aliceBheartless
Forum Replies Created
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I name everything! How have I never thought to name my pole?!
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I like ashtanga, and have tried some aerial yoga that was pretty great, too. I love the focus required to truly be working in it and feeling the different areas of my body "wake up". Yoga definitely is a workout for me in ways that running and pole are not. Very helpful.
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oooooo thinking about it (eeeeek!) not sure if going for the Atlantic or one of the other regions. I should decide before they all fill up!
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Dirdy Birdy does a freestyle to wicked games. It’s on YouTube on her channel.
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Dirdy Birdy does a freestyle to wicked games. It’s on YouTube on her channel.
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While I have never had a teacher that I train with make any sort of egregious safety with technique errors, I have definitely heard of it from other people. Plus I have been working/researching/self-educating as much as I can with flexibility training, Pilates, and aerial. All of this translates to pole fairly easily with some minor changes for the specific apparatus.
Sometimes I see really questionable flexibility and strength training techniques being taught as if they are the gospel truth. Usually it seems like it is an experience thing (teaching without knowing what works technically). IE just because a person can Iron X, it doesn't mean that they know why they can Iron X, or what muscles to use, or train another person for a progression into an Iron X who has a completely different body type and strength, for example. In many ways I think I see it in aerial training more than pole, but that could totally be because I do more aerial these days.
For me, I just don't worry about personality for a teacher. I worry about personality in my training partners.
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I basically pretty much look for technique. At this point, I have spent enough time on the pole exploring for myself since I haven't been going to classes, and what I look for is straight up technique and strength and conditioning know-how. While I love to dance, I don't go to pole class solely for that, because so much of it I feel I can teach myself through youtube.
If I feel like I know more than an instructor about proper placement and alignment on the pole and on the floor, I won't go to that class again. And this kind of know-how is often completely independent of performance experience or competition awards (though not exclusive by any means). I find that people with extensive weight training, Pilates, yoga, gymnastic, aerial, and/or technical dance experience tend to have the know-how I am looking for. It's not necessary, and I will try most classes at least once, but those are the indicators I look for when there are choices available.
I know I can learn something from anyone. Sometimes, it's what not to do. And thats the beauty of pole!
After having a technical knowledge, the next thing I really appreciate is continuing education. In pole and any other knowledge bases.
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its kinesio tape. Cotton, latex free with hypallergenic adhesive.
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With use, the tape will get less tacky and be just right. Once it’s past that stage, time to retape. I basically wait until the tape starts rolling and coming off bc I really don’t like the sticky tape stage of the process. Would definitely suggest complete removal of the old tape before retaping. It will last much longer that way. But nothing wrong with a patch job in a pinch!
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With use, the tape will get less tacky and be just right. Once it’s past that stage, time to retape. I basically wait until the tape starts rolling and coming off bc I really don’t like the sticky tape stage of the process. Would definitely suggest complete removal of the old tape before retaping. It will last much longer that way. But nothing wrong with a patch job in a pinch!
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I also quit sodas but can't let go of the coffee. I don't think its a bad thing in moderation.
My soda replacement is mineral water because the carbonation was a big reason for why I had trouble quitting soda. And now that I have a taste for it, general carbonated sodas, etc, all taste too sweet to me. I love mint water as well, so if you can get food grade peppermint oil, a few drops of that in water is really refreshing. And I drink lemon in water every morning. But peppermint water is my favorite.
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one more thing to remember with total coverage… an aerial gym is still a gym… which means that each apparatus is touched by a lot of people. Same thing with the rosin if you have a rosin sock, mats, etc. The studio I teach at requires a lot of clothing coverage because that can be kind of sweaty and gross for everyone's armpits to be on the silks. The silks are washed regularly, but its not everyday, or even every week. And if you are getting burns, they shouldn't be uncovered and touching the apparatus. MRSA and other nasties are an issue and its just more hygienic to be covered, and wash hands before and after class, etc.
Also a good idea to cut nails because when they are too long, they can also cut into your palm when gripping.
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Haha since I only wear tights for aerial, I basically completely forget that "tights" have feet on them! I have found that I don't wear cat suits or leotards/unitards for training/teaching unless it is the costume and I am rehearsing for a performance. For the everyday stuff, I buy body stockings (usually Capezio) to wear under tanks and leggings. This givescoverage to the waist, so I dont have to worry about burns on my back/sides, adds a little thickness to leggings. When I am doing costuming and want a barelegged look, I double them up. I have found that they are a cheaper alternative to buying leotards. I probably have 20 sets of these at least. They do tend to last quite a while.
http://www.discountdance.com/dancewear/style_1818.html?pid=347&Shop=Brand&SID=432466268
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The studio I teach at requires you to remove all jewelry (not just from your hands/wrists), hair cleanly pulled back from your face, and form-fitting clothing that covers your legs past the backs of your knees and long sleeves. Typically, people just bring a long sleeve to wear over a tank because its only required when working on the apparatus. The long leggings/yoga pants are good bc they keep your legs from getting burned when climbing/descending, and while clothes do not need to be tight, form fitting will keep your clothes from getting tangled in the silks and make it easier for your teacher to see what is going on while you are up on the silk. You can always layer if you aren’t sure. For my first class ever I wore pole shorts, and that was the worst idea ever. Don’t do that 🙂 unless you wear them over tights or leggings as mentioned above.
