[Runemist34]

Yayo: I am very busty, actually, and I did e-mail them a while ago. They pointed me toward a few of their tops, and indicated that these ones would probably work… but as always, I am quite wary. Having a medium waist and a large/x-large bust makes things complicated, especially in an industry that seems to expect you will, inevitably, have a tiny chest. Which frankly, will never happen for me!
So, I’m still wary but… sometimes I think I’d like to try it.
Nat: I had no idea they had moved production! That makes things a little different for my decision-making process.

If either of you are interested in tops which are similarly priced, I found a UK-based site called Wink, and they will do “bespoke” for you for an extra 5 pound- which means they’ll make it to fit you. They told me that I could easily ask for that, give them my measurements in the “bespoke colour” area, and they’ll make me a top with a medium waistband, and large bust area. They’re not too bad looking, either 🙂 I haven’t checked their shipping yet, though.

Ah, the search for a good pole top for busty ladies continues… 😉

[Runemist34]

I’ve tried a few different ones, and honestly, I just like to go on my own! I find most other people either count too fast, too slow, or include moves I simply cannot achieve or be in comfortably.
I started doing yoga a while ago, and that really helped. I find yoga to be an easy, happy medium that keeps me occupied and stretches places that basically nothing else does.
I also find stretching in my own way allows me some freedom, in case I need to avoid, or focus on, a certain area that day (due to soreness, overstretching, or general discomfort).
What keeps me going is… I just stick it at the end of all my training. Lift weights in the gym? Time for stretching. Pole dance? Stretching after! Running for 30 minutes? Stretch, and then go for a shower.
By attaching it to something else I’m already doing, it takes the “motivation” out of it, which means you don’t need to force yourself to do it. That way, it also takes the need for “progress” out of it- you’re stretching because you worked out, not because you want something.
Flexibility takes lots of time, and certain things take different amounts of time. It’s also not a linear path, you’ll feel like you make lots of progress, take a day or two off, and then suddenly it’s all gone! Or, maybe you stretch a bit too much one day, and then you’re too sore the next.

So, be patient! It takes the time it takes.

Also, if you REALLY want a DVD, I found Felix Can’es flexibility DVD to be the best I tried (and also the best of her DVD set), but it’s a bit hard to follow as she’s not strong on auditory cues 😉

[Runemist34]

I actually do a lot of strength training at the gym- I work out there with my Mum, 3 days a week. No matter what else we do there, core training *always* comes at the end! I have to say, it’s made a huge difference. I’m certain I could stand to bump it up a little more, but even 3 days a week, one exercise each time, has been great. It doesn’t have to take long to make a difference 😉
I attribute the fact that I haven’t actually lost anything I learned from the studio last year to the strength training. It’s been huge for me!
I will check out Veena’s app, though. It’s possible it might be enough to even just get me going, because… well, sometimes (often, let’s be honest) it’s a challenge for me to get going.

Also, core work can really suck at the beginning. It used to make me feel sick to my stomach! But it does get easier. I’m still not good at planks (Mum’s at two minutes and twenty seconds, I’m still struggling at one minute!), but I’m pretty good at everything else!

[Runemist34]

Veena, I see what you’re saying, and also no I didn’t know the app was so cheap! That’s pretty awesome 🙂 I do a lot of strength training in the gym, but doing it at home, and following a rigid program, is… sadly, very boring for me. I need some kind of excitement! That’s why I’m struggling. It’s a difficult balance.

StrangeFox, thank you! I was thinking about 3 moves to work on, but I also really like the idea of having a “feel good” move. I forget that stuff sometimes!

[Runemist34]

Hey Nyxed!
Sadly, I don’t have money for a subscription right now, so following the takeoff’s aren’t possible for the time.
I also find working on a single move extremely boring- I tend to enjoy mixing it up, and thus keeping the moves a little bit more novel for a while. It helps with my attention! However, doing ALL the move stuff seems to be a bit too much. I also get frustrated- I am strong in some ways, and not very strong in others, so for a lot of other people, they think I should be able to do something, when I cannot. This is why I often prefer to work out in a way that I can control (even though I know it comes with pitfalls, such as the one at hand, as well as motivation).
I am always really good about rest days, though! With as many physical hobbies as I have, I’m really particular about my rest days being actual REST days 😉
Thank you for the suggestion, though! 30 days is actually a good amount of time to practice something. Perhaps I will try that in my own way 🙂

