[Dwiizie]

Ballet teachers will usually correct "floppy hands" too haha

[Dwiizie]

I personally love Ballet. Flexibility, correct posture and form, and you develop a beautiful point. The choreography is there. You can even do stuff like a Barre class thats like ballet and pilates fushion if you want a workout to go with it. I do like tap, but not much as an adult. Jazz dancing is incredibly fun, and will give you some funky choreography, but seems to have fallen out of favor (though Jazzercise is making a huge comeback). Hip Hop dance I would consider to be like belly dancing, in helping you figure out new ways to move or transition, but ballet is soooo wonderful. 

[Dwiizie]

I always THOUGHT my mom was conservative. I find she was moreso trying to make ME be conservative. Now that I'm an adult, and fairly "covered up" in my dress tone, she says she wishes she could tramp me up a bit. She was behind the camera on the first pole video I ever did, just a climb to show her I could. She was laughing about me having big feet. I don't think my dad has seen me pole, he'd probably freak out and issue a whole tirade filled with unfortunate misinformation, but he doesn't use a computer much less have Facebook. My other family members don't seem to mind. My brother thinks its funny. My cousin once had a website where she would dress up and take pictures for guys for money, so I guess my poling is mild. Growing up I was always "the wild one". Now I'm "the eccentric one" and everyone else is wild together haha.

[Dwiizie]

I love playing with momentum, sticking legs out, halfway out, tucking in, getting tall like a pencil on the pole. It really helped me get a sense of how to work momentum in my favor. 

[Dwiizie]

My hubs was really impressed with the side spin, because it was so fast. He is amazed when I can just chill in crucifix. He really likes the ankle attitude as far as "pretty", and he thinks its the most amazing thing ever when I do the front hook to back hook combo spin.  As for overall "sexy" he likes the Shakira style booty wiggle, pole or no lol. 

[Dwiizie]

My best friend and I were hanging with his band. She was with him, I was with the singer. Later she switched to the lead guitarist and I ditched the singer and got with a bassist from another band. I threw a wild party and everyone was there, and the bassist wanted more of a physical relationship than I was willing to provide, I just wasn't that interested in him beyond the little bit of getting to know each other we had done. The next morning, everyone left over went out for breakfast and coffee. Adam was still asleep with a cigarette in his hand, burned clear through my couch. I don't eat breakfast food or drink coffee, so I just stayed behind. We joked about the cigarette hole and watched some TV and he never left. He would go to work and his apartment and band practices, but he would always ask to see me if just for a little while. We would talk until late in the night and he'd end up spending the night. Always just "snuggling" until I eventually had to ask if we were "together" lol. Then about three months later I asked if he was going to start paying rent (as his stuff had slowly migrated to my apartment). We eventually quit smoking together, and lost a  lot of weight, and got engaged. I proposed to him, and at first he turned me down. He thought I was kidding. When I was devastated, he realized I had been serious. He later  took me to a waterfall to accept/repropose lol. We married July 14th 2011 after postponing the wedding for a year. We had a tie dye wedding, everything was casual, even our officiant wore tie dye for us. We had a big beautiful cake and everyone kept commenting about how at least we had one traditional wedding thing. When we cut into it, everyone laughed because inside the traditional icing was all tie dyed cake. We have our ups and downs, he's slightly younger than me (TODAY IS HIS BIRTHDAY!!!! We are only one year apart for now!!!!) and we are both growing together. Its been an adventure so far and I'm can't wait to see what the future holds for us. 

[Dwiizie]

I sent a little something, good luck guys <3

[Dwiizie]

I live out in the boonies, there is a studio in town, but I haven't really felt like "home" there as many people say about their studios. I try all the time to get my friends to pole, even my hooper friends seem to shy away from it, even if they're all about aerial work like silks and lyra. I WILL find a pole buddy. 

