[MommaBear]

I posted the videos of the problems I am having (and sent to X-Pole) to my user account – if you are able to take a minute or two to look them over and let me know your opinion, I would really appreciate it https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif

I received the new dome from X-Pole yesterday, but I am still having all the same issues https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_sad.gif

I feel like I am making a big deal out of this, as my conversation with X-Pole went along the lines of – Can you still use it? I said Yes. Well, then I don’t really see a problem. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_surprised.gif

Okay, yes it is functional, but my concerns are about whether or not it is going to functional for the long-haul. And aside from functionality – is it going to be safe?!

The latest recommendation is to use the X Joint that came with the longer ceiling extension in place of the current X-Joint that is between A & B and see if that fixes the problem.

What would your position be if you were in my shoes? Am I being overly paranoid and unreasonable?

[MommaBear]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

My hand positioning was ALL WRONG when I was trying to do exercises like these https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_redface.gif Maybe by gripping right I will increase my hold time and make it past my current .25 second average https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

Now I have something to work on during "off" days! Yay!

[MommaBear]

Wow, that is so well written – I love it!!

Should I ever come out of the pole closet on Facebook, I’ll have to friend request him so he can have my back https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

[MommaBear]

Chem – I dunno, those all sound like "big girl" events and I’m still trying to figure out how to pole sit https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

I don’t think I would be able to participate in 1/4 of what they are going to do at workshops and such.

What is the trip to Chicago for?

Mini – I’m having issues with the point – my toes get all cramped up and spasm – where one toe flicks off the world and the others roll into your feet https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif I have very flat "Flinstone Feet", as my husband calls them . . . Yabba Dabba Do! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

[MommaBear]

I’ve never heard of Priscilla’s? Put me on your call list if you get any good info!!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

Walmart, I am all over that – I hate, HATE shopping, so I generally go to stores like Walmart and avoid mall stores. I do have a few pairs of booty shorts from last year (from good ‘ole Walmart) but they aren’t snug fitting so I end up with wedgies. I’ll have to check out their Danskin line.

If I can’t get me hubby to squeeze out some cash for lessons, do you know if Be or the other studio has like an "open session" type thing where you can just go and play?

[MommaBear]

Underwear for your feet – who woulda thunk it https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

This conversation is going to go wonderfully, first I hit my hubby up for a $400 pole, another $40 for some used DVD’s and now I want feet underwear https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

As well as some:

1. Cute Pole Shorts – right now I am dancing in my undies
2. Good Fitting Sports Bras – I had a nipple make an appearance and had it grazed that sweaty, sticky pole, it would have been all bad!
3. Cute Stripper Shoes – just cause I want them and why not, they go so well with the pole
4. Maybe $100 or so a month for some lessons – cause I bet it is funner in a studio than by yourself

Yeah, he’s going to be thrilled https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

[MommaBear]

Ahhh, I see. Yup, undoubtedly using those core muscles is going to give you way more strength.

(((((tapping my fingers and waiting impatiently, as I do not yet have any of that "core strength"))))))

But, I am still tripped up a bit. I don’t feel like I am using any kind of shoulder muscle when in incorrect form – it feels like I am using my biceps? (popeye muscle) to hold my weight? Is my body tricking me and I am actually straining those shoulder tendons in the process?

Rotator cuff = meaning the socket that your shoulder moves around, or duh, rotates, in? What happens if you injure that?

Also, what is meant by "engaging the shoulders"? I got back and down part – but engaged, I’m clueless.

[MommaBear]

Yup, I’m hooked. My husband has compared my attraction to the pole to the likes of a squirrel on crack https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

It is all starting to make sense now – the swollen knuckles and sore finger joints are probably because I am not targeting and using muscles at this point – I am relying on hanging on for dear life to get me through a work out. That alone is helping me make the revelation that I need to really concentrate and focus on effective muscle use as well.

I like the idea of alternating right and left! I think that will really help focus what I am working on instead of just playing around for hours. Also, since I am not very keen to what muscles I am actually using, that is like the "Poleing for Dummies" version for the correct alternation of the muscle groups. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif Can’t screw up if your only option is left or right https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

I think listening to my body is key – the rest of my body and muscles are game, but with sore fingers influencing my ability to hold, it isn’t going to work.

