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Yes, let's do bendy buddies! I'm usually available during the daytime anywhere from 7 am to 5 pm CST, but it varies (oh, retail…). How do we want to do this, teapartie?

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Congratulations on starting your pole journey! You found the most supportive, fun site. Don't forget about chat on Fridays, it makes it easier to meet everyone and get lots of answers. Plus some of the ladies here show off their awesome pole tricks via video streaming on chat–I'm just starting out too so I'm not quite ready for that yet, lol. 

I have a 45mm Xpole Xpert but in chrome and I love it, I bet you'll love yours too! I hope you tell us all about it once you get yours delivered so we can get in on your excitement 🙂 Welcome!

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Every baby should come into the world to a mommy that loves him/her this much. This is amazing, it made me smile 🙂

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Chem, can new screws be purchased if they get stripped, and do you know how much that would run? I am a little worried that I will do this lol!

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Anyone know where to get a costume like the one she's wearing? I like that it looks like a figure skating outfit, with the way the skirt is made 🙂 

She is amazing! I added that to my YouTube list. This makes me want to go stretch, lol.

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All medicinal purposes aside, I do not agree that marijuana should be used for recreational purposes. Why take something to alter your state of mind? I have been diagnosed with depression and I found that exercise and work help me a lot. There are no toxins entering my airways and it has other great benefits like building strength and endurance. As for orally injesting substances, I shy away from caffeine because I do consider it a mild drug and I know many people addicted to it, so I would not take marijuana or another drug either. For me, it comes down to having positive control over my body and not risking my brain with mind altering drugs. Yes, I will recreationally drink, because I have great control over my drinking, but I also agree with Chem that some people just don't have control and to me, these people should not be drinking. 

I will also add that I find smoking extremely irritating. It makes me physically sick to be around people that are smoking cigarettes and I did not go anywhere that allowed it when it was legal indoors. I know all my Veeners are respectful people that would not smoke around people that don't like it, but I see people smoking in non-smoking areas almost every day. Sometimes I see employees smoking right outside entrances to their place of work, sitting right next to the non-smoking sign! It would bother me if a big truck was blowing exhaust next the building and this bothers me similarly. I imagine all this behaviour would be be repeated in marijuana users, for the most part. Again, I know you all are more respectful than that 🙂

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I just recently got up to 114 lbs mostly because I've been strength training so I was really shocked to see so much dimpling on my butt and thighs when I go into this deep lunge looking stretch:

http://www.fitness-training-at-home.com/image-files/flexisplits1.jpg

So don't write yourself off as being "fat" just because of it. Sounds like it is normal, which is a relief to me! Thanks for posting this question!

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Count me in! I probably won't hit the splits by then but I this will give me something to work towards 🙂

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Miss Devious, I feel the same way. I got my pole after two months of watching YouTube videos and reading StudioVeena discussions so after my husband set it up I tried to climb up…. and I couldn't do it! I can now roughly climb up, but it's nothing graceful and I have to stop myself from holding my breath from the effort. 

In an effort to get stronger, I had been working on cardio and strength on alternating days. I quickly realized I couldn't do pull ups or push ups at all! So now I am working at getting to the point where I can do those so I can do pole things other than walking around the pole LOL.  

Here are two useful starting points that I am working on:

http://askville.amazon.com/exercises-help-push-ups/AnswerViewer.do?requestId=9279893

http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/04/25/do-a-pull-up/

The second website, Nerd Fitness looks like a great resource and is written from the perspective of someone who started out weak, unlike so many websites that assume everyone can do pull ups, etc. 🙂 Have fun with it, don't compare your progress to anyone else's, and listen to music that makes you feel sexy working out!

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Yup, post your video b/c everyone here is really great about giving good advice–and always in the nicest, friendliest way possible! 

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http://www.facebook.com/adastra.peraspera.948 Feel free to add me too 🙂

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I just set up my pole and I bruise easily, so I think it's because I'm a beginner. How long have you been poling? Maybe your body will get used to the pole at some point 🙂 Good luck!

