[MommaBear]

The people are MarkStaar are very good and helpful. I’ve sent a lot of people there for studio poles and students for home poles and everyone has been very pleased. Let them help you decide which kit or pole is best for you.

Yay!!! This is great on two levels – can’t beat the price and plus I get a nice sticky brass pole https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

[MommaBear]

Your husband is going to kill you……

https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

We’ve lived here for 4 years and have yet to convert the basement to a family room or kids play room or office, so I figured I will take some initiative and convert it into my own personal pole studio https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

[MommaBear]

My pole isn’t bowed when I don’t use the upper support dome

Mine neither – I’ve rolled it across the floor and nothing seems to be bent or warped. Even when the pole is erected and secured, in stationary mode, you can’t tell it is bowed. You only realize the bow when it is on spin mode. This is where switching out the X-Joints fixed the problem.

I don’t use it that way, I only checked if it was bowed of straight by spinning it by hand).

Okay, just want to make sure I am doing the same thing you were – I didn’t put the pole up, just set the dome on top of the pole and spun the dome by hand. I tried this with both domes (the first that was thought to be damaged and the second which was the replacement dome). Both do the exact same thing. The dome does not spin roundly and even, it goes into an oval type formation.

I don’t know if this is bad or not? Maybe since the pole is not erected and secured to the ceiling it technically isn’t "stable" so that would expected?

Hopefully Veena can weigh in, she seems to be the expert on the X-Pert https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

[MommaBear]

I have had a ton of funky issues with my X-Pert. One remedy I found was to switch the X-Joints.

I took out the original X-Joint between poles A & B and in place I used the longer X-Joint that would have been used between Pole B and the longer ceiling extension (because I don’t need the longer ceiling extension, my ceilings are 8 ft.).

That fixed the bowing problem for me and the spins are smoother as well.

I also had an issue with the dome – I found that mine was not level. Test out your dome by placing it on a flat surface and laying a level over top of the part that would go against the ceiling – mine was NOT level and was replaced and I think that also helped with the problem. Ultimately though, replacing the X-Joint is what fixed the bowing problem.

Good Luck, I feel your pain, my X-Pert has been problem on top of problem. Such a beautiful pole if they could work out some of these issues!!!

Also, if you wouldn’t mind, can you post a follow-up of how you resolved the problem? Thanks!

[MommaBear]

Duh, figured out the forum replies – it was notifying me, but ended up in my spam folder.

Still wondering about videos though.

[MommaBear]

This is an aspect of pole dancing that I have a hard time with too. Shoulders back, down and engaged means very nice high posture and boobs on display https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif I am a sloucher, so I really have to constantly think about my posture or I revert to my natural slump.

I have fake boobs and I smoosh them down and hunch over to hide them, (maybe they are pulling me down https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif ) so it is a big change to be in a position where they are sticking out like that https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif My upper back will probably never be super straight and pretty, but my lower back seems to have a curve on it’s own, nothing related to any posture changes I do, if I am standing up straight, it is curved inward, kinda like a backwards C.

I think a lot of the shape you achieve is just the way you are built and posture changes can only change so much, if that makes sense. I have a screwy back and am technically crooked, so I am guessing there is only so much I can do outwardly to change my inner structure. I tend to agree with Chem – your stuck with the way you were genetically built.

[MommaBear]

Awww, that was awesome!!!!!! I’m glad you shared that.

[MommaBear]

Thank you and passing those wishes along to all the mommies with you.

My daughter’s preschool class made a portrait and fun facts about their moms, and boy was I nervous. All I kept thinking was please let me be clothed and not next to a pole in her drawing https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

Oh, and in my defense, I have been to the bar a whole 3 times in the past 6 months!!! She must have just chosen that because it is about the only time I am not wearing sweat pants and a T-shirt https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

[MommaBear]

SissyBuns – yup, that it the one I am thinking of. I love the visual appeal of that move, to me it is as if the dancer just can’t stop her attraction to the pole (even though she is doing floorwork – the pole is still there, just kinda lurking and waiting) and then when she finally reconnects with the pole, the pole seems to just pull her from the floor and gently spin her and they are reconnected again. It is like a "the love between a dancer and her pole" move https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif (at least that is how it plays in my head when I see it). That probably sounds goofy, but some moves create a story in my head and that is definitely one of them.

Jenn – I kinda like that one too, it seems like the positioning is about the same, but instead of hooking and spinning, she goes a whole nother direction and uses it as a pose.

[MommaBear]

Way late, but that is beautiful!!

[MommaBear]

LOL Englann, I love the faces! My pole sit face looks like I am constipated https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif As I am learning the sit, I am also learning to pay attention to my face – cause no matter how pretty the sit looks, it doesn’t matter if my face looks like I am holding a fart https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

I have been trying to get this move as well. I was using Jamilla’s lessons, but just could not grasp it – at all. Then I watched Veena’s pole sit lesson and it made so much more sense and came more naturally to me the way she taught it. With Jamilla’s lesson, it was to step-by-step for me and I kept ending up positioned very awkwardly.

I don’t know how to post the lesson or I would – Sorry!

I still have a hard to time holding for too long and am trying to find the sweet spot of how much effort and squeeze to put into it. I have noticed that the more I practice, the less effort I have to put into squeezing the hold – it is getting to the point where it just kinda happens.

It hurts, I bruised my . . uh . . . private bone, along with my thighs and it took me about a week (practicing every day – which is a big bad pole no-no!) It does get better though!

[MommaBear]

Ditto. I do my lotions at night, by the next afternoon I don’t notice any issues when I use the pole.

[MommaBear]

This place has a Circus Class for kids for $100 for 8 weeks that includes Stilt Walking, POI, Acrobat Freezes, Yoga, Dance, Pole, Juggling, Rola Bola, Aerial Fabric & More.

I think I am going to give this as a birthday gift to my middle monkey who is 6. We have this rope that hangs from a tree in our backyard. There is a little notch at the bottom for a foot hold. He comes home from school everyday and goes straight to that rope. I will have to video tape him sometime – he spins at maximum velocity and contorts his body to increase or decrease speed. He leaps off of the kids picnic table to gain speed and the once airborne he pulls up into an inverted V – I just didn’t know what it was until now https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

He struggles with dyslexia and I have been searching for something that will highlight his strengths – I think this could be a wonderful outlet for him in all aspects – physically, mentally, and emotionally!

So glad you posted this, I really see this as something my little stinker could find great confidence in and really enjoy!

[MommaBear]

Ouch!!! FreeTheSun, that sounds horribly painful!

No, mine isn’t that bad – hard to explain though – just very uncomfortable and almost cramp-like in that it feels as if it is seizing up. I guess I use the term popping because it seems that if I continued to push any further, that a pop would occur and when I do stop whatever action led the hip being uncomfortable – it almost feels as if it pops (very mildly) back into place? It is odd.

I don’t quite know for sure that it is related to the curved spine – I just kinda guessed they might be linked.

[MommaBear]

You could try a tennis ball.

I saw someone using a tennis ball on the end of a stick once at a store to remove scuff marks.

[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!