Koidragon
Forum Replies Created
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I would suggest both, but if your school keep cancelling, that makes it difficult. I personally need classes because I am prone to using 'brute strength and willpower' to get myself into a difficult move/set of moves, but may not be engaging properly (and have done damage to myself because of this). Also having a spotter for some of the more scary moves, as Chem said, especially in the beginning, is very helpful.
Mind you, learning on your own is also incredibly important for advancement – whether it be in open studio practice or on your own pole at home. And the lessons here are incredibly well structured. What you could do, is do the home lessons, then perhaps once a fortnight, go to a studio and have someone check your engagement and progress. Unfortunately it is difficult when a studio of any sort has to cancel classes due to lack of numbers – perhaps find out what their minimum is, and rope some friends into going? (easier said than done I know).
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Figure head is a great 'breather' move to give yourself a chance to slow your routine down. You can teddy or invert as suggested from it, which opens up lots of options, but because your arms are right there, you can twist to then face the pole and go into anything that your heart desires.
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I agree very much with Chem on this one – I have been an instructor for years (just not pole) and what I do is give my 'rules' at the beginning of my classes – especially if I have new students. My rules are things like; while I am talking, please pay attention to me and me alone; if you are having trouble please ask me, I am here to give you my expertise; if you are tired from a technique and need to take a break for gossip, do it while working on something else – you are only cheating yourself; please do not show other people what to do unless I have given you express permission to do so (and those of you know who you are) as what I am teaching has a lot of idiosyncrasies to it and to miss some out may result in injury… etc. And then with this, I do over time, choose those students who I know understand the mechanics of something, and I have shown them privately how to teach that one thing, to help with others having trouble- for the exact reason that Chem said (different people learn from different techniques) but also, the amount you learn from teaching is quite amazing as well. Giving verbal permission to a select few to show/help with a small number of things may help keep the advanced students on 'topic' (you would be amazed how people are suddenly more respectful when they are given even a tiny piece of authority), but also, you are making it clear that those without your permission are absolutely not to show things.
Just a thought, it has worked for me 🙂
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Oh and geez Ninja, how DARE you leave your dojo. don't you realise they are meant to own you for life?
I tell you what though – for those who think the pole community has drama – go check out a MA forum. It gets very very ugly.
This is nice here. I like it here. 🙂
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Don't get me wrong – there are plenty of MA school that do not condone that sort of behaviour, and there is an emphasis on respect for both the chosen dojo/school, and for fellow practitioners. However for every 1 of these, there are 3 that think there is a need to 'prove' their mightiness.
When I was at my muay thai/eskrima studio, we had 'visitors' from karate, judo, taekwondo, various kung fu's and a few of the kick boxing boys come through to 'test' us. When I was at my Wing Chun (kung fu) school, we had the same – although my Sifu was such a frightening little nugget of a man that most would end up coming back to train with him – some in private only so as not to 'ruffle' the feathers of their home schools. Crazy stuff.
The other side of it (devil's advocate) is that for some instructors, they feel it is a huge slight to them for a student to come to them for training, take their expertise, their knowledge and then go somewhere else. Some feel it is about loyalty – I am not saying I agree, just that I understand the mindset. I know my muay thai Guru would get very upset when he would put in so much effort to train someone for competitions, really give them the inside knowledge of his years of experience, and then they would just quit because their lives changed – which is utterly understandable that they should do that, but he would still feel hurt.
For this reason, if I were to want to go elsewhere to train for some reason, whether as a traveller or for a workshop, I would have a conversation first with my studio. Not because I think they would mind, I know they wouldn't – and not that if they did, it would change my actions – but rather out of respect to my 'teacher'. I would want them to be a part of my progress and my training. Mind you, I wouldn't necessarily expect others to do this – it is years of MA conditioning that makes this something I would do 🙂
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Ninja… wait.. you mean it wasn't? Mr Miagi isn't real?? NOOOOOOOO
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I get the whole slippery shoulder mount thing too – what works best for me is standing in front of a fan to cool the skin (close the pores?) and then using the back of my hand putting some cheap shaving cream on (just a little). This seems to last quite a while.
Same with dry hands – I find it last a lot longer if I wash my hands in cold water and soap, then dry with a towel right before applying it.
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I agree with a lot of what others have posted – and this is an age-old issue on the martial arts world – at least in the pole community you don't have students turning up to other studios to try and beat up the instructors… Mt muay thai instructor closed his studio and began to teach only from home because he got sick of fighting the new karate studio kids wanting to try and take the 'top dog' down.
