StrangeFox
Forum Replies Created
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Beautiful! I love those transitions where you’ve got your legs straight out behind you in a “V” and you’re resting on your toes (not sure if that makes sense!) I might have to try that. 🙂 Your ayesha looks so awesome!
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I finally have time for challenges and I’m super pumped to do this one! I can’t change my account to public due to an unfortunate incident (it isn’t pole stigma related, fortunately, but the whole ordeal made me lock down all of my social media). However, I still want to play, even if I don’t qualify for prizes. I hope that’s OK! 🙂 Day 1 for me was a blooper that was too fun not to share.
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It really sucks to feel like you’re not making progress, and I know it’s wrong to compare yourself to others, but sometimes you just can’t help it.
I’ve been poling consistently for almost a year now, and I’m 31. When I first started the only athletic background I had was distance running, so most of pole for me has been about building strength and muscle memory. I’ve always done best if I could supplement class learning with my own learning. Sometimes I even work ahead so that I can make the best use of my time in class.
I agree with AllisonErin and LatinPoler – take videos. It might feel weird to watch them at first but it helps so much. Also, studios do tend to be very trick-heavy and there’s a lot more to pole than tricks. Maybe you’re not seeing progress because what you’re learning in class is not playing to your strengths. Try freestyling and floorwork, spins and flow… branch out and find what suits you best and practice it on your own. It’s really helpful to know you’re making progress somewhere, even if it’s not in class. Plus, you might just have more fun this way. 🙂
A couple of things that I found helped me are:
– I keep a progress journal, as well as progress pictures and videos. Sometimes the progress you make is so minuscule it’s hard to see it. (ie. flexibility gains when stretching for the splits).
– Conditioning. If I stop conditioning, I stop seeing progress. I highly recommend Veena’s programs for pole conditioning – they’re fun, focused, safe, and thorough. I tried to do conditioning on my own but found I wasn’t hitting the right muscle groups, and that I wasn’t pushing myself hard enough.
I hope some of that helps, and best of luck!
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Oooh! Yes, yes, yes to the spinning pole program!!!
I would also love the others that have been mentioned here (ayesha, iron x, handspring, cartwheel mount, split grip, hand/shoulder stand). I would also like to see a deadlift iguana mount program and a split grip invert program. I was just thinking the other day it would be fantastic if there was a such thing as a split grip ayesha program! I am struggling so much with that move and I love the programs here. I always find them super helpful. 🙂
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Glad you got it sorted and everything turned out great!
Oooh! Congrats on the handspring! That’s a move I keep working at but feel like I’m going nowhere with! LOL! Must be so satisfying to finally nail that move. 🙂 Please keep us posted on your progress and post vids!
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RoMo, that sounds like a really awkward position to be in. You could approach your teacher after class and say something like: “I love your classes so much, but lately I’m feeling like I’ve reached a plateau and was wondering if you could give me some more feedback/guidance during class to help me get out of my slump” or: “You’re a fantastic teacher, but lately I’m feeling like I’m just not getting these new/old moves and was wondering if you could help me get more confident in them.” The benefit of this is that you’re not making any accusations – just asking for more instruction for yourself. The drawback is that you’re not addressing the real problem and kind of hoping your instructor will pick up on it herself, which might be construed as a bit passive-aggressive.
Alternately, you could be more direct and just gently call attention to the fact that there’s a lot going on in class, and although she’s a wonderful instructor, you feel that you’re not getting as much out of the class as you used to now that her attention is so divided between so many students at so many different levels. As long as the comments are more about the class structure/size and less about her she probably won’t feel like she’s being attacked or accused.
If she gets upset or defensive when you approach her with feedback I’d seriously consider taking a good look at your options. Even if you have to drive a little further away or pay a little more it’s better to have an attentive teacher you feel comfortable with (I mean…you’re practically putting your life into your pole teacher’s hands!).
Let us know how it goes!
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Thanks LatinPoler! Yeah…my glutes are pretty weak, too! I’ll add that to my leg conditioning, too! 🙂
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Thanks dustbunny! Yeah…that leg lifting exercise just about killed my legs! lol! I think it highlighted where I’m weak and it seems super effective. I’m def. going to work on this and report back. Fingers crossed!
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Good idea! Don’t know why but I didn’t even think of the lower body routines! 🙂 I still run regularly but I don’t think that’s as efficient at building lower body strength. Plus, my body is pretty used to running.
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While I’m making requests for bonus lessons… I’d also love to get the “Veena take” on this crazy spin! 😀 I learned it several months ago and neither myself nor my classmates can get it! Haha! To be fair, I rarely practice spins and I’m just starting to work on them more now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tesvL3SAC0g
Ps. Thanks to your tips I can now do reverse grab spins!
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Good question! I’ve always wondered this myself, because I prefer a “dirty” pole…lol! 🙂
I tend to be pretty dry, too, and I like the extra grime. It depends on the pole finish, too. My chrome I tend to clean more often, and my brass I always leave a little grime-y. I also feel like there’s a point where too much grip aid, etc… gets built up on the pole and I have to clean it because it’s a little slippery.
