[Runemist34]

Sure! Lots of armpit holds leave the deodorant on pole. But, I find it’s not too hard to clean off- just a dry cloth, or maybe some windex 😉

[Runemist34]

I totally understand your frustration with the doctor- especially if you don’t live somewhere with free medical, it can be really upsetting for them to take up your time pushing stupid things, instead of you actually getting help.
Have you had your thyroid checked? Just a thought, and I’m not sure if it’s a standard check.
Otherwise… I’m not sure! You may be dealing with a sort of aftershock of your previous experiences, where you are normal for a bit, and then you struggle, but in a less severe way.
At the very least, I am happy to hear that you still eat during these times!

Also, I would honestly suggest not faking or fighting it. Like, eat food, yes. You need to take care of yourself, and even creating a routine so that you just know “Oh, it’s 1pm, time for lunch” and it’s not so much of a struggle to stop doing what you’re doing, because you’ll be prepared for it. But, when it comes to emotions… fighting them, in my experience, is just so much worse, and they still don’t obey.
You don’t need to put on the nice face, you don’t need to finish it all in one go. Pick at it if you need to, and if someone gets you a gift because they’re being nice, tell them that you appreciate the gesture. I’m positive that you would do; those closest to you will understand the cycles you go through, and that you might save the gift, or just fight through, and not expect you to put a face on for them. Those who aren’t as close, you can always make some kind of racing driver’s excuses. Tell them you’re on your period and can’t have whatever right now for fear of a breakout. They don’t need to know it’s not actually that, and it saves you from their guilt trips. Sometimes a little white lie is better than getting into it. You have to pick your battles, and choose where your energy goes. You aren’t hurting anyone that way.
But try not to fight it too much. You’re allowed to have your emotions, or your apathy.

[Runemist34]

Hey Serzi!
I seem to recall that you had mentioned you had previous history with eating disorders, and I’m wondering if this is just sort of a slow and frustrating throwback to that. (If I am correct- if not, ignore that line!)
During the time when you have an appetite, do you ever enjoy the food you are eating? Do you think “Wow, that smells good!” and then eat it, with joy and appreciation? Is there still some guilt about enjoying food at all, or perhaps some other bad feelings?
My own relationship with food isn’t perfect, and generally, I eat the same things, over and over and over again. I eat to keep my body going, and if I didn’t need to eat at all, I would probably only ever eat dessert on occasion! However, the things I do eat, I can enjoy in the moment, and I have found I have a very picky palate. I prefer food to be simple, both in flavour and texture. VERY picky!
Recovering from an eating disorder can take a lot longer than we think. Sometimes, recovery also means creating a GOOD relationship with food, rather than a neutral one.

Otherwise, perhaps a doctor would have more insight. It may not be a nutritional deficiency, but it may be something else. I know that when I am stressed, or upset, I tend not to crave food at all. Nothing will entice me. I care for nothing, and only eat because I know I have to (and even then, it’s so minimal). Emotions play into food a lot these days, so it can be frustrating!

Keep going, Serzi! You’ll figure it out 🙂

[Runemist34]

That was lovely! Great transitions, excellent tricks, and lots of confidence. I really liked the camera angle and distance, because you could see a lot more of what she was doing, how she was holding. It helped me appreciate it a bit more!
Wouldn’t have known she was a porn star if you hadn’t mentioned it… and, honestly, I don’t understand why people would put her down for it. To do something like that takes strength- both the porn, and the dancing!

[Runemist34]

Mechie, the position of her top hand after she transitions into Reverse grab spin, how the thumb is pointed upward and twists around like that, is referred to as twisted grip.
It can be a very dangerous grip to use, and can result in things like torn ligaments and tendons, and a very angry shoulder. It’s usually used by people who have some very strong shoulder and back muscles, but isn’t recommended to do very often, or practiced very much, because of the strain it can put on your joints.

