[EagleSpirit]

My naturopath has told me that B12 isn’t absorbed orally and injections are really the only way to get it in you. (She may be motivated by getting paid to give me shots though, so….)

Wow, that’s completely different from what I was told by two doctors of mine. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_scratch.gif They both said that sublinguals are just as affective as injections, and one said that taking a sublingual every day is a more even way of keeping it in your system. I got the shots every two or three weeks, and by the end of that time I was getting pretty fatigued again.

[EagleSpirit]

I’m glad your tailbone doesn’t pain you in everyday life anymore! Hopefully you can find a way to do your moves without putting pressure on the area.

The first time I broke my tailbone I was riding my horse and she bucked me off. Somehow I landed on my butt, and on a rock to boot. I had to sit on a bag of frozen peas for a couple of weeks because the swelling was so bad! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif

The second time, I stood up from my chair in computer class and leaned slightly away to help my friend log onto a program. Another classmate didn’t realize that the chair directly behind me was mine and he took it. I thought it was still there and I sat down…it looked pretty funny but I broke my tailbone again.

The third time was a nasty: that’s when I was sitting on the edge of my school desk while wearing rollerskates. The desk tipped, I gripped the edge with my fingers and tried to stop myself with my legs, but the skates just accelerated my fall. I landed on my tailbone, breaking it again, but the nasty was that the edge of the desk severed the tips of two of my fingers. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cry.gif

The fourth time I simply slipped and fell on my butt. My poor tailbone is now crooked and curved off the left and gives me grief sometimes. I can’t sit normally on most flat, hard chairs. I sit cross-legged at the dinner table to relieve the pressure.

So yeah, any "heads up" that people can give me on avoiding injuring this area while poling is GREATLY appreciated! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

[EagleSpirit]

Vitamin D! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_sunny.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_sunny.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_sunny.gif I have this problem every year: I get so fatigued that I’m constantly getting sick and feeling blue. I didn’t realize that your vitamin D levels can get so awfully low. The amount of vitamin D in my multivitamins isn’t nearly enough.

I’m allergic to the sun so I don’t expose myself to the UV’s without the strongest sunblock I can get my hands on. Vitamin D supplements are my only option.

This is the first year I started taking vitamin D and it has been a miracle supplement! I’m not dreaming of bed by early afternoon, nor am I needing so much sleep at night. (I can easily sleep 12 hours or more every day of winter) And my mood! SAD (seasonally affective disorder) doesn’t have a chance with me anymore. What an improvement! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

I can’t answer about the B12 because I have a defiency and have to take sublinguals of this vitamin. It’s either the sublinguals or the shots and I hated giving myself the needles. So I’m not sure if your multi will have enough B12…?

[EagleSpirit]

I’m glad this post came up as I’ll be utilizing the advice given for myself. I’ve broken my tailbone 4 times and it’s a pretty sensitive area for me now – easily injured. I definately don’t want to give it more grief than it’s already had to deal with! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif

Tarah, does it still pain you when you sit and go about your normal day (walking, lifting especially)?

[EagleSpirit]

Empress, a grudge against stretching! That totally describes how I feel about it! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

Veena, I found a video of yours on youtube, "Stretching for the Splits", and I see that you inhale and rise up, then exhale and move down into the stretch. I’m going to try this method today; it looks like it will be less miserable then straining to hold the stretch, trying to remember to breathe, and counting the seconds until I can finally move again.

I’ll try adding some incentives/rewards into my stretching as well. Mmmm, I love wine! My favorite drink… https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_razz.gif

[EagleSpirit]

Oh, congrats! So exciting to get your own pole! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif So, which pole are you getting https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_question.gif

[EagleSpirit]

Thanks for the replies! I’ll try using my hands, arms, and core more next time to take the weight off my shoulders.

I can believe that it is a great way to prepare for shoulder mounts! As it is, it’s a good way to learn to trust myself and my growing strength…it’s kind of scary to be lowering myself and not being able to see the ground! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_surprised.gif

[EagleSpirit]

Wow! Congrats! I just got my first upright, beginner-move crucifix and was very, very thrilled, so I can only imagine how exciting it is to get your first inverted one! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

[EagleSpirit]

What kind of tape do you guys use on the bottom of your shoes?

