[Kira]

what studio do you go to at the moment Lizzie?

[Kira]

*bump* for any northerners that might have missed this post 🙂 event details here – https://www.studioveena.com/events/view/UK_Northerners_VEENA_POLE_JAM_1348480352

 

[Kira]

Felix has hyper extendable knees, that's why no-one can do the spatchcock exactly like her lol

as awesome as it sounds it can be pretty damaging if you don't know how to stretch it properly. I have hyper extended elbows so things like split grip are slightly harder for me because I automatically hyper extend my elbow to lock my arm when in fact I should stop at the point where my arm is straight. This causes extra tension to not fully lock my arm and risk putting too much weight at that point. I can only assume that applies to your legs if you are hyper mobile there.

 

[Kira]

– strength wrist wraps

– more heels

– nice performance pole clothes that fit me

– Millie Robson pole photographer's calendar (http://www.millierobson.com/album/magicatmidnightcalendar?p=1&s=UA-6469470-1)

– a deserved pay rise at work so I can do mini trips around Europe and take private classes with some of my pole idols (LOLO <3)

[Kira]

you mean the part where you stepped up before the cupid? we call it a straddle mount

[Kira]

I learnt from this video 🙂 http://youtu.be/1_Swtc7nNhE

[Kira]

Happy birthday, hope you have a poletastic day 😀

[Kira]

sorry to hear that your family and boyfriend is not being supportive! It sucks when people you're closest to disapprove of something that is actually beneficial to your life. Hopefully one day they will come round and support you, but that is another battle for the future.

In the meantime, stay positive!! Like luvlee said, maybe focus on stretching/floorwork/strength in the meantime? All of those are important for pole as you know and when you do finally get back on the pole you will not be starting from square 1. Be positive that you will be able to find a job and be able to save up for a pole. Use this situation to motivate you to look for jobs everyday and save. You can also get a cheaper 2nd hand pole too, people are always selling here on veena  or in local studios, so it may not be as expensive as you think 🙂

[Kira]

meeee! I couldn't touch my toes for ages and wasn't until I was doing pole and stretching that I can touch the floor comfortably.

I found that if you're trying to touch the floor from standing/bending over – lean forward/push your weight more to the center/front of your feet, your body will rock forward a bit and if you look in the mirror you will be lower and your legs straighter. And if you're sat down stretching, wiggle your butt like you're going backwards. Helps to deepen the stretch 😀

[Kira]

She's lifting off and then goes into a hummingbird. U-bend is when you bring the outside leg over to join the foot already on the pole – 
http://youtu.be/mAGBlAp0JqM

I never know what the 'official' term for that is, I just call it side mount for my own personal reference! Would like to know what it is known as though!

[Kira]

ahh yes, thanks , I have a stretch band somewhere shall have to dig it out 🙂

thanks for all those links veena! your profile photo is what I hope to achieve one day 🙂 my back flexibility is improving recently so I think the major focus is my shoulders which I haven't even really thought about!

[Kira]

very much looking forward to this 🙂 i'll most likely be getting the train from manchester picc. to hazel grove. someone was asking about whether the event will have a theme? I'll just be bringing my usual pole gear & heels 😀

[Kira]

whereabouts in uk do you plan to settle in? I believe tracey is now permanently based in south africa although she was originally from uk 🙂 ofc London will have most of the most famous polers there – Elena Gibson, Scarlett Aston, Justine Lucas, Bendy Kate etc. BUT Manchester has MPD UK Jess Leanne Norris 😉 and Karen Chaundy, Penny Howarth. Youtube them if you have time. 

As for competitions/events, they generally run through the spring/summer season with the main ones being miss pole dance uk & uk professional pole. There's lots others that pop up, just depends where you will settle 🙂 keep us updated, maybe one day we can have a pole jam together!

Sounds like such a great journey ahead of you. Definitely go visit Lolo's studio in Paris, she's my idol

[Kira]

I finally have a pole name 🙂 I used to be Ollie (that was just my nickname lol) but now I'm Raven 🙂 Kai is my pole family surname hahaha

[Kira]

someone has already mentioned chilli and sassy (who are both smokin' hot!) but Bobbi –  the owner of the world famous Bobbi's pole studio is around the same age as those ladies and I constantly aspire to dance like her!!! she says she does less pole now and focuses more on floorwork but whatever she does – on or off the pole – is always flawless and oozes grace and sexiness!

http://youtu.be/9rnHiRCt0h8

[Kira]

I find when I listen to these songs it makes me want to dance and slide about on the floor 😀

 

Fuse and Hiratzka – Breathe in. Michelle stanek danced to it at this years Pole Art (http://youtu.be/sV-LRsnplQY )    I haven't found her specific remix yet but I'm desperate to get it so if anyone finds it can they let me know?!! 