Alas, politics comes into play in most communities – and unfortunately it can be very difficult to avoid, and for those who are lucky enough to be in a very welcoming interconnected group, difficult to understand what you are going through. Of course it shouldn't be this way, I utterly agree that we should all be one big fabulous upside down loving family.
I would agree, whilst I love my studio, if I ended up in a place where I couldn't pole in a studio (due to politics or availability), the passion for the style is still a part of my life, and I would pole purely at home, and perhaps start a movement of street polers, taking on those pesky parkour kids (joking – I was one of those at one point). I know it is disheartening, but the internet has made the world a very small and accessible place – you have a pole community here, ready to train with you and support your progress.
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Oops – I meant to mention the ones I wear are 'sort of' like the yoga ones Chem linked to 🙂
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I have tendonitis in both wrists so wear wraps/guards almost all the time I pole. They may or may not really do a lot (some do, some don't) other than make you conscious of being careful of your wrists – which is enough for me, and I have seen an improvement. A lot of twisted grip is out, or I need to be really warm in the wrists (lots of wrist exercises). Also, consider doing baths for your wrists in the morning – it will help with inflammation. Ie, get two buckets, dip your arms up to the elbows in very cold water for 30 second, then warm/hot water (not so it scalds) for 3 minutes, repeat 3 times. I am sure it doesn't work for everyone, but it has helped me.
I actually use wrist supports that I picked up from my local chemist/drug store – they work well, but I am going to try out the strength guards next as I think they will last longer as sweat deteriorates the ones I use.
As well as the ones Chem listed, there are also a lot of weight lifter oriented ones which are more a band rather than a wrap.
A lot of people I know also just use good old tape 🙂
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I second Chem and Veena – without extended butterfly (although it may be taught under a different name) or things like caterpillar climb, it is very unlikely you will know how to engage properly to either actually get the move, or to avoid injury trying.
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Veena – I watched your video and just wanted to say that you are an absolute wonder. Your openness and courage gives you a strength that is all of your own, and utterly tangible.
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I have curves and also have a long torso, so need coverage – my favourite shorts are by far by onzie, their tops run small, but shorts come in a tonne of designs and fit really well. They aren't cheap either, but they really feel nice to wear. I don't know if they sell to the uk… but there are very cheap 'mediators' who will purchase things for you from the US (using a US address) for a nominal fee, and then ship them to you – I used this a lot in Australia and they work really well, especially for smaller packages.
I do like mika wear for tops, but generally stick with either shock absorber or lululemon for their support. I have an ample chest, so am happy to pay the money for well designed tops which give me freedom of movement.
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I use both brass and chrome poles (I definitely grip better on brass). It will depend on why you are slipping – from sweat or from dry skin.
When I am particularly slippery, I use good old soap and water to wash my hands and then a little bit of dry hands. For my body I use regular, no added stuff (like aloe vera) shaving cream. Just make sure you apply it with the back of your hand and not your palms – you only need a tiny bit. Works incredibly well, on both static and spinning. I have converted a lot of my class to it.
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If you answer with a video call, then they can see you as you can see them – which I presume is helpful as they can correct what you would be doing. However you can 'hide' your cam so it is one way.
As for filming, I would make sure you have their permission to do so, you cannot do it with the skype program itself, but there are other programs which can piggy back off skype which will allow you to record.
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Divapolegoddess – Alas we now live in a society of choice… 20 different types of bread, 17 cheeses, choose your own salads. No longer do the masses appreciate the specialist, we prefer ikea with it's multi-coloured everything locks with everything else. This probably means that people will be turned away because there isn't the option there, even though they may not go to it even if it were… and not to cast stones, I am just as bad as the next person, I like to see all the things I *could* do if I wanted… I would suggest, that if it doesn't really cost you much, run the extra classes simply for the attraction of shiny new options and diversity.
Build it, and they will come. 🙂
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Chem… you get me… so incredibly well said. That is exactly what I meant. *wipes tear*
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I know there are some crazy grip aides out there, and I would love to try some of them out (my partner is convinced he can cover my new slippery chrome pole with contact cement ha) but the ladies in my studio climbing around with clothing on are definitely not using them, as us meeker mortals will use the pole either side of their antics. Funny, when I asked how, she gave exactly the same response, Cliche… (the first things about fight club is we do not talk about fight club)
I am hoping that one day, I too will be initiated into this weird and secret gecko-gripping society… and then I too, can whisper 'squeeze' knowingly to those around me…
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I don't have the same issues, but certainly some strange idiosyncrasies – one of my collar bones has either an extra bit of bone or the other is missing some, which means I can only really shoulder mount on one side without crunching bone. Also, I had hyper extensive shoulders which meant that in the beginning I could not take my weight on one shoulder at a time (so no split grip at all, and a lot of moves were out). I have done exercises though which now have helped – it means I have very tight and possibly over muscular shoulders, but I can do more things with pole, so I am not complaining 🙂 Also, due to tendonitis in my wrists, I can't physically twist my wrist in a certain direction to get some moves – one of my instructors just simply says "there are some moves you may not be able to do, and some you probably won't, and that's ok". I think everyone tends to have moves they like, and moves they don't – some they can do and others that just always elude them or don't feel comfortable in. find what works for you and make it yours – but yes, I have found there are often ways to help heal/improve physical limitations of this nature.