[Dwiizie]

Theres a 30 day takeoff program to get you back in the swing of things, and all the lessons are in sections from beginner to advanced, I'm sure you'd have no trouble finding your way around and polishing and expanding what you already know. The new routines are awesome too 🙂

[Dwiizie]

I have this problem, like you said, it comes and goes. Lately its been gone more frequently for longer because I have made myself a priority. It is not selfish. If I am not at my best, I am no good to anyone, even if I'm technically "there". I have to be my best self to be able to help and serve others. If I can't take on anymore, and I say yes, and end up doing a half assed job because of it, that person isn't helped by me at all, and I've found whereever I say no, there is almost always someone that steps up who CAN say yes. I definitely sometimes feel guilt and sometimes feel like I'm missing out on things (like when I had to say no to being a fire performer at a solstice festival because I'm going camping that weekend.) I would love to be able to be in two places at once. Its not easy to let go. But once you do its so nice. I have also found that since taking control of my life, and setting boundaries, people respect me more, not less. I have more positive people in my life and the users and people that would take advantage of my kindness have thinned out. I know you've probably read similar things, and like anything dealing with emotions/social interaction/guilt/etc, its easier said than done. I also think you CAN start small. Start by saying "no I can't make dinner tonight" you don't even have to have a reason or explain yourself. If someone wants an explanation, just tell them its not a good time for you, and that is utter truth whatever your alternative plans are, even if its just to have some rejuvenation time on the couch at home alone. You can eventually move up to the "No I won't join the PTA/Head up this project/coordinate this event". Do what you need to do in your life, and do not fear regret. Embrace acceptance. Good luck *hug*

[Dwiizie]

And just to elaborate, xpole has youtube videos online for putting the pole up, and a lot have abandoned the manual in favor of those 😉

[Dwiizie]

Well, its something I think you have to get the hang of. Read the manual online (some people say don't but I like to have that with the youtube videos) Don't overtighten your pole but make sure its tight enough. Make sure if you clamp down screws they are going onto flat parts of the pole and not onto threading. Also, you can't get the base in without taking out the spin/static screws. I had a blonde moment with that one. Line up the spin/lock screws with the x's on the base to make sure it clamps down on the flat spot inside. Alternate screws, when one is tight, tighten the other some more, then go back and forth till they're both good. Same with the 3 screws that lock your pole into its tension place, and DEFINITELY do this with x joints. Do a top and a bottom, then redo the top, and redo the bottom. If you don't go back and forth, it won't spread out right, possibly damaging the x joint, and possibly not making enough contact which will leave it able to twist possibly. Don't be scared, just read the directions, use your noggin, and you'll be fine. Make sure the pole is level all ways by checking a few points around the pole. Sometimes it can be level "side to side" but its tilted slightly toward or away from you. Those are all I can think of that I had to kind of work out and figure out when I first got my pole and didn't want to screw up setting it up. 

[Dwiizie]

I know that I got one with the springy trapeze bar, it actually says to take out the middle spring for small kids to bounce in it. Kids love the swing. Supervised, wouldn't want anyone face planting or anything. Keep cats away from it, they claw lol. One of mine decided he likes to lounge in the "sky chair" we bought a regular hammock chair for under 30 bucks to keep him satisfied when the swing isn't hanging up. 

[Dwiizie]

I am in love with my Omni Gym. It came with a stand, it swivels, its awesome, I LOVE hanging up sidedown, stretching or strength training or just relaxing. It is definitely the best investment I have made since my pole.

[Dwiizie]

Yeah no need to feed into the cattyness with a revenge post (my husband would probably have said the same thing) I'm glad that you seem to get that and you seem to be able to handle yourself just fine. You just needed to get it out there and shake it off. Do you have video of the routine you had baked up?  

[Dwiizie]

I had some lingering side effects, but I think they had more to do with the onset of depression as I was quitting smoking rather than the lack of nicotine itself. I was soooo depressed, and of course you want a smoke when you're crying your eyes out and nothing makes it better and you're just getting fatter and who cares that you smoke anyway because all your friends smoke you are suddenly "healthy helen" and you thought you would get rewarded by "not having to stand out in the cold to smoke anymore" but really you just have a smoke free home and the whole party moves outside every hour. It was really hard socially. I don't think nicotine kept me any more regular than caffeine but I have a friend who has unsuccessfully tried to quit and she will smoke to be able to poop. I think pot does a better job of that. I really hope that everyone who wants to quit can overcome the BS that comes along with it. <3 

[Dwiizie]

I feel you on the whole cattyness and feeling betrayed by this person's actions, but I really don't have any advice to offer. Just try your best not to let it get you down, distance yourself from this person, and find a competition that will better suit your needs. You are fabulous, own that, and just try to forgive the byotches in the world. *hug*

[Dwiizie]

I tried to quit seven times before I succeeded. I tried patches, gum, replacement bubblegum cigarettes, everything. In the end I just got tired enough of it all, which made me angry, which made me determined, and I quit and have never looked back (It helped that they raised prices on cigarettes in my state the week after I quit). The money I save is amazing. I did gain some initial weight right after, and yes it put me into sweatpants/teeshirts mode for a minute, but I lost whatever I gained about a month or 6 weeks or so after I quit. It just took a bit for my body to adjust. Good luck to everyone working on this, and congrats to those who have kicked the habit. 