[Runemist34]

Hey there!
It can be really frustrating to come up against your own challenges, head on and face-to-face, and feel like you aren’t up to the challenge. It can feel like a defeat, and further from that, many people start to tell themselves that they are failures, that they aren’t good enough. That they might as well give up. I hear a lot of this in your post.
So, my suggestion would be to take a step back and get some distance in your head about the issue. You are obviously feeling emotionally charged (not necessarily a bad thing) and passionate, but I also think you are defeating yourself before you even get there! Let yourself look at it from a different angle.
First off, you start out telling US that you’re not very good at the gymnastic end of pole; how many times have you said that to yourself? How many times have you judged yourself against others, and decided you came up short? How many times have you looked at one of those moves and decided you just aren’t good enough to even ATTEMPT it, even in it’s most basic form?
Next, well, I think you need a little perspective from those of us down here at the beginner level. I can’t really do an advanced plank without shaking. I can’t do a CAR, or a basic invert. Anything past that is well beyond me. And, while I would LOVE to be able to practice, practice, practice until my arms fell off… I’m dealing with a chronically injured shoulder and am BANNED from any kind of heavy lifting, including trying to pole dance. I’m not going to get any better at all, for a long time. And I’ve been this way, for a long time. So, if you can shoulder mount at all, then you are amazing to me. You are superwoman to me. You have achieved the impossible.
Finally, I think you are judging yourself against others, but only in a bad way. My suggestion is not to judge or compare at all: You are all on a different journey, and you have absolutely no idea how hard those other ladies might be working to do what they can on the pole, or what kinds of things they say to themselves. You have no idea what they think when they see you doing what you do best, and judging themselves against you! Which means that our journeys are unique and individual, incomparable. Judgement only means that we put ourselves down.
What you’re not saying is what you are good at. You probably don’t say it to yourself, because rarely do people do that at all. We’re told it’s bad, to be proud of yourself, because others might think it’s vain. But, who else is going to celebrate you, if you don’t? Wave your flag, girl. Even if that flag is completely grounded, wave the hell out of it. If that flag is the most graceful Gemini you ever did see, wave it till everyone knows about it. And look for other things you do well. Is it your beautiful feet? Your bendy back? Your transitions, or maybe a special move you love? Are you particularly good at spins?
Do you know?

Get out there and celebrate what you are GOOD at. And, when you come across something you’re not good at, but want to be, work on it, slowly and in your own way. Learn about it. Find out what’s blocking you, be it fear, an injury, or something else. It’s a chance to go deeper, to trust more, to love yourself. It’s a chance to learn about you, and why you come to this challenge so often.

So keep going!

[Runemist34]

The 2 weeks you should likely not pole, because you are still healing. So, no rubbing, scrubbing, poking, touching, scratching, itching, or picking.
Like, most people say you shouldn’t even rub it in the shower. If you do, you had best do it in the gentlest way that is humanly possible. I literally took a bunch of bubbles and just put them on my arm, without touching the actual skin. I then washed it off with the water that bounced off my body from the actual shower, because the shower water directly applied hurt like hell.
And then, yes, once all the healing business is done and it’s not shedding anymore, you can put on an arm band to cover it 🙂

[Runemist34]

I would suggest waiting until all the skin has stopped shedding, and also after it’s no longer sore. At that time, you would probably be safe to put something over it so the pole doesn’t rub or pull on it, and then after a while, you’ll feel comfortable with it again, and it’ll not be a problem.
I have a tattoo in the same area, and will be getting my next one in a few weeks!

[Runemist34]

@ MrsSass
I actually run, have been doing for nearly 2 years now, and it’s been fantastic for me (I had knee problems previously, was in chronic pain for half my life… and now my knees work, and I’m no longer in pain!), and has shown me a LOT of what I can do with my body, and how it works.
Unfortunately I’ve recently had a lot of shoulder and right arm issues, which have prevented me from poling the way I want to, as frequently as I want to.
I still do yoga, despite the issues, and have found it to be quite enlightening, too. I never used to trust my body, I would never have looked at the Downward Facing Dog and thought “I could do that.” In fact, I didn’t think I could do most of yoga! But, I was curious, and since running has boosted my self-esteem and helped me realize that I can do more than I think, so I decided to give it a go and really find out what I can do.
And wouldn’t you know it? I can do 3 Legged Dog, I can do a full side plank, I am seeing more flexibility in my hamstrings (poor things!) and other places. I’ve learned my body is capable of so much more than I thought! And I’m starting to see a bit more definition in the shoulders, arms, and core.

