[Miraine]

The routine Natasha did was perfect though: showed incredible grace and beauty without being remotely "raunchy".  Now, there's nothing wrong whatsoever with pole being raunchy, obviously, but people already know about that side of pole dance, and it would be nice if the general public realised it can also be remarkably similar to ballet, which is a thoroughly accepted form of dance.

[Miraine]

I've struggled with BDD (Body Dismorphic Disorder) most of my life, and it's only in recent years that I've started to conquer that, but I still see my legs in my videos and hate hate *hate* them.  It doesn't help that they're so damned pale I probably shouldn't be allowed outside in shorts on sunny days for fear of causing a traffic accident!  (They reflect light, figured the glare could blind, lol).

I'm also bothered by how red in the face I go when inverting, and as I found when I videod, also my upper back!  I really hope that diminishes as I get fitter and used to being upside-down.

I felt so down the other day after videoing and watching it back…  But I know it's the best way to see what you're doing wrong, so I'll be continuing, and hopefully I'll be focussed on the things I'm improving and the new moves I'm learning, in the future.

[Miraine]

Oh dear Hooked, mind you don't fall over whilst distracting yourself… https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif

I'm worryingly out of breath after just a pole hold or crucifix.  Turns out I have zero CV fitness.  I guess I need to set aside sessions to dance and *not* climb up and down the pole (but that's the fun bit! lol), so I can actually keep exercising long enough to make a difference.

@Polenerd: perhaps, unsexy as it might be, but strictly for practice sessions, those nasal strips that help you breathe through your nose might be an idea?

Other than smiling, I guess you could get away with the occasional deep breath through your mouth whilst pulling some kind of sexy "ooh!" pose, Burlesque style.  Erm, I have no idea how to explain that better.  You know the kind of thing where you'd at the same time tilt your head and run a hand up the back of your neck and into your hair.  This may be a silly suggestion https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

[Miraine]

Skipping breakfast is not a good idea, as it leaves your body in "famine" mode, so you actually burn less calories in everything you do.

Now I'm also really not a breakfast person generally.  The smell of a fry up makes me feel ill frankly.  But still, it's important, so maybe try to have something like a banana, or at very least an orange juice "with bits" or something.  Cereal bars are also not that hard to force yourself to eat first thing, better than stuff with milk I find.  Frusli bars have some really nice flavours with bits of fruit in.

I am of course a hypocrite, and often only eat breakfast because I have NSAIDs to take or because my boyfriend makes me, lol.

[Miraine]

Well I saw some perfectly graceful spins there LopsiJulie, but it's human nature for us to focus on the things we see ourselves doing not so well, and ignore the good bits 🙂

I've a suggestion:  Why don't you spare-arm girls take a look at some bellydance instruction videos (plenty on Youtube)?  That always deals with elegant arm positions and ways of holding the hand out.  On fancier spins, I'd imagine simply a graceful pose with the arm would be a nice finishing touch, and not too complicated to do just to start with.

[Miraine]

You can "unfollow" a forum thread, should be a link in the first email, or when you actually make the post, scroll up to the top and unfollow it right then https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

[Miraine]

Can you do the Crucifix?  If you can grip the pole enough to not slide whilst the right way up doing this, then you should be able to put the legs in the same position whilst inverted and have just as much grip.

I find I then end up with an utter death grip and can't slide down without really forcing myself to let go a bit!

[Miraine]

The problem with posting any image or video on the internet is, someone may find a different type of pleasure to it than the one you were aiming for.  This is an absolute given: there's a multitude of people out there with their many and varied kinks, so yes, even if it's obviously not actually porn, someone might get that kind of enjoyment out of your videos.

This is an issue I discovered whilst playing an online computer game: I put my photo on the "guild" website, and was rather unsettled to be told later by someone that they'd printed it out for certain purposes.  I guess he thought I'd be flattered.  Anyway, the photo in question, I was fully clothed (in fact it was a huge rollneck jumper and baggy combats!) and not in a remotely sexy pose, so I got to thinking about the whole situation.