[EagleSpirit]

All your replies have been really helpful, and it’s nice to now that I’m not alone. I’ve been trying to track down grip aides, but no one sells any locally so I’ll have to order them. My hubby felt bad for me because I’m shying away from moves on my pole, or aborting moves halfway through because of my super wet hands. He bought me a pair of gloves that breathe on top and have a soft suede on the palm. He cut off the fingers and I tried them last night.

What a miracle! I was actually able to make some progress in teaching myself. I can spin with them, but they do slow me down a bit so I’m going to get some gloves with more slip. I’ll still try some grip aides, but I’m worried I’ll sweat right through them. The sweat went right through my gloves! By the time I put away my pole the gloves were wet. And my fingers were sweating and leaving streaks all over the pole. I really am sweatier than I thought! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif

[EagleSpirit]

You guys are wonderful, thank you so much for the replies! I’m definately going to buy some grip aides to try out.

Hookedonpole, do your hands sweat less on your stainless steel? I worried about chrome being really slick for me, too, which is why I chose TG.

Amyxshi, you brought up some good points! My poling environment: upstairs in our living room. The temperature is from 68-72 degrees F. It is also humid in here as a result of my beautiful 76 gallon goldfish tank in the same room. The humidity is usually around 60-70%; I didn’t even think about my poling environment! I can definately see how a cold pole + a humid room + warm sweaty hands = condensation the moment I contact the pole. My hubby has very dry, very callused hands so that’s probably why he didn’t notice any slippage, even after my sweaty hands had slimed up a section of the pole.

I closed the open top of my goldfish tank to help stop evaporation. I should have done this ages ago; I only opened it because my monster filter heats up my babies’ water and I was worried about overheating during the summer. The temperature remained stable but I just got so used to leaving the top open that I forgot about it. This should help bring the humidity down and also stop the tank from evaporating so quickly between water changes! I’ll see if it helps my poling. Should I also warm up the room? What’s a good temperature to pole at?

I read that some people prefer cleaning the pole with Windex instead of alcohol. I bought some and tried it today…what a difference! Edit: It got the grime off better than alcohol for me and made the pole grippier, it still only takes a split second for the pole to go from dry to wet/slimy under my hands.

[EagleSpirit]

I replaced the faded sections on mine, and it cost me $160 for new A and B poles. But this was the old style poles that screwed together so now the cost may be different. I was told by X-pole that the color fade did not alter the grippiness and I personally never noticed a difference in grip. I think brass is definitely the best as far as grippiness, but the TG came in a very close 2nd and was easier to care for then brass. I think either one will be good for you, but you just need to figure out which brand of pole you prefer. Which brass pole are you looking to buy?

Oh, thank you for your reply! Now I’m extra glad that I asked because it’s a relief to know that the A & B poles can be replaced. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif That eliminates virtually the only problem that I have with choosing titanium over brass.

The brass pole that I was going to buy was the Aradia Fitness brass removable pole. It looks very solid and well made, but it’s static only. And I don’t relish the thought of tarnish, polishing, the smell of brass (some days I’m very sensitive to smells), or the fact that it’s such a soft metal. I really can see myself banging the brass pole in a doorway as I’m carrying it around from room to room because it’s a one-piece pole.

I think I’m leaning towards the titanium X-pole. It’s so well known for being strong and reliable, and it has both spin and static modes. Most importantly, it should work just fine with my sweaty hands. Maybe I should quit thinking about it and just order it already! It’s a Christmas present from my hubby. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_rendeer.gif

[EagleSpirit]

I forgot to ask: can the faded sections (I think they are the A & B poles) be replaced if/when the titanium fades? And is it very expensive to do so?

I really wish I could make up my mind about what pole finish would be better for me. I have hyperhydrosis so I can be clammy at best and uber sweaty at worst. Titanium and brass would probably be a better fit than chrome or stainless, but it’s so hard to make the final decision… https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_scratch.gif

[EagleSpirit]

Thanks for your replies, everyone! Jenn, you had yours fade after a couple of months, and Veena, you haven’t seen any fading after nearly a year…I guess it really is different for each individual.