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Maybe you should put a netbook on your holiday/birthday wish list 🙂 All of the ones I've looked at have webcams and since they don't have disc drives they tend to be more affordable. Just in case you do end up wanting to do the online pole jam.

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Hope your day is the best! Happy Birthday 🙂

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You will have at least two applicants for sure, HyperHorseGirl and myself! I imagine lots more of us will jump at the chance, thank you so much for thinking of this and setting it up! I have been thinking on things to include on my application ever since this post came up 🙂

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Ew, you shouldn't put that up because you make everyone else feel so ugly and un-talented–LOL 😉

I will echo eveyone else and say that the only reason they've said anything is there's a pole in the picture and you happen to look amazing! At first I wondered at how little clothing polers where but now I keep forgetting I can't check the mail in the bikini I practice in, they'll get over it too 🙂 If not buh-bye 🙂

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I've tried the Sally Hansen warming wax with those waxy strips and it hurt a lot and maybe pulled a hair or two… and that's when I did it on my arm! Tried legs, eyebrows, and bikini line and nothing. I just shave but I hate that underarm and bikini line hair seems to start growing back by night time (I have dark hair, luckily not thick though). 

I'm also curious to hear more about epilators, and has anyone tried the NoNo? My sister and I are thinking of giving it the trial run and returning it within the 60 days (they do free shipping to home and back plus refund the full purchase price.) If I like it, then I'll shop around on Amazon or Ebay for it. 🙂 That Philips thing Marie mentioned seems similiar but geez they're expensive (rather keep shaving and save for Veena's lessons https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif :)

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I noticed this thread has slumbered awhile so has anyone noticed any improvement? I just started with some playful spins (not actual moves) and walking around the pole…. and I feel sooo nauseous! Does this go away or at least get better with more practice?

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Good thread idea! I just tried filming myself with my laptop and I am having the same issues with it catching up slowly and blurring. Might have to get my husband to film me on his smartphone!

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After I posted this question I happened across a video where the instructor was jumping on the pole to invert (noo!) and was wearing ring(s) that kept clanging loudly against the pole. I kept thinking of that sound as I read your posts! One other thing is that gold is a soft metal, and silver is even softer, so they will be <i>very</i> easily worn through by poling. I haven't worn my rings since last night (not even my wedding ring, gasp!) because I finally got my pole set up last night! It's just too tempting to practice climbing… or really what I've been doing is sliding off… 🙂

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Another possibility is fungus that is not candida–that's what we've dealt with. I second Chemie's suggestion of using probiotics, only I take it a step further. What I do is if we are experiencing symptoms we both use a regular antifungal, like the kind used for athletes foot (used externally only and this was recommended by his physician), then I take one probiotic orally and another I open and insert the powder while laying on my back. Sorry if this is TMI 🙂 It's loads cheaper than having to buy Monistat or similar every time I have symptoms, plus it works faster for me.

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I second Krysten, prenatal vitamins help a lot–you will also notice your nails are stronger, too. Don't shell out for the uber expensive brands, a generic will work well. 

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Oh man, suigintou, I have been calling myself a pole dancer and I haven't done more than open my pole box and hold the pieces! Until we prep our ceiling for the pole (beam issues), I am working on just strength, cardio, and flexibility for poling. Plus I watch and read what all my Veeners are posting to get the moves in my head and all the info I'll need once I've got it up–I will be too excited when that happens to take time for all that 🙂

So I love glitterqueen's idea, but in my case it's being willing to call myself a pole dancer, put in the workouts, and endure the slow progression in flexibility. 🙂

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I just have the ones from regular heel wearing as I haven't gotten into it yet. The middle part of my foot that takes all the weight is calloused which makes it loads easier to wear heels than when I started. I also just use some of those pedicure tools after a good soak; the $1 ones with the cheap plastic handles work surprisingly great. Just don't file to the point of it feeling painful. Congratulations on being that much tougher! 🙂

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I won't be going this year, but for future reference, how does this work? Is everything sponsored? The site linked to mentions "workshops on sale," so are certain workshops free, or do you pay for some sort of pass or admissions then everything else is free? Just wanted to get an idea so I can get some ideas for the next Expo 🙂 Thanks!