[carriej]

Great!  Thanks guys! I forgot how quick you guys are at responding to posts.  Went to bed with a pole question and woke up to the answer!  I'll try it out when I get to the studio this week.  If anyone has any other suggestions, I'm all ears!

[carriej]

I feel the same way…I need to work on style and transitions.  I love big tricks and ultimately want to make entire routines that are on the pole without ever coming down.  But, this means that in the meantime my dancey stuff really needs to be focused on!  It's like I'm not smooth in linking things.  Veena and Karol Helms really have the dance style that I like.  Now, just to figure it out!  Plus, I gotta force myself not to just practice pole tricks everytime I touch a pole.

[carriej]

Thanks for asking polkadot!  Every so often I wonder about that spin, but then my brain scatters off somewhere!  I also figured it was a spin only move but wasn't sure.

[carriej]

yeah, my straight edge is plenty sturdy to do it, it's just the around part I haven't worked with yet.

I think that forarm makes the most sense for me if I'm doing it on spin b/c I feel like it's a more secure hold for me.

I was thinking that if it's possible on static, an elbow grip might allow more movement around the pole???? Not sure.

 

[carriej]

I also would start by learning it from an invert (unless you’ve already got that portion, of course). I agree with invert, split grip, lean away with ankles still on and then work with it for awhile. KEEP WORKING IT! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_bounce.gif I know you already know this but you’re learning and gaining something with every attempt. When I start to get fed up with a move https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_shaking.gif it helps me to repeat over and over to myself "every time you work it you’re building muscle and balance."

[carriej]

Well, I think I’ve found a way to start working it. Thanks for the info that the lift is really between the shoulder blades and not the obliques. That helped me to know that the new way I’m practicing is going to pay off.

I get into TG position with the bottom hand touching the floor (so I’m really low) and then do kind of a backbend so that my belly button is toward the ceiling and do just a tiny push off the floor and can get into TG aysha (I can really feel this in the shoulder blade and it’s not a full lift but I can tell I’m working the right muscles)…then I practice lowering down into the iron x.

I have found so far that this move IS VERY different as someone posted before than the TG handspring. There is literally some weird twist to it that my mind hasn’t wrapped around yet. I know because when I go to lower into an iron x my midsection has to twist again. It’s strage.

I’ll take any further ideas anyone has as I continue to work this move!!!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

[carriej]

yup, sure is. thanks. my brain can relax now. I can nail this move for all of 2 seconds before my bicep feels like it’s about to be pinched off. at least i can get into it now! more practice necessary.

[carriej]

I just bought my silks and AM NOT an expert. I plan to put mine up in the spring and use a spanner, a carabiner, a swivel, another carabiner, and a rescue 8. I’m thinking of putting the spanner around a high tree branch in the back of my house! Now, just to figure out how to take them down easily when it rains. hmmm….

[carriej]

yeah, i would like to have more close friends. i suck at small talk. i know it’s an important skill to have but i just feel bored with talking about bland "how’s-the-weather" topics. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif i work two jobs, am married, and have 2 stepkids, pole, and drive 2 hrs away to take aerial silk classes and don’t have lot of time for hanging out and making friends. finding a friend to actually go to dinner with or hang out at the house with has taken me a long time. I think I gotta put more effort into it!

[carriej]

Yeah, I guess I haven’t worked the negatie or Iron X. I figured holding out to the side would be harder and come after learning the lift. So, that’s helpful. This is a strage move to work on. I get in position, hover my feet a foot off the floor, and try to lift but I don’t go anywhere!

I’ll take any other suggestions I can get!!!!

[carriej]

Well, I can relate! I have psoriasis and while most of the time my skin is great sometimes I break out all over in a stupid rash and it takes forever (months) to go away. In addition to managing that, sometimes when I use grip aid I get a rash that lasts for a couple of hours but looks pretty bad! My best suggestion would be to go see a dermatologist who might know more than a primary care doctor. Overall, I know how it can be embarrassing and frustrating. Do what you can to get rid of it and other than that be strong to just brush it off. While you’re at it, consider getting friends who are a bit more mature and supportive! Believe me, they’re not so perfect either!

