[MommaBear]

Noooooo, come back to Cleveland https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif (<– where I am unfortunately located).

Yay another Ohio gal! Welcome! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

[MommaBear]

Breathing never occurred to me! Honestly, when I am upside down and holding these new poses, I am likely holding my breath (afraid that expanding my lungs might expel me from the pole). Wow, something so simple that I never considered!

I feel better knowing that the chances of pole face improving are a possibility.

Task for today’s practice – invert and breathe and relax!!!

It’s funny how poling has increased my self-esteem and the way I view myself when so much of it is really not all that pretty sometimes. Some of the points of contact with the pole create funky looking skin that is rippled and wrinkly and distorted, yet you still look in the mirror and can’t help but be proud at how pretty it all looks. I can’t think of any other exercise that at times highlights and exaggerates body flaws, yet still leaves you feeling better then when you started!

Chemmie, I promise you, it is hilarious. I never thought I had big cheeks, but when I am upside down, they seem massive and creep up (or rather down LOL) and infringe on my eyeball space. At first glace I was horrified, but after that I got the giggles at how silly it all was. I had to cut short after that because I could not stop laughing!

[MommaBear]

I have to agree with everyone else! I had terrible anxiety myself and I figured incorporating some exercise would be a great approach and it has been. I believe Tara Karina mentions on her youtube channel that she also struggled with anxiety and found relief in poling.

One mention of concern though, I found that when I first started I experienced "exercise induced anxiety". Whether that is an actual thing or not, I don’t know, but when my heart rate would elevate and I would get a bit dizzy from spins, my body seemed to say – "Hey, this is what happens during a panic attack!" – and I would get some pretty good panic attacks in the beginning.

I would say that it only lasted for the first two weeks or so and as my body became used to the elevated heart rate, sweating, being out of breath and dizziness and my mind began to understand that although I was experiencing the same physical symptoms of a panic attack, I actually wasn’t having one.

I think this has helped overall, because I have lost a bit of that sensitivity and built up a tolerance of sorts. Where in the past, if my heart rate increased that would result in a panic attack. Now, my heart rate can accelerate all it wants and my body seems to be less sensitive and responsive to those physical triggers resulting in the mental and emotional triggers that would normally result in a panic attack. Hopefully this makes sense and isn’t just written in a way I only understand it https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_scratch.gif

Good luck on your journey!

[MommaBear]

So pretty, I’m putting that one on my pole to-do list https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_razz.gif

[MommaBear]

Also, does anyone know why her pole came down?

And, was that a spinny pole or was her weight actually creating that arm spin?

[MommaBear]

This seems like an older thread, but I guess I will add my Ohio status as well.

Hello, I am from crappy Ohio too – Cleveland area.

[MommaBear]

NO, NO, NO!!!!! (((Stomping my feet and pouting)))

I have airline tickets to leave for Florida with the kids on the 18th, go figure https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_sad.gif

Guess I’ll have to live vicariously through the second hand stories of what an amazing night I will have missed.

[MommaBear]

Don’t know if this is the right era, but a few songs came to mind. Pulling this from my memory bank from 10 years ago, so not sure on artists/song titles either.

Leave Your Hat On – Joe Cocker
Those Shoes – Eagles
Red House – Hendrix
House of the Rising Sun – Animals
She’s So Heavy- Beatles

Just pulling the instrumental beginning portion of Floyd’s Time would be so bada$$ – I’ve always had that one in the back of my head of one I want to conquer once I have the skills in place.

Sounds like it is going to be a fun class https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

[MommaBear]

Ditto on your idea Voodoo. So glad you posted this Mancandy!!

We are taking a trip to Florida, which is HUGE. I haven’t left my little safety zone in years because of panic attacks. I’m hoping they are under control enough to allow me an enjoyable vacation. I’m working on visualizing a panic free plane ride and vacation – hopefully my stupid brain will fall for it. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

This trip will take me full circle to the incident that I think started all this madness. During our last vacation I watched a young girl pulled from the pool, they tried CPR, but she was gone. This was such a defining moment and I think the incident which started my anxiety/panic attacks. Who knew that the love you have for your children could work against you in such a negative way. I haven’t been the same since. I hope by doing this I can re-face the issue that brought me this place and find peace and closure and move on with my life.

Off to deep breathe and visualize, just speaking about it stills up the feelings of anxiety and panic https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif Hubby is going to have to be my psychiatrist for the moment, maybe just getting this off my chest and out in the open will help. I deserve a good cry.

Thanks again for posting this ManCandy https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_salut.gif

[MommaBear]

Seems like that one would get your core muscles too?

[MommaBear]

Oh, I thought wrist burn was something that you were supposed to get, like calluses. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_redface.gif

I was trying to adjust my grip to see how wrist burn would happen, and I couldn’t even get it intentionally https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

Thanks for clarifying! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_salut.gif

[MommaBear]

Oh my, had I known the excitement this was going to invoke in my husband, I might have kept it to myself https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif He LOVES to work out – I HATE IT!! It is almost cute and child-like how excited he is to show me what a lunge and dead lift are and how to work those muscles. He wants me to go to the gym with him so he can guide me through the right work out for what I want and to help compliment poling. It’s really sweet, but he may just be a few steps ahead of himself. I really, really don’t want to go the gym!! (((Banging my head against a wall))). Ugh, now if I don’t go along with it, his feelings are going to be hurt. Me and my big mouth!!!

Anyway, I did try a few of the exercises last night and DAMN, I feel it today!!! I didn’t get to do any of the ball ones because I still have to find a ball (and then find a good hiding place to keep it out of my kids hands). I found another exercise called a frog squat – that one is pretty cool too and seems a bit easier on the knees.

Thinking I will take today off so I don’t look like I am walking with something stuck up my butt https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

[MommaBear]

Thanks Everybody! Now, if I can stick with this, I will have some killer back thighs!

(((Sigh))) . . . I really should just get off my lazy ass and go for the whole work-out, exercise, get-fit deal, but I guess baby steps are better than none.

I worry about the legs because I ran cross country for like one whole year in Jr. High and whenever I start getting active and burning fat, those front leg muscles are the first to pop out and strengthen up (but none of the other want to follow it’s lead so I look like a half-muscular, man thigh weirdo) https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cyclops_ani.gif

Dizzi – yup, they are still bothering me! Not anywhere near what they were – I think initially I was over doing it and that was a contributing factor. Now I can’t even find a spare 10 minute window to get pole time in, so I haven’t been as active as I’d like. When I do find time though, the pain flares back up. I’ve also noticed it is happening in my elbows too. I’m hoping these are just beginner kinks that will work themselves out over time https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_scratch.gif

[MommaBear]

Oh, I like those ones – cause I can do them at home while I am watching TV or something. No sweating, heavy breathing or passing out in front of other people to worry about! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif Thanks!

[MommaBear]

I’ve been finding lately that as I am using pole for a work-out type thing (and a way to challenge myself) that it has sucked all the sexiness right out. I don’t see it as a stripper pole anymore. I see it as my personal mountain to conquer. I’ve been thinking about giving my hubby a little dance, but I’m finding it hard now to equate my pole with sexy and dirty stuff. Just my recent personal revelation out loud.