Whenever I have to give my pole a clean with Brass-O or some other harsher metal cleaner, I find my pole is super slippery…like I can’t even pole sit. It always takes a while for grip to return to normal.
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Yay! That would be awesome! Haha…I think I already see a silly mistake I’ve made when I attempt this. I might try again today to see if I can get it!
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Thanks dustbunny! I just looked up illusion and it kind of does look like one of those but with a pole! Think I might need waaaaay more flexibility before I attempt this one! Still, it’s something really cool to work towards. 🙂
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Hey! I second everything ptkells3642 said! Also, Veena’s lessons will start with baby steps (doing moves from the floor) and tips to prepare for the move if you’re not yet ready. For example, if you’re nervous about taking your hands off of the pole in inverted crucifix (I know I was!) you can place your hands on the ground and then gradually lift them when you’re comfortable with your leg grip.
Also, I only ever do crazy stuff on the pole if my fiance is home and I usually tell him when I’m poling and have him check up on me. I personally wouldn’t have my fiance spot me because he doesn’t really know how to spot for pole and if someone spots you improperly they could still injure you (or you could injure them!). Your hubby could always learn to spot for pole, though!
Happy poling!
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Thanks so much, Veena! This challenge has been a lot of fun and it has really taken me out of my comfort zone. I have never participated in an IG challenge before, but this has been such a positive experience I am definitely going to do more. I look forward to doing the February challenge. I pretty much exclusively practice tricks when I pole at home, but after this challenge I’ve been exploring more floor work and transitions. I’ve even started incorporating chair into my freestyles.
A few other polers I’m connected with on IG were inspired by the challenge and loved the idea of it…I’m going to see if I can get them to join in on the February challenge.
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I may well sell my soul for limitless energy, too! LOL! I’m always careful to rest up maybe 1 or 2 days before class so I’m not too sore or too tired for class. If I’m learning new moves I want to be in tip top shape, and since this is my only opportunity to have a spot for a move I might be too scared to try on my own I don’t want to be too exhausted.
The worst is I’m so full of adrenaline after class I don’t even realize I’m tired. 😛
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Thank you, ptkells! I’ll try and listen more to my body and maybe bring my phone to class so I can get my pics there instead of coming home and trying after I’m already tired. 🙂
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Veena! You’re so right! I was always afraid to try the iguana mount at home but after seeing my classmates do it and having my instructor watching I was determined to get it! I didn’t want to look bad so I probably gave myself more of a push off of the ground with my foot than I should have and I KNOW I hooked with my foot and pulled myself up. I feel like I should be deadlifting this move, so at home I’m pretty sure I’m trying a little harder to use my abs to iguana mount. Because no one can see me fail I’m more focused on getting into a move properly rather than just getting into a move.
Allisonwonderland – yup, that’s exactly what I’m doing – haha! I’m getting in the car and driving the 45 mins home, then doing a quick warm up and hopping back on the pole. I fail 100% of the time doing this and yet …I keep doing it! I think you’re right. By that time I’ve cooled down and my muscles have finally registered that they’re exhausted and sore. I know if I try again in a couple of days I’ll be fine so I’ve just got to be patient and rest up!
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Glad I’m not the only one hookedonpole! I think I have more confidence in class where my instructor can spot me if I need it and everyone else is trying the same moves and encouraging you to do them. I always joke that the pole I use in class is somehow “magical” because I can do moves I can’t do at home. Oddly…it’s only that one pole in class, too, and I know it’s silly but I get disappointed if someone else is using it when I want to use it! XD That’s a good idea choosing one or two things to accomplish at home. I usually have a better home practice when I pick one or two things to focus on.
And I woke up this morning stiff and sore with a huge bruise on my back from iguana. I also banged my head against the pole in this move because I got really excited and wanted to see how close my feet could get to my head (not that close). It seems I turned my head to look in the mirror with a little too much enthusiasm. LOL!
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Oooh! I’d be so into this, too! I’m really bad at reverse grab. I have very little stability/strength in my shoulders and I’ve been doing the resistance band training on here which has helped immensely. I have enough shoulder flexibility for iguana but can’t seem to do ballerina spin or Juliet spin.
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No luck so far! 🙁 I’ve asked on the student group and a few folks at the studio and although no one knows of anything like this they think it would be a great product if it did exist. I’ll be sure to update if I find anything.
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YES! And into a chopper, too! 😀
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YES! I was wanting to up my repertoire of grounded moves. Sometimes I find myself standing there not quite sure what to do when I freestyle so its good to have some go-to moves. Looking forward to this!
I LOVE your outfit! The bottoms are super sexy!
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I’ll let you know what everyone comes back with! I’m not much of a sewer…wish I was ’cause I’d totally make shoulder pads for pole! Haha!
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Haven’t heard of anything like that but that sounds really awesome. If you or anyone else finds anything be sure to post here. I can ask around the student group for my studio and see if anyone knows anything – the owner is really knowledgeable on pole products and suppliers.
Ps – I also have bony shoulders and stability issues so this would be a HUGE help for practicing any shoulder-based floor work.
