[aliceBheartless]

Whoops, I helped derail it.

 

I definitely loved these videos. Can't say it enough. 🙂

[aliceBheartless]

Ultimately, I do think that if pole made it to the Olympics, it would essentially become yet another  gymnastic apparatus of sorts.  Not that it would be included within the specific gymnastics competition, but that it would be another apparatus event in itself that gymnasts would be able to utilize to qualify for the Olympics. They are with their training and specific athletic abilities most likely going to be the athletes best able to translate their current skills to this potential new discipline. I think the only reason the question of difficulty comes up is because vertical pole will likely be compared to gymnastics, as Schtoffen mentioned, even if the initial competitors aren't Olympic-grade gymnasts crossing over. If pole gets established in global sports, either polers will train like gymnasts or gymnasts will cross over to pole and in the end, its the same thing anyways.

For me, I end up thinking that pole in the Olympics could be great for some, but not how I would come to appreciation for this crazy fun awesome phenomenon we call pole dance. To some, I think an Olympic bid would provide justification for what we do. In the end, even if pole is in the Olympics, it won't be showing pole for pole as we see it: the diverse DANCE form with sensuality, athleticism, raw emotion, power, no real rules, etc.  People outside of our community will likely only see gymnastics on a pole. And events like the Bringing Back Sexy week will still be fringe activities, as I am pretty sure the sensuality will not be hitching a ride to the Olympics.

Maybe I overthink it, and these are just my thoughts.  I guess what I would love to see for pole today is the realization that its ok for women to be sensual and to not be demeaned for it etc.  To me, this is important.  Maybe an Olympic bid is the way to get it in the conciousness of people who aren't already in the pole community. But I am not sure that it is a step on the way to women being celebrated for being strong enough to be sensual and unapologetic for it.  That's why I feel kind of lukewarm about pole in the Olympics.

 

[aliceBheartless]

When all the conversations about pole is this or pole is that are happening, one point is always brought up that I think really defines the point of Bringing Back Sexy week. That point is this: The pole, in and of itself is not inherently sexy just because its a pole. Its not any more sexy than a chair, or the floor. The dancer is sexy (or not! depending on what they are going for) on any, all, or none of these apparatus.

This was a week to be sensual, in the way that the dancers want to portray, and not have to apologize for it. I definitely think that sexy isn't always in pole, but thats a dancer's choice either way. It gave me a chance to let my hair down, wear a cute outfit with shoes, and be sensual in the way that I know how (and this is the crux of it all, for me, really).  For once, I didn't really bother with trying to validate pole dance to the masses in a typically clean dance, with multiple trick combos. I don't care if someone sees my video and thinks… "whoa, that should never be in the Olympics."  Because I don't need or want to compete in sexiness, 🙂 and I personally don't need to justify my dance by working it into the competitive sport world. One thing I loved about this week was seeing all the different and beautiful ways people dance sensually!

While the standardization is good, and competing can be really awesome in pushing the envelope for pole dance, to me personally working for pole in the Olympics feels like pushing a round peg in a square hole. However, I am in support of the pole community, and just like every other athletic pursuit, it takes all kinds. Pole can and should be influenced by different types of sports and dance because that is how it will grow and stay fresh. I don't think that because pole started in the clubs it has to stay there. And I do think, that pole can be whatever we individually want it to be, thats why I started it in the first place, and why I love it so much.

[aliceBheartless]

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HKAXlS5eNw8

There’s my video. Hope that link works!! 🙂 yay sexy freestyle!

[aliceBheartless]

My family! In a bittersweet way, it makes me happy that my grandpa, even with his Alzheimers, still remembers me, though he has started to forget my brothers. I am trying to get home soon, while he still recognizes me! Also, my nieces and nephews. Such great kids.

My boyfriend :).

My health. I have been very lucky to have avoided any great pitfalls. Very happy to have my health.

Kittens and puppies.

Aerial dance. Rehearsing until the wee hours of the morning at the studio. Getting up to get to the studio by myself in the morning. 

When one of my trapeze/tissu students finally has the aha! moment and are able to finally get that elusive move.

Stretching out on the beach, reading (and rereading!) a great book in the sun. Followed by a dip in the ocean.

Creating things… choreography, a meal, knitting, crocheting, sewing. 

Learning new things.

Hanging out with friends, low key, just relaxing and talking over tea.

Cadillac Margarita on the rocks with salt rim. 

Tuk Tuk Thai pad kee mau. To. Die. For.

 

and the list goes on. 🙂

 

 

 

[aliceBheartless]

I want to do this, but don't have a pole 🙁

[aliceBheartless]

Definitely Veena! If one trains more active flexibility, rather than just a passive flexibility, a straight  right and/or left split inverted can definitely be achieved without having an oversplit. Plus, even though I work for square splits when stretching/training, I dont perform inverted splits square on the apparatus. So there's always that, too! 

Training oversplits depends on what your focus is. For me, psoas is tight. So if I wanted to really get in there and work on it (after being really warm and ready to go, of course), I would put the block under my back ankle. If you want to work into this, just do your splits on the floor, square hips, with the back foot flexed and the toes turned under and you don't even need a block. Keeping the knee straight is the key. If you bend the knee, you take all the stretch out of your hip flexor. If its your hamstrings that you want to work on, then the block should go under your front foot. You can do both at the same time, but I would not start out doing that. I think that is best when you work into it.

