[chemgoddess1]

My husband called me last night because he heard Fox was going to run a story called Pole with Prayer.  At first I thought of Jungle Cat and all that he has been through with dancing and putting up videos to gospel music.  I was impatient and decided to google the story.

 

And not to be horrible but did any one else cringe when watching their form?

 

 

[chemgoddess1]

Hunny…I will tell you right now that you have been pushing yourself too hard to learn trick after trick after trick.  Twisted is "easier" because it is limiting the amount of movement your body can do.  this is the exact reason it is dangerous…if you slip or jerk you have just torn your shoulder up.  Pole dancing is not just about the tricks.  I have been at this for 3+ years and you southern Ohio girls have surpassed me (and reinspired me).  Quit making it a competition.

 

As for making you happy again, instead of trying to get new tricks, try stringing your tricks together.  See how long you can stay off the ground but get into the next trick off the pole.  Or dance to an entire song without inverting or climbing once.

[chemgoddess1]

Welcome to the addiction!  It is NEVER too old to start pole dancing!!  Just keep in mind that some things may take longer or you may no longer have as much flexibility or even you may need a little longer to recoup after a hard day poling.  Do not let any of this discourage you.  I get so many comments of "I hope to look as good as you at your age" and I am only 42.  I think there are a few ladies in their 50's here.  Also, on Facebook there is a group called the Grande Dames of Pole.  Check them out.

[chemgoddess1]

This reminds me of a lot of the old threads when I was over at S Factor.  One thing I loved about them was that there were no mirrors and no comparisons.  It was about the dance and just getting comfortable in YOUR body.  This is probably the #1 thing that any pole dancer has to conquer.  There is usually a LOT of baggage that comes with us not liking what they see in the mirror and be that as it may, pole really makes us have to deal with wearing booty shorts and sports bras.  While we are coming to grips with this we are also dealing with letting go of that baggage and many times that brings not ony frustration but also tears.  But we come out the other end a more confident woman and one who can say "who cares about the pooch or the scars or the stretch marks or the you name it".

 

I challenge you to stop trying for the tricks and concentrate on dance and floor work.  There are so many performers that can nail trick after but look so completely awkward in between those tricks.  I also know a girl who does not throw any "tricks" and watching her move is inspiring.

 

I will leave this with my favorite poem (with bolded sections for this particular thread).  It really is one to live by.  Desiderata:

 

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

[chemgoddess1]

Here is a link to see all that have been uploaded so far.

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=videos&uploaded=w&uni=3&suggested_categories=17%2C24&search_query=aerial+pole+international

 

[chemgoddess1]

For me it is difficult to get proper positioning for me to do a forearm grip aysha.  You get any distance from the pole you need to be able to put your spine into a non-neutral position unless you have great side splits.  I don't think this is the greatest grip for this move at all.  I have yet to conquer inverted split grip.  I can butterfly and extend it without issue but just cannot seem to get the balance needed for this.

[chemgoddess1]

On top of what Veena has said, I would talk to the studio owner.  It is your money that you are spending and if you do not feel like you are being properly taught or they are not spending enough time with you the owner needs to know this.

[chemgoddess1]

If you look on their website they are both made by the same company, so what is the difference??

 

http://www.tite-grip.com/

 

[chemgoddess1]

Whydon't you contact X Pole directly?

[chemgoddess1]

If you want to become an instructor I HIGHLY recommend that you get some sort of fitness certification.  There has been discussion that at minimum you should have group fitness qualifications.  There are several sites that offer fitness certifications and it looks like mainly it is study materials, a class and then a test.  Not sure what is available where you are.  I am currently looking into this myself.

[chemgoddess1]

Oh, BTW, this is where I read about the 45mm.  It is a post by Stellar:

 

QUOTE:

 

I just received a polite call from Platinum Stages regarding the entry that I had written before. During this call I was informed of several things that I did not previously know. These included:

Platinum Stages now recognises that the 1.7…5 inch gauge Star Standalone pole, which is the one I performed on in the Rock the Pole Showcase, is not safe and they have ceased selling this.

The screw-together pole joints have been eliminated and replaced with a more effective joint system which does not enable the poles to come unscrewed while doing aerial combos or left-spins any longer.

There is now a much wider shaft which I was told has helped to eliminate a considerable amount of wobble.

[chemgoddess1]

Here we go:

Star Stand Alone Stage – WARNING Well, I'm probably going to start a shitstorm with this, but the idea of someone getting hurt is much worse. I feel it is my responsibility as a pole dancer and teacher to give warning about this product.
The Main Flaw is the pieces of the pole are just screwed together on threading and there is no loc…king mechanism to hold the pole pieces in place. If you spin against the threading, THE POLE WILL COME UNSCREWED IN YOUR HANDS. This has happened to me before, and even left me standing next to the stage with the top pole completely off in my hands. The first time I was on the Star Stand Alone I was on spin mode upsidown holding in my knee and noticed the threading in the middle joint was showing and the pole felt wobbly. I grabbed the bottom half with my hands and screwed the two back together until i could come down. The Base of the stage as well i do not feel like is heavy or sturdy enough. The collar around the pole does not fit well and the plastic triangle pieces of the base frequently pop up.
I like Platnium Stages, they have a great one piece pole i am happy to use in competitions and in studios. But this particular product the Star Stand Alone is not made well and downright dangerous for pole dancing. I just don't want anyone to get hurt there are tons of options for safer poles out there. After my experiences i will not teach or perform on this product. Feel Free to tag yourself in this picture if