[branquinha]

This is truly a pity. I felt sorry for Rafaela too – such a strong performance and in the very end she could not do the spatchcock. I hadn’t seen Jenyne’s performance earlier but her fall broke my heart too – she was fantastic as usual. I hope organizers start doing something about cleaning the poles after these episodes – falling from the pole can be very dangerous and competitors push their bodies to the limit when performing, you definitely cannot risk a person’s safety like that.

[branquinha]

I was in complete awe with her performance.
There are lots of talented dancers but she is so unique and she has pushed the boundaries of pole dancing. I admire her and her style and I am very glad she got rewarded this time.

[branquinha]

Pole has helped me to fight depression and anxiety.

First, exercising helps producing nice well being chemicals, but at the time I was having serious anxiety spells and was very depressed, it also forced me out of my house to take classes and the classes created an environment which also helped because I was surrounded by friendly women (even if you do not have the classes, there is a community out there and even this forum can be pretty helpful, I believe). I also liked the fact that you feel a sense of achievement once you start being able to do more stuff with the pole, so it can give you both goals and rewards, and that is pretty good for depression as well.

[branquinha]

I was out of the country on a business travel, so I could not keep up with the challenge the way I would do it from home. I did try to get enough water and fresh fruits, but I guess I was a bit under my goal. I did not pole at all, but I walked a lot and managed to drop half a kilo so far, so it was not too bad. I’ll try to get back to the goals now that I am back home.
Hope you all are doing well!

[branquinha]

Hi,

I also have started tracking my goals using goalhappy (not in English, though, so I won’t link it here). I have accomplished most of my weekly goals even though it hasn’t been a week since I started. I also found that tracking my water intake has helped me and I am drinking more water.

I have gradually gotten back to the pole and have made some progress – I feel that delicious post-workout muscle awareness and I am happy with it. I have also stretched and am getting closer to the splits.

My only problem was my food intake – it was too darn hot and I had more than my share of ice cream.

Hope everyone is doing well!

[branquinha]

Count me in as well!

I have been off the pole for about 3 years – I tried a come back last year but it did not last because I had a tear on my hamstring that even stopped me from walking for a little while. But now, the pole is up again and I have 100 days to get back on it and I am aiming at:

1. drop 3Kg – I am 171cm tall and weight about 59Kg
2. do the splits again (had totally lost them with the injured hammies)
3. gain muscle tone
4. achieve some sort of split grip inverted hold (extended butterfly, split grip aysha, straight edge)
5. take part on the tango show I am starting to rehearse for tomorrow
6. manage colgadas with ease (tango related)
7. take care of my injured foot

in order to do so, I will:

1. try to eat smaller portions and healthy food
2. drink 2L water/day
3. pole 3 times a week when not traveling for work
4. stretch every time I pole
5. take part on tango rehearsals
6. try to take tango classes on Mondays as well
7. do foot exercises at least 5 days a week

I’m very excited! Thank you pole-twista for starting this. Thanks Velvetvixen for the happy goal site!

[branquinha]

Roadkillgerbil, I am with you! There are some of the stretches that I find impossible to figure out and I also keep checking their variations. As for 7, I’d say it is a bit like a downward dog and for the 11 I find that prayer position (in the last variation) easier to understand. But, indeed, I find some of the exercises impossible to figure out but am finding the ones I get rather interesting and useful.
Good luck!

[branquinha]

Hi,
I’m from Brazil.
Haven’t danced for over a year and a half now, due to an injury, though. So, I haven’t participated much in the forum, but there are tons of good stuff.
Best!

[branquinha]

Hi, I got my PhD about 2 years ago and when I was finishing it I kept telling people not to do one, but 2 years later I have to say I do not regret having done my PhD and studying something I find so interesting. The process is super hard, though, so you really have to want one in order to go for it. Also, being in the school and with the advisor you want and/or someone you admire was very important in my experience. So, my advise is: if you want to study and you are willing to spend your next years immersed in that study, go for it, but don’t just do a PhD because you are not sure about what to do next; also if you go for it, go for the school you want because it will probably help with your motivation, and it is worth waiting for another year to get ready for the right school, if this is what you want.
Good luck!

[branquinha]

Can you please add me too?! I am really looking forward to watching your tutorials!
http://www.youtube.com/user/excessos" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[branquinha]

Hey glitter, sorry you went through that. It is indeed very tough to fight with self image issues, but as yogabeacbabe said, try to see it in a positive light. From what you said the manager really seemed to have liked you and, if you really would like to work in the club you could try again in a month… One thought that crossed my mind was that this could be a test too, I mean, she might want to know how you can handle comments about your body and;or what kind of effort you are willing to make to get the job.
Having said that, If you are not that bothered about the job or think you would not feel comfortable there, then forget it. If on the contrary, you always wanted to work in that club and to lose weight, see it as an incentive to get more serious about that. I know it is easier said than done, but it can be worth it if in a month you are happier because you are both toned and employed by a place you wanted to work in?
Just don’t be hard on yourself. Remember you are great and you do not need that specific job, but you can have it if you really really want it!
Best wishes.

