[Mindy4pole]

I’ve never heard however that the "factor of safety" is two times the stated weight limit? I truly cannot imagine most poles being able to support over 400 pounds worth of a dancer or dancers.

I have an engineering background, and that is where I got the concept. Here’s a wiki article of "factor of safety": http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Factor_of_safety" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I don’t know what that factor is for poles, but here’s what they say about buildings… "Buildings commonly use a factor of safety of 2.0 for each structural member. The value for buildings is relatively low because the loads are well understood and most structures are redundant."

Since poles are used in an uncontrolled, variable environment, I figured they would have a fairly high factor of safety built in.

You are absolutely correct about HOW a force is applied to the pole makes a big difference in what happens. I have to admit that I sometimes think about the statics and dynamics of being on the pole. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif The amazing engineering is one of the things that really attracts me to poling.

Mindy

[Mindy4pole]

I would guess that most of the poles will hold more than the weight their company states as that is a liability issue and they want to leave room for error/safety margin.

I would not recommend the Lil Mynx at all! I’ve seen that pole slide across the floor when someone who was about 170 did a hand stand onto the pole and it shifted over!

Of course the option of the permanent pole is the safest if you have it installed correctly.

ANY pole can fall. I’ve known two people who’ve had X-Poles fall. My Hubby regularly climbs and leans on my Lil Minx, with no problem. He’s well over 220 (the number is a bit of a secret!). The factor of safety is usually at least 2 times the stated weight limit.

Lil Minx definitely seems more stable on carpet than on hard floors. You have to really tighten the HECK out of the thing on laminate to keep it from moving. Mine on carpet is not very tight, and I’ve only had it move once, when I was pulling near the base.

GOOD LUCK!!
Mindy

[Mindy4pole]

Ha Ha! I know! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif A video would be great! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif
It sounds like you have some cool ones that I’ve never thought of!

Mindy

[Mindy4pole]

Poleophile – That tutorial really helps! Here’s the url for it for other folks:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTa6rdZT_Ic&feature=channel

pp15171 — I appreciate the link, but I think that move is the reverse grab. Oddly, I have no problem with that one! I didn’t realize corkscrew was different until recently.

I think maybe I’m kicking out forward instead of sideways, making me bang back against the pole instead of sweeping around it. This IS a really pretty spin when done correctly!!

THANKS SO MUCH everybody! I’ll keep you updated on my progress.

Mindy

[Mindy4pole]

Video link for the jasmine you’re talking about? A superman from this modified marley?!!! That would be so crazy cool. I can’t see how though. Someone show me! Damn, I need someone my level or above to pole jam with!

Oops — I just watched your video, and now I see your free leg is in FRONT of the pole! The Jasmine one has your free leg behind the pole. Since you have the pole btwn your legs, you can flip from Jasmine to superman. I wish I could post a video!! Hopefully I’ll have a new camera soon. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

Mindy

[Mindy4pole]

Looks similar to one I think Jenyne called Jasmine, but the no hands version. Only difference I see is that your back leg is bent and not straight. You can flip into superman from this position.

Mindy

[Mindy4pole]

Anyone know of other tutorials on this move? I seem to always bang my back on the pole. This abruptly makes me spin around the pole. It sort of works, but I feel very out of control when I’m doing this move. Plus, it doesn’t feel good! I wish I could post a video, but alas, my camera won’t let me. HOPEFULLY I’ll be getting a new one soon.

Mindy

[Mindy4pole]

This was beautiful! When I was pregnant, a good friend of a friend was pregnant, too. She developed pre-eclampsia – progressing to full blown eclampsia. They almost lost both mom and baby, but both ended up ok. We visited them in the hospital. Her little girl was so tiny, and it was terrifying for me with my little one in my tummy.

I thankfully had a full term (4 days past), natural birth. They tried to push me into pitocin when my labor stalled, but we refused. The thing that saved us — PELVIC TILTS! My contractions immediately became productive, and I went from a 3 to a 7 in an hour. They let me hold my lovely girl on my tummy as soon as she came out, and I breastfed her immediately. It was great. They took her away for tests after a while, but that gave me time to devour the cold, tasteless, WONDERFUL hospital cheeseburger!

Mindy

[Mindy4pole]

I think this sounds like a great idea!! I’ll start a new topic so we can start planning!

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

[Mindy4pole]

I have to admit… I just adore our very own Studio Veena!! Veena is just so graceful and fluid, and her legs… oh!! They go on forever! And I think what she has done bringing together all these members of the pole community from all over the world… WOW!!! I’m in love! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

Mindy

[Mindy4pole]

I was out browsing Electric Boutique’s web site, and saw these:

http://www.electriqueboutique.com/womens-shoes/Pole-Dancer-Wrap-Up-The-Sexy-Leg-Garter-Set/A-1040SL.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

1040-350cc.jpg

Anybody ever tried them? I love the look, but I wonder how they would be on the pole??

Amcut — here’s a velvety hoodie outfit:
http://www.electriqueboutique.com/womens-shoes/Sexy-Fantasy-Gaga-Lady-Eskimo-Costume/C-5869.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I think it would look great on you! Plus, the girl in the picture has lots of hair.