Chemgoddess, what you said makes sense. I love the gold color, but personally I’d rather have the plain silver that is offered in Australia because then I wouldn’t have the aesthetic worry of color fading.

[EagleSpirit]

LOL I’m as impatient as you, Moth, I check their website every day to see if it’s been released yet. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif I may yet email them to ask about the finish. I’m assuming that it will be solid brass, but I’m really wondering about the threaded joins. Brass is such a soft metal that I wouldn’t think that it could stand up to being a multipiece that gets put together and taken apart frequently…

[EagleSpirit]

They finally have Jenyne Butterfly’s routine up, too. It’s wonderful! It was the move at 4:45 that made me desperate to learn how to pole dance, that is my favorite move!

http://uspoledance.com/uspoledance_videos/587223061001_pole_dance_video.php

[EagleSpirit]

I’ve been doing loads more research on poles and think I will definately be going with a brass pole. I’ll be choosing between Aradia and X-Pole when they come out with their brass. I’d definately prefer to buy locally (well, close to locally anyway) and it will save me a small fortune in shipping and customs charges. I’ve been watching videos of the Aradia poles and really like the look of them.

The only problem is that sometime down the road I’ll probably want a spinny option. So, I’m going to wait to see what X-Pole comes out with for their new brass pole and how much it would cost me to get one. And, if I decide to go with Aradia, my hubby says he can easily McGuyver my pole into a spinny-capable one.

I’ll keep you guys posted!

[EagleSpirit]

So, does anyone know if the brass X-pole is going to be solid brass? Or is it some kind of plating?

[EagleSpirit]

Oh, I am so glad that you posted this! I’ve been debating between finishes for some time now, and never once did I consider metal allergies. I’m quite allergic to nickel, and even some surgical steel (often in the hospital I can’t have a surgical steel needle for an I.V. because I’ll have a painful reaction!) I thought I had decided on chrome but now I’ll be steering away. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_pale.gif That would have been a disaster! Having irritated skin would definately put me off poling.

Incidently, I have never had a problem with titanium in gold or any other color. I can wear titanium, niobium, sterling silver, and gold that is at least 10 karats with no problems. Stainless steel can be iffy: my watch band doesn’t bother me, but the back of the watch-face does.

[EagleSpirit]

I recently discovered In Flames and really love dancing to My Sweet Shadow, Only For The Weak, and The Quiet Place. Their songs have a strong beat and really unique solo’s and pauses. Makes for an interesting dance. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_thumleft.gif

[EagleSpirit]

Everyone here is so welcoming and wonderful! Thanks for replies saying how much you all enjoyed the picture. It made my day! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_sunny.gif

[EagleSpirit]

Aww, you guys are great! Glad you enjoyed the pic https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

[EagleSpirit]

I finally got around to taking a picture of myself doing a pole sit (sadly can’t let go of my hands yet https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_sad.gif ) on "my" basement support jack! Ignore the mess, the basement is unfinished and we’re reno-ing upstairs. At the moment it’s only getting used for storage, laundry, and my occasional dancing around a jack. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif Enjoy!

[EagleSpirit]

I love brass but…..I wouldn’t want it as my only pole. Once it gets warmed up my spins slow down and it gets a little too grippy for some things. When I’m able to create my new pole space I’ll have my brass and my chrome up and go back and forth between the two.

Hmmm, I wonder if I shouldn’t be looking at brass for a first pole. I really want to spin, and spin fast & smooth at that, and I wonder if brass will be too grippy for me. I’m dancing on a polished steel homemade pole, and once the pole gets warm I find my hands bunny-hopping on the finish! I really hate that feeling. I’m going to polish it more smoothly (right now it’s more of a matt finish) and see how I like that. But it’s definately making me rethink the brass finish for my first proper pole. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_scratch.gif

[EagleSpirit]

My signature song has been "Control" from the Mortal Kombat soundtrack ever since high school. It just feels like "me" and when we had a picture slide show of each student growing up at different stages of their lives for graduation, we all had to pick out a part of a song that most suited our personality to play during our segment. It was really interesting and fun to see what each of us chose. I chose "Control" because it made me feel empowered and I loved to dance to it. To this day, whenever I hear it play, I still think "Hey! That’s my song!" It’s still fits me and makes me feel strong and energized.