[Charley]

I teach basic laybacks before inverts

Is the basic layback the same as the plank?

Also someone said something about a CKR. What is that?

I am new and working on ab strength as well. I ordered a mat and it won’t even be here until the end of May or later. Not even going to try and invert with out my mat!

Yes, I consider the plank the beginning of a layback…I have two versions of planks…1) one leg straight and the other bent over top as you would in a cross knee release (CKR) and 2) both legs straight and crossed at the calves/ankles. Students start with 2 hands on the pole, graduate to 1 hand and then with spotting they will graduate to the cross knee release (CKR)

I teach the cross knee release from the floor first. So we learn leg position, how to grip the pole and do a sit up, up to the pole. So basically students learn how to come up before they learn to go down.
I am probably the odd girl out, but I teach basic laybacks before inverts and once you are strong enough to do a basic cross knee release, you are going to start seeing a big improvement in ab strength – so I tell my students to perfect their x knee up to pole sit, by the time they get it perfected, most are ready to begin inverted prep training. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_pirat.gif

We teach sitting and CKR way before inverting too! If you can’t sit up from a CKR there is no way you can invert without kicking.
MommaBear you could maybe speed up the process by doing crunches, leg raises and plank holds daily. We always push those in beginner classes and it gets people inverting really quickly!

YAY! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif Students succeed so much more when the moves they learn are thought out. I totally agree if you can’t come up out of a CKR you aren’t ready to invert.

[Charley]

There are a ton of exercises you can do to get ready to invert.

One of them is actually sitting on the floor and working on lifting up into an invert. You should also practice the leg grip from the floor too so that it becomes ingrained where each leg goes. I have lots of students who I have to tell to slow down because once they get up there their legs are in the wrong place…they never graduate beyond inverting from a squated position on the floor until the get the legs right,

You can also do things like fan kicks/ windwills that require you to engage your arms and your lower abs to complete the trick. As you get stronger your legs will be able to lift higher.

You can stand at your pole and lift your knees up to your chest too.

I am probably the odd girl out, but I teach basic laybacks before inverts and once you are strong enough to do a basic cross knee release, you are going to start seeing a big improvement in ab strength – so I tell my students to perfect their x knee up to pole sit, by the time they get it perfected, most are ready to begin inverted prep training. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_pirat.gif

[Charley]

I started stepping on my mini stepper during my favorite show. Okay so not "fun" persay but I tell myself the only way I can watch my shows are if I work out and stretch while I watch them. This has been pretty effective and I actually look forward to my stepper now!

I also hoop and I adore it. I like that I can pick up a hoop and just waiste hoop if I want to, and talk to my bf…I don;t have to go anywhere to do it, like up to the pole room, the studio, etc. It’s great for the summer too!

[Charley]

IfI can find a roomie, I’m going to to take the bus (fun 15 hour trip https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif ) but it should be worth it.

[Charley]

GREAT idea! That would be really helpful.

[Charley]

If I can find a roomiw I can go! Does anyone need a buddy?

[Charley]

I have always used 50mm but after borrowing a 45mm I have now purchased a 45 pole for shows. I think the smaller diameter IS helpful with spin mode and it didn’t take long to get used to thigh/leg holds. I am not sure I’d like to move to a 38mm – but if it makes me look like Bobbi I’ll make the change.

[Charley]

Thanks for the links! I am super far from any of that but the basic stretches were really helpful.

[Charley]

Out of curiousity, was the pole just not tall enough? I thought there was some sort of indicator on the slider tube that let you know when it’s maxed out.

Def talk to LM about it – they have excellent customer service.

[Charley]

I can totally relate to this. I’m at a point that the tricks I am trying to do take FOREVER to get and without being very flexible – I’ve probably hit my pinnacle right now.

Teaching keeps me motivated and as of late I just try to dance and work everything out smoothly so it looks nice.

[Charley]

I haven’t done Lyra, but I’ve done trapeze and I really like the transition from pole to silks or trap. I found it wasn’t much struggle to do things just much scarier.

[Charley]

I like it Chemmie!

Amcut – I would LOVE to dance to prison sex but they already giving me issues about what I wear. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_sad.gif

[Charley]

Good to know Chemmie!

He stole a video from me featuring Wendy Traskos and I told them to remove it but they haven’t. The guy is a total d-bag! Is there anyplace this site can be reported to?

[Charley]

was it http://www.xpolestore.com?

They have an Youtube account and they have stolen other people’s videos to promote their site. When I went on their website Isaw the 555 #.

