[Runemist34]

Hiii! Welcome to SV!
I’ve dealt with a pretty old ceiling, so I know your pain. My step dad knows his way around a drill, but isn’t actually a contractor… so we had to figure some ways to get to those joists!
Best one we found is to take down a light, right out of the ceiling, till you can take a look into the hole (or shove your hand in and find one). Current regulations dictate that joists should be 16 inches apart, but for older housing, it can be a little… random. But that was the best we found!
If your pole has a screw that goes into the ceiling for anchoring, such as the Lil Mynx, you can purchase a longer one from a hardware store in order to get through and up into the proper wood. If you have a pressure-mounted one, such as an Xpole, no need to worry!
Good luck! I know how frustrating it can be. You can do it!

[Runemist34]

Hey there!
First of all, many pole-girp problems happen when the pole is cold, or you are cold! A proper warmup for both you and the pole are very important. For sweaty hands, there are several solutions on various threads on the site, and you can check them out with the search function!
Often overly-dry skin can be a big issue, too, and for that I tend to put moisturizer on after poling (such as during the night) or on my rest days. And, water is very important! Drinking enough water will ensure your skin won’t be overly dry.

I would like to warn you against doing any kind of inverted moves, or any kind of body-lifting moves on a Carmen Electra pole. They are advertised as being able to take it, but many, MANY unfortunate injuries and videos are evidence against that. The pole may be attached to the ceiling, but the connections between each pole piece are not long enough, and I’ve seen many of these poles bend dangerously, and even come apart during a dance.

So, definitely look for a new pole! I’ve heard that Titanium gold is wonderfully grippy, and I’ve found that powder coated is excellent as well.

[Runemist34]

You don’t necessarily need grip aid! I had a stainless steel pole before my current one, and as much as I had the occasional time of less grip, I definitely got a lot done. Most of my pole experience has been done on Stainless, and that finish is reportedly one of the most slippery!
I think that, if you can, wait to have grip aid in your regular routine. If you can last without, you’ll save a lot of money (because you won’t be constantly buying more!) and, in the long run, you won’t be hindered by the need for it. Once you get into super advanced moves, you may find you need grip aid (some of them are crazy, and I could see needing it for them) but… until then, it might be easier on you not to have it!

I would say… get some little shorts (as short as you’re able to go, really) so that you can use your thighs for grip. This is pretty key, even in some earlier moves!
I also used to clean my pole with windex, but there are several forum threads about what you can clean your pole with for various results.
Maybe a good sports bra, too. Like, an actually GOOD one, because some of them are said to be “sports bras” but they don’t really do anything.
If you love the look of shoes, I would highly recommend Ellie and Pleasers for brands, because they’re really comfortable and often a good price (considering these are some pretty huge shoes!).
And um… place to put your pole? I TRY to have enough space all the way around my pole for the entire extension of my leg all the way around, if not more. Hardwood or linoleum floors are best, try to avoid carpet (though it’s not bad to dance on without shoes).
Some awesome music, too!

Just give it a go, and you’ll figure out what YOU need for dancing as you continue!

[Runemist34]

Hey there!
For poles, I have found that the Lil’ Mynx works really well for me- I currently have the Veena pole, and I find it to be everything I want in a pole for dancing on! It has static and spin mode, adjusts to my ceiling height, and is a fantastic shade of purple. It can be a little over-sticky, but I consider that to be more of a “me” problem. Rarely, if ever, does anyone complain about a pole being “too grippy,” most of us have issues gaining any grip at all sometimes!
I do know, though, that there are a lot of users of X-pole here, and a few who use Platinum Stages. They, as well as the Lil Mynx, are the “three big ones” in the pole manufacturing world. I haven’t heard a lot from PS for a while, though. Most people are very “married to their brand,” and can extol the virtues with great excitement… so, whatever you choose, I’m sure you’ll have something to say about it, too!
Be very, very wary of fake poles (there are a lot of very dangerous fake X-poles out there), as well as poles that are quite cheap. Things like the Peek-a-boo pole, and the Carmen Electra pole, advertise being safe for inverted moves and advanced dancers, but are definitely NOT safe!!
We’re trusting our body weight, our momentum, and in many ways, our safety and our health to these poles. So, keep that in mind!
As for lessons, I highly recommend the lessons here. Veena has an excellent way of explaining moves, and she’s even here on the website and forums, if you have any questions! Also, I’ve found Jamilla DeVille’s Art of Pole DVD set to be quite excellent. Her strength routines tend to kick my rear, but she does a fantastic job of explaining and demonstrating moves.

