[Kira]

@empy – sorry a bit off topic but just curious as I see this rule in a lot of competitions (I think the only one that doesn't have it as a rule is MPD Australia) –  "Real names are used. No stage names."

Is it so people don't get confused over who is who in case 2 people have chosen the same stage name? Or is it to keep it looking more professional?

[Kira]

I'm just really jealous and a bit depressed after watching that haha because I know she has years of developing her pole style and moves and if she can already do all that at her age I can only guess what she'll be like when she's in her 20s! And here I am struggling to aerial invert properly 😛

[Kira]

 

I'm a rookie at competitions – I've done 4 and already I've been put down and out by these competitions – ranging from rubbish venue/pole safety procedures, inadequate care for competitors, host not knowing who's performing next and the list goes on. I've heard a lot of rumours of winners being rigged because a sponser wants that person to advertise their brand because they have the right look or do the right tricks. But this is all from what my peers say to me and teachers/polers I respect and I struggle to keep track of which competition is actually 'safe' to enter and what isn't as there seems to be a brand new competition every month.

Tbh I don't have a clue how this can all be governed or regulated, everything is a shambles right now. Even competitions with all the independent groups that claim to unify all pole schools, provide universal pole move names and etcetc. are rubbish, it seems to be another 'badge' for organisers of crap competitions to stick on their posters and hide behind. 

Maybe there could be a handbook for those that want to host/organise their own competition – recommended audition stages, how many competitors to allow (I was in 1 where there were 5 beginners, 5 intermediates and 25 advanced competitors…) and a concise score sheet depending on what type of competiton it is (tricks based, dance based etc). But… yeah, can't see everyone agreeing to being told how to run a competition.

[Kira]

I'm sure those that are more educated in nutrition will come forward. I'm not overweight but I know for sure that you shouldn't see weight/bmi as an indicator of whether you are healthy or not. In my eyes as long as you are doing enough varied exercise and eating healthy then you yourself are healthy. 

Going to classes several days a week will definitely help you get started – you will notice that you'll lose weight and tone up but after a while you may see your weight creep up but still continue getting toned. That's when you should stop caring about what you weigh 😛 I weigh heavier than I used to be but I FEEL healthier and can see I am more toned. My stomach is flabby though lol I used to get real close to a flat-ish tummy but that was doing 10+hrs of pole a week and unless you're a pro or instructor, it's hard for a normal person to keep that up 😛 

just keep doing what you're doing (having fun on the pole) and soon you will feel happy with your body whatever your shape or size 🙂

btw with your grip slipping is it because you sweat a lot or the pole is too slippy? Try really warming up the pole and getting a little sweaty first before applying dry hands/grip. If it's the pole that you struggle with try sticky grips like gorilla grip, itac, stickem etc etc. It's all about trying differnt grips 🙂

I hope I didn't mis-understand your post, I just don't want people to think that their weight can stop them pole dancing and hold them back

 

[Kira]

I only trained there for a short time (1 year) but that was the year I made the most progress in my pole abilities – not just tricks but transitions, flow, grace and a bit of attitude 😉 I don't know what it was…. mainly the teachers are all so encouraging and each focus a lot on technique (I got told off for climbing the pole ugly by Cleo LOL) and they LOVE their headrolls and floorwork. when I met Bobbi I remember her teaching me how to aerial invert gracefully and explaining that each move is differnt to each person, so learn how to perform each move your own way. But that still doesn't explain how each bobbi dancer dances the same yet unique to themselves …. I'll just wait for scarlethoney to reply lol 

I personally think it's the environment, teachers and pupils that maintain that 'bobbi' image, you're taught straight from beginners to strut around confidently and even if you couldn't do some moves you'd have some killer floorwork to 'fill'

[Kira]

When I do this, I straddle my legs far out to spread the balance and I usually lean over onto my right hand because it's my stronger side. I lean my body over to the right side and the pole rests on my stomach but the stomach isn't holding myself up if that makes sense…. it's not super difficult, just need to find your balance 🙂 I haven't done this move for ages though cos it always looks ugly when I do it hehe

[Kira]

I'm interested in going along, my teacher has been invited to teach/perform? there and that's all I know so far but it sounds interesting and hopefully involving less pole politics as some other similar events. I'll be keeping an eye on the lineup!! 😀

[Kira]

LOL what a trooper! I would have done a floor move where I could bend over or something so I could quickly slip it back into the top. That's 1 of my performance nightmares so I usually wear a nude bra AND double sided tape all over my top half. 

[Kira]

aww thanks, yeah I do all my routines myself. Whereabouts have you moved to? I've heard about all their masterclasses and pole jams but always on a sunday, I go to another studio that day to practice…. if you are heading to a jam though let me know 😀 

[Kira]

yes I was! whoo you remember, phew, thought I was thinking of the wrong person then haha it was ok, I came second 🙂 you practice at sunshine a lot? Hope to see you again soon 🙂

[Kira]

done 🙂 btw were you doing abi's choreo at sunshine back in June/July last year? think I met you then…. I was the one that had to practice a routine at the end of class. I only went to a couple classes, sunshine is too far for me now 🙁 

[Kira]

thanks everyone for the insightful replies! I always wondered what it is exactly that makes some polers stand out more than others, I sometimes thought that I just didn't 'get' performances that people raved about, maybe it's individual to everyone. The main thing seems to be drawing the audience in though. Btw I've seen a few videos from most of you and you all have it ;D

[Kira]

I get like that! but what I do is write a list of goal moves, things I want to improve on personally and that keeps me motivated.

Right now a lot of the girls around my level are insanely strong or flexible and I am neither… so I focused on improving my spins and floorwork and grace. You'll soon realise everyone has their strong and weak points – everyone around me seems to be able to nail my nemesis move but they can't do a spin combo that I find really easy (and that makes me feel good hehe).

You'll find your own pace soon, don't feel disheartened! A lot of veeners have no sports/dance background, myself included, so never feel like you are not 'made' to do any moves, just takes time 🙂

[Kira]

I've followed you all 😀 can't wait to see looooads of inspiring pole photos/vids in my stream hehe  mine is http://pinterest.com/lomodoll/

[Kira]

I can only think of Superman drop to floor splits 🙂