[branquinha]

This looks like fun – I wonder if I can find one in Brazil…

[branquinha]

Oi Frida,

I was also first introduced to walking around the pole in the first way you mentioned: close to the pole, arms extended and sort of hangin from it – and I was also in Europe, so maybe there is a style difference there.

Gradually I changed to a ‘more stable’ shoulders-over hips style. I guess it had more to do with the fact that I started dancing tango and was off the pole for two years, so when I got back to the pole I incorporated some of my tango walking into it and I felt more comfortable at it.

A couple of months after starting over I injured my shoulder and now I am gradually getting back to the pole and I tried both walking styles and I think the second actually helps to avoid unecessary strain on arms/shoulders and, to me, seems to allow more focus on my core. Anyway, I’m no expert but this is how I experienced the two styles.

Hope all is well.

x

[branquinha]

Great tips on the cartwheel, here.
I’ll remember them when I next practice this move. Haven’t tried it for a while now, but when I get stronger I’ll do so. I find hard to lower the head too and it seems to be a common problem…
Thanks and good luck to all of us trying the CM.

[branquinha]

It’s on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atwJQOMCUEo

[branquinha]

Hi,
I am sorry to hear you are so down. I also know sometimes when we are down it is useless to hear we should not compare ourselves with others and all, but this remaisn being true.
One thing I would like to say, though, is that, to me, it looks like you are having a great time when you dance and you always have a big smile and a sexy playfulness in your dance, and that seems to get accross to more people, I believe, and is a great thing! Moreover, I really think you have found your dance style and you are comfortable on your skin when you dance – or at least this is what it seems to me – and this does far more than tricks! And tricks? Well, when you are happier again and you dance and try and fail… you will get them. All of them and they will build the extra confidence for more tricks and more dances.
Best wishes and a virtual hug.

[branquinha]

Indeed, it is really sad that they chose someone who goofs around the pole and says ‘yay, I’m a stripper!’ to have a signature. Even calling it a sports pole won’t help it if they are marketing it in this way. Really sad.

[branquinha]

It looks great and it is made my the x-pole makers…did not really get the video, though. I mean, how come she is supposed to be trying poling as she launches her own sports pole? (I don’t live in the US and don’t watch much telly at all, so have no idea about who she is…)

[branquinha]

I go thorough phases, but I’m in a strong tango phase and that is what makes me dance the most… the list also has some ‘zouk’ songs and all sorts…
(tango)
El Mareo – Bajofondo Ft Gustavo Cerati
Pulsos (1000 Mares) – Bajofondo Tango Club
Enjoy the Silence – Tanghetto version (but Depeche’s also works for me)
(zouk)
Aicha – Cheb Khaled
You should really know –Shola Ama
(various)
Strict Machine – Goldfrapp
Derretendo Satélites – Paula Toller
Canción Animal – Soda Stereo
Little Bit – Likke Ly (CSS remix)
No ordinary love – Sade

[branquinha]

Fabulous news! Well done!! And, yes, do post them when you can.

[branquinha]

Awesome idea and very generous offer!
Also agree with Neke that gymnastics are fabulous for pole too – I will have a group of friends of mine who are gymnasts to try my pole and maybe I can learn something with them too – if this happens, I’ll definitely share this here too!
Best!
Branquinha

[branquinha]

Thank you for posting this! I absolutely loved it.
Will have to listen to the song you mentioned (don’t know it) now, because am curious to hear that bridge and to visualise your suggested moves with the music.
I love music and have had some experience playing some instruments, but definitely not a strong background. Anyway, lovely of you to post such an enormous message about music and dancing. Very vgenerous!
Best.
B.

[branquinha]

Sorry to hear you went through that kind of abuse, it must feel pretty bad, but I bet good things can be taken out of it too. Not only from the responses you get here, but also from some of the positive responses to the video you got in that site too, no?
I guess lots of people will automatically see the picture or read – ‘pole dancing’ and ‘lord’ and judge, in that second, that they don’t go along. I guess some people have watched the videos and learned to appreciate them for what they were, some people will, however, always be opposed to any kind of pole dance let alone any connection to religion. The aggressiveness is not justified, of course, but I am sure you will get an equal measure of support and warmness towards your way and that will – I hope – make up for what you get from your critics.
best

[branquinha]

So sorry to hear that. Hope that you get the refund given that you seem to have followed all the appropriate steps. As for the job, hope you find something good soon.

[branquinha]

So sorry to hear that. I understand your pain, I got injured almost 3 months ago (shoulder) and am just starting to get back to exercise now. It is not only the pain of not doing what you want to do and/or love, but also this lack of knowledge about what to do to prevent other injuries.
Wish you a speedy recovery!
B.