[MD5677]

Thank you Ladies. I knew I came to the right place. As far as the diagnosis, well I went in with just some pain but nothing that was unbearable or unmanageable – it was more of a weight bearing issue than a pain issue so I really wasn’t prepared to hear anything like knee replacement. Once he said it I went into complete denial so I don’t know if he said a specific diagnosis. He definitely said it is bone on bone and patella in wrong spot. I actually liked this doctor – I just wasn’t emotionally ready to deal with it. He did not recommend PT because he said i was already doing the type of exercises to strengthen around the knee and he even said the pole was good for my core. He gave the option of some kind of shot (not cortisone) but I refused it. He did not say I have to get the surgery now but that my knee would continue to get worse and I should prepare for it in the next year. I love high energy anything- in the past, I would have never considered yoga or stretching. In fact, the one yoga class I took, I was chastised for talking to my neighbor and the robotic voice of the instructor was nerve racking. HOWEVER I am going to give it another shot and take it as a challenge to change my attitude and believe in the benefits of slow pace exercise. I am desperate regarding the hot flashes and willing to try anything. Thanks for the turmeric suggestion – I am going to get some today. Thanks again for your advice and I am trying to gain some perspective on what is to be my “new normal”.

[MD5677]

Sorry I should say “young women”.

[MD5677]

Yep – enjoy your wine and get back on the pole tomorrow. I have hot flashes and tonight I was sweating so bad it scared all the little young girls in my class. They literally stopped and brought over all the fans to my pole. Talk about feeling like an old lady!!!!

[MD5677]

It’s gonna take some time. I am amazed that something that was taboo in my day has come sooo far as to be talked about as a potential sport. If we keep talking openly, honestly, and calmly progress will continue. Also, there will always be those who choose to hate – mostly out of fear. Those you gotta just ignore and hope they either jump on or get run over by the bandwagon!

[MD5677]

I take an aqua pole class. The instructor is very qualified and the class has a certain “culture” to it – like most studios. For the second session one of the new students had taken a swim clinic with my instructor. So because she was a certified swim aerobics instructor she decided to “help” my instructor out and co-teach the class. Her self initiated assistance definitely disrupted the flow of the class and his teaching style. I personally thought it was very disrespectful. The other new people in the class were confused as to what to do and us more “seasoned” women were like who the F are you, go find your own darn class to teach. So I guess I am saying, let the teacher be the teacher and the student should be encouraging but still be the student. By the way, she no longer attends the class so I guess the instructor discreetly “handled his business”.

[MD5677]

I really agree that poling is the great equalizer. When in pole class, I absolutely don’t notice age and there are women in my classes that are my age and all is good. However most of my interaction with young adults is as “my daughter’s mother”. So interacting with these women outside of class is an interesting and unexpected consequence of poling. Not complaining – just strikes me as odd every once in a while.

[MD5677]

I loved watching it too. Thanks for sharing. I don’t feel qualified to comment on the performances, although I really liked Ashley Fox. Hopefully I can get to her studio. That being said, my biggest gripe was with the male emcee. And yes I am judging. To me I thought he was rude, not funny, and at times a bit sexist. Also, the show started with him talking to the winner of the fitness comp. she was wearing a thong bikini. Why in the world would they then have the dialogue about sports bra and shorts and he made that snide comment about how little clothing polers wear. Seriously, our outfits looked like tents in comparison to weight lifting and fitness clothing! He was the most offensive aspect of the whole show.

[MD5677]

Must admit, having just mastered the teddy, I never thought about it in this light. I prefer not to attach anything but skill to these moves.

[MD5677]

As a person who has taken nude yoga classes I guess I don’t have issues with seeing the vagina or any other part of the human body. So much so that I probably would have gotten bored of this situation fairly quickly. However I am totally with Phoenix, don’t see how this could happen in a ” regular club”. Sounds “inappropriate” for unsuspecting patrons and unsanitary/unsafe for the polers.

[MD5677]

Thanks for your question. Having never been to a strip club, I wondered if and how the poles were cleaned. As for the guy – he is not worth any of our mental energy.

[MD5677]

I spent the first 50 years of my life – striving. Striving to be a better daughter, mom, wife, employee, friend, athlete, person, etc. A few years into my fifties I finally decided to ease up a little and just live. Take care of yourself and give yourself the opportunity and gift of just enjoying the journey. Especially with poling where it seems skills come and go on a weekly basis!

[MD5677]

If you venture to the Maryland side, I would suggest the Xpose studios. There is one right next to arundel mills, one of our largest outlet malls. Or there is one near Baltimore. Pole Pressures are pretty good but the xpose studios have morning and afternoon classes which may give you more flexibility time-wise.

[MD5677]

Congrats!!!!!!!

