with a DVD. Once you get going and have a firm grasp on the basics then DVD's are great to explore other styles of dance, combinations and new moves (I have yet to purchase a DVD and not learn one new thing – no matter how beginner.) As you grow as a dancer you can expand your dance vocabulary but in the beginning it's good to stick with one method/instructor.
-
Have you thought about asking someone to make you a performance bra in your size? You could also put a nude triangle top or nude sports bra underneath it, or maybe wear more than one bra. I have the same problem – there is nothing holding my bras up.
-
@Sparrow – I think it's harder to achieve things when you are a teacher, that require a lot of time. We have a lot on our plates – we have to perfect pole moves, clean the studio, put together class, etc. So don't feel like because you teach you should be able to do everything under the sun! The most important thing you do is give your time to others to help them achieve and acoomplish – even some things that you yourself would like to have! 🙂
-
I'm the odd duck out here because while I teach students to invert with outside leg in front, inside leg in back – I teach the gemini strictly has a transition keeping both hands onthe pole and moving into the inside leg hang.
When teaching gemini – I actually prefer to teach (from the ground) "flipped gemini" or "jasmine" first for students to understand the point of contact in the knee pit. This is also the beginning of the side climb. I prefer students upright as opposed to inverted based on the class setting of a single student/pole since it's rather difficult to make sure everyone is behaving.
There are several exercises we do for the gemini – but there are 2 of them. For some based on body type the gemini is extremely difficult and I think a lot of time and care should be put specifically into to gemini because it's one of the most useful transitional moves once you become advanced.
I also teach thigh hold out of both poses. I'm always looking for gemini related inverts and poses that are easier thanthe gemini so they can "gemini up" as I like to say. So, I'm definitely the weird one out.
-
Also – I wanted to post to the OP – I have below average flexibility and strength and I have an extremely difficult time learning new things – my advice is to work the fundamentals of pole – spins, floor work and transitions – you will gain strength doing these. I love to do LOTS of beginner dancers because although climbing and inverting are difficult – I find I have a lot of rest points…when you have to keep moving and lifiting you build strength rather quickly.
Keep stretching safely and it will happen I promise. I can't do the splits, my body isn't meant to be bendy and it snaps back to its tight place quickly. I'm 30, I accept that. It can take longer with age/genetics but you can do it it – you just have to focus and discipline. 🙂