[aliceBheartless]

I think one thing that makes the aerial inverted splits a difficult move for people who already have their splits is also due to the type of stretching they do. Often, we stretch for our splits passively. But an aerial inverted splits can only be passive if you have a major oversplit. It's an active move for the rest of us. I, too, have fully squared off splits on both sides, but I am not even that close to an aerial split because my muscles opposing my psoas arent strong enough to pull that leg down, and my psoas isn't open enough to let them.  However, right side up, I just have to relax and let gravity do the work. 

[aliceBheartless]

nm, I found the info. Just an impatient googler here.

[aliceBheartless]

I am interested but completely unable to find information on what is actually included in the DVDs. Are they useful if one does not have apparatus themselves? Why are you getting rid of them?

[aliceBheartless]

ooooo interesting! Are these apparatus based DVDs? 

[aliceBheartless]

*pole at all.

[aliceBheartless]

In working order, the stainless PS Xtreme is my favorite hands down. Granted, bc it’s hard to get this pole in working order, I only have a super old one on loan from a friend currently. I had to completely return my newer Xtreme model after working with PS for two years to try to get pieces that fit together. While Erica was great to work with, I just had problems getting a pole I could use. Currently I have the xpole multi piece in chrome. It’s just fine, I don’t like it as much, BUT it works. I just don’t really like chrome, the slightly more fussy set up, and not being able to go from static to spin by pulling a pin. However, none of those things were major enough issues that I would rather have no p

[aliceBheartless]

I know that after the first couple of time setting up the PS Xtreme Pole, it takes less than 5 minutes to set up and breakdown each. Especially when you are setting it up in place where you  set it up regularly. It takes me longer with my Xpole, but once you know what you are doing, it doesn't take as long any more.

[aliceBheartless]

I know that I have also had trouble with this, because the articulating base at the bottom can be slightly problematic, especially when putting the pole up on carpet when its a brand new process to you. I think a big part of why overtightening results in a sticky point in the pole rotation can come from the pole being tightened with the dome not nicely flat on the ceiling.  If you have a plumb bob the following might help.  Mark out on the ceiling the circle the dome should fit within centered directly on a beam.  Using the plumb bob, mark on the floor directly below the center of the dome circle. Using that as a center point, mark a circle for the base plate to fit in. Then just line up the plate/dome in the respective circles and work with leveling from there. That might help, though it could be a fussy process. 

[aliceBheartless]

Well I guess we better build it then! 🙂 

[aliceBheartless]

Yay! I am working with Cindy at FancyFeather.com to create some fans, which I will most likely add to once I get them, so that I can bedazzle them the way I really really want to! I am very excited for these fans 🙂  Thanks everyone for your info and ideas.

[aliceBheartless]

I know! I never know the ins and outs of facebook. Drives me crazy sometimes. I totally agree on the fans, I kind of want the best I can get, but after working with the fans I have been able to borrow, think its going to be easier with a step back, to slightly smaller, and lots lighter. Its really a hand workout!

[aliceBheartless]

Thanks for the info! Always on the hunt to find affordable feathers and costuming, etc. 

[aliceBheartless]

I haven't used the Xpole 40 mm poles, but I have danced on custom 38s and I love those poles. I feel like I can do anything on them. I love it because i can one hand spin on spinny mode with them which i cannot do on a 50. I havent really experimented that much with my 45mm. I am about 5'9".

[aliceBheartless]

That link doesn't work for me. I think maybe because of privacy settings? Not sure. Yes I think I might just end up getting fans on the slightly cheaper side, because investing a lot is silly at this point, and get some kind of embellishments. Most likely some sparkle and peacock feathers. Right now, I am just waiting to hear back from some inquiries to different sites to shop the prices. To me, its important that I like them, because its really part of the mystique, but also important that I don't feel bad spending the money on them. I cant wait for the fans!

[aliceBheartless]

Thanks! I, too, am easily distracted by shiny things. 🙂 For me, sometimes costuming is the only reason to see a movie, and its well worth it!

[aliceBheartless]

hehehe well, it might be a few months… years? in the making. I am the type of person to get started on something like this… and then fall off for a bit when things get crazy (I am making a pretty long distance move at the end of the summer). But I hope to create something that could be performed. I currently do not have an event/show to create for, so… this is just something I want as a hobby, because I think fan dance is so beautiful and mesmerizing.

And i still want to see that movie! I know its not reviewed well, but… its Burlesque! 🙂

[aliceBheartless]

I definitely ended up just writing the stretching routines down and ultimately memorizing them, because its also just easier for me to stretch without having to watch or follow along. Sometimes, I just need a little bit more time in a particular stretch, or I am going to skip a stretch, etc. While I understand that licensing music can be tricky/expensive, the repetitive nature of the songs drives me a little crazy in the stretching DVDs. The floorwork/sexy fundamentals DVDs have similar music, but since the music enhances the movements, I find it much less distracting from the DVDs' overall goals. I really do like the info in those newer DVDs!

[aliceBheartless]

I love that video of Karol 🙂 My concern with the 18×34 fans is that they would be too small for me for a classic burlesque strip-tease style number. While those fans looked great with Karol's number, I am, relative to Karol, a giant. I have been playing around with a set of fans that is acrylic staved and about 30×54, as well as a bamboo staved set about the same size.  They definitely require a lot of hand strength, but once I get it, I think I am going to like that larger size. It will however, definitely take some getting used to, thats for sure!