[JeHanne]

I had tried to find it also… but I couldn't. Then I read here that many people had been frauded so I changed my mind entirely on that particular DVD.

Alethea Austin released two DVDs recently, Sexy Fundamentals and Floorwork and they are HOT! I'm building up my moves using them and she is reputable to order from.

I also youtube to get inspiration for sultry sexy moves from other dancers.

[JeHanne]

I bet you will get some wonderful responses here. 

I am not aware of food increasing strength but I am not trained in any nutrional or medical sciences so I know not what I speak of. That being said however… I peronally think of nutrition as building blocks that our bodies use to build upon. 

I try to get my protein from food sources but I supplement with shakes if I am not eating enough. Greek yogurt is a great food based form of protein and it has probiotics. My favorite protein powder is Vega Shake and Go in chocolate (plant based protein with probiotics and green foods). I have found when I pole a few hours a day I need about two servings of bread or cereal like carbs (anywhere throughout the day) to keep from feeling really fatigued. 

I also like fruits a few times a day to help to restore. Also tons of water! 

One extremely important element for your muscles to regenerate and to gain strength is adequate rest! Now that seems totally counterintuitive but I see it all the time. 

I look forward to following this thread to see what everyone has to say.

 

[JeHanne]

Senrysa… don't tell him! 😉

When my blinkie shoes would do that I got so creeped out… was worried there was a poltergeist in my closet. Glad it wasn't just mine.

[JeHanne]

I hear ya Pankake. We are all amazing pole lovers and dancers no matter what is on our feet. It is what is inside our heart and souls that make us shine when we take the stage. Regardless of that stage being our personal home pole space or a theatre. 

[JeHanne]

Hooves… I love that look! JhennD, sounds like I'd get along great with your studio instructor!

There are some dancers that decide to never wear heels or prefer the more organic/natural look of a bare foot, they are just as awsome as us heel lovin dancers. 🙂

I call them 'platform heels' since to me that is what I see them as. Heels take a lot of practice, I've even fallen a few times and will likely fall again. I don't feel there is anything natural about balancing on any platform and then shifting your center of gravity and everything else while dancing. 

I guess I'm just a glutten for punishment. 😉

[JeHanne]

Free flexibility resource:

The one and only… Aerial Amy BLOG!!!

http://aerialamy.com/blog/2012/03/22/thursday-tips-hamstring-flexibility/

http://aerialamy.com/blog/2011/09/19/real-talk-flexibility/

http://aerialamy.com/blog/2012/01/17/tuesday-tips-hip-flexor-flexibility/

Veena has some great flexibility lessons but they are for a fee. I have enjoyed Veena's lessons (including flexibility lessons) and there is a great variety of flexibility, strength, pole and even lap dance – rawr! 😉 

Alethea Austin has flexibility DVDs and I have gotten great benefit out of them. They are stretching for pole and pure splits. She sells them on her website. Pure Splits is stretching just for splits. The stretching for pole has some of the pure splits stretches and other body stretching.

http://www.aletheaaustin.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1&zenid=89a0263440be0de8b78a3afce68231fd

Only you can decide if a trainer is the best option for you at this time considering your availability, goals and budget.

I personally utilize DVD, online lessons and free tutorials… Buying Alethea's DVDs and a month of Veena's lessons were cheaper than one hour with a trainer. Trainers are great for consultation, custom program and supervision. 

Do what is best for you and wishing you the best of luck whatever you decide.

[JeHanne]

I LOVE my Pleasers!!! I have tried Ellie and Tabu footwear but the Pleaser line fits the best for me.

Everyone gets their own 'shelf life' out of shoes… if I wear a shoe 5 times a week I will use it up within 4 months. I size down from my street shoes because if not the vamp will stretch way too much within two months to wear. When the vamp stretches too much my foot will fall out on floorwork or it feels unstable due to being too loose. The most common reason I will replace shoes are due to straps breaking off at the base.

 

[JeHanne]

I love dancing in platform heels and wear them for multiple reasons. Some cosmetic ones are I feel that they lengthen the lines of the leg and create instant sex appeal. Tons of colors, styles, lengths… the variety is dizzying and I love that. 