Mindy

[Mindy4pole]

Oh, maybe it is strength then. My teacher didn’t think it was since I can do shoulder mount from sitting, I go to a pole tone class but maybe I need to do more. Unfortunately I put up the achitraves around my doors myself so I wouldn’t trust them to hold a pull up bar https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

Maybe sounds a little crazy… but if you have a playground nearby with monkey bars, you can do the same exercise on those… Just use the cross bars and pull yourself up into a ball while tilting back.

Strength is an interesting thing! Pole has this habit of exposing areas where our muscles are not quite working together the way we want, even if you are very strong. I used to go to class with a nice lady who is a body builder and incredibly strong. I was constantly surprised that little ole me could do things she couldn’t… But I’d had months more experience doing pole movements.

Do have faith, though with the evil chopper! You’ll get it eventually. It’s taken me almost a year. (But, to be fair, I’ve avoided working on it a lot, too!)

Mindy

[Mindy4pole]

Chopper has been a long time nemesis for me https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_twisted.gif , but I finally can do it, thanks to my pull-up bar. I have one of those pull-up bars that fits in a doorway, and it has two handles that stick out. Using the handles, I pull my upper body up, then pull my knees to my chest, tipping backwards. I hold as long as I can and them come down as slow as I can. Sometimes, I’ll lower my legs in a V or straight out, too. For some reason, doing this on the pull-up bar works much better for me than doing it on the pole.

As far as body type goes, it may be your posture, rather than your shape. My (old) normal posture included having my pelvic bone tipped pretty far back. This meant my lower abs were always lengthened, so it was hard to get them strong. Other muscles would just take over. I’ve been working on getting my pelvis to a more neutral position, and I believe this has contributed to my increased ability. Plus, it makes my abs look better! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif

GOOD LUCK with this move!!

Mindy

[Mindy4pole]

Oh yeah, the tightening the glutes really helps! I’ve always been able to do this move fairly easily. HOWEVER, after doing it many times during practice one night, I noticed my bottom was really sore from the pressure of the pole. That’s when I discovered tightening the glutes. Having the muscles tensed gives me a little padding from the pressure of the pole. Oh, and if you notice an unpleasantness/pain around your tailbone the next day, you probably just overworked the glutes. Use a small rubber ball against a wall or sit on your heel to massage them. Even better –> get someone else to rub them for you!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

Mindy

[Mindy4pole]

Ya’ll are SOOOOOOO wonderful!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

Thank you so much for the info, and keep it coming! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif

Mindy

[Mindy4pole]

I just do not look good in rompers

I’m soooooo glad to hear you say that! I tried on tons of swimsuits in that style, and apparently, I have a long torso… If they are long enough, they are too big around… If they fit the top and the bottom, then I get major camel toe (EEK!) or the top only have covering my breasts. NOT pretty!

Mindy

[Mindy4pole]

Unfortunately Amcut cannot afford retro -anything-. Maybe a single pair of satin panties.
…. I should just become one of those nasty camera girls, except instead of having an amazon wish list, it’ll be.. will strip for panties.

LOL!!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif I’ve thought something similar so many times!!! How I would love for random strangers to send me sexy lingerie!!

Mindy

[Mindy4pole]

personally im sorry but, id be willing to travel to see this than a pole superstar show anyday =D

more info more info! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

castleousider,

what happened? what feedback do you have into what makes a good show? just curious.

I watched some of the pole superstar videos, and the editing was not, uh, artistic. It was often difficult to see a move b/c the camera person had their lens pointed "where the sun don’t shine". It was what I imagine most men look at when they watch a lady pole dance… Lots of closeups of breasts, crotches, butts, you get the idea.

I’m happy to say that I have infected my hubby w/ the art/sport of poling so much that he evaluates the strength, flexibility, balance, etc of dancers now. (I’m pretty sure he’s still looking at their butts, though.) https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

Mindy

[Mindy4pole]

OOO OOO OOOO!!! YES!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_bounce.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_bounce.gif

I’m all for anything that will increase the social/community aspect of Texas poling! While there are lots of classes to be found, it seems like we are all out on our little islands.

My feeling for the club is to do something fairly small this time, like a show, but to work on putting together a bigger event for the future.

This idea sprung into my head when I read your post (perhaps because I was bouncing up and down!!) We should start a Texas Social Poling club. I know you started the Facebook group (woo hoo!), but I think we should go farther. I have this whole vision of periodic social poling events (pole jams or workshops or whatever), and also friendly competitions. Making an actual club would create a backbone for organizing events. Since TX is so big, I envision us having at least two regional groups. Then we could do a lot of "local" events, and then a small number of big regional events. It would definitely make organizing something like a Miss Pole Dance Texas easier. (Although, I wouldn’t go with the term "Miss", since some of us are "Mrs." and a few are "Mr.") https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif

What do other people think about setting up a social club?

Mindy

[Mindy4pole]

I just wanted to post a quick update. My MIL will be released from the hospital today. We’re all really excited. This was her 4th heart attack, so I’m surprised she’s doing so well. I KNOW the prayers/thoughts have helped. We don’t know how things will play out, but at least she’s through this crisis.