[Runemist34]

Hey Strangefox!
My shoulders, upper back, and neck are all super big problem areas for me, so I have had to learn a lot about stretching and caring for them.
First, neck stretching is really, really good for those areas! Especially the traps, as it’s all connected. I enjoy doing very deep, slooow movements with my neck, bringing the chin to chest, and then carefully rotating up and to the side. You’ll feel it, I promise! You can also use one hand to provide a little more weight to the head, but please be careful doing that 😉
I really like doing Eagle arms (from yoga) for a lot of business between shoulder-blade and spine. This one also takes a bit of time to sink into and get used to, but at some point, you’ll really feel it!
Puppy pose is a modification of Downward dog pose, and both of them are meant to stretch through the front shoulder, and open things up.
If you have issues with that one, I would also seriously recommend stretching the chest, too. It’s been one of the worst places for me, stretch-wise, because they’re so stupidly strong! And, they are also very, very important for good shoulder mobility.

If you have lots of knots and tight places in these areas, you can also self-massage with a tennis ball (or if you’re more hardcore, a lacrosse ball or something tougher). Go slow with it, because it can be easy to over-do it for a couple days and then really suffer afterward. But, leaning into the ball either on the wall, or laying on it on the floor, and rolling it around, can help so much in working out tension, knots, and soreness. I also will apply pressure to my back with the ball, right around the shoulder blade, and slowly move my arm, from opposite hip to above my head.
You can look it up on Youtube, too 🙂

Good luck!

[Runemist34]

Is it a recurring subscription for you? Did you pay only once, and then that’s it?
If it’s recurring, you should see it coming up to be paid at some point (I don’t know what kind of sub you paid for), and if you paid it once and then decided you didn’t want to pay it again, you wouldn’t see it there, because you’ve done your thing, and now it’s gone.

[Runemist34]

Hyperextension of joints usually means you’re more flexible through your joints, which is not necessarily a bad thing, but it can sometimes lead to more risk for injury. Many people don’t really notice or have any issues, but if you are seriously loading the arm, you may want to be more careful.
The way to “fix” it is super easy- during a move where your arm is straight and there is weight going down into it, such as a split grip with your right arm on the bottom, just slightly bend the elbow! By bending it, you’re no longer resting through the joints, and instead you’ll use your muscles!
I have hyperextension through the knees, just enough for them to get mad at me if I lock them (as in, fully extend the joint) too much. Since that’s basically how I learned to stand, it’s a long process of learning not to do it! But, I’m not doing too badly.

If you never find it is a problem, I wouldn’t worry too much 🙂

[Runemist34]

Hey there!
This is actually a surprisingly common issue, and probably most of the videos you see online of great dancers staying up the pole forever have worked through similar problems!
First, my biggest suggestion is not to use ANY lotion prior to pole dancing. I have actually changed my own routine, instead of putting any lotion on immediately after a shower, I do it before bed. This can really help!
Second, there are so many different kinds of grip aids, and I actually have used a couple different kinds, depending on what I’m working on, what kind of pole I’m using, and the weather. Some only work a little bit, but I can still use them if I might be doing spins after a brief climb or inverted move. Others, I would never spin with! But, they are great for doing longer strings of aerial moves. My suggestion would be to test them out. Some can also be applied to the pole itself, thus saving you from immediately sweating it away.
Third, of course, are other factors. For me, I live in a very humid climate, and during the summer, it’s hot! I sweat so much more, and often am quite limited in what I can train, or feel safe attempting. This can be helped with climate control, as well as lots of fans, and hand-washing (I will wash my hands a few times within an hour if it’s warm out). Taking into account the finish of your pole, as well as how hard you’re taxing your body, can also affect your sweating.
I have known others to get pole dancing gloves, especially for people with hyperhydrosis, which can be a big challenge for pole dancing.

For your upcoming competition, depending on the constraints of it, you might be able to do a little more of a low-flow, where you stay lower on the pole, and only climb up for moves you are very sure of, sweating or not. This can still look very impressive, and doesn’t necessarily have to be super sexy if that’s not your thing. Keeping things low often also requires more control and strength!

Good luck, keep trying things, and don’t give up!!