I also wanted to speak about your “extra 25 pounds.” It sounds like you’re being very harsh, and very judgmental about how you look, and that’s not going to help you at all! Many of the ladies here on this site have discovered that it is not WEIGHT that determines how you look, either. Quite a few have started dancing, done really well, and discovered that the scale says they are heavier than they ever were before… but they are much smaller than they were, too! I’ve certainly found this to be true.
You sound like you lead an active life, having horses and having been in the Navy. I don’t think this extra size is nearly as bad as you think it is!
Also, things (such as our metabolism) tends to change as we get older. I’ve had to make changes to my eating habits, as well as sleeping and working out, due to getting older (I’m creeping my way toward 29) and the changes we go through. This may simply be a change in how your body feels that it needs to work. It may be that it’s preparing for a time when you may have children (whether you plan to, or not), and that extra fat is very necessary!

I hope that you have fun with Pole dancing, and find yourself very happy with the way you look!

[Runemist34]

I have this issue, as well, but I have it in both directions: When I pole with other people around, either on skype or in person, I find myself stronger and a little more bold when it comes to trying new moves… but, I am also super shy when it comes to actually dancing, freestyling of any kind becomes almost impossible, because I feel so embarrassed. Something I’m working on.
On the flip-side, though, I do find myself a bit more timid when I work on new moves alone. I think it’s partly because I’m feeling my way into and through the move, I’m more aware of what I’m doing with my body, my contact points, and- yes- the pain. I’m also better at being creative and free, getting into the music I love to play, and no longer feel shy about doing my dancing.

I think, in many ways, it’s about your perspective, and how well you push yourself when you are alone. There are merits to that hyper-awareness of dancing alone, there are drawbacks to feeling like you have no one around to share with.
I think this is why many of the people here, and hopefully myself when I get my camera going and figure out a good angle, put up videos. We’re able to put up our triumphs and our frustrations and share with each other.
Skype jams are also super helpful, because we can work off each other!

Try to find the good points of your situation- you may find that working alone adds something else to your dancing, or to your perspective, your style. 🙂

[Runemist34]

I put my vote in for more help with the sexy stuff, too!
Though a sexy strength routine sounds amazing as well!

[Runemist34]

Woo! Happy birthday, Webmaster!!

[Runemist34]

Ups and downs are TOTALLY part of the journey! In anything!
With pole, I have some days where I really feel my music, and feel like I’m coming up with some fantastic moves (that I wish I was getting on camera, argh!), and getting everything right! And, some days… not so much. Can’t get in the groove, can’t find any music I like, can’t even seem to do the easiest of moves. I’ve lost the groove and, in some of those moments, I feel like I’ll never find it again.
This happens also with writing- even now. I’ve been writing for more than fifteen years, it’s my first love, my hobby, my profession, my degree major and everything that I live to make my heart beat- and some days, I just can’t frigging write at all. False starts (which are generally trashed), horrible ideas, a loss of voice, all of it. Some days I can’t even type straight.
It happens to ALL of us, in ALL things! It’s totally natural. Humans aren’t machines, though we like to think we are. You ever suddenly breathe wrong and go into a coughing fit? Just means you had a slight malfunction! You’re not perfect, and your dancing isn’t always going to be perfect, either. And, that is true of EVERY human on the planet. Even the Dalai Lama.

Remembering these things, that you are going to have off days, even months, is a big part of not getting down on yourself. You’re going to struggle with things.
You’ve had two weeks off, which is going to take you back a little bit on your strength. Just a little bit, but sometimes it’s enough. And, if you’re still not at 100%, that invert is going to seem a million miles away! Weakness and frustration is part of being sick, too.
Be gentle with yourself. Remember that all of us have gained, and even inexplicably lost, moves for seemingly no reason! The days we gain are ones we feel good about, and the ones we lose… well, I think we need to just accept. You don’t need to place your worth, as a dancer or otherwise, on one bad day- or even one bad month.

Congratulate yourself on getting up there, and doing your best! You’re on the road to your goals- no matter how difficult, slow, and bumpy that road might be.
We’re all right there with you!

[Runemist34]

So, I’m also possibly getting on this Instagram thing. I’ve tried not to for a while… but, well, I’m on twitter now, why not instagram too?
Not sure how much I’ll post or how much of it will be pole-related.
Mostly, there’s a really cool October challenge from one of my favourite blogs that I think I’d like to be involved in. She actually does a lot on there, so I keep thinking I’d like to try it.
I also think maybe it’ll make my twittering a little more interesting, because I’ll have stuff to post about! I’ll let you guys know what my name is (though, most likely, it’ll be the same one I have here).

