[Solya]

I think they key thing here is motivation, and loads of it. Sometimes, when I struggle with a move, I just want to give up and stop poling because I think I’ll never be as strong and graceful as the extremely talented ladies out there. But then I watch some Youtube vids I found very inspring and that totally brings back the frenzy for me. I’m desperate to get better and just keep on practicing.

Setting new aims for yourself and believing that you can achieve them helps a lot. You can’t approach pole like ‘I know I’m not strong enough, I’ll never be as good etc etc’ – I think the right approach is that yes, I’ll get to USPDF https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif It might be far-fetched, but the prospect of improving, nailing new moves and being happy about them is wonderfully motivating in pole. When you feel you’re losing interest, just try to remember the rush you get from getting a new move or from watching your vids and being proud of yourself!

[Solya]

I’ve had a problem with foot cramps for years now. I don’t think it has anything to do with whether you have a background in pointy-toed sports https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif I did competitive acrobatics for 6 years and my feet still cramp if I point my toes now. It’s probably a nutrient deficiency.

When your foot cramps, make sure you stand on it – putting pressure on the foot relieves the cramp.

[Solya]

Hi!

I can’t comment on the flag (still working on it https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif ), but for the brass monkey, learn how to get into it with your legs on the floor before you do it from the flag (if you haven’t done this before)! It helps a lot with learning leg placement and which muscles to use.

Basically you need to tilt your head up, engage your abs and back muscles and hook your inside leg (which will be the top leg when you’re in the flag) around the pole. If you learn it from standing first you’ll get used to where you have to kick with your leg – it has to be very close to the pole so you can hook it with less effort. I was kicking far far away from the pole for hours until someone pointed out what I was doing wrong https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif
Also make sure you bring up the other leg at the same time and bend it back as far as you can, because it balances you and keeps you from flopping back.

I learned the whole thing from this vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VT8QjcfYlto" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
if you learn the BM from the floor it will be a lot easier from the flag! Good luck! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif

[Solya]

I’m in York so it could possibly work (if poor student me can afford train tickets https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif ). A UK pole jam sounds like loads of fun https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif x

[Solya]

Yeah lol, my reverse grab transitions are quite fast and I kick out a lot, and my right hand just slipped off the pole mid-swing, legs in the air and all, and my bum smashed into the wall close by https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif I had a bruised arse for a week.

I find bloopers and fails quite entertaining to watch too https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif We have X-stages and the metal base gives horrible loud sounds if you land on it with a little more force. Once I fell out of the no-handed scorpio and banged into the stage, the whole class froze in horror and thought I’d died https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

[Solya]

Hey Angel, lovely to see another Hungarian here! And guess what, I’m in county Baranya atm visiting a pole friend https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif Hope you make it to Hungary sometime! xx

[Solya]

I read somewhere the other day that USPDF use 45mm poles, I can’t remember where though, sorry!

[Solya]

Thanks for the answer MilienElayne, it’s good to know others have similar issues as me… I did think for a while that my sweaty hands thing was a mental issue, but then I went into a reverse grab transition without wiping my hands and practically flew off the pole and into the wall https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_sad.gif and then another time I fell out of the split grip aysha because my upper hand just slipped off, SO frustrating!

I think I’ll give the gloves a shot, I’m planning to get the non-tack ones. Do you think I should get a size smaller than I would be according to their sizing chart?

[Solya]

Hi!

1. Yes, the pain will go away, your skin and muscles get used to gripping the pole! It does take a few weeks though.

2. I sit as close to my crotch as I can – your thighs are wider towards your crotch so you get a better grip.

Taking classes definitely helps a lot, sometimes it takes ages to figure out what you’re doing wrong with a move if you’re on your own, but if instructors are there they can give you constructive criticism straight away. Oh, and classes are really fun and motivating as well!

I think it’s really good to set yourself aims and work towards them, if you work hard I’m sure you’ll make it into a competition! Good luck! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

[Solya]

I think the burn goes away when you learn to use your thigh muscles better. In the beginning you rely a lot more on skin to keep you sitting on the pole, but later on you start using muscle strength to keep you in place – at least this is how it happened for me, took like a month I guess. It will go away sooner or later, don’t worry! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

[Solya]

They will go away when you get better at a certain move and don’t overgrip with your legs/bang them into the pole https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif I still get some but I don’t really notice them tbh. And spins give you loads more bruises than tricks! Every single time I do an angel or a fireman I end up looking like a car crash victim lol.

[Solya]

I’m obsessive about pole wiping and grip aids, mostly because I have incredibly sweaty hands and even if they don’t sweat I HAVE to wipe the pole just in case they will…

I will only use a fluffy, well-washed towel and acetone nail polish remover, and wipe after every trick and every other spin. It’s fairly pathetic, not sure when I’ll be able to go through a whole routine https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

MilienElayne, do gloves really help? I’m just about to get a pair of Mighty Grip gloves and I probably have too high expectations…

[Solya]

This is purely personal experience – the main injuries I had were 2 cracked ribs and a pretty bad case of tendonitis in my right wrist.

The ribs came because I was dead set on doing the chopper when I didn’t have the strength for it, so when I couldn’t hold it I crashed into the side of the pole.
Tendonitis came when I was obsessed about transitioning into reverse grab – this twists your wrists pretty bad and I had chronic pain for about half a year.

So, if you teach try to stop over-enthusiastic people from learning tricks that are too advanced for them! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

Also, if I teach invert-y stuff or CAR/CKR, I keep my hands near the back of the head of people so if they slip/fall they won’t have head injuries.

[Solya]

Hoddska I was wondering too about how Sarah C. did, she’s a massive pole crush of mine atm https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif Are the results and scores going to be posted somewhere on the net? Oh, and who won Miss Trixter?

Congrats to Alethea and Karol, I totally can’t wait for the videos! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

[Solya]

Just a few off the top of my head:

Sneaker Pimps – Post-modern Sleaze
Pussycat Dolls – Sway
Madonna – Frozen
and pretty much everything by Massive Attack!

[Solya]

I was absolutely fascinated by everything that involves going upside down and holding on with your hands only (extended butterfly, ayshas, handspring etc), I saw people do them at my pole club and I was jealous as hell https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

I can do aysha and extended butterfly now but the aysha variations some people do still totally turn me on! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_razz.gif