[MD5677]

I loved all three videos in this thread. With all of the troubles in this world who could criticize these beautiful mother child videos. As far as the music goes, I thinks people are reading way too much into the song. I was paying so much attention to the beautiful little girl I certainly did not try to dissect the lines in the song! Last year my husband volunteered to tape my sons rowing competition for the team. When he showed it to us he used Kelly Roland’s Motivation song.for those of you who are not familiar with the song, it is about a woman motivating her man to give her a great orgasm. Not the best choice for a high school team tape. 😊. When we pointed it out he was completely unaware of the lines and immediately changed the song. Some folks just aren’t content aware. I have bigger issues with adults who sit their kids in
front of a tv all day! As far as Veena’s video, thanks so much for keeping it real! It keeps me grounded in my pole journey. Especially on the days when I am struggling.

[MD5677]

Hello! I am a Marylander but I pole in NVA.

[MD5677]

I am in the “political” world. I have no shame about my poling but I am realistic. There are certain positions /jobs I probably won’t take simply because not everyone thinks like I do. doesn’t bother me. I am willing to trade promotion for the ability to do what I want in my private life. Also I am very open about my poling because making it seem like a secret defeats my claim that there is nothing wrong with it. 😊

[MD5677]

I agree it was not one of their best shows. The performers in my show also had mistakes that were uncharacteristic of du soliel. The swinging act was in the beginning with people dressed similar to monkeys and the poles designed like tree branches. By the way, the next night I went to a performance called cirque Italia. A small production with a troup that looked like it consisted mostly of one family of about seven folks. It also featured a pole act that was far better than soliel. In fact the entire show was far more entertaining. I would recommend.
.

[MD5677]

Hey! I am born and bred Tucsonian. Went to Catalina high. I am 51 and been poling for about 9 months. It is absolutely doable – just take your time. I would say strength and conditioning is priority for getting a good start. My problem is now I have developed poler friends – most are much younger than me. So sometimes it’s a rude awakening that I am not 29 anymore physically :). Good luck, stay on Veena for encouragement and make it your own journey!

[MD5677]

My 19 yr old son just told me about the story. He told me two ladies at his job were talking about it. He told them that his mom takes pole classes and they said thats cool it is a great way to get exercise. So my take away from this story is that it has people talking about poling in public and as a normal part of discussion. This is a good thing. If you are doing something without malice – good can come from it. I think it is an ingenious idea – more power to her!

[MD5677]

I second Tigers comment. Be careful and take the time to heal. When I began poling I injured my left elbow. It really hurt and I was sure something was broken. I could not even straighten my arm for weeks. Dr said it was golfers elbow. So I basically kept poling but only using right arm. Then I blew out the right elbow. So I went back to poling on left side but was never pain free. Now I do everything on left and can’t do anything on my right side. If I had just stopped for a few weeks at the beginning I am sure I would have healed better and my poling wouldn’t be so unbalanced!

[MD5677]

As this activity continues to evolve we could use more science based perspectives. Everything from how to more safely use the pole to looking at the implications of the various metals/powder coating/silicon on our bodies. Your two passions don’t have to be mutually exclusive. 🙂

[MD5677]

I am not sure why they closed. I do know that I am in an area with MANY places to pole. However the quality of instruction and equipment varies greatly. We even have pole classes in our community centers.

[MD5677]

Thanks Angel. Checking into Dr. Clare. GBMC is not far so I am hoping to get in soon.

[MD5677]

OMG!!! I am almost speechless. I have been trying to figure out my situation since i started poling. Tonight I was in near tears after class bc I thought I was just not working hard enough. I can’t believe I found this thread. I blew out my elbows the first week of poling nearly 7 months ago training with instructors who cared more about the tricks than correct form or strength training. Yesterday I was even considering surgery to get them back to not hurting. I nearly killed my rotator cuff trying to get a basic invert this week. I have hyperextended joints, mostly elbow and shoulder, but I never connected the dots. I did see a sports dr. When I first hurt my elbows. When I told him how I hurt them he laughed and made some crude reference to my age (50s) and keeping his daughter off the stripper pole. Needless to say it was not a good experience and since then have not wanted to go back. Now that I know I am not crazy, I am going to figure out next steps and go from there. Thanks so much guys, I feel soooooooooooooo much better.

[MD5677]

I think “scratch” is relative when it comes to pole. I have always been very athletic and active. I love activities such as high impact aerobics, tennis, zumba, etc. when I was young, I did gymnastics. I can dance for hours without missing a beat and I could probably choke a horse with just my legs :). So pole should be a little easier for me. NOT! I think bc pole requires full body cooperation most folks come into pole with something they have to really take baby steps to achieve. Maybe it’s spinning, or climbing or inverting or simple flexibility.