[Foxy_Rei]

Happy Birthday, Sascha! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

[Foxy_Rei]

Oh boy… um, well may as well try taking the pole down and trying it with the pole on the floor (I got the impression you did all this with the pole still standing) and it seems to be the only thing you haven’t tried yet!

You sound like you have the right idea with the shock method, it’s just you did it with the pole up – I’ve only ever heard instructions with it on the floor. Also, with the pole on the floor, you can lay one of the release rods (the chopstick ones) on a book to help give you better leverage, then give the other one a whack. Veena’s mantra with the shock method is that it’s the shock – not the force – of the strike that releases it.

I haven’t heard the cold peas trick… but then again I’ve been out of the pole loop for a while. If I have this right, cold has a shrinking effect while heat has an expanding effect, right? If so, then with the temperature trick you could try getting the pole with the male end cold and heating up the pole with the female end. (the top piece has the male end, I think if I remember correctly…) That way it’s making the inserted end smaller and the other one bigger, theoretically…

I’m no expert, although I do seem to give very long answers to questions like these… maybe Veena would know of another trick. We need a Veena call, like how Batman had that spotlight to call him when there was trouble. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

[Foxy_Rei]

I’m pretty sure there are some stick-on pads that you can put on the bottom of shoes to give them extra grip. I was in my aunt’s wedding several years ago and they got some for my heels so I wouldn’t slip and fall (I was like 12 at the time). I’m sure you can find them in the shoe section of any store, with the Dr. Sholls and stuff.

[Foxy_Rei]

I’m not familiar with PS, but I’ve never felt the holes in my X-Pole, if that helps at all.

But yes, switching an X-Pole from static to spin you have to use an allen wrench and loosen 2 hex screws near the base. It’s harder than just pulling a pin out like PS, but it’s really not difficult to do overall. I’ve heard that with PS, though, the pin sometimes pops out on its own – I haven’t heard of people having problems with the hex screws on the X loosening on their own (as long as they’re tightened properly), but I could be wrong.

There’s always some give and take with these kinds of poles, though – multiple pieces and the option to switch between spin and static all in one removable pole is no easy task. I guess it just boils down to your priorities and preferences. They’re both good poles, you just have to decide if it’s more important to you to have a top loading pole like you want or have the easy spin/static switch like you want (as well as any other prefs that you didn’t mention).

Just my 2 cents – not trying to pressure you into the X or anything https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_tongue.gif Good luck with your decision!

[Foxy_Rei]

I don’t know how comfortable you are with handstands without a pole, but here are a couple things I would try:

Practice against a wall. Put a mark or piece of tape or something to help give you something to aim at, that way when you practice on the pole your feet are less likely to miss.

Are you trying to get both feet around the pole or just one? I learned it by kicking one foot up and hooking it around the pole first, that way I could guide my other leg to the pole and you get a better feel for where the pole will land against your butt and back. Also that way your free leg is ready to help catch you if you fall https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_tongue.gif

I’m no expert, but I’d imagine arching your back would be a bad idea. Learn to tip your body back against the pole instead, keeping your back straight. You can practice this against a wall too – just place your hands further away from the wall than normal, then let your body tip back until your heels touch the wall. The wall won’t go anywhere and gives you a bigger target than the pole would.

Hope this helps!

[Foxy_Rei]

I’m self-taught too, and I remember kinda hitting a wall of "where do I go from here?" around the same point you’re at. It does sound like you’re into the intermediate-type of moves if you can do a butterfly and cross ankle release, and if you were taking studio classes they would probably say that you’re a solid intermediate just because you can invert at all. Take a look at Fleur’s post "Am I Ready For an Inversion?" – there’s a lot of criteria in there!