Thanks for the feedback, sometimes it just helps to "put it on paper" and then it begins to make sense.

[MommaBear]

That sounds all bad! I’ll make sure to watch for that https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cyclops_ani.gif

Thanks for the heads up.

[MommaBear]

Aww, those are cute!! I never even knew stuff like that existed! Thanks for the link!

[MommaBear]

Serzi – That sounds about in line with the noise I am hearing and tends to happen more when I am bearing a lot of side weight – maybe that is why I notice it so much when stretching because I am using the pole for resistance while taking the bulk of my body weight out to the side. The temp and humidity changes do make sense, but when I am relying of this sucker to hold me and my weight it does make me a bit nervous when it starts creaking https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_surprised.gif It reminds me of walking out on ice or something.

Megs – I have heard people refer to the XJoint as being misaligned, but not quite sure I follow what that would mean. How would I know if my X Joint is misaligned? I don’t think I am having any issues with misalignment because I am always able to use the hex key because the holes in the pole line up with the holes in the X-Joint – so would that equate to being aligned? If so, would misaligned mean that the insert for the hex key would disappear and that the holes is the pole would now be useless because the holes for the hex key in the X Joint will have floated off to underneath of the pole where they couldn’t be used? https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_surprised.gif Dang, how would you even get that joint out with no hex key access hole to loosen it?!

[MommaBear]

Not abnormally loud, but when I am just stretching and there is no music you can definitely hear it. At first I was scared that the pole might come down (and that creaking was the pole working itself off of my ceiling https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_surprised.gif ) but the more I listen and try to peg down the location, it sounds like it is coming from the X-Joint between A & B.

Yet another mystery surprise from this pole https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif

[MommaBear]

Okay, that is unanimous – NO KICKING!!

I guess I will have to wait till I get some good muscles going and allow my body to do the work. Besides, I kinda like my ribs the way they are – in whole pieces (ouch Solya!)

Waiting on abs is going to take quite some time – I’ve never had or used them unless those are the muscles that deliver contractions during childbirth https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

Chem – what do you mean by knee-ups?

[MommaBear]

I’m still using my "damaged" pole. Waiting for a new dome from XPole to see if it will fix all the other issues. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif I don’t quite understand how a new dome is going to fix a bent pole, but I guess I’ll have to cross that bridge when the new dome comes.

I’m working on getting some crash mats – right now I am using couch pillows. I haven’t actually "needed" them yet, I seem to be able to figure out how to save my a$s if things go sour so far. My biggest wipe out has been using my hubby for a spotter because he thinks it is fun to aggravate me when I have no capability to retaliate. No, I didn’t ask you to poke me in the butt when I am upside down, or tweak my nipple – I asked you to catch me if I fall https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

In the meantime, I guess I’ll just plop my butt up there and sit steady until it stops hurting, although I may have to take a day or two off to give my inner thighs some recovery time.

*** Edited to add: The knuckle thing – is that just a side effect of using my hands in a different and more strenuous way then what they are used to or could this be a result of incorrect grip or something along those lines? My fingers look like sausages https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif and my wedding ring is never coming off again unless this swelling goes down.

[MommaBear]

I am secretly hoping that the more time I spend upside down that it will reverse the gravitational pull when upright, thus canceling out the effects of aging https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

Venna, I am not taking your lessons because they are online, and my pole and computer are in two different rooms. If you ever transfer your lessons over to DVD format, I will be all over them!

One thing I will say is that I went looking for a different take on the pole sit and found your lesson. I thought yours was way easier and it ended up that your teaching was the way I was doing it anyways.

The way Jamilla teaches it is to position your inside leg, then your outside arm, then to cross over with the other leg, while grabbing with the other arm – I just could not get it the way she taught it, I kept on hopping up there and ending with the same end result, but not following her step-by-step to get there.

So, I went looking for a different take on the pole sit and came across your lesson. Your lesson and the way you taught it was exactly the way that it was feeling natural for me to do it!!! Whereas, I found Jamilla’s step-by-step to be a bit awkward. So, kudos to you!

Off to continue my cheater inverts . . . . which by the way, I have found that certain positions are giving me a great stretch in my back that I haven’t yet experienced upright. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif