Koidragon
Forum Replies Created
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Yep abcollins, that's exactly what I mean 🙂
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Emnemz, if you do squats and deadlifts that may be exactly what abcollins is talking about – I have the same problem, my quads are over developed and hamstrings very tight, from years of leg weights and martial arts. I have found a few exercises that have really helped – but one of the key things is to really concentrate on flexing your core and your quads as you lift and point your toes – flex so hard it hurts.
An exercise that has really helped me too is to sit on the ground with your legs straight in front of you. Point your toes, flex your calves, then flex your things/quads. Hold this for 30 seconds. Then release, and do the same again, lifting each leg 10 times each side. I actually touch each part of my leg as I flex it to really focus my engagement. 🙂
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Hi Michaelaarrghh,
Protein powder (and such supplements) are exactly that – supplements. I personally use protein powder – a female catered formula in that it is lower in carbs, low sugar – but still whey. I really enjoy it, I have taken protein supplements from my old weight lifting days and spent a lot of time then trialing with and without to see if it is effective for me – and it is. Sometimes you need to try a few different ones to find one that suits you. I would be happy to help you choose one 🙂
I personally prefer whey, but there are a lot of people who like cassein, and for the really serious, whey and cassein (although not together). I like to take me whey after eating, usually in the morning. There is a lot of information out there though on when you should take things and how much etc – here is just one example
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/satternorton.htm
Take away the marketing and there is some information there – but realistically, you aren't doing this for massive bulk, so really, just take it when it works for you. I know people who take theirs mid workout if they are doing a long session – gives them a food and energy boost.
My results have been more that I recover better – I tend to hurt less, and find I feel I have more energy, and feel stronger. Don't get me wrong, it isn't he-man type increases – this could also be a simple caloric increase, nonetheless, I definitely have received benefit from it.
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The NWZ-W273 – it comes in a 2GB and 4GB – I know when I got mine ages ago they really ranged in price so look around 🙂
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The sony ones I mentioned are wireless 🙂
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I have used the sony ones before, and they are great – they stay right where they are supposed to and are lovely and clear, with easy to navigate controls, playlists and shuffle function. They hook over the ear, and have a soft cord that goes behind the head. They also weren't insanely expensive from memory – but get them from somewhere like best buy where they are cheaper than directly from sony. They are waterproof too from memory…
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Please please research this properly before going ahead and getting yourself a hoop – you need to have the right 'graded' rigging, as well as carabinas (always use a spinning carabina especially if you are rigging from a high point) and the understanding on how to properly rig the set up. There are a lot of rigging options out there that are not graded properly, and you need to make sure you know how to identify any stresses in the fabric of the rigging (never use metal chain) so you can replace parts as they wear out (for example, if you drop a carabina, when to know if it is no longer safe to use). I personally have seen what happens when the rigging fails – and it was user error in this case. Also, you need to work out what you will be hanging it from – will you be rigging double point or single, will it be for doubles etc.
Here is just one example of lots of information.
http://community.simplycircus.com/tutorials/aerial/aerial_arts_faq.htm
Lyra is absolutely wonderful, but there is a reason why it isn't as common place in homes as say pole is. 🙂 🙂
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Pole burns (or pole kisses as I like to think of them) unfortunately do just tend to happen, but less and less often as your skin get's used to it. I got them a lot in the beginning and haven't had one in a long time… Just like the bruises, you get used to them and will probably end up wearing them as a badge of honour (or that could just be me…) Also you will learn not to grip too tightly on static so that your skin isn't catching as much – spin mode isn't a problem as you are spinning on the pole rather than around it (generally speaking).
You did however say in your forst line you wanted a slap 'round the face… ok then…
"Suck it up princess!"
😛
By the way, welcome to pole, it is a lifestyle that loves you back 🙂
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Thanks Chem, that does make a lot of sense. 🙂
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On this – Chem, in what way did you find the powerball helped with forearm pain? I have tendonitis and already do a whole mess of things to assist it, but am always looking for extras (I use a grip master for example, have lots of stretches etc). I know a lot of my drummer friends use the powerballs, but am curious as to how this helped specifically with pole – ie, what sort of pain were you getting before (if you don't mind me asking).
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As the others said – he is using parts of the forms (chinese) which is different from katas (japanese) in that they tend to be less drill based. Just a different interpretation of a similar idea. 🙂
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I personally prefer (as I feel stronger in) EG ayesha, and I am not really keen on doing TG at all as I have tendonitis and don't want to exacerbate it when I don't need to (but agree the lines of it are lovely). I tend to stay away from all TG though, and figure if I am not strong enough to do it with an alternative, then I shouldn't do it. 🙂 For me in either SG or EG, the key is getting your butt as far away from the pole as possible – all of a sudden you don't feel like you weigh very much and the balance feels lovely.
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I second the others – especially with twisted grip – this is not a beginner or even intermediate move. I personally (to save your wrists and prevent injury) wouldn't attempt this until you can reverse down from a true grip extended butterfly with control (Iron X).
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I have to take liquid iron in the morning – and I cannot tell you what a difference it has made for me, both energy but also general mood. Iron deficiency is a killer 🙂
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I will just throw this out there – if you are feeling shaky and weak, there might be something at play. Iron deficiency could be one, but I would suggest going to a doctor and getting checked out. If you are eating enough protein, and you are eating carbs and drinking enough water etc too, then it might be something outside of diet alone. Personally, I often have to stop mid training and eat, but that's because I have trained my body for grazing – maybe try having a little snack box beside you (filled with banana and boiled eggs or something like that).
