[Mindy4pole]

Go Sarah!! We’ve got three "Veeners" competing! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif Sarah, VoodooChild (Ashley), and me! I hope to see a lot of you guys out there. And I really hope I don’t make a fool of myself! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/alien.gif

Mindy

[Mindy4pole]

Thanks for posting this!! It drives me crazy when people get territorial about "their" moves. In general, our moves work because that’s how our bodies work. There are some contortionist type things that probably are only reachable through targeted training, but hasn’t anyone heard "there’s nothing new under the sun"? I love "inventing" moves — that is, playing on my pole until something cool happens. But I also love learning from others moves. If you want to learn, why wouldn’t you copy from others???

And Veena — you DO have an amazing style!!! Quit being so hard on yourself!! <Pot calling the kettle black!> https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

Mindy

[Mindy4pole]

IF YOU DO NOT MAKE IT "DIRTY" THEN KIDS DO NOT KNOW IT IS.

I totally agree — "dirty" is in the eye of the beholder. My two and a half year old loves poling. She also loves dancing. One of the dances she made up a while back is her "butterfly dance". You lay on your back and stick your legs in the air. Then you open your legs wide and close them back the way a butterfly opens and closes its wings in the sun.

Someone could watch this and think sexualized thoughts. After all, her legs are in a pretty open leg splay. But that reflects on them, not on her. I’m just jealous of her ab strength!!

Mindy

[Mindy4pole]

I just love seeing this emerge!!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_bounce.gif

I’ve seen the teaching/competion system in another dance form, and it is great to see it happening in pole! The web makes it happen so fast! I totallly agree that having local competitions is a fun thing. See my blog for my long rant on my personal experience. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

Here’s some things I would love to see in a competition — an improv portion where the performer doesn’t know what music they will be performing to. I think it would really show off who has skills. Also, do big pole jams put on like dances in conjunction with the event. Especially in large competions, the people with similar skill levels will migrate together. And who could resist the lure of watching say — Amber and Jenyne jam together. I really hope that the social side of comps will grow!

Mindy

[Mindy4pole]

I really like brass monkey, and I had the very same question!! While you’re there, you can also hook both knees for a double brass monkey or push out with the arm closest to the pole for Eros (wikipole name). Since you can go into brass monkey from a split grip (straight edge, ayesha), I suspect you could probably come out it that way, too. I think the most common is to hook your free foot on the pole and pull up to a sitting position.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen Brass Monkey from a shoulder mount. I guess you twist your body as you invert? Any chance you’d post a video?

Mindy

[Mindy4pole]

Heh heh heh! "Showing off" is one way to put it… possessed by the music is another! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_bounce.gif

We’ll see how I do with choreography! You should enter, Torrie!

Mindy https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_flower.gif

[Mindy4pole]

The amateur level doesn’t have to have a video — just moola! =) I signed up. WOO HOO! It’s the Friday after my 35th birthday, so I figured WHAT THE HECK!!

I can’t wait to see you guys! We definitely need to do a StudioVeena meet up sometime during the event! I laughed about the Lizard Lounge, too, but hey, it’s not a strip club! Does anyone know if they have their pole up all the time, or just use it for special events?

Mindy

[Mindy4pole]

Thanks for the suggestions! I realized I was making things way to hard, and just did a fade out at 3 minutes. It sounds great, and the time is just right.

I used a program I downloaded called WAV mp3 Editor Pro.

I’ll post a video of my choreography after the competition is done!

Mindy

[Mindy4pole]

LOL! I can imagine your doggie’s reaction — what the HECK is mama doing?? https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif

I did hear a story recently through the grapevine, though… Girl sustained a neck injury that paralyzed her — permanently. She was doing a cross-leg release, and slipped and just landed wrong. Just a sobering reminder to always pay attention… Poling, while so wonderful in so many ways, can be dangerous. (If you happen to know the person this happened to, please, let us know. This is the kind of thing we should all be aware of.)

