[Charley]

I have a pole party business model that I sell and I think a few other places do to.

[Charley]

I have basic black ballet shoes and I like them quite alot but foot thongs are better. I like the tops of my feet exposed – I’m a masochist 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

If you do decided to get soft ballet shoes, get them from a local dance shop so you can try them on. I tried on several sizes before getting the right size, and I still think I would have gone smaller.

[Charley]

Can my whole class do the challenge…at once? https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif

[Charley]

Monday – teach 2 hours, 30 min hoop,30 min stretch
Tuesday 1 hour home practice, 45 min stretch
Wed – teach chair, 30 min hoop, 45 min stretch
Thurs – 1 hour pole practice, 45 min stretch
Fri – 1 hour pole practice, 30 min hoop, 45 min stretch
Sat – rest/hoop
Sun – rest/hoop

[Charley]

I heart Elisabeth! She’s great! You will love the DVD’s!

[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.