I don’t consider “Weight” (as in, what the scale tells you) to be an indicator of health, nor do I find that BMI is in any way scientifically based. BMI has done nothing but tell me how “overweight” I am, even at my lightest, my healthiest (which is NOT my lightest, but in fact, my “heaviest”), and my happiest.

I always like to think about what my body is capable of!

[Runemist34]

Hey there!
It can be really, really hard to hear everyone around you talk about this stuff, and not do it yourself. It’s a common problem, as we are social creatures, and we’re pretty smart, so not only do we mimic physical behaviours in order to fit in with the others around us, but also mental and emotional behaviours. It helps us all “fit together” so that we can get along.
However, since we’re not all in the wild and living in a tribal way anymore, we don’t necessarily have to participate in those behaviours- we can even go away and find other people who are more like the way we want to be, and fit with our own values. It’s scary, but it’s definitely beneficial.

Dealing with your own negative self-talk is tough all on it’s own, and it’s hard to look at ourselves and think we are beautiful all the way through, and not judge or nitpick our bodies. It’s sort of built into a lot of our media, including television and those magazines you see at the side of cash registers. We hear it talked about by other people, and there are a lot of things twisted up in this problem (things like being told we need to be attractive for men, or that we are less valuable if we aren’t attractive, and even that our physical size is an indicator of how much we love and take care of ourselves, despite it being absolutely nothing to do with that).

When it comes to other people’s self-talk, though, that’s a whole different thing. I think about it this way: Ten percent of what we think is actually what comes out of our mouths. So, if you hear things like “I wish I could do this move, but my thighs are too big,” you’re only hearing 10% of what that person puts themselves through about those supposedly big thighs.
How are you supposed to compete with that kind of constant horrible inner influence?

You’re not.

The way you talk to yourself can also change your filter. When someone says “Size 16/18 is disgusting” they are not saying that YOU are disgusting, they are stating their opinion, based on some kind of ridiculous generalization they’ve made about what that size looks like.
It’s like people around me saying “Oh, I used to be 200lbs but it was so horrible.” They aren’t saying *I* am horrible, they are saying that their account of being that weight was horrible, or that they expect ALL people to look and feel the way they did when they weigh 200lbs.
And it’s somewhat funny when I confront people about it. Now and then I’ll have to give my weight (for example, when I renewed my Driver’s licence), or I’ll be discussing it and wanting to make a point. I either ask them for their opinion (Usually somewhere between 130 and 160 pounds) or I’ll simply give it, and I get the old “Up and down” look, and they say, “What, really?”

Yes, really. I weigh that much, I’m the fittest I’ve ever been, and I still wear a size 12. Probably gonna go up, too, because those pants can’t handle the incredible muscle I’ve made in my thighs and rear. I no longer wear knee-high socks, because they also can’t handle my muscles.

So, generally, don’t try to change someone else’s self-talk, because that’s a losing battle and will take far, far more effort than you can afford.
Change your own self-talk, and with it, your perspective of what people are actually saying. You can translate their words. Instead of “Omg that’s huge,” translate that into “I think of people that size in a sweeping generalization based on what society and the media tells me, as well as my own body type, and I’m going to agree with the person speaking so that we can all get along and validate the work and suffering we think we all have to go through in order to be considered attractive to society’s fucked up beliefs around beauty, even though men don’t actually subscribe to it, and I’m actually getting my information from biased sources.”
It’s easier than writing it all out, and it gets easier with practice.