[Runemist34]

I’m so sorry that you had such a bad experience buying your pole!
I’m sure there must be a way to salvage the issue!
First thing that came to mind for me was powder-coating it! I love my powder coated pole, it’s REALLY grippy and I love it!
I realize, not the same as your chrome poles in the studio, but that MAY be a good thing! It means that if you have some issues sticking to chrome, you can practice the move at home, or vice versa.
It would also give you a bit more experience, as you’ll hone your skills and find out what it is you prefer! If you ever travel abroad, too, you’ll be better versed in different types of poles.

[Runemist34]

I’m not great with aerial moves yet, but I know that Felix Cane uses the Apprentice (or Thigh rest around here) for a lot of her transitions- she even says so in her DVDs when teaching said move.
I’m sure I’ll find mine one day! I have a lot of ideas… I just need to become stronger for them 🙂

[Runemist34]

Well, yes, totally normal. Lots of people tend to only use their dominant side to get used to moves, to practice them. I notice this with a lot of things, actually, including and especially poi and staff spinning! Pole, well, definitely something to work on- you don’t want one “popeye” arm and one “olive oil” arm 😉

Frustration can be… well, frustrating! But you’ll see progress, just as you did on your dominant side. It’s actually good for your brain as well as your body to use both sides! But, it can also be like you’re back at square one- in some ways, you are, but you’re just a bit more prepared this time!
Be careful not to push yourself too hard. Saying to yourself “I know this move, so it shouldn’t take so long to get it on this side” can be true, but building strength will take time, and you don’t want to push forward past what your non-dominant side can do, just because your dominant side can.

Take it slow, and remember that this will open up a whole world of greater moves and more freedom for you on the pole! You can do it 😉

[Runemist34]

Webjunk:
The stereo, with speakers, is in the closet. Airport Extreme right now isn’t doing anything, but hopefully soon it will eventually be plugged in with the stereo, so I can access it remotely through the Wifi of my laptop.
I was using my webcam previously to record some other things I was doing online, but it wasn’t oriented to the pole, so I didn’t see what the wide-ness of the angle was for that.
Mostly on that one, the closet is very close to my pole (like, right next to it- maybe a couple feet) and, with current setup, very short cable from stereo goes to laptop, and slightly longer cable from laptop obviously goes to webcam… but with it all being so close to my pole, I don’t get a very good angle or distance for the pole.
As I said, the furthest distance I can get from my pole is across the bed, but… then there’s a bed in the way. My bedroom is the largest room in my house… but there is quite a bit of furniture!

[Runemist34]

Thanks Lola!
Webjunk, I do have a webcam, but I haven’t seen much of a difference with angles and such. Also, my webcam is tethered to my computer when I want to use it… and when I dance, my computer is tethered to my stereo, which is in my closet (and one of the doors must be closed for me to have space to dance), so trying to figure a way of getting my webcam able to see me dance is tricky! That’s why I have been trying to use the Canon.
Eventually, I hope to have my Airport express hooked up to my stereo, so my computer doesn’t need to be connected to it directly (thus freeing myself of having to choose between music and a possible video I’d like to watch, such as one of Veena’s lessons or something).

[Runemist34]

Okay, so… my takeaway from this is basically I’m going to have to wait till I have a bigger space, lots of money for a camera with a different lens, or totally rearrange my room (which may or may not be possible or conducive to having enough space to pole at all) in order to actually record my dancing in a way that shows all of me.
I mean, I love hearing the science and stuff behind light bouncing and cameras, but… I had hoped there was going to be a bit more for suggestions on this one. I know there have been a few polers on here with very small spaces, and they do get videos out.

[Runemist34]

As much as I love the idea of using a mirror, my only mirror is wall-mounted, and the room is really not conducive to using it to showcase my pole. Directly next to the pole is the closet, and the only proper place for the mirror is directly next to that. I’d love to angle the mirror, or move it to accomodate (especially since I’d love to be able to see myself dance in it!) but I haven’t yet figured out how to do that.
At some point, I may rearrange my room, and have that in mind. I’m hoping to get rid of my own dresser and add in my desk, allowing me to have some place for work, and maybe I’ll move some other things around so I can do that.
The maximum amount of space I can have between my pole and the video camera is approx. 9 feet, but there’s a bed literally between the two spaces. Otherwise, I’d say max space around 3-4 feet from camera to pole.

