[Foxy_Rei]

Can pole dancing really be spelled all in one word like that? https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_scratch.gif

It’s funny how she mentioned wanting more bruises… https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

I can understand her not exactly liking it when people bring up Twilight. I’ll admit it, I’m kinda a Twi-Hard, and I’ve seen her do lots of interviews about it. It’s sorta like a pregnant woman getting sick of talking about babies and being pregnant. Kristen really does love the books, characters, etc. and is proud of her success, but I’d hate it too if I got swarmed on by photographers and every single question was about the same subject. I wouldn’t like being a celebrity just for that reason!

[Foxy_Rei]

We took the pole down, removed the upper dome, base and extensions and put the super release tools in the holes, one on each side. Then we turned the pole so it was no longer the pole resting on the floor with the tools up but it was the tools on the floor (at an angle) and the pole up in the air. After that my friend got on the floor and used both hands to push down really hard on the pole, right in the middle. The trick is, the tools can’t go down into the floor, so they have no other way to go than out to each side and by doing that they unscrew both pole sections

Wouldn’t this only work if the tools happen to be just at the right angles? https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_scratch.gif When I stick the tools in they are running in the same direction – parallel to each other – because the holes in my pole line up perfectly with each other when it’s up. And even if they didn’t the tools would have to be just right, otherwise you would end up tightening them instead of loosening them. I think you were very very lucky, Knutschfleck, that worked.

Rubi, you could try that, but it might not work. You could also wait for a climate change (I have no idea where you’re from) and try it again, too. I’ve found my pole is a pain to take apart in cold whether…

[Foxy_Rei]

Damn, Jungle! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif That was awesome!

I’m surprised no one cracked their head on that air vent https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

[Foxy_Rei]

Oh Glitter I’m so sorry… I’m really at a loss for words – anything I’d say would probably not make you feel much better. The first thing that came to mind was something like, "At least you’re keeping tabs on it and you’re preventing it from becoming life-threatening." https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_confused.gif

While that is a good thing, I know that’s not your biggest worry right now. Don’t blame yourself and feel guilty about this – things happen, and there is no use dwelling in the past. Easier said than done, I know – I’m up at night crying thinking about past regrets myself, but I also do know that guilt and regret do absolutely nothing but make you more miserable. It will no nothing for you, or your boyfriend. Live for the present and future!

I’d say just take things in stride. Do what you have to do to take care of yourself, and then see what your options are for having children. It may not turn out the way you hope and you’ll need a good cry (or several of them), but maybe they will turn out ok. Hope is not lost yet. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

I’ll be praying for you, keep us updated!

[Foxy_Rei]

Not to put words in the mouth of the commenter, but I have a feeling they meant "authentic" in the sense of it being closer to its strip club roots. However, "authentic" doesn’t have to automatically mean that if you’re doing "fake" pole dance just because you choose to take the more gymnastics route.

I said this in my post in the "Sexuality…" thread before I deleted it, but one of the beauties of pole is that it can be whatever you want it to be. Everyone has their own preference and style, and they’re all executed on the same piece of equipment. Just because you use a pole doesn’t mean that you have to dance like a stripper, and if you’re like me and don’t particularly like the strip club stereotype, it doesn’t mean that we have to go to the other extreme, either.

I personally like to see a very nice balance between dancing and tricks; whether that dance style is more balletic like Fleur or completely erotic like… well, I don’t have an example but whatever – doesn’t make a difference about whether or not you’re truly "pole dancing" in my eyes. And when I say dancing, I mean true dancing – doing fancy handstands and elbow stands are tricks to me, even if they’re off the pole.

And unfortunately I see very few of the great dancers that really strike that dance/tricks balance very well, in my opinion. Felix is a great example. Don’t get me wrong, I love to watch Felix, but she’s almost always up on the pole. She does very little floorwork and really just strikes poses in between polework. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her do a spin. However, I will say that her transitions between the pole tricks are very dance-like compared to some other dancers, so that makes up for it a little.

Someone mentioned not liking choreography matching up with the beat of the music perfectly, and I think I know what you mean (maybe). I like dancing that goes with the music, but not so much that it’s a very stilted performance. I like big tricks to match up with the big moments in the music and movements to be somewhat timed with the music and overall tone of the song. I tend to dislike it if people are dancing as if there were absolutely no music at all, but that’s just me.

I have mixed feelings on pole becoming more regulated/going to the Olympics and such. While I’d love to see pole better recognized as more of a true art form and not necessarily exclusive to strip clubs, I do very much enjoy the freedom in doing whatever style we like. I think if anything, the pole dancing community should make their own standards of pole in regards to names and such (difficult, I know) but not in terms of expression. I like the no nudity rule that most organizations have, but I wouldn’t want to see every dancer covered head to toe in a jumpsuit, either. Having standard names would be nice. I like how the USPDF, etc. require more well-rounded skills such as floorwork, etc. It sucks that you have to do a split because I can’t do one, but that’s ok. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

I think that pole fitness, pole gymnastics, and pole dance should be mutually respected. Just because one is the origin of the others doesn’t mean it’s better than them.

[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