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For floorwork these two girls inspire me consistently, webstwe and luckygirl1220. I was lucky enough to train with them before I started my gypsy move around every few years lifestyle. Those are their youtube channel names.
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I would say that cleanliness is a big one. Not only the floor, but the mats, the poles, and definitely the bathroom. Having cleaner out and available is a big one, and like someone mentioned, in functioning order is important.
Lighting is also important. That nice level of low lighting where I can't tell that I dislike the sight of my butt in the mirror. I also like to have mirrors, if for nothing else, to make videoing easier.
Also, if its possible to have an entry space available for people to enter and wait prior to class that would be a huge bonus. Any time I go to a studio where I walk in the door and am suddenly amidst class feels so horribly wrong and distracting for the ladies in the class. Even something as simple as a folding divider makes such a huge difference. I know that space is usually at a premium though.
And I just wanted to concur with portableninja… curriculums that make sense are a must. And hand in hand with that… an updated website with current schedule. And one thing that I love to see on the schedule if possible… pole play 🙂
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I think I saw on Facebook where Indigo Dance magazine will no longer be published. 🙁 I was thinking about subscribing to that one. I know it’s listed in the thread that Chem linked.
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I loved that video! inspired to work on things this friday when I finally get back into a studio! :)Yay!
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Well, what does 'enough' mean to you? Is it about getting to a specific look, ie a ballet dancer's or bikini comp physique? Or is it more functional in nature to you, ie gaining enough strength to do an iron cross?
I have the hardest time reconciling to myself that the look I want for myself is likely nothing that will be gained through lifting/training (mostly because I am still getting ok with myself and my genes). However, with lifting and training, I can get the strength required for pole skills, which will also change how my body looks, for the better since I like the strong look. Also, for me its about the journey, as trite as that sounds. Because there are only so many things I am willing to do, and for me, pole should always be fun.
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In order to determine body fat, what does anyone suggest? I have had multiple caliper tests (mostly because its by far the easiest) but on the same day different people can come up with different numbers. Are calipers the only easy option?
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Great info abcollins! This sort of stuff fascinates me. Definitely agree about how I completely underestimate fat and overestimate muscles, I think I always have. And I put "bulked up" in quotes, because anytime I say it, I am being snarky. 🙂 I have NEVER met a woman who was lifting olympic weights 4-5 times a week (which is fairly intense for training on one's own for amateur pursuits) who bulked up with muscle mass. It just doesn't happen. What I do see, is people rewarding hard weightlifting workouts with heavy protein shakes and/or unhealthy meals, because they feel feel like they worked hard enough that the calories are accounted for in the workout. This was the biggest mistake I saw with people who lifted. Or trained anything hardcore. Because not eating healthy will bulk you up, but it's not with muscle.
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Agreed. I am not that large, but I am a 32DD. Which makes buying ANY bra in a store problematic and expensive. They always ask… well what about 34?… It doesnt fit! Godd@mmit! I promise! I tried! Multiple times! Because the DD bras are usually not nearly as cute as the C bras.
I have stopped trying to buy pole wear online. I have an ass. I just do, its a way bigger problem than my boobs, which really don't seem that big to me, just big enough to be a problem. NOTHING covers my bum unless its really un-cute bicycle shorts style. I dont like butt cleavage and cheek peek. Both of those are a huge problem for me. AT THE SAME TIME. gross.
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I like the discount dance ones as well. I am tall, 5'9" and my thighs are thick enough that I am not able to pull them up past about 6 inches above my knee. I dont really mind this, but its something to keep in mind if you are fairly tall and have big strong quads, as I like to think. 😉
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I think that if you like weightlifting go for it! I used to train weightlifting a lot (4-5 times a week) during high school and college, long before I even was a poler, and I really liked it. Bonus: with all that lifting, most of which was Olympic technique, I never "bulked up". Proper lifting technique can be tricky though, so definitely make sure you have a spot, even just to correct alignment, etc, otherwise your hard work will never show good results and you might train in some injuries/imbalances.
If I had to guess, I would say that the pros probably train a lot (not just teach, but their own specific training times, which likely includes endurance work and conditioning work on the pole and off) and eat clean etc. Have to do both. As with anything, you just have to decide how much you want to put in. I think cardio and weight training can benefit pole. And weighttraining can be really good for fat burn long term. Building muscle requires your body to maintain that muscle. Which comes downo to eating properly.
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Don't worry about the height issue. Tall confident beautiful women are awesome! I am 5'9" and like 7" heel best, though I do have some 8" heels for dancing as well. I also love high heels. I have a collection of them. And its been that way since I was in high school! The funny thing is… I don't often dance in them because I don't take the time to get used to them, but I love what they look like. I also dont drive in heels or flip flops. Barefeet or running shoes only! But I really only started doing that in when I drive a manual transmission.