[Runemist34]

Hey there!
Sorry to hear that you’re stuck and in pain. That really sucks and I know how it feels!
However, this is a time when you can get creative and keep yourself moving, maybe even bring your new experiences back to pole when you’re feeling better.
On that note, I know that a friend of mine with twisty spine (scoliosis) found Tai Chi to be extremely good for her! It encourages good posture and controlled movement without being difficult on the body, and without impact of any kind.
Belly dancing is a lot of fun, too! If you get into the more advanced stuff, I found it can really increase your body awareness. Just don’t go up on those toes too much!
Have you gotten into Yoga? It would also help, and there’s a lot of strength component in it as well, though sometimes it doesn’t feel like it.

I hope that you feel better very soon!

[Runemist34]

Good to know! I was wondering about that when I came on today.
Why are some stars not fully gold, but seem to be grayish in the middle?

[Runemist34]

Alright, so my video camera is a Canon Vixia HF R300. I’ve not seen any indications that the zoom can be “turned off,” and generally I have it at absolute minimum zoom I can get, anyways.
I have a pretty good tripod that it’s compatible with, too, but as I said, when contending with the bed and all the furniture, I’m not sure where or what angle to place the camera at in order to actually see me dancing, and not just have half the shot being of my bed, or my bookshelf, or just showing my feet or just my torso.
Any help with that would be awesome.

[Runemist34]

The Veena pole is one piece, and if you’re moving, it can be pretty difficult to predict how tall your ceilings are!
In that case, being able to move around and adjust your pole would be key for you, so as I said, you find a pole that works with what you need it to! Just be sure that it’ll be able to handle what you’re going to do with it without bending or being scary.

[Runemist34]

Hey there!
On the topic of portable or removeable poles, you need to be careful! I know that Lil Mynx’s fully portable pole is not recommended for a person’s full body weight, and some of the moves in the intermediate range, and getting more advanced, could put a lot of strain on it.
I have a lil mynx (it’s actually the Studio Veena pole, which is similar to their regular coloured poles, but not quite the same) and it connects into the ceiling via a bolt into the studs in the ceiling, and a mounting point. It’s extremely easy to put in, take out (and take the pole down when not using, if you want), as well as make it look great in case you’re moving. I’ve done it many, many times!

I’m very happy with the powder coated pole. Having had a stainless steel pole previously, I trust the powder coat a lot more, and find myself better able to grip and try new things.

In the end, though, I suggest you do your research into how much weight poles can take (if it’s not listed, I would say it’s probably not much!), how well they’re anchored in, and whether they meet your needs. If you NEED it to be completely portable, you’re going to see some drawbacks, but… it’s totally up to you!

The major thing is that none of us want you to get hurt!

[Runemist34]

I believe the 30 day challenge is part of the lessons, so when you pay for one you pay for all of it!
I do seriously recommend them though. I don’t have a studio nearby, so the lessons here are pretty much all I use… and they’re fantastic 😉

[Runemist34]

I have a small camcorder, which doesn’t really take lenses or anything. I’m not sure if you can disable the zoom, but I’ll look into it! Would be nice to be able to get more into shot, as long as it’s the right stuff 😉 As far as I know, I can’t get any new lenses for this thing… and if I can, it’ll be pretty expensive!
I’d love to know if anyone has any tips for camera angles and such with smaller spaces, though, in case it’s not something I can disable.

[Runemist34]

Well, bruises and pole burn ARE things we need to deal with, but if they’re getting discouraging, I think that it’s not something you should just be “living with.”
You don’t want to be pushing yourself too hard and feeling unhappy and in pain. Perhaps cutting back one of those days would make the other two more productive! Also, depending on the moves you know and can do, you can always avoid some and work on others so that you’re not sore all over all the time.

[Runemist34]

Personally, I take supplements because I know I am iron deficient, and it helps me maintain the level of nutrients I know I require in a day… because I recognize my diet isn’t always awesome (though it is definitely getting better!) My go-to right now is Carnatian Instant Breakfast, because it’s chocolate(ish) and I can drink it fast. It’s actually encouraged me to start eating in the morning, as well as providing my iron and other needs in a much more effective way for me.

I’ve seen, heard of, and learned about a lot of different ways to build muscle, lose fat, and all that jazz. I’ve also seen doctors change their tune over the decades, I’ve seen the inception of BMI into our culture (which I wholeheartedly disagree with), and I’ve heard about very, very many different kinds of diet and “weight” loss exercises.

My advice? Learn about YOUR body. What does it respond to? Do you prefer strength training, but see huge results (the kind that you want) from cardio? Is there a way you can enjoy both, or combine the two? What sorts of foods make you feel best, and what sorts do you feel you need more of?

The science around these things is constantly changing, and it’s difficult to get a handle on what is “the best” because it can be the best for one person, and for another it could be the absolute worst… and for most, it’s somewhere along the spectrum.