As for breathing, it takes time to get this. Are you dancing while you train, or are you performing more tricks and cardio? With dancing you can breath to the music. Without seeing what you are doing, try slowing your tricks down and holding them for a count of, say, 8 – 4 counts breathing in, 4 counts breathing out. If you start associating each trick with breathing by incorporating how long you hold it, it will help make breathing a more natural part. Breathing out when making a 'strength' move is also a great help in making the move better (note, martial arts, weight lifting, pilates, yoga – they all do it).
🙂
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Geez. You'd think I could get it together to do this in one post huh.
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So, FYI – out of the three tops I got, the best two for my bosom was the 'Winnie' and the 'Amanda'. Good for the curves 🙂
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Oh oops – they are called light activewear by the way. 🙂
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Was it you who asked this before yes? Skype itself won't let you record, you will need to download other software. There are a few out there, manycam being one and the ones Capfeb suggested.
Or, ask the place you are getting the lessons from – they may be recording them for their purposes anyway.
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abcollins, you explained the 'starvation mode' better than I, it equates to a similar thing, but thank you, the process is indeed slightly different to how I believed it happened 🙂
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Ha Chem – mine too! In fact when I stopped to think on it, ALL of my partners preferred me to have a belly of some sort. One used to cuddle up and squoosh his face into it and almost purr… I have a little belly now, and my husband thinks it is the best thing ever. We need to learn to listen to our men… 🙂 🙂
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Most of what I would say has already been said by some very knowledgeable people so I will just re-iterate
– If you are eating so little and yet exercising, you are probably putting your body into starvation mode – your body thinks it has to conserve as much energy as possible so it will store every little bit you put in. To change this you have to give your body MORE energy, not less, and the best way is evenly throughout the day, not just in one or two meals. When I was heavily weight training for body sculpting I had to up my caloric intake to a whopping 2000 and most told me it wasn't enough.
– It takes time, one month is no where near long enough to see the results you are after. If you are so keen on flattening your stomach, look at learning about the muscles and how to engage them – work your transversus abs etc.
– Biggest point – WHY do you want a flat stomach? I used to have one, abs and all, and it did not make me feel better about myself. It didn't cure world hunger, or make me more attractive – in fact, technically it made me less attractive to many males as they like women to have that little curve – because it makes us women. My partner is very open about me not losing too much of my softness. It is funny if you talk to guys who are attracted to girls (and girls who are attracted to girls) what they like in our bodies – shape, strength under softness, the little blemishes we hate etc.
I have a theory about why we are so obsessed with flat stomachs… yes, there is the media and massive money-making dieting industry and how people with very low BMI's are more pliable and open to suggestion (ie, model industry etc). In fact – on this point, did you know that once you hit a BMI of 12, you are medically considered under the mental health act incapable of making decisions and can be put under an order). But here is another thing, and Chem touched on it – it is natural for men to have flat stomachs, and as the craziness of attraction goes, we are attracted to what is opposite us (is immune systems etc). So, as women, we are attracted to our opposite in men, ie, flat stomachs. Somewhere our wires got crossed, and we seem to think that means flat stomachs is what MAKES us attractive, not what we are attracted to. Ha. Good point Koi my girl. Then media gets hold bla bla de bla bla.
My advice – relax. Actually go to the mirror, look at yourself and tell yourself all your good points. Stop focusing on your flaws. Have you ever noticed that someone who has self confidence is more attractive (on multiple levels)? They didn't get that self confidence from getting rid of their perceived flaws – they probably learnt to love what is beautiful about them.
Focus on not the physical appearance of yourself, but rather, all the wonderful things you can do. Of course you can wear short shorts and a crop top and do pole. And over time your body will change as your skills in pole increase.
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Perhaps with the combination of small hands and meaty thighs means that ultimately 45mm might be a good compromise for you – and finish can make a difference, however you said you have had your chrome spray painted and that didn't help? Can you try out other finishes (remembering that at a studio they will have been worn in) before making the change?
For me brass is best, then TG then chrome (although I haven't tried stainless steel) however one day I would like to compete, and international comp standards seem to be 45mm on chrome… so I better get used to that 🙂
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Also – with new moves and 'next steps', try doing things from the ground. If you can shoulder mount from a 45 degree seated position, then you can probably start trying from standing, then once you have that, aerial… 🙂
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Generally, thicker poles are better for the legs, thinner better for the hands (that's what she said). You might find that increasing up to the 45mm would make a different for your leg grip, and 50mm even more, but it may not be only the diameter that will help. I would suggest, before making the transition, playing around on a 45mm and seeing if you feel more secure with the diameter of it (rather than just the finish).
Personally, even though I started on a 50mm, I prefer the 45mm now that I am used to it as it is better on my hands. A 40mm is too small for my legs too, I can use it but certainly notice a big enough difference with layouts and superman and whatnot – but that is me, and I am probably a larger build than you considering you went for the 40mm in the first place.
In the studio I go to, we have one 40mm, about seven 45mm and seven 50mm – usually the only people using the 40mm for anything requiring major leg grippage are the incredibly small and petite girls.
Have you tried a little shaving cream on your legs? It will make you stick to anything – if that doens't work, then it might well be the diameter that is the bigger issue, as you need to squeeze much harder to make up for the difference.