I learned really fast so I’m trying to remember what order I learned in… If you can do a butterfly, go ahead and try to work on the extended. If you can do a cross ankle release, can you do the cross knee? (I did cross knee first) If you’re confident with your cross ankle release you could try a bow/bridge (try it close to the ground first, like with your hands resting on the floor). From Gemini and Scorpio you can try an inverted thigh hold. Flatline Scorpio is another one you could do – it’s my favorite transition out of the butterfly. There are also the plank and advanced plank, layback, wrist sit… the list goes on. Learning to combo between the moves is another great way to build up strength and learn more about how your body is gripping the pole so you can go on to other moves, too.

Spins are fun and a bit less dangerous, too. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_tongue.gif

Have you looked at Wikipole? I used that site to become familiar with the names of the moves so when I watched the videos I could define them better. When you’re just sitting there without knowing what to look for it’s just like "Oh I want to try that one leg thing." Also you learn what parts are the moves themselves and what parts are the transitions – makes it easier to know what to work on in smaller pieces before you try the whole thing. This site is also a great resource for stuff like that, too.

Learning moves from just pictures and watching videos is generally not recommended, but that’s kinda what us self-taught people have to do. It’s learning to recognize what you’re not ready for that’s the hard part. When I watch videos, I know right off the bat that cartwheel and handspring mounts, ayshas, straight edges, jade splits, etc. are all over my head right now. I look at moves that I already know how to do and watch what the other dancers do in between them. It’s just learning what body parts are doing the gripping and what kind of strength is involved, and figuring out if it’s something that you can build up to easily from the point that you’re at now. Knowing what you can do safely and working on them cautiously is the key. Use mats or pillows and a spotter if at all possible, and definitely do strength training exercises.

There’s my 2 cents. Just don’t hurt yourself!

[Foxy_Rei]

Thank you Lilbit and Frida! I looked at both links, and the link that Frida gave is exactly what I have. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif

[Foxy_Rei]

Amen! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif You have an awesome testimony of life, lilbit, congrats on 29 years of success!

[Foxy_Rei]

Dayanara – I sent you a message

[Foxy_Rei]

Ok, I took the plunge – I bought my ticket for the show and reserved the last slot for Fleur’s workshop. *sigh* Now I have to wait 2 months, grrr!

I’d better have plenty of SVers to keep me company! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_tongue.gif

[Foxy_Rei]

Go to My Account (very top of the page). On the right there should be a link to My Contacts. Click on that and there will be a list of blocked users. I don’t have anyone blocked, but I imagine there’s an option to unblock them. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

[Foxy_Rei]

I remember watching a pole competition recently where I believe a Russian competitor was thrown off a spinny pole when it came down.

Is this the video?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qwvc-RUKOSM

I just watched it the other day, she was spinning soooooo fast https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif

[Foxy_Rei]

Don’t know if this is resolved yet, but about the X-Pole not spinning well or wobbling:

I had this problem after I last took my pole down to clean and re-WD-40 the joints. It didn’t do it before, so I knew I probably hadn’t put it up quite right. Turns out it wasn’t exactly centered on the joist and I had over-extended the adjuster screw, so the wobbling I felt was my flimsy ceiling panels bending under the edge of the dome on the side that stuck out furthest from the joist.

I took my pole down last week, and before I put it back up I drew a line down my ceiling right along the joist that was long enough to stick out both sides of the dome when I put it back up. When I put the dome up, I made sure that it was perfectly centered on the line that I drew and lined the rest of the pole up underneath it. Then I jumped on my pole and the spinning felt waaayy better.

Maybe you should try that, too? https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_scratch.gif Also maybe double check the joints to make sure they’re not loose, because that can make the pole feel wobbly, too. Just some thoughts…

I wish a bunch of the legit pole manufacturers would have a big pole show or convention so everyone can go around and try the different poles https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_tongue.gif

[Foxy_Rei]

Ha! that just made my day https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

[Foxy_Rei]

Karol has a tutorial on the superman fall on YouTube… don’t have the link off hand but it shouldn’t be too hard to find

[Foxy_Rei]

Maybe at the very least we can all make an effort to be in the same hotel, even if we don’t necessarily share rooms (although that would suck for me because it would be more expensive to have a room by myself).