I did see a chiropractor for a spine issue (old injury) who used a very particular style, which 'adjusted' the body the way the body moves naturally rather than against… this did a lot of good of me, but took a while, but other than that I haven't had any experience with something like rolfing.
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Oh wow. WOW. I also just watched Chrystal Belcher's performance at Chem's mention… I have to say, I think there are very many definitions and interpretations of the word sexy.
And that. was. sexy.
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I am going to throw something in – alas, this is what happens as many 'arts' move towards the mainstream. I am going to give the example of martial arts (both because I know about it, and also because what else do you come onto a pole dancing forum for… to talk about unrelated things https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif)
Bruce Lee (bless his fabulous cotton socks) brought martial arts to the mainstream. From there we got competitions – from Olympic wrestling and taekwondo through to things like UFC. Now, what has now been an ongoing discussion/issue in the MA community is that with all this competition and spotlight, the philosophy has gone – people don't train the deeper side of martial arts anymore. However, it is still there – just almost underground.
My view is that this is a similar thing that will happen to pole dancing, and it may in fact be inevitable. The philosophy side of MA is introspective and 'self' oriented – it is also a somewhat subjective thing, and can be difficult to say 'who is more philosophically strong in MA than someone else' – as it is with pole. In pole, as weall know, there is dance and sexiness and so much that is left to interpretation which cannot truly be judged on – so I think this aspect will seem to decline. In fact though, I think it will just seem to do so as the percentage of people into pole and pole based arts increases. I think that, like MA, the personal, soul filling side of pole will just become something that those who use pole as something more than just fitness and gymnastics will continue to express, and they may or may not dabble in the competitions. And hopefully there will continue to be forums and showcases to display these aspects. It may be that over time, there will be competitions and then, separately, entire shows devoted to performance and expression, as there is with dance.
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I can't tell you how many business owners I have heard tell me after a promotion 'the only thing groupon (or insert other deal type promotion name) is good for is groupon'.
I think the $10 intro class with a discount offered if they sign up on the spot is a good idea – it is a model many gyms use. As for the sexy side of things – the studio I go to (which offers a big variety) has both a 'sexy' set of classes, a 'tricks' side and a 'fitness/strength' side of things. Mind you, this studio is established and has a strong and loyal member base – I think working out what is wanted in your area is a good thing, but also be prepared to change it/offer alternatives, as you may find that the initial interest will be from the floorwork type, but as their understanding of the style grows and diversifies, so will the wants of your members.
Do you cater to hens nights? Whilst I don't think that you would get a lot of members from it, it is a revenue builder and can help get your name out.
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Just on the intro promotions side of things – Often, if the promotion is 'too good a deal' then it won't really matter how happy people are, they will balk at committing to what they see as the same thing for a lot more. Don't go too low on your promotion – $20 unlimited is pretty darn great. Or, better yet, offer the promotion to the members you already have – ie, give them 'free class' passes to give out (limit them), and if their referral joins, give them a bonus (reduced membership price for a time span, etc). It is better to reward the people already there than new people who as yet have no loyalty to you. I know you don't have many students yet – perhaps offer a reduced rate (say, the 20% off you mentioned) if two people join together?
(I have been a gym manager for multiple locations with sales winning results).
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I do agree with you Corby, even the best teachers can have students who have injuries – especially from those of us who do tend to go for the 'no pain, no gain' aspect 🙂 I guess though what I am saying is the likelyhood of a student getting injured will be much higher from someone who doesn't have the years of experience.
Another point I agree with – if you are passionate about it, you should definitely go for it! But then, do it wholeheartedly and go the whole hog. Going through a studio is a good idea, but I don't know if that is available to Sassypants? I personally have no issue with someone teaching under the table – in a lot of ways, it is a great way to build a student base. But, that person teaching under the table I would hope would still be giving me the same level of instruction and expertise as I would expect anywhere else, especially if money is involved, and I would definitely want to know they are insured.
Ha, the studio owners and private teachers I know aren't exactly rolling in money, they definitely do it for the love of it 🙂