[Charley]

Here is the facebook group for Christian Pole Dancers.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=107071045991600&ref=ts

I heart you. I was born and raised Catholic, though I no longer subscribe to any church and don’t consider myself to be a Christian….anyway, what I wanted to say is that, in my views, the ultimates in Christianity of any sort are tolerance and grace, and your post just oozes them. You’re a class act, Charley. And you’re sexy, and you shouldn’t feel a need to apologize for that.

AWWWWW thanks!

[Charley]

I love all pole tricks. There are some tricks that are more flattering than others based on time with the move and body type.

I hate the way gemini looks on me – but love it on others. I hate my extended butterfly but love it on other people who have the flexibility for it.

I don’t like ayshas ot straight edge’s that are on the pole (not super fond of them even close to the pole.)

I hate brass monkey on me but have seen it on others and loved it, I hate my side climb but I do love Jenynes.

[Charley]

I have cotton boy short undwear from Meijer. They are unbelievable! I buy them a size large then I can wear underwear underneath them. The hug to my leg under my butt cheek so I have FULL coverage but are short enough to do grip just about everywhere! Best part – they are $3.99/pair!!!!

[Charley]

I would take it down. I know it sucks to be off the pole a few weeks BUT it’s better than having to explain the whole thing. They may ask you to take it down anyway so they can see that it’s not attached to anything in the floor or ceiling.

If you have the old pole, just take down the adjuster rod and leave the pole pieces together and slide it under your bed. You should be able to put it back up then as long as you have a studfinder and a step ladder.

[Charley]

I agree with Polegirl, it does seem like there have been a lot of instances where pole dancing as the sensual type is being frowned upon. I think that pole dancing like other forms of dance can be sensual with being overtly sexual and offensive. I think most people choose to see pole dancing as "something sex workers do and sex workers are bad, desperate, sinful women." I think this permeates the Christian culture which makes good, upstanding, non judgemental Christians take on the stance that "Well, if that is what you do, it is okay for you to do it, but not me. It’s mimicking something that is bad and wrong. But don’t worry I still love you, God commands it!"

I am a Christian and I think the biggest problem affecting Christian women is not "should we pole dance? Is wrong to pole dance?" But how we REPRESENT POLE DANCING. Are we sexy pole dancers wearing mini shorts and 9” shoes? That image creates the above paragraphs idea of what pole dancing is and is considered to be overtly sexual and wrong.

So does this mean that Christian woman can only pole dance barefoot or in ballet shoes? Should we never post videos of sensual (not sexual) dancing for other women to enjoy (in a heterosexual nature.)

This is a complex issue for me because I am tired of apologizing for being sexy. I’m tired of feeling like it’s wrong to want to be attractive or to feel attractive. I’m tired of feeling like my hips and breasts are things to hide.
If you are interested there is a facebook group for Christian Pole Dancers.

[Charley]

Did we escape?????? https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif LOL!

Ok…last night I dreamt that Jen and I were pole jaming in my driveway on an X stage when Bertysbooboo showed up and then JOEL showed up but instead of poling he was chair dancing!!!!!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

There were other people poling with us too…trying to remember. LOL, Clive from X-pole was also there trying to sell us X-poles (have never met him only know he owns VL)! People just kind of all started jamming with us as the dream went and it ended up being a huge pole jam in my driveway/front yard.

[Charley]

Hey kitty, pmed you!

[Charley]

https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif I hope I was nice in your dream! LOL!

Okay so it’s not a pole dancer, but I had a dream that Bono from U2 and I were old friends and he came to visit me and I couldn’t figure out how to use a phone to call my bf so he could come hang out with us, lol!!!!

I have had dreams with Jen and bertysbooboo (usually us doing something dangerous and stupid.)

[Charley]

I would pursue my group fitness certification as well as start training with top notch pole dancers. You need to know pole and fitness.

People with dance degress or fitness certs are usually great instructors but I can tell you from experience that group fitness doesn’t tackle things like what to introduce, when to introduce and how to teach it – variations for people who are having difficulty or more difficult variations for those pick up really quick. It doesn’t cover things like not teaching split grip spins with the bottom thumb down until intermediate levels.

There are people out there who are fitness certified instructors who invert people in the first 4 weeks. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif

Your best scenario is to do a pole cert and a fitness cert.

[Charley]

LOVE her! She was a pole A palooza winner too I think.

I wish I knew what the name of that trick is. I can do it and almost every time, but I noticed I still slip down a bit so I like to be at the very top of my pole. You have to scissor your legs to get enough momentun to turn.

[Charley]

YUP! It can be hard when your friends and others just don’t "get it." It’s been difficult for some of my family members to reconcile that I am a pole dancer AND a Christian. So now for those who need an outlet and fellowship and help dealing with issues that often come up in the christian’s life in regards to pole dancing – we have a place to go.

AND you don’t have to be a pole dancer to join, just supporting of us.