At the end of the day, so long as said fetishist makes absolutely no attempt to contact you, find you in person, or interact with you, then I choose to not care about how *they* are interpreting images or videos of me.  It doesn't affect my day to day life, I'm in no way directly encouraging them and tempting them on, they're just finding an alternative meaning to things I've put up for a specific purpose (e.g. sharing with friends / the pole community, etc.).

This may seem a little, erm… liberal I guess, but some lonely guy sitting in his bedroom on his own, who really *really* likes pole videos…  He's not doing any harm.  I find it more pitiable than scary.

The truly important issue is the one of personal safety, which means being very careful about how much detail you give regarding your location etc. in public forums, and being cautious about private conversations with people who've just appeared:  fair enough to take an invite to a pole jam from an active member of the community, quite another to accept such an offer from someone who doesn't participate and isn't forthcoming with details of themselves.

I've some fantastic friends that I first met online, and consider it thoroughly worth the risks to get involved in online communities. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

[Miraine]

I hope your laptop is fixed soon Gsylass!

Anyone likely to be around for this tonight? https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

[Miraine]

@stevesgirl: wow, I really admire your dedcation and willpower!  That's amazing progress.

I've resolved anew to do something about my flexibility.  It's a month to my birthday, I'd like to get splits by then.

Also, very much assisted, touched a toe to the back of my head last night. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

Unassisted by my birthday?   Hmm…

[Miraine]

I've never been able to do splits, and have always had annoyingly tight hips.  Two years ago I couldn't touch my toes even, and decided to do something about that.  Then a year and a bit ago, having made it to the point where I could touch toes whilst cold, I decided I wanted to get splits.  My "dedication" to the cause has waxed and waned over time, and an injured knee stopped me doing anything for 4 months over this winter, but I've gone from literally two feet from side splits to 6" on a good day on my best side.

I really want to do this, but absolutely fail at willpower. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_confused.gif

Turning up to "European Bendy Buddies" has been great for that: nothing makes stretching easier than having someone else telling you to do it… https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif   (thanks Gsylass!)

So, no splits for me yet, but considering the progress I've made even with my terrible work ethic, I still hope to get there some time!

Well, except centre splits.  I'm a million miles off of them…

[Miraine]

I can see how having video footage of yourself on the computer and then the internet full of beautiful graceful people to compare to is not great for confidence, but you have to remember that even if you can't avoid thinking that way, that you're being particularly unfair if you look at what's on your practice session's raw footage and then compare it directly to someone's polished performance, or their edited practice footage showing only the highlights, and not the bit where they unceremoniously dumped themselves on the floor… 😉

I've spent my entire life until just recently hiding from cameras and hating all photos of me.  Then I let a talented photographer friend of mine do a "photoshoot" with me, with him picking out what he wanted to show me.  I gained a lot of self esteem from that, coming away from it feeling like yes, I can actually look nice in a photo (it's not so hard when you stop pulling the "I hate photos!" face, lol).

Perhaps you would benefit from letting someone else edit you a video Runemist?

As for specifics about a grip, I suppose taking a short clip of it and posting it with a question, people around here seem like they'd be more than happy to help 🙂

[Miraine]

You've convinced me 😉

I haven't yet managed to get round to buying a mirror, so have absolutely no idea how the stuff I do is looking, and besides, I'm sure you're not always going to be in a position to look in a mirror as you do stuff anyway.

I was of the opinion that my moves were probably jerky and awkward, but then a friend came over last night and we tried out a few beginners lessons together, and since hers looked pretty despite her claim of lack of coordination, I'm wondering if maybe mine aren't as bad as I feared.

Next time I pole: camera will be rolling.  You may or may not get to see the results…  Hehe.

[Miraine]

No Bendy Buddies for me tonight, going to be sociable a bit.  Hopefully see you next week 🙂

[Miraine]

I used to kick about on the Aven forums a bit.  There was a period of my life during which I identified as asex, though in my case, things changed over time and I'm not any more.

I'm always surprised at the low profile asexuality has.