After party? I think I saw that you buy tickets for that at the door, am I right?

[Foxy_Rei]

Minicoopergrl – I hope you get your tax money back soon! (I did see your response in the other thread, btw – thanks! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif)

Sabrina – good luck with your marathon!

[Foxy_Rei]

Jeez I’m still all by myself in the Southern Tier of NY… maybe someday. *sigh*

[Foxy_Rei]

Oh wow this is a tough one, and I’m responding simply to challenge myself… it’s rather daunting, I have to admit.

I have to force myself to admit that I really do like the way I look from the neck down. I’m well-proportioned, my stomach doesn’t have too bad of a pooch even at its worst, and I have nice legs. My husband says I have a nice butt, but I’ll take his word on that one (I’m not really much of a butt judge, male or female).

I’m not as toned as I used to be because I’m just returning to the pole after several months, and while I’m disappointed for letting myself slip, I really don’t look that bad. It’ll just be even better in a few weeks/months when I get my six-pack back! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

[Foxy_Rei]

You look like you have the right idea!

Bend that top leg as much as you can, think of it as you’re trying to point your toe to the floor. Maybe try arching your back just a bit more to help get a better grip with your side and armpit (Your back curls slightly when you’re still hanging on), sliding your hands a bit further down the pole will help you do that. And go slow – let go with the outside arm only before you try to let go with both hands.

And this may sound kinda silly, but maybe try it with a bit less clothing on, too (I wouldn’t recommend recording yourself in those instances, though https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_tongue.gif). More skin equals more grip, and once you have it down pat you won’t have to be so concerned about the clothes you’re wearing. You also stick better when your pole is warm. Keep practicing and it eventually becomes second nature https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

[Foxy_Rei]

Having a negative opinion is one thing, but going through the effort to make a video like that is beyond stupid. Why bother? Also it was a poorly filmed video of her sweaty, disgusting chest. I’d leave a comment myself, but that’s apparently what she wants.

Would reporting her do any good? She was getting really nasty in her comment responses…

[Foxy_Rei]

Post removed

It would seem that no matter how gentle I phrase my opinion, it’s still going to piss someone off. I meant no offense to anyone, I apologize for getting anyone upset.

[Foxy_Rei]

for the USPDF workshops thru NYPD, you need to buy the workshop and then after you purchase it you have the option to schedule it for whatever class slot you want.

Thanks https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

I haven’t committed to anything yet… Still wondering what would be the easiest way to get down there and where I’d stay. I’d rent a car but I’m scared out of my mind of driving in NYC. I could fly, but I’d have to take a cab to get anywhere and I’ve never taken a cab before. *sigh* I think I’m worrying too much… https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_confused.gif

But I do have an idea https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_idea.gif : maybe we can all form little Studio Veena groups to kinda stick together. You know, book hotel rooms together, go out for meals and such together, etc. and split the costs. Would save money for everyone and people like me wouldn’t have to worry about being alone. Anyone up for that???

For instance, I’m from the Southern Tier of NY, near Binghamton – about a 4 hour drive from NYC. If a few girls wanted to meet me in Binghamton I’d be willing to rent a car and drive us to wherever we’re staying in NYC. We’d book hotel rooms together. We could take cabs while we’re in the city so we don’t have to worry about getting lost and parking. Then on Sunday or Monday morning (depending on who has workshops when) we drive back to Binghamton and head our separate ways. We’d all split the costs of the rental car, hotel, cab fares, etc. Just an idea.

[Foxy_Rei]

Yeah that looks like a 50mm chrome X-Pole to me, too – that’s what I have.

If you’re looking for a sturdy pole, look into X-Pole, Lil Mynx, or Platinum Stages. All three are good, safe brands of pole – not the cheap ones that you’re afraid of. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

[Foxy_Rei]

Sounds like condensation to me… It’s only after you clean it? https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_scratch.gif

Maybe try using a dehumidifier for the day when you clean it? I dunno… *shrug*