[Runemist34]

I had looked into the DragonFly brand as well, but unfortunately I’ve got issues with their sizing, as well as the straps.
Most of the bras seem to have strappy backs, and while that is nice for those who sweat on the back a lot, it’s not nice for the boobs, or for those things pressing really hard into the skin. Not really going to provide much support there for making sure things are, as my sister says, “locked and loaded.”
And, for the sizes, you need to remember that these bras are not adjustable, there are no hooks, it’s all just elastic. Going up to an XL because of your bust size is going to bring the band underneath up in size as well, so it likely won’t help you for any kind of support. And, if by some miracle you find one that supports and fits under the bust… it’s gonna be HELLA hard to get off. I’ve tried, seriously. It’s a struggle for like, 15 minutes.
I have honestly never had any luck with those kinds of sports bras. I need something fitted to my actual bra size.
I understand the wish for something that matches, but it may be easier to find shorts that match your sports bras, rather than the other way around!

[Runemist34]

Hey there!
I did actually make a huge post about women with larger breasts, and the needs of them, when poling, but sadly I can’t find it right now (argh!)
When it comes to ladies like us (I wear a 34 I or a 36 H, depending on the bra), we really need those things locked in, and most “pole bras” or sport tops are NOT going to do it. They aren’t made for ladies like us, especially those in the small-ribcage, big-boobs range. Frustrating, I know!
Best recommendation would be to find a sports bra that you like. As you’re in the UK, you have access to some of the brands that I’ve only dreamed of, out here in Canada, so take advantage of that! Sports bras can be found with both wires, and unwired varieties, as well as multiple colours, and black, and white…
There are options for us, they just… may not look quite the same as for ladies with itty bitty bits.

[Runemist34]

Hey there!
So, “finish” is what the pole is made out of. These will affect your grip, as well as the way the pole looks (titanium gold being a gold colour, brass being… well, brass coloured).
Grip, unfortunately, depends on both you and your climate, as well as the pole. Certain poles work well for some people, like those who get dry skin, but have a wetter climate, may find a pole made of stainless or chrome easier to work with. Those who sweat more, I think, prefer brass or titanium gold (don’t quote me on this, I have a different pole than any of these, so I don’t have a lot of experience with them).

I’m sure some of the ladies on here would be able to tell their tales of woe as well as wonder when it comes to pole finishes!

[Runemist34]

Hey there!
Recognizing that a failed business is bothering you is really important- if that business was something you put a lot of time and energy into, you may actually be mourning it’s loss, so give yourself the time and space to do that.
I suffered from depression since I was about 8 years old, until I was around 22- at that point, I found that my depression stemmed from anxiety, and even now, when my anxiety becomes unmanageable, I still slip into depression as a “safety feature.” It’s not a great fallback, but at least I know what I’m doing when I’m depressed. (I realize that sounds pretty sad, but it’s a part of life for me, so I’m not overly sad about it)

I also dealt with my depression without medication, and I even continue to deal with my anxiety without medication. It’s not an easy road, and for a very long time, I kept being told that I should have medication… and that I was “not taking my depression seriously” by refusing their suggestions of medication, and only medication. I generally couldn’t get the help I needed, so I had to find my own way.
So, first off, I’m going to tell you something that one of my best, and most brief, counsellors told me: What if you just had it over to visit, and let it stay, instead of fighting it?
The emotion will be here whether you like it or not, and… you’re still around! So, why not let yourself be depressed instead of constantly fighting it? Just relax, and it’ll move on in it’s time.
I realize that can be scary. There are a lot of questions that come up when it’s suggested. Things like “What if it just gets worse?” (It won’t, it never got worse unless I actually fought it), “What if it never goes away?” (You can’t have one emotional state for too long, it’s impossible, so it WILL move on), and finally “If I don’t fight it, wouldn’t I be just giving up?” (No, you are trying a new method of dealing with it, of managing it).
You are allowed to have emotions, including feeling depressed! It’s okay.

