[OopseyDaisey]

Hope to see you at TCH! If your hands hurt, you could try strengthening them with grip trainers, squeeze balls, or working on aerial silks (the best training for grip and forearm endurance in my humble opinion.) Rock climbers and competitive cyclists have similar issues, so you might also google for their recommendations. Good luck!

[OopseyDaisey]

Hope to see you at TCH! If your hands hurt, you could try strengthening them with grip trainers, squeeze balls, or working on aerial silks (the best training for grip and forearm endurance in my humble opinion.) Rock climbers and competitive cyclists have similar issues, so you might also google for their recommendations. Good luck!

[OopseyDaisey]

Sorry for the triple post! Dunno what happened!

[OopseyDaisey]

I recently attended a competition where many people were very polite but enthusiastic; however one school in particular started screaming for their dancers (& their dancers only) to the point I couldn’t hear the music. Unfortunately, that started a trend with other schools screaming as though the cheering was part of the competition. Of course, the competitors who weren’t from big schools or were from farther away had fewer people to cheer for them, so it was sad. I think competitions can definitely have more cheering than a theatrical performance, but please…cheer for all or cheer for none, and please be considerate of those sitting around you. IMHO 🙂

[OopseyDaisey]

I recently attended a competition where many people were very polite but enthusiastic; however one school in particular started screaming for their dancers (& their dancers only) to the point I couldn’t hear the music. Unfortunately, that started a trend with other schools screaming as though the cheering was part of the competition. Of course, the competitors who weren’t from big schools or were from farther away had fewer people to cheer for them, so it was sad. I think competitions can definitely have more cheering than a theatrical performance, but please…cheer for all or cheer for none, and please be considerate of those sitting around you. IMHO 🙂

[OopseyDaisey]

I recently attended a competition where many people were very polite but enthusiastic; however one school in particular started screaming for their dancers (& their dancers only) to the point I couldn’t hear the music. Unfortunately, that started a trend with other schools screaming as though the cheering was part of the competition. Of course, the competitors who weren’t from big schools or were from farther away had fewer people to cheer for them, so it was sad. I think competitions can definitely have more cheering than a theatrical performance, but please…cheer for all or cheer for none, and please be considerate of those sitting around you. IMHO 🙂

[OopseyDaisey]

I wholeheartedly agree. Not only does it distract from the performer’s interpretation of the music, but I think it cheapens the art of pole in the view of the public. I guess I expect more of a theatre mentality so you can be immersed in the character and story.

[OopseyDaisey]

I think what you can see from all our postings is that it depends on your body…I have a long torso for someone barely over five feet, but the next person might have super long legs and need a big hoop. As for rigging supplies, again, just make sure they are weight rated steel fixtures.

[OopseyDaisey]

I’m quite petite and got a 34″. If I added three inches to my torso height I’d be in a 36″ hoop, but I know from personal experience that I have a hard time holding the splits across that length. The Simply Circus Aerial FAQ site recommends the following:
34″ Lyra is generally best for a performer under 5’6″
35″ Lyra is generally best for a performer under 5’8″
36″ Lyra is generally best for a performer under 6′
A second method of selecting an aerial hoop is to sit in a chair, measure from the seat of the chair to the top of the head, and add an inch.
http://community.simplycircus.com/tutorials/aerial/aerial_arts_faq.htm#Selecting_Aerial_Apparatus

[OopseyDaisey]

I agree with the comments above…definitely want to avoid aluminum (I’ve worked for a company that uses aluminum and it can shatter under pressure). Anyway, I just ordered my hoop from Jackie Tan based on the recommendation of several people including the folks at Nimble Arts. Jackie makes them in batches at around $280 depending on the number of tabs, etc. Jackie emailed me yesterday to let me know she made extras in this batch. If you are interested, email her at jtcircus@yahoo.com

[OopseyDaisey]

I haven’t seen these pics of her pregnant and poling. Where did you see them?

[OopseyDaisey]

Thank you…maybe one of these places knows someone even closer!

