[Charley]

My top 2 are 2 I've worked with:

Kelly Yvonne

Leigh Ann Reilly

Because both women were able to bring out something in me in different ways and do things I didn't think possible – they are true heros!

My inspirations:

Karol

Amber

Oona

S Factor

Aerial Amy

Ms. London

Veena

Veeners

[Charley]

OMG!  Polefit Mom is in Omaha!!!!!!  Look her up she's crazy advanced!!!!!!

[Charley]

hahahaha Maria – I'm pretty curvy for a small person don't need to enhancement inthe bootay dept.  But the ruffle butt bottoms are so freaking adorable – i like the cheekier ones…may have to get some.

[Charley]

Full hour and I am also not afraid go over a few minutes with people either.  😀

[Charley]

When you are ready you can email me at getpolefit@gmail.com also there are a lot of others who do online choreography and training.  Skittles, Me, Metallichick, Leigh Ann Reilly – not sure on prices for everyone but you have a lot of training options 🙂

[Charley]

Is there a pole studio near you?  If not, I'm offering skype privates for $40…some others on here might offer the same 🙂

[Charley]

Veena's stretching routines here are great.  I also like Alethea's stretch DVD.  I have a few yoga DVD's that I like too.

I would only hire a trainer to get specific types of stretching – do you know what you want?  I think yoga needs to happen in a class so that you can correct your posture and get the most out of the movement and yoga classes run about $12/class.  For resistance stretching – this builds strength and flexibility simultaneously — I recommend a private via skype with Ottersocks aka Ellen Lovelace.  If you need partner stretching (advanced) I would hire someone who knows what they are doing – be careful with this there are a lot of people who don't do this correctly – I recommend a GOOD gymnastics coach for this.  You can also look into pilates and gyrotronics classes too – these are great because you are building strength which you need to  be flexible – but with this please be sure you are getting someone good with a lot of experience.

So there are lots of options – I would say that if you aren't working towards a flexibility goal – to take advantage of the links listed – if you really need some serious help – it doesn't hurt to hire someone who can correct your posture and help you maximize what you're doing.  I've taken privates with Ellen, done dvds, and done classes.  

[Charley]

Areyou available for skype?

[Charley]

Here's a google search of different styles of ruffly booty shorts too…many of them are super cute and will "fill" you out (which is why I won't wear them, lol – too much junk in the trunk already.)

https://www.google.com/#q=ruffle+booty+shorts&hl=en&prmd=imvns&source=lnms&tbm=shop&sa=X&ei=28lDUIXaI8bIqQGN2IGwDg&ved=0CAwQ_AUoBQ&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&fp=da5d8ffc93f9c947&biw=1366&bih=600

[Charley]

I bought a stripper pole as a joke for my boyfriend for Christmas one year and I just loved the way I felt dancing around the pole, I felt sexy and in control.  I really wanted to learn how to do stuff on it and randomly googled "how to go upside down on a stripper pole" and a couple of videos came up and the vertical dance website.  I didn't realize pole dancing was a real thing that people did for fitness.  When I did – I felt a lot better!  I wasn't alone!

Flash forward 5 years (6 in Jan) and I've worked at 2 studios, competed 3 times, come in 2nd place twice, organized 5 showcases and 1 festival (working on fest 2 and an upcoming competition.)

I'm totally self taught – only in the last 2 years was I able to take lessons.  I've been able to take with Amber Richard, Wendy Traskos, Karol Helms, Michelle Mynx, privates with Alethea Austin, David Owen & Natash Wang, spent 6 weeks training via skype with Leigh Ann Reilly and worked with Kelly Yvonne.

[Charley]

I JUST got these last weekend at midwest and I adore them!!!

http://ontheverticaledge.com/products-page/bottoms/pole-a-rina-bottom/

[Charley]

I agree – Mary Ellyn has some excellent judging criteria – although as a competitor – I pulled my hair out a lot trying to make it all work!  hahahahaha!

Midwest is the hardest competition I have ever done because there are so many things we are being judged on – so basically in the end it's really about doing your best and focusing on your strengths as a pole dancer.  

Aside from the hair pulling with compulsories I liked the challenge of having things be required and trying to figure out how to do them without losing the integrity of the story – that part was really fun.  It was fun to be forced to be creative because otherwise I'll just dance and not do anything.

Comeptitions are complex – I'm not sure I can handle the process of doing another one – this was my swan song I think.  It's hard.  I cannot tell you how much I respect i have for  those brave enough to endure weeks of ahrd work, effort, creativity to go out on stage give your heart to the room and be judged – it's really hard.  I think that's something that organizers need to take into account and need to be as sure as possible that the judging system is FAIR and ETHICAL.  Midwest did this – props to them.  And I'm not saying it because I placed – had I not placed I'd feel the same way.  There were a lot of things expected of us and each and every performer LIVED UP to those expectations.

The thing that was good about this too, was that the judging criteria is listed right on the website.  I'm now seeing other competitions do this which is great.  Transparancy is the most important thing for competitors and audience members.

 

[Charley]

I love you X-pole!  My garage is about 9ft and the adjustor rod actually fell out – I needed an extension – which I have – to put it up in the garage.  I roughly estimate 9 – it's could be a little taller.

Less pieces are always better especially if you plan to use spin mode and the extensions are extremely reasonably priced.  🙂

[Charley]

I have a 50, 45, and a 40.  I do love the 40 but I think that the 45 will always be favorite because it's think enough for my hands and thick enough for my legs.  How I do love the way my iron x and tg lift look on the 40 thought lol!

[Charley]

I cannot thank you enough Mary Ellyn fo an amazing event which was exrtremely well run.  You and your staff were amazing and supportive.  It was such a fun time.  

This was the first time I've ever really gotten to watch a competition from the audience and just enjoy (Friday) and I have to say that was an amazing experience.  It was truly difficult to know the outcome of any of the divisions.  Everyone was so brilliant I cannot imagine what a difficult job it was for the judges.

Samantha Star blew me away!  Lorinda Kay made me cry, Amy Guion was stunning, Charlee was brilliant and creative but also really FUN, Mary – oh wow Mary was so pretty and breath taking!  I love everybody.

The essential division was particularly moving.  It is so hard to dance with just your body and spins and evrey single girl was off the hook amazing!  Nekia Morris made me well up just a little.

I got my first mika outfit and some vertical edge stuff too – love them.  Vendors were so great this year.  

Looking forward to next year (not competing, watching and hopefully coaching.)