[carriej]

Thanks Empy! I guess I saw a youtube vid of dance wicked and thought it was more of a show or performance by the big names. I didn’t realize that it had a lot of workshops too. Yay! Now only to decide…. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

[carriej]

I’ve already booked a huge vacay for this year so I don’t think I’ll make it but this looks like a blast. Hubby says we can go next year…if they have it. Do you all know if this is an every year thing? And what do you think is the diff b/t this and Dance Wicked for a Week in Jamaica? This looks more instructional to me.

[carriej]

just saw this…i’m always the last to notice these things. I may be able to try to come up but need to check the schedule.

[carriej]

Amy, I watched a bunch of your vids but didn’t see it. Will you link me to the right one?

[carriej]

Amyxshi-
Please tell me how to do a no foot hook knee hold! That would be cool! I can do the foot hooked one but if there’s a modification i’d love to learn that too! I bet it looks cool.

[carriej]

My pole studio is planning to come up so I think I might as well. I’m really gonna have to save though ’cause those prices plus a workshop plus a hotel is gonna be like $200. Sounds like a blast though. Hmmm…need to make more money.

[carriej]

This is one that I’m going to work on soon. My right leg scorpio is still shaky though. I practiced the swtch at studio the other day and got it once but slid quickly down the pole the second time. Good thing I had a mat. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif

[carriej]

I use dove bodywash which tends to moisturize without leaving ya greasy!

[carriej]

I totally agree that having the move names unified would be great. But, I’m divided about the descriptive name thing. On one hand it gives you an idea of what you’re supposed to be doing which is great but on the other hand there are moves that are just too hard to explain!

I’m giggling as I think of a more descriptive way to explain the allegra ("The leg trapped between your arm and pole move") or the butterfly ("inverted one leg on the pole bent at 90 degree angle and the other bent behind you" move).

fleur, I know this is not what you mean. I’m in a silly mood today. It is funny when you try to call a move by name and everyone else looks at you like you’re speaking a foreign language.

[carriej]

Vicki-
I write down tons of stuff. I made a full notebook page to "Beginner Moves", one to "Intermediate", and one to "Advanced." I have to admit that I borrowed my original list from Karol Helms’ pole move videos and have since modified them. Whenever I get a move from any of the lists, I put a check next to it. If I kinda get a move or only get it on one side, I’ll put "1/2" next to it to remind me that I could get it soon if I keep practicing. This way, if I have a high energy day, I can practice moves from the "advanced" list but if I feel tired it also can remind me of cool moves that I’ve already done but haven’t used in awhile. Also, I take pencil and paper to pole and exotic class at the studio and write down the routine. Oh, and I watch youtube videos of really great dancers and jot down any interesting moves/combos they do so that I could work on that too!

I couldn’t pole or dance nearly as well without my lists ’cause my memory is bad. I could go to pole class, learn a great move and when my husband asks what I learned my mind is like "uhhhh…." This way, I stay on track, remember what I learned, and know what I want to work towards!

[carriej]

mili yes thats the move. the one jenyne did. what are we calling it?

[carriej]

glad the harbor freight idea was posted cause I don’t use a mat because I’m afraid it’ll slide out from under me if my foot catches it on the way into an invert or my latest cartwheel attempts. I know I should use a mat but I get reluctant thinking it might cause an accident.

[carriej]

oh yeah, i forgot to say thanks to empy! Your sequence photos somehow seemed to help. I think it got my brain wrapped around leaning slightly to one side when beginning to lay back.

Plus, it was a new trick to all the girls and the instructor at my pole class. New moves rock!

[carriej]

Sweet! I just got it in pole class Thursday night (with boots)! And I laid it all the way back! Keep on keepin on!