Mindy

[Mindy4pole]

Waaa Erin!! I was looking forward to meeting you! Another time… https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

BUT… YEAH Torrie! I’m so glad you found us on Veena! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

Mindy

[Mindy4pole]

Don’t give up your pole just because you (may) be more limited in what you can do!! You can have amazing artistry, as well as a great workout with out climbing, inverting, etc.

Also, work with your doctor! Let him know you are an active person and don’t want to give that up. It sounds like you are having electrical issues w/ your heart. There are great treatment options out there including medications and minimally invasive surgical procedures which can treat or even cure heart rhythm issues. I worked in the cardiology field for 5 years, and saw some great things! One was a nurse who had been having issues w/ a high heart rate — to the point she was passing out at work. She was cured — yeah, CURED, in literally 3 seconds. Of course there was all the prep and recovery time, but I was amazed!

Best of luck to you!! Let your limitations be your motivator, and keep on polin’!

Mindy

[Mindy4pole]

Knowing a variety of moves is important and know the "categories" they fit into really helps when your trying to eveluate where a persons at physically and what the next progression should be. For instance you’d never have someone go from learning a star to a marley in the same night…it’s not a natural strength progression and you need to develop someone’s strength and hold better before you’d make a leap like that. I

Can you recommend sources for that information? I’ve literally sat down and made classes and assigned moves to them for my own understanding, but I hate reinventing the wheel!

Thanks!
Mindy

[Mindy4pole]

My personal theme song is "Windy" (but change it to "Mindy")

"Who’s walkin’ down the
Streets of the city
Smilin’ at
Everybody she sees?
…..

And Mindy has wings to fly
up above the clouds…"

One day I’ll pole to it. =)

Mindy

[Mindy4pole]

Whether Inc or LLC, incorporating gives a business owner MUCH more protection than just being a sole proprietor. A Corporation is a separate legal entity, with it’s own credit, property, liability, etc. That means that your BUSINESS gets sued, not you. So, (generally) your personal property is safe.

And PLEASE… Just don’t do a "Partnership". They are very dangerous. It is, in many ways, like marrying someone. Whatever they do, you are responsible for. My father was screwed that way many years ago, so I grew up with this warning! =)

As for the folks living in Mormon areas, I don’t see why it would be a problem. Present it as dance or fitness. In my partner dance experience, there are many Mormons who are GREAT dancers (see the Julian and Derick Huff and Laci Schwimmer on Dancing w/ the Stars). From what I’ve been told, BYU has an EXCELLENT dance program. Look at how ballroom classes are being marketed in your area. The Latin dances can be very sexy with lots of close contact with your partner. Things to highlight with pole — you dance solo (most of the time), and the classes are not mixed gender (most of the time). Being the first one in the market means you get to frame it however you want.

GOOD LUCK!
Mindy

Well I never said it wasn’t a legitimate option…but see that’s the point. If you don’t talk to someone who knows what the difference is AND how it applies to a pole studio.

The benefits of being an LLC are irrelevant for most pole studios and there is NO difference in how you’re taxed or payed if you set up correctly as a corporation.

So many new businesses get steered into being an LLC, which costs MUCH more than Inc, etc and yet they don’t need to spend that money. Plus renewal remains higher for an LLC so you keep spending more each time your renewal comes up.

This is why reading books, or reading online or going to someone who is not a financial consultant may be misleading.

[Mindy4pole]

Oooo! I love the ceiling idea!

I posted my video. I only extend my butterfly for the briefest moment, but I was also able to release both legs (one leg is still against the pole giving me lateral stability.) I had to leave the happy dance in there for you guys!

My hubby came home from work a little early today so I got to show him my new trick. I was able to extend and hold butterfly twice! He said my face and bottom arm both turned bright red! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_redface.gif

Hopefully, this move will be making more appearances soon!! I’m so excited! I feel like a whole new world of moves is opening up to me. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

Mindy

[Mindy4pole]

Well, I played last night, and I got the grip better than ever!! I was using the elbow/forearm grip. You guy
were definitely right that my grip was too wide. All my force was just going down the pole instead of into it. The one tip that helped the most, though was from ErinNickle (comment posted on video). She said to look at my feet. That somehow mad a huge difference! I was even able to extend the butterfly for about a half a second! I got it on video, so I’ll post it soon.

