Saphyre
Forum Replies Created
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Deodorant
Grip Aids = Mighty Grip, iTac, Dry Hands, Cramers, Mighty Grip Gloves,
Wrist Wraps
Notepad and Pen
Camera
Water and snack (Cliff Bar)
iPad
MicroFibre cloth (2)
Pole Tools (allen wrenches)
Biofreeze
I wear my pole gear under yoga pants and a tank top. Leg warmers are already on and they come off when I'm warmed up and ready to roll!
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I am also booked at the Residence Inn in Warren for Friday and Saturday night. I agree Rikki! I'm looking for the workshop info and Don Curry photoshoot info!
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I will be there and I will have my button proudly displayed! Just look for my new, short hairdo!
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My friend. Your personality, alone will carry you. I have watched you freestyle and you rock it. I know you feel like there are many things against you now, but I'm sure that once you are there, you will relax and get into it. Have you ever used Dirty Girl Poletice for your hands? It really is fabulous for the sweat factor. If you don't have any, you can borrow mine. I can pass it to you on Friday when you drop off my cupcakes!
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I have heard of people not being big on using grip aids, but I will tell you that I believe in doing whatever it takes to pole SAFELY. If that means using a grip aid, then so be it. In the summer it gets super humid here in Chicago and I absloutely could not pole without iTac on my thighs no matter how many times I wipe the pole. Older ladies can attest that our mature, dry skin will not stick without the right moisture being added. I also have to use Mighty Grip gloves sometimes. If my studio told me not to use a grip aid, I would tell them that I will take my money elsewhere. It could just be that they are trying to encourage students to work on their grip strength, but it's hard to do that if all you do is slide right off. Safety first!! I believe there are some competitions that don't allow the use of grip aids, but if competing isn't your goal then it's irrelevant. Just my own opinion.
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Hi Jade, I recently had a similar injury doing an Allegra. I needed 6 weeks off the pole and I was super mad at myself too! Sasha gives great advise. Here is what I did:
1) Ice at least 3-4 times a day for a couple of days and take some ibuprofen or naproxen if your stomach is okay with that.
2) Use a heating pad as much as you possibly can after that
3) Definitely Salonpas!! Alethea calls them crack patches for good reason! You can wear them for up to 12 hours. Look for rhe ones that use Capsicum as these do not have any odor. The ones with Metholatum are fabulous too, but they do give off an odor.
4) In addition to the bruised ribs, you could also have a muscle strain. The above tips will work for that as well.
5) You do need to rest. Super important., but make sure you at least get up and move around so you do not stiffen up.
6) As you start to feel better try to do some easy, light stretching. If you can go to a physiotherapist it can work wonders!
7) If you do not start to feel some relief in the next few days, or if you have severe breathing issues, then do go to a doc. They may be able to give you a Rx for a muscle relaxer. (Don't get Flexeril as it just makes you sleepy)
8) If you did bruise your ribs, a few days off will not be enough. Make sure you give yourself at least 2-3 weeks. You will be glad you waited!!
Good luck, hun! xoxo
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You can always release your bottom hand and drop right into a regular Scorpio. From there you can switch to Gemini and then the possibilities are endless!
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I want to say that you might need a combo. Dry hands will help with the sweat. That may be enough, so start with that. If it makes your skin too soft. then I would add a very thin layer of iTac, then wipe off with a cloth. Wait about 20 minutes between the layer of Dry Hands and the layer of iTac.
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I call mine “Sully”‘ which is based on Ann Sullivan. She was referred to as “The Miracle Worker”.
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I call mine “Sully”‘ which is based on Ann Sullivan. She was referred to as “The Miracle Worker”.
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Those are incredible photos. I hope your hubby recovers quickly and is not in too much pain.
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Almost bought one in December but couldn't justify the cost whilst buying Christmas presents. I tried it right there in the store and I loved it! I must go buy one, now!
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Felicia, I have a similar issue. My arms create a "Y" shape , so it puts too much strain on the joints of my elbows, wrists, and shoulders. I also tend to use my biceps more than I have to. I have to modify just about every move out there.
I talked to a physiotherapist and she gave me two things to try.
The first is kind of similar to the inward/outward motions that you tried, but it is more of a shift in the hand placement to change how the weight is distributed. Hope I can explain this properly. Get on all fours. Place your palms flat on the floor, then lean your weight into the hands. You should feel the weight distributed across the base/meat of your hand. Now, without moving your hand's placement, shift/pivot the weight more towards the base of your thumb, just under your wrist. You should feel a difference in the elbow and shoulder and wrist.
The next one might be difficult to explain, as it is more of a mental shift, and requires you to have an open mind about how positive energy/flow can affect your body. Get a partner and stand face to face. Place your hand on their shoulder, arm straight but not locked. Flip your arm so the palm is facing up. Have them GENTLY pull down on your arm at the crook of the elbow, while you resist. We tend to use our biceps when we resist. Now comes the tricky part. Stand in the same starting position. Close your eyes. Envision positive energy flowing from your shoulder, down your arm, and straight out beyond your fingertips. Then ask your partner to again, gently pull down while you resist. See if you feel any difference. This may take some practice and handstands would be a perfect exercise for this. The first tim eI did this I was amazed at how much more solid my arm was and she was not able to bend my arm like the first time.
Hope these tips help. Good Luck!
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I would call that beautiful, sensual, and strong. Definitely sexy and you should be proud. There are so many here that would love to have that natural ability, myself included! You are well on your way to becoming awesome. I would not call that stripper-ish. While there are lots of ladies on here who are strippers and also pole dancers, you don't see a lot of strippers doing those strength moves on a pole. CapFeb knows what she's taliking about! Rock it!