I also wear them to execute moves like heel slides and pirouttes (protect my feet). Protecting my feet is a biggie. I danced barefoot a few days ago and tore my left foot so now I have two throbbing torn areas that I'm working on healing up. 🙁 Ouch. I get so angry when that happens. 

I like the additional benefits like improving ankle strength and that while in them I focus more on core stabalization and balance. I could barely walk when I first put a pair on… I remember calling myself a 'drunk baby giraffe'. Even though I couldn't really do anything in them… I fell in love with them immediately. 

I do not feel there is a right or wrong here, it is all about what you want to do at that time and what makes you feel the most expressive about your dance in that moment. I can say that I am captivated by heels.

 

 

 

[JeHanne]

Hi OzarkSiren, yes each place will have their own requirements. I hope soon you have the freedom to express yourself in any way you choose. 🙂

[JeHanne]

I have also held employment that is coporate and scientific with dreads. I have been evaluated on my qualifications and performance… as it should be.

[JeHanne]

I respect your preferences Olivia. We do not have to agree on everything and there is plenty of room for personal opinion.  

[JeHanne]

Yes, it can definitely happen. 

[JeHanne]

I have not had incidences of mold or other hygiene issues with my dreaded hair. 

 

[JeHanne]

😉

[JeHanne]

Lol!!! Keep it up, Im feeling the ‘Power of the Booty’ from over here! 🙂

[JeHanne]

LOL! Thanks XxMissPrissxX… you gotta add some 'Booty pep talk' in the morning. Look at your booty and say "Dayam… put some Boom in that Pow!"… then add an extra little strut to your step. ha ha… 😉 I can be a bit silly but nothing wrong with appreciating what we got no matter what.

Hi adAstra, Definitely try it when you feel up to it. Takes some time and practice to get comfortable dancing in heels but once you do it adds a great element to your dance. Kudos to you to working heels all the time. 🙂

[JeHanne]

Lol! Pancake booty! Keep your dancing up and you’ll add some ‘boom’ to that ‘pow’. 😉

[JeHanne]

I really noticed a difference. Yay for Pole and Heels!

[JeHanne]

If I'm not dancing I will be in my favorite pair of Keens. There is absolutely nothing wrong with your thinking. My rear end looks amazing and I credit it partially to my heels. My gym shoes were NEVER able to stuff the junk in my trunk!

https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

[JeHanne]

Endless has some great shoes, they are normally are a wee bit more pricy than other sites but they do have the free shipping and returns. That's really nice! 

Check out http://www.snaz75.com if you want to shop/browse by heel height. 

[JeHanne]

Those are pretty Glitterqueen!

Wild Lotus, contact Tifanny if you want to look into what types of colors you can put over your pink shoes. You might not need a clear shoe. 

All this glitter talk is making me want a new pair! 

[JeHanne]

Thanks Olivia! I'll try it out. 🙂 

[JeHanne]

Hi Wild Lotus! I am extremely rough on my shoes and I tend to grind the front toe/base off into shreds. I use paint or markers to 'color' back on the white part of the base when I've shredded off the exterior/pigment.

So…. with the glitter heels I do not do heel slides. I handle them with extra care because they are so pretty it would hurt me to actually tear them up. I do toe drags when I walk in them and they have held up very well with that. I have used them for dancing, pole climbs and other floorwork and they are totally beautiful still. I do have to admit they are my favorites so I save them for special occasions. 

I love my glitter heels and Tiffany has always been a pleasure to work with. It is my choice to not subject them to the same demands as my non glittered shoes because I literally take parts of the base off and get a good 3-4 months wear before my shoes are trashed. 

[JeHanne]

BeccaL, this behavior is completely inappropriate and looks like a textbook example of harassment. File an incident with your HR department immediately. Also document these incidents. 

I have never heard of a grocery chain mandating that an employee is unable to take recreational dance classes. This is something you are doing on your personal time and it is not an employment situtation. Some employers mandate or prohibit additional employment or require you declare conflicts of interests etc. 

That behavior has totally crossed the line. Like Mikalis12 indicated, take photographs to document any other visible harassment. 

I am very sorry you are facing this type of discrimination, please take care of yourself and I hope it all works out for the best. Even if that means a better employer is a result. Regarding the customer… she is clearly an idiot.

[JeHanne]

Absolutely! Im a Pleasers fan so I understand! 🙂