[Runemist34]

That’s a rough one. I know a lot of people often feel super tired after work- it can be draining, mentally and physically.
If after work is the ONLY time you have to dance, I would suggest taking a little time out between the two. Do some meditation, eat a good snack, just replenish yourself however you find is best. It might take some experimentation to figure out what works, but a little transition time can really make the difference.
Also, what I found (when I was working and running after my shifts) is that you will have to ask first, and then receive later. You sort of have to do it despite not having the energy, do your best, and find your edge. The energy will come after a week or so of doing this.
It’s the same principle for a very sedentary person saying they have no energy to exercise: They don’t, because they aren’t asking for the energy, so their body isn’t making it. We’re made that way, and energy conservation is very smart if we lived in the wild! But, if you had to hunt or run very often, then your body would make it feel easier, because being slow and sluggish can mean the difference between having food, or going hungry for another day.
So, remember that you will, eventually, have that energy… you just need to keep asking for it, by doing the thing, whether it sucks or not.
Best of luck!

[Runemist34]

Apparently yes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A03E6e8-ueA

[Runemist34]

That’s really difficult to say, since as far as I know, most brands have different ideas of what “light” and “hard” are. I’ve gotten bands that felt almost like nothing, and some that are incredibly crazy. It all depends, and there is often not much indication on most retailers.
Also, most people do not use resistance bands for stretching, though in certain cases I could see it being done. In those cases, those bands may be “encouraging” you past what you should be doing, or into places where your body cannot resist.
For that reason, I would suggest going for the lightest you can find, and then seeing what it’s like from there. Or, you could get yourself a yoga strap or some other, non-stretchy material to test it out. You may prefer to stretch your muscles without the variable of your band stretching as well.

[Runemist34]

You could always use a grip aid on your shoulder (some of them also work well when out on the pole itself), and personally I just wash my sweaty bits before trying a move again.
It can get pretty frustrating in the middle of a routine or something, but for those cases, I would say grip aid 😉

[Runemist34]

Foam rolling, hot bath, and stretching. It’s all super important!
And rest. You’ll get better if you rest, and then you’ll be less and less sore as time goes on.
If you don’t have a foam roller, you can use a rolling pin (particularly for the thighs lol) but also, maybe a partner would be willing to give you a nice butt massage 😉 haha
I also like to have very cold showers for muscle soreness, but I know they aren’t for everyone. Basically, I have my shower at like “casually cool” to start, and get used to it… turn it down a bit, get used to it… repeat, till you can’t get used to it anymore, and stay for as long as you can! And then you’re done lol. I find it helps, and is quite, ah, invigorating 😉
Hope this helps!

[Runemist34]

I’ve been trying to cut down on FB time, and hopefully, only check it once a day or less. It’s really horrible being on there- very negative, very stressful. Blah.
Good for you guys for getting out of there 🙂

[Runemist34]

That makes sense. That’s mostly what I’m doing right now.
I actually had a subscription here years ago, but had to stop. I don’t have an income currently, so I can’t afford… anything, really. But, I know how valuable these lessons can be 😉

[Runemist34]

IG is InstaGram! 😉

[Runemist34]

Unfortunately, I don’t have Veena’s lessons. I’m not really making my own choreography yet, just copying other people. Since a lot of the videos I’m enjoying are on IG, it’s hard to follow them. I’m trying to write them down so it’s easier!
Just wondering if anyone had tips on how to do that in a way that wasn’t… confusing, or incomplete.

[Runemist34]

You could always try Kijiji and maybe go a little broader with Craigslist! And, if you have a local pole studio, maybe they would know someone looking to buy a home pole.
Good luck! Sometimes these things take a while!

[Runemist34]

Hi PolesAndMotorcycles!
Thank you!
I actually have worked quite a bit with mindfulness, as it can be super helpful for anxiety and depression (and I have those, too), but interestingly… with ADHD, I’m not sure if there’s a lot of interaction between the two. Mostly, because ADHD means I am “time blind,” which means… I only have two time zones: Now, and Not Now. Developmentally, around the age of 30 (I’m 32), adults that are neurotypical can plan (and anticipate) up to about 4-5 months, but I’m… kinda stuck at about 2 weeks at most? Preferably a week!
But, with depression and anxiety, yeah, I tend to project into the future or past. It’s a strange thing. I live very much in the “now,” but all of those old/anticipated things are so… hypothetical yet real? Again, hard to explain!
But I really do appreciate the suggestion 😉 I’m trying to get back to my meditation practice (most ADHD-ers freak out about the whole “sitting still” thing, but I really enjoy it… when I can get to it!). I’m also learning how to move tasks from the “not now” time zone into the “now” time zone!