[OopseyDaisey]

You might try emailing the Italian Pole Federation: info@federazioneitalianapoledance.com

[OopseyDaisey]

Fashion tape doesn’t work near as well as wig tape. Wig tape is designed to resist all kinds of sweat and movement. Plus it’s less expensive. Learned that from a lady who provides wigs for cancer patients.

[OopseyDaisey]

Thank you for making me think of the positive when looking in the mirror…I needed this today!

I love my hands, wrists, hair, eyes, and cheekbones.  My lips because my dad loved that I have my mom's lips.  And my thighs that may not be Hollywood's preference, but they let me do Tumbles, Stars, Superwomen, Thigh holds, and climbs that show the cuts in those strong muscles.  Oh, and I have badass hip flexors.  https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_rambo.gif

[OopseyDaisey]

Hopefully they'll use more descriptive names and not so many colloquial ones like lunchbox or spatchcock that don't translate well in different areas.  Or personal names like The Susan or whatever.

[OopseyDaisey]

My problem is that my arm can barely reach when I turn to the side.  I'd love to see a picture of a short gal (who isn't super bendy) doing it so I could see where they hold.

[OopseyDaisey]

@ Sugardiva–try  http://youtube.com/watch?v=OmJMJ41Wi3s

I think the other link only works on a mobile device. 

[OopseyDaisey]

Here's the clip:  http://www.cbs.com/daytime/the_talk/video/?pid=4rTfbrKsEggEXoSvmPkcGVKATrkorMCj&vs=Default&play=true

Thanks for mentioning this, !

[OopseyDaisey]

Miraine–I think that is the same as the Keem:  http://poledancedictionary.com/moves/353/keem/

:33–is that like leg Wacking?  All I could think of was Princess Lockeroo from So You Think You Can Dance.

2:11 is really nice…I do a one arm chair spin but that one makes me need a massage just watching it.

The head kick was so impressive and funny at the same time.  The way the helmet sank on her head…lol!  But I'm totally jealous, too!

Thanks for posting that, Sair!

[OopseyDaisey]

I haven't had it done, but of my friends in pole & aerial who have, they all said they tried to fit their body (love the rice boob idea).  I do know that my larger friends (natural & implant) say that certain moves are much harder for them like the flag.  They make adjustments, but say the squeezing isn't comfy.  One of my friends just had hers redone because one was deflating and  they redid them part over and part under the muscle if that makes any sense.  She said it gave her a more natural look and more mobility.  I hope that helps…

[OopseyDaisey]

Ahhh, I thought I'd never get that spin!  But now I do it all the time.  Ok, here's what worked for me First, I used both hands until I could do it without thinking, so like the video, but with the outside hand coming across my chest.

Second, it really, really helped me to practice the position on the floor:  hips in front of the pole, calf & back of the thigh trapping the pole–I used to start like the video, but locking with my knee made me lopsided, and feet touching.  When the feet touch, then the hips go forward and you'll lean your torso back.  That position creates the forward momentum.

Third, practicing it backwards (reverse–switch the hands so the outside hand is high like in an invert) helped, too.

Last, I practiced stepping on the outside foot, swinging the inside leg around the front of the pole and really pushing those hips forward & leaning back (like how I practiced on the floor).

That all worked better for me than throwing myself into it like I was told to do.  I hope this helps!

[OopseyDaisey]

I'm sending you a PM.

[OopseyDaisey]

Can you explain (or post a video or video link) so we know what you mean by front hook spin?  I've heard several spins called that.  If it's the one where you start by the side of the pole and hook your inside leg around the front of the pole, then for me, the biggest help was to turn my torso to the pole so I'm more aware of the grip with my leg and my hip doesn't go too far forward turning it into a bad chair spin.

[OopseyDaisey]

I agree, those are great ideas, and the security camera would definitely protect you and your students.  Might even make that man think twice about approaching any of you.  If you haven't already, maybe adding more curtains, pillows, etc. to create some sound dampening would be helpful.

Also, not to say you should be embarrassed or ashamed of pole, but I'd make sure any signage you have is not flagrantly sexual.  Your neighbors clients might not be as open as we are, and you don't want to cost them any clients.  If they were to move their business because of that, then the landlord might not be so understanding.