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Having a visit from Aunt Flo can certainly have a negative effect with any workout and healing. It just seems to suck all the good energy right out of your body, in my experience. So, yeah. It could be a hinderance. Oh, yeah. I didn't take your job into consideration. It sounds like you're doing what you can in the meantime. It just might make healing take a bit longer. xoxo
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I do know that you can also get cramping from a lack of potassium, but you have a lump and pain when you're off the pole. It could be that you have a severe muscle or ligament strain. You may have done it a while ago, but since it is in a crucial part of your leg, it isn't getting enough rest. Here is my suggestion, for what it's worth:
1) Take time off the pole
2) Rest as much as you possibly can. Get that leg elevated.
3) Continue using the heating pad as often as you can
4) Massage and lightly stretch (point and flex toes) after about 20 minutes of heat, then heat again
5) Repeat steps 3 & 4 as many times during the day as you can
6) Check out Salonpas. You can get them at Walgreens or Walmart. These are what Alethea Austin refers to as "Crack Pads" and for very good reason. Slap one on and go.
7) When you are not sitting, wrap an Ace bandage around the area for compression.
8) If you do not get any relief in 4-5 days, I would see a Sports doctor
If you can afford a massage from a physiotherapist, it is highly recommended.
I hope it gets better, girl!!
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My studio has these. Let me see what I can find. At a minimum, I think I have a photo on my computer. I’ll look for one or two when I can.
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Practtice, practice, practice. I found that when I first started on spin mode, I lost my focus a bit because it was such a different feeling. It's easy to over grip when you first start, which sounds like it shouldn't be a problem, but it can be. It also takes much more strength to use spin mode. Just like other moves, there is a sweet spot that comes with building the necessary strength. You may want to try Might Grip Gloves with tack when first starting out so you can get the feel and work on your strength. Good luck! Spin mode is so fun!
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I have. Ask your doc about using a topical numbing agent. It should be applied and left on for about 1/2 hour. You might still feel something, but it does help. If you use Arnica Gel for pole bruising, you should also use it for this procedure before and after. I usually apply it 2-3 times a day for 5 days before the injections. It can lessen possible bruising. Make sure you don't take ibuprofen for at least a week prior to the injections, because this can also increase your risk of bleeding and bruising. Drink plenty of water in the days prior. Make sure you ask your doc what you can/cannot do in the days following the procedure such as exercise or any other activity, icing, and other care. Good luck! You will love the results!
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Shout out DaniDuB! You are an AWESOME instructor! I always have so much fun with you!
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In the large scheme of things, I think what you might look for as far technique and poling background changes as you progress. As far as personality, body type and other personal traits, I think that varies based on your own age and background
When starting, I agree with Chem. Most people probably have no idea what to look for. I know I didn't, but perhaps that's because I've never had formal dance, gymnastics, or martial arts classes of any kind. My background was strictly aerobics and yoga. The most important thing for me as a newbie was an instructor who didn't make me feel uncomfortable about my age or lack of strength.
To specifically address your question: So my questions is Day 1 – you want to learn pole dancing. Who do you go to? Why? What is it about the staff of instructors that brings you in? What makes you say "This is the place/instructor for me?"
I didn't even know this kind of class existed. My fitness friend had just opened a studio and contacted me to see if I was interested in pole lessons, and that's how I started at her studio. It was only 20 minutes from my home. My first set of classes was taught by the fabulous Glitterhips. She made me feel very comfortable, age and all. I have to say the fact that she wasn't an uber toned, skinny minnie, too sexy for words woman made it a lot less intimidating. What she was was fun, flexible, sexy in an approachable way, strong, great at step by step instruction, clearly had a love for pole, was really good at it, and had the most magnetic personality I'd encountered in quite some time. If it wasn't for her, I would not have continued on. Unfortunately, she longer teaches at my studio.
Now that I have been poling for over a year and I have different instructors, I can say that what I prefer in an instructor is different than when I started. What I wouldn't do to still have Glitter! My studio choices are extremely limited.
I don't think it is neccessary for an instructor to have a dance/gymnastics/exercise background. There are plenty of polers who don't have that, and are as good, if not better than some who do. It's like saying that just because you have an MBA you would be better at a job than someone who has 5 years of experience in that field. What is important to me in an instructor at this point in my journey, which I don't neccessarily have are:
~ Can perform advanced moves. Easily.
~ Is able to teach step by step instructions, safely and properly
~ Knows of several alternative ways to get into a move. Even if they cannot get into that move another way themselves, they can explain it clearly and help you do it.
~ Mixes in stretching and conditioning
~ Is willing to play different genres of music, not just what they like.
~ Continues their own pole journey and education outside of teaching
~ They are likable and I can relate to them. They don't have to be super outgoing, just relatable and courteous.
~ They can teach combos, floor moves, and other "dancy" stuff
~ Know how to make the class fun. Is creative.
~ Being certified as a pole instructor would be awesome, but not required
As far as teaching, in general. I believe that someone can be the best at something, but have no clue how to teach someone else. We see this in just about every field out there, and pole is no different. Even though I have only been poling a year and have none of the usual dance, etc background, I am a natural teacher. I was a "new hire" trainer at the job I retired from. I have shown my nieces some moves. I gave a friend a "teaser" class in my home with just some floor and sexy dance moves and a fireman. She complimented me on my teaching style. I have helped out other's in my class. They have commented on how I was able to help them get a move when the instructor could not. I'm not trying to toot my own horn, just trying to make a point.
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Oh! I can't wait to respond to this, but I don't have time right now. Tomorrow….
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Yes. Let us know! I am in the far West Suburbs and need pole playmates!
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I have gotten tops from Kohl's before. They have a section for sports wear. Ditto Charley on Target.