Bastille – Blue jeans (lana del ray cover), Bad Blood and Bloody Shirts (to kill a king cover).  Sooooo good

Band of Skulls – The Devil Takes Care of his Own (a lot of their music has that kinda beat to it that you just want to dance to)

Trent Reznor – on we march (Social network soundtrack) 

 

I can't wait to check out everyone elses recommendations 🙂 I hope you check out mine, I'm obsessed with those tracks!

[Kira]

Make sure you are very warmed up in your back – do loads of crabs/bridges, kitty cat stretches, cobras etc.etc to warm up the spine. Also make sure to counter stretch it by doing forward bends after you've done a lot of backbending or else you'll be sure to screw up your muscles. 

Try doing it against a wall and sliding slowly down into it so you get used to the sensation of the position. To kick into it is just a mental thing, once you get over your fear and are confident you will be able to do it. Get your boyfriend to help lift you or spot you as you kick into it? 

So jealous you can do it! 

[Kira]

How cool! I'm very interested too 🙂 I have one 45 xpert pole and quite a large space in which to practice but from the looks of how many people are going I wouldn't be able to fit us all in my lounge lol but after the jam I'm def up for small jams with local northern polers 😀 I get so bored practicing by myself!

I'm gonna bring my massive heels and a fully charged camera ;D

[Kira]

Imo I would go to a term at your local studio first to get a feel of it and learn the basics of good pole practice and then if you want you can teach yourself/lessons online. I always believe face to face tuition at some point in your pole journey will open your eyes to things you may not neccessarily learn by yourself (different points of views etc) 

I have been learning for 4 years and went to classes by myself the whole time. I decided 1 day to get toned and someone at work said their friend did pole and got really fit so I found a local studio, signed up and 4 years later I still go to pole jams at the studio. Don't be afraid to go to lessons by yourself, you will quickly meet new friends and everyone is usually at the same level at you/complete beginners.

The bruises and pain just comes as part of the package though it does lessen with time due to repetition of moves. You will come to love these pole 'kisses' hehe and no matter how advanced you are, you will always get bruises – I still get bruises from climbing too much lol 

[Kira]

Thanks https://www.studioveena.com/users/view/4d7ee58e-b72c-41ba-ba4d-088f0ac37250, makes me feel better 🙂 I am thinking reduction more and more recently but I will also up my training times to see if more pole = less boob lol I tend to lose weight first in my face and waist though, ah well

[Kira]

you're going to Bobbi's aren't you? try asking on their fb page too, they're a friendly bunch and no doubt will be able to hook you up. You staying for 2 terms then? so jealous! i'm going back to HK this dec, I wanted to see if I could take a class with you but you won't be there lol

[Kira]

What moves do you train a lot which you think might have contributed to you losing your chest??? I desperately want to lose some of my 34DDs, I really really dislike them but too scared to get a reduction surgery as I am trying to love my body as it is and also comments from other women going 'you should be thankful etcetc' but I'm a shy person by nature and anything I wear that is remotely fitted to my top just attracts stares from people and I HATE it. Bizarrely I think a few people in my classes think I have had an enlargement because they are way too big for my body size and I'm self conscious about people thinking I intentionally want big boobs….  I've been poling for 4 years and haven't noticed a drop in size :((((

[Kira]

If you are friends with pole studios on fb it helps because a lot of studios run competitions and also when the studio owner goes to judge a competition it shows up on my events page too. That’s how I find out about some competitions. Off the top of my head the following comps are run once a year (most usually around summer time) – UKAPP, northern pole princess, Emma jade competition, JLN pole artistes….. Most of these are based in the north though 😉 but your best bet is google (spinny tbags usually list comps nationwide) and friend lots of uk pole studios 🙂

[Kira]

I randomly ended up in it from doing the teddy pike lol I was trying to slowly come out of the move and ended up in the elbow hang!

[Kira]

I lovvve this spin –

http://youtu.be/YRVJjqO91Gg

Sorry I'm not too sure of the names of the moves :S the main spin is one of my favourites that I've seen Lolo Hilsum do though