[Dwiizie]

I see your point, I mean, they don't sell dildos at the ballet or weight lifting competitions…but then again pole IS still a sensual thing and at this time, taboo for some. Not that ballet can't be sensual 😉 I just don't really see anything wrong with it. I like what AerialGypsy said. What do they sell at weight lifting competitions? Protein powders and whatnot?

[Dwiizie]

I would love to try it out sometime!

[Dwiizie]

I personally started trying to do pole holds, tucks, squats, plies, and the "row" style movements with the pole. I also started working towards flexibility right away. I would make sure I DANCE every time I am with my pole. Even if you are just hopping around and not doing any "pole moves" it will be fun and equate your poling with dance and fun rather than "working out". And don't just squat, make it sexy lol. You can slow a squat down, it works your muscles, and it can be very sensual. I DO like doing latin dance, and before I was poling, I was hooping, and doing small things like pushups on my knees (I can do full plank pushups now!) putting my hands on the floor behind me and doing little presses, leg lifts, mainly things I got from 80's exercise videos. I definitely found that POLING is what works the muscles I need to develop for pole. It was really hard at first to know "When I started I could barely do a pushup, now they're a breeze! And I can't even hold my own body weight with the pole…" HAND strength is something I have had to gain. Stress ball, hand squeezy things, whatever just to make sure you can grip the way you want. I did feel like I had to get in shape to get in shape.  I feel that way about some other things too, like I have to be fit already to do some things that are supposed to "get you in shape". To do a side plank on the floor was IMPOSSIBLE in the beginning. Its still very difficult. Find variations of things that work for you if you can't do a full move. I love the knee hook side crunch, I feel so cool doing it, even if it isn't a "pole move" exactly. Stick with it, you will be amazed with yourself if you just give it a few more weeks. 6 weeks at least just to SEE and FEEL definite changes. If you already are fit and take up poling, or have a background in dance or gymnastics, I think it is easier to progress faster. Its so important to be proud of what you CAN do. If you focus on what you CAN'T do (yet I might add) it will always be discouraging. I spent the last few months viewing my pole as the enemy because I was in a bit of a rut, but I just kept practicing what I can do, going back to basic climb, and that in itself builds muscles. I could not do a climb for the longest time when I started poling, it was at least 2 months probably more. I JUST had my first invert the other day, and I've been working on this for 2 years. 

[Dwiizie]

Well you are already small, so I assume you will not be losing weight, but building muscle as you pole. I don't think its possible you will lose your boobs. I think, if anything, you will build pecs, making the boobs perkier, but it won't "burn fat" off them. I think you will find your arms stronger, your core stronger. You will not need to have surgery on them. I think a lot of professional dancers have the "dancer's body" of being tall, lean, long, and not a lot of body fat including in the boobie area. I know plenty PLENTY of professional grade dancers sporting Cs Ds and above. 

[Dwiizie]

I was going to say the same thing, ask x pole if they are a authorized vendor.

[Dwiizie]

I really like taking cues from music. Like with my hoop routines, a lot has to be freestyle because the hoop has a mind of its own. But as long as I get into vertical plane when the cowbell comes in its cool, bust out when the band kicks in full swing. Usually I'm listening to that cowbell or the building vocals right before I know the band is coming in. I do NOT like when teachers count out the song when actually doing the whole routine. When learning its fine, but if someone is just "one and two and three and four fiiiive six seven and eiiiight!! One two three four hooooold six seven hold eight" Oh I want to choke them. 

[Dwiizie]

I CAN dance to counts, its kind of required for most group choreography, but with pole dance, I feel expression is more important. If you were making a perfectly uniform dance for every girl to look identical and to land on this beat and flex a hand on that beat, its so hard to try and use, say, the words of the song to try and convey that to dancers. If you're in a class setting, however, I think that each student putting their own style on the basic structure is awesome. If you really want to you can dance a song your way, then just watch it and map out what you did to teach it in counts. I definitely feel you. There was recently a dance and you had to slide up on a four count and it was sooo much prettier to slide up and increase speed because the music heightened, but impossible to make it uniform, so counts it was.