Also, I saw you are from the East coast of Canada… so, Hello from the West coast! I’m on Vancouver island 🙂

[Runemist34]

Yay! That move is so scary to me! Facing the ground like that, my brain has itself a little freak out 😉 I love the look of it, though! I can do the legs part from an elbowstand.
That’s so awesome you’re still giving dancing a go, even with allergies 🙂

[Runemist34]

Wow, an injured hip flexor! That must hurt very often- one of the most used parts of our bodies! I’m lucky I haven’t injured myself from running so far 😉 Just… everything else lol!
I definitely understand chomping at the bit, though. I was dealing with a shoulder injury for a while, and just couldn’t do anything! I so desperately wanted to do… everything! Ahh!
I’m much stronger and more healthy now, so, I think it’s a good time for me to start pole again 😉 And hopefully stick with it! It’s gonna be a challenge.

[Runemist34]

Veena this looks super fun, but a lot of these moves aren’t possible for me. I’m not really even close to a good inverted thigh hold, or a handstand press, or a marley, or like a flag invert woah!

Is there something that people who are “grounded” and not as strong can do during these challenges?

[Runemist34]

Your butterfly looks so solid!! I’m impressed how strong you are!

[Runemist34]

Thanks ladies!! I’m excited to have a pole community again.
I’ve been learning SO much about ADHD, and how it affects things like habits. I seem to get very stuck on prioritization and initiation- the two parts that actually get you started doing things every day, haha 😉 But, I’m trying to put some things in place to help me out. It’s definitely a learning curve, and it doesn’t help when you’re struggling with the very thing you’re trying to help.
It’s so flattering to hear I’ve been missed, or that my old posts and comments were appreciated. Thank you so much for that! It means so much to me.

Strangefox- hitting plateaus is SUPER frustrating! For someone driven for constant novelty/forward motion, it can be horrible. I definitely know how you’re feeling! My plan was always to just change gears when that happens. When I’m lifting weights, I change up my routine pretty often (about every month or so?) and keep it interesting. For pole, you could always change what you’re working on. Like, what about floorwork? Sexy moves? Slowing all your comfortable moves down a bunch? Give yourself some interesting challenges 🙂 Even if you’re working on stuff that feels easy, slowing it down or doing it with more control can make it way, waaaay harder. It’s a good way to challenge your body to break through the plateau!
And yeah, it’s hard to keep doing stuff when it’s not very fun. I’ve been ‘grounded’ pretty much the whole time I’ve pole danced, and it’s hard to stay motivated. I’m starting to figure out there are good ways to have fun on the ground, too! I’ll get aerial… eventually 😉

Dustbunny! I am so touched you were thinking of me! I used to think about putting up videos, but you know all those… roadblocks. I’m sure you know them- I don’t have a nice pole space, or my room is messy, or maybe I don’t the way my thighs look, or maybe I should be better at this move before I post it? It’s tough getting past all the excuses. But, I’m going to see if I can set something up and post, maybe like once a week or so. It may not be perfect, or nice-looking, or great dancing… but, I’m starting to figure out that “perfect” is just a pipe dream my brain lies to me with. I’ll take the 80%, thank you! I would love to have feedback from everyone, even if it is nice comments 🙂

Funny enough, I’ve done so much “research” into pole, I pretty much know how all the moves work within the beginner and intermediate level. I can definitely walk myself through them fairly well! It’s just getting into them, experiencing them, making myself do it. Perhaps eventually I’ll get Veena’s lessons again, once I’m a bit more advanced and need more help!

I actually spent some time figuring out when I’ll dance, how often, what my cue will be (habits need cues! and rewards!). I’ve set it for a time when my partner and my roommate are generally not home… in case I want to get freaky on the kitchen floor lol! I’m sure neither of them would mind, but I get a little self-conscious.
I’m hoping to have my first video for next week. My first baby-step, deer-in-headlights, difficult-transitions video, lol!

Thanks so much for saying hi to me! I’m feeling enthusiastic for now 🙂