You guys are the best!
Mindy

[Mindy4pole]

So I posted a video of my many attempts… I think my problem may lie in getting my body to the side of the pole (like Veena said), but I don’t know how to fix it. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_evil.gif

I shoulder mount into a couple of times… It’s taken me about a YEAR to get that darn move! (And the "OWW!" in the video shows I still don’t have it perfected!) https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheese.gif

Thanks so much for all your help!!! Have I mentioned how much I love this place????
Mindy

[Mindy4pole]

I’m so glad I’m not alone in this!!!

I think Amcut’s right about the rib cage. I can do that backward tilt for just a second, and that creates a lot of the look I’m going for. I guess I just have to keep practicing! I have been pushing my posture so much — changing my pelvic tilt, shoulders back and down, chest out. Sometimes I’m concerned that I may train my body to a new posture that is long-term harmful… Many years ago, I trained myself to move my hips in a certain way (even though it hurt at the time), and I haven’t been able to "undo" what I did. Any of you (like Veena?) have "no-no’s" on posture training? I’d hate to develop back problems down the line…

Oh — and that video was HOT! My favorite part was her going "WHEW" at the end, though. Makes her human instead of complete goddess. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

Mindy

[Mindy4pole]

Howdy, Texas girl!! RGV = ?? Maybe the V is valley? Rio Grande Valley? I’m in Dallas. I think we’re going to do a pole jam (get together and play) sometime in the not too distant future. I’m pretty sure there are folks you can stay with if you wanna come up! Look in the Pole Jam section. StudioVeena is an absolutely WONDERFUL place, and I’m sure you’ll love it! How long have you been dancing? I hope we get to see some video/pix of you soon!

Mindy

[Mindy4pole]

Almost there with my middle splits. The side splits are still a long way off. I’m one of those weird ones! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif
m splits.jpg

Mindy

[Mindy4pole]

I took a free Tango intro class tonight, and my hubby and little girl (2 yrs old) came in to pick me up. She loves my pole, and think she owns the place at any pole studio. So they come in and she is dancing in front of the mirrors. At a moment of silence she says, quizzically, "No poles?" I just say "yeah, no poles." No one seemed to notice, and I just kept moving! Later I explain to her that not all dance studios have poles!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

Mindy

[Mindy4pole]

I had been trying unsuccessfully for about a year to get the inverted V, and this is the exercise that did it for me. I find it easier to strengthen your "tuck" muscles using parallel bars. I have one of those over the door pull-up bars, and I use the parallel bars on it. Basically, I just do the knee up tuck motion while holding on over head. With a little bit of a jump, I can flip all the way over. Go real slow and release back into your start position. For some reason, it’s easier for me to practice this way than with my pole. You can also use monkey bars on playgrounds. The slower and more controlled you do the movement, the stronger you need to be. I’m still working on that part!

GOOD LUCK! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif
Mindy

[Mindy4pole]

I wonder about this one too… My little girl is two, and she LOVES my pole. Anytime she sees a pole, out in public, she has to go run around it. She talks in her infinitely cute baby way about "poling", "spinning", and "climbing". These words often include excited hand gestures. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

I’m just waiting to get in trouble with my in-laws about it!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

Mostly, I figure that there is no hope in telling my oh-so-verbal munchkin to keep her joy to herself.

Mindy

[Mindy4pole]

I got the big hint tonight from my mother-in-law that they want another visit soon. A pole class would be a great excuse to come down! Keep me posted.

THANKS!
Mindy

[Mindy4pole]

I just found out that a local studio is doing pole burlesque classes! I used to take pole classes from the girl teaching it, and I loooooove the way she moves. She was an almost-pro ballet dancer, so has that quality of movement that comes only after many years of hard work.

Now… if only I can find a way to pay for it… I have the vision of me, on a street corner, in tassels, shimmying for pocket change. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

Mindy