I should also add a little bit more of "the rest of the story". Her first heart attack was 14 yrs ago, and she had a triple bypass. According to what the doctors told her, she should have been dead years ago, but she’s still with us and going strong. That’s because she really woke up after the first one and HAS been very careful about taking care of herself. So, just remember… as long as you are still alive, it’s never to late to start!

One other BIG lesson for me… Losing my mom so suddenly has burned into my heart the need to appreciate the folks that I love.
Give someone close to you a hug today and let them know you care. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif There’s no guarantee on tomorrow.

Mindy

[Mindy4pole]

I thought I could do one, and then i realized I’d been cheating by not starting from a limp hang https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_razz.gif So now I’m working on that.

WHAAA!!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cry.gif I didn’t know you had to start w/a limp hang. I tried that last night, and I can’t pull up from that position at all! My shoulders have a tendency to (painlessly) dislocate, so that position is scary for me. I guess I’ll just have to keep working on it! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

Mindy

[Mindy4pole]

Can you do a crossed ankle release? That’s how I get into Bow and Arrow. Then I can just lock my foot around the pole, and it does most of the work of holding me up, so my hands aren’t having to do so much gripping.

A tip Veena gave me when I was trying to do broken pencil was to try it with a rubber kitchen glove. It works GREAT! I posted a video of me trying it. Check it out in my profile. But watch out, the glove might pull YOUR pants down too! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

Mindy

[Mindy4pole]

MMM! These DO sound good, but I think I’ll replace the Splenda with something else… Maybe maple syrup? I’m really nervous about using artificial sweeteners. I feel like they provoke an inappropriate insulin response, among other things.

Thanks!
Mindy

[Mindy4pole]

This was a nice video. There were a couple of spots where I did feel like it was more of a gymnastics performance than a dance, but there were only a few moments. One was where she posed before going into her last series on the fixed pole. It was just SO gymnastics floor-work form. I don’t think there is anything wrong with taking elements from other systems and bringing them to pole dance, but it was like she brought it in without any modifications. It was just a little, um… stark? for me. I can’t quite get the right word.

Using the term "authentic" makes me think of the dance I used to be competitively involved with – West Coast Swing (WCS). I’ve taken intensives from some of the top people in the dance, and one of them said something to the effect that "the champions are the enemies of the dance, because they are the ones who redefine it." I think there is a lot of truth in that. In the decade or so I’ve been doing WCS, I’ve seen different "fads". Sometimes dancing super sexy and flashing your bottom while you are spinning is "cool". Sometimes it is basics executed flawlessly with nuanced musicality. Sometimes it is tight spins and tricky arm moves. Right now, quick footwork seems to be in style. But underlying it all, there is are some standard features.

I see that there is a worldwide movement of standardization in the pole world, largely thanks to the internet. I believe there will be more competitions as standards develop, and you will see the various styles of poling become popular. One thing people seem to really want is "new". So, one year, it’s sexy floorwork, another spins, another feats of acrobatics, another contortion-ism, etc. I think one advantage this dance/art form has is that it DOES have a constant — the pole.

So… I think "authentic" just means that it is not from the era that poster was used to. She shouldn’t worry about it getting lost, though. Fashions seem to always be recycling!

Mindy

[Mindy4pole]

Honeyrose, I was interested in what you shared. In your first post on this thread, you stated that "as long as there are men on the planet, women will be judged." And in your follow-up post you cited only examples of women judging you, including your best friend and the instructor at your previous studio.

I think David pointed out something important here… I haven’t found it to be MEN who are judging me, but rather women. That’s not just pole dancing, either. I was with a guy for years that was significantly older than me, and I’m a very affectionate person. We often got dirty looks when we were out together — not from men, but from women. How DARE I hold his hand or touch his leg!! I find the same in my swing dancing. It’s become a joke btwn my hubby and I that I know my dancing is "on" when I’m getting glared at! It was the annoyance of having that experience even in the world of pole dance that prompted me to start this thread.

Mindy, I will confess that as I am neither female nor heterosexual, I have no direct personal experience of what it is like to possess the sexuality of either heterosexuals or females. So you might be correct, I may just not get it.

Not to worry… I’m both female and heterosexual, and I don’t really get it, either!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif Women are, in general, very confusing to me. It seems as if male culture has well defined power structures. My hubby calls it "F scale". Female culture, however, seems to be a constant shifting sea of alliances and covert power plays. I suppose that’s one reason I’ve always been friends w/ guys. That’s also why StudioVeena impresses me soooooo much! There is a big group of women together, and they actually support each other!! WOW!

SOOOOO… to shift the topic slightly (partly because I just loooove the passion that people have displayed in their opinions!!) here’s a question… Regardless of how much of your sexuality you bring into your pole dancing, how has pole dancing affected your sex life? No need to be graphic, but I’ve found that my increases in strength and flexibility have definitely made things better! It’s also helped me when I have to work on my dryer, or crawl under the house, but those are on another topic. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_razz.gif

Mindy