The second part is the habits of depression. Because I was like this for so long, and very much during some key parts of my life, I formed a lot of behaviours that related to depression. They seemed to perpetuate my depression, long after I had realized I no longer needed it to “protect” me, or had a use for it at all. I had to start changing, and I had to know about those behaviours before I could shift them, or get rid of them.
For me, it was a lot of self-talk, and a lot of particular actions. I stopped participating in the News almost entirely- no news websites, no TV, no newspaper, none of that. It depressed me, made me afraid of the world, and sad. Not great.
And with self talk… well, things like “I can’t do that,” or “I’m not good enough,” though they aren’t really put into words like that. It was a feeling that I was inadequate, less-than-human, that I was lower and lesser than everyone around me. That somehow I, some lowly horrible being that I believed I was, had been confused for being just like everyone else… and they would eventually figure out I wasn’t the same.
You know what? I am the same. I am human, and I am just as capable. I may also be “different” in that I am not the normal for most people: My progress physically can be quite slow, and my progress mentally can sometimes have holes in it that other people do not have. But, I am also a writer, I am someone who sees through people’s egos and disguises, I see their behaviours and their motivations. There are things I pick up that other people do not. In that way, I am “different,” but it’s something I’m proud of.

My suggestion right now… try not to push yourself too hard. Go for a walk, even for ten minutes, every day. Make a habit of it.
Perhaps start a journal, start conversations with yourself. You’re a person who needs someone to talk to, and who better than you to do that? You may already know what you’re going to say, but it’s the act of saying it that is important. It’s the act of listening to yourself, that is important.
Try some meditation if you like, too. Depression can be distracting and difficult, and for me, anxiety is similar- distracting, busy. I like meditation as a way of gaining some perspective, allowing myself to see more than just a mental illness.

Just go slow. Trust yourself. 🙂

(And, yes, when you need help, PLEASE call someone. Those hotlines are there for YOU, and they can be super useful. Your self-care is important, and sometimes that means bringing someone else in.)

[Runemist34]

@Greyeyes- That’s a great idea! Totally forgot I could get things used or whatever from E-bay.
I hate wearing things on my wrist, too, and it’s a bit frustrating that the ones with better features are wrist-only.
Also I don’t sleep with anything but panties, and I suppose I could put the One on them, but… little bit uncomfortable maybe?
Of all of them, I think the One would be best for me. I’ll have to keep looking at it though!

[Runemist34]

Hey Lucca!
WOW 30 minutes seems like a LONG TIME. I don’t think I’ve ever really heard of something like that.
Most performances last about 5-ish minutes, give or take, and depending on how you react to being on stage, and how you are moving, that can feel like an incredibly long time on it’s own. Times that by six, and you might be pretty exhausted by the end!!
My biggest recommendation would to test it out and see what you’re capable of right now. Try your idea- not too much on the movement, just hang out in some easier poses and try to make it look fancy with some arms or footy work. Time yourself to see how long you last, and how long it takes for you to feel super tired. Record it and see how long you actually stay in those poses for.
Honestly, when you’re waiting for something, a single minute can seem like forever. If you’re getting bored in a pose and feel like you want to move, you may only have been there 30 seconds!
I would also think that, if you’re going to spend so much time in one pose, your transitions may also be slowed down very far, too. Thus, it gives your flow and performance a slow and steady progress, nothing like a sudden movement and then stop (spinning notwithstanding, of course). This could also take a lot of your strength and stamina, so a balance will have to be found.
Once you figure out how long “a long time” feels like on the pole, you might have a better idea of whether you can commit to the full 30 minutes, or if you’ll need to bring it down a notch or three.

Good luck!! (Good Lucca? Hehe)

[Runemist34]

I was actually just looking at a Fitbit! I don’t have the money for one right now, but… I’m hoping that the future will allow me to get one 🙂 It would be great to have pole on there!!

[Runemist34]

I’m glad to hear that you did have some kind of diagnosis… even if it sucks! Sometimes it can help to have the knowledge.
I would actually suggest going back and seeing if you can get a second, or even third opinion on what can be done, and how to manage the condition appropriately. I refused drugs for depression and anxiety for years (like, probably about 10 years) every time I saw the doctor, and they’ve eventually just stopped suggesting it to me. You do NOT have to accept that as a form of treatment, and you can ask for other things. Drugs aren’t the answer all the time, and I completely respect your wish not to have them. So should the doctors!
Otherwise, my best advice would be to take it slowly, and pay close attention to what is happening. Look for patterns (so, if you do the back bending exercises, and then next day or the day after that, you’re in terrible pain… or, who knows, you might feel better??), or for direct issues like shooting pains or seizing. That way, you can see if it’s going to do you harm, or if it’s benign and normal, or even helpful. Taking things slower than what they say in the DVD would probably be useful till you know what to expect, and you know how it’s going to affect you.
Obviously, if it’s bad, then I greatly suggest not doing it 😉 lol
Also, thinking about low back pain and stuff… how is your core strength? I could see that been really helpful in keeping everything aligned and in the right place, and slowing any growing issues.
Also, if you wanna check out the yoga I like it’s here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFKE7WVJfvaHW5q283SxchA
She has the 30 Day Yoga thing way down, and she really likes this rocking move that feels pretty awesome on my own back. Perhaps I would be helpful!

[Runemist34]

Hey there!
Have you seen a health profession about your back?
That kind of diagnosis is very serious, and could affect a lot of the things you do in life. It’s extremely difficult to know what is really happening to your back without someone else taking a look. There are certain things that are just not written down… it’s like reading Tarot cards. Not everyone is going to know that two specific cards placed together means something like substance abuse (for example), where neither of the cards points to that at all.
Diagnosing yourself is a risky, and tricky business, and can have very many pitfalls.
I would seriously suggest seeking professional, medical help for your back if you are concerned and in chronic pain.
Are you able to do things like the cat-cow in yoga? What happens with your lower back when you’re in these positions? Are your shoulders flexible, and can you reach your upper arms up to your ears, or even past that, without arching your back? Are there any things that specifically aggravate your lower back, or is it just a constant pain that has no ups or downs at all?
These are all good things to know and think about before attempting any kind of spinal flexibility when you are dealing with chronic pain. And, good things to tell your doctor.

[Runemist34]

There is absolutely nothing I could possibly add or subtract from TropicalVertical’s post.
Except to say this: Alethea Austin worked for over 5 years to achieve the splits. Like, nonstop, every damn day, dedicated training. 5 years.
Stick with it, keep going.
To keep yourself interested and engaged, you could always try some new things, like a different style, some tricks you don’t do very often, or putting the things you do well together in weird ways.
Keep working, keep going.
And have faith in yourself.

[Runemist34]

Hey there!
I’m so sorry to hear you’re feeling discouraged, and that you’re so sore after your pole classes!
Like you, I didn’t move much at all for most of my life. I started pole dance around the same age as you. It was so hard to even trust my body to do what I asked of it, let alone to have the strength for what I wanted to do, or the confidence. It was so hard just to do a spin or to hold the pole properly! I didn’t know how my shoulders should go, or what to do with my back to protect the muscles and my sensitive areas.
So, here’s my advice:
First, it sounds like your pole dancing class is moving too quickly for you! Withink 5 sessions, I could barely do a single spin correctly- there just isn’t enough time given to each move, or to allow your body to adapt properly. You may need to grow your own pole dance slower, because your body is so surprised about being worked!
Second, I would say that your classes are too difficult. You shouldn’t be sore for that long! Sore for about a day, the next day after dancing, is about the right amount. You have to remember, you are doing so much with your body when you pole dance! This is very much about strength, and you are working your muscles hard. You don’t want to push TOO hard, or else you’ll end up injured and banned from the pole for a while! So much more frustrating!
Third… try yoga. While I love pole dancing, and being unable to dance currently because of a shoulder/neck problem (I still need to yell at my doctor on Tuesday about it!), I found that yoga is a great way to move when I don’t have the energy, and to stretch my muscles, and get a little strength training in, so that I’m more ready for the pole later on. Also, I do love the pole, but… It didn’t help me to trust my body, and it didn’t help me learn what I was really capable of, because I was afraid of it! Falling off the pole can be really scary, and some of the shapes we make can be dangerous. With yoga, it’s safer, and you’re closer to the ground in case you fall. I’ve learned so much through yoga, and it’s helped my pole dancing like nothing else!
I do yoga online, on Youtube, as I can’t afford classes… and I’m uncomfortable working with myself that way in a group. I prefer Yoga with Adriene, and you can give it a shot, if you like!

Finally, I know it can be scary, but I really enjoy doing pole dance at home, with Veena’s lessons here. It allows me to move at my own pace, and to learn the way I need to learn. There are lots of resources, but Veena’s lessons are one of the best I’ve found out of the very many I have tried.

There are also some things you can do to help with sore muscles. Foam rolling is good, as is massage (if you can afford it). Taking a shower in which you alternate hot and cold (not too quickly, about 5 minutes each) can also help! Stretching properly, and NOT flexibility training, is also really awesome to do.

For reference, I am now 30 years old, I run, do yoga, dance, and lift weights. I’m 200lbs and in the best shape of my life… and I used to never imagine I could do any of the things I do now, ever.
All I used to do was sit in front of my computer, and struggle through work. When I was in University, it was all just sitting, sitting. I was completely unconnected to my body. I had no strength.

It can change, it just takes time, and consistency. And, it takes knowing how much is too much, and how much is too little. You’ll learn as you move more, I promise!!

[Runemist34]

Hey there!
I’m sorry to hear you’re sad, and being injured SUCKS. I have totally been there!
There are quite a few women around who are much older than you or I, and are doing awesome things on the pole. Their progress may be slower than “normal” (but what is normal, really?), but they are hot as f*ck and workin’ it hard. I’m looking forward to being just like them one day!
I also wanted to say that… I DID start pole when I was much younger, in my early 20’s, and I found myself much-injured and discouraged. I have never really been very active in my life, so I didn’t know how my body was supposed to work or move, and I didn’t know how much was “too much.” And, I took many months off, which was also frustrating. I didn’t know how to motivate myself to do something when I didn’t feel like it, I didn’t get any kind of interest or validation from my husband at the time (now my ex-husband), so I ended up sad and discouraged.
I still struggle with huge amounts of self-judgement and negative self talk when I dance. But, I’ve learned a lot since I was that young, 20something pole dancer!

So, even though you are injured and you’re having some issues (rest being the best thing for something like tendonitis, and then SLOW rehabilitation, but you can fully recover!), remember that you may actually be in a better place now than you were 10 years ago to dance and feel great about it! You know how to take care of yourself, and that is SUPER important!
So… take care of yourself 😉 The pole will always be there!

[Runemist34]

I already voted in the other thread, but I’ll put myself down here so it’s easier to count…
Chair and beginner pole!!

[Runemist34]

Of course, and I do enjoy the combo pole lessons and such! They’re good for transitions. I also enjoy the quick lessons… I just notice a whole lot more in Advanced and even Elite than for Beginner, so I thought it was a discrepancy that could be remedied 😉

I would love to see more on the chair, and for now, I’ll certainly be enjoying the fundamentals and getting used to using my chair as something… more than just a chair 😉 I’m hoping to incorporate it into my pole time, so that I can have lots of sexy time with myself!

[Runemist34]

Pole or chair- I would love to see more pole lessons on things like flow, especially beginning again, and ways to link moves together as a beginner. There is lots more out there to be broken down and brought into the spotlight.
I would also like to get into chair dancing, and having looked through some of the lessons for that, I feel like the energy of them is a little different than what I was looking for. You had a video you put up once of a chair dance you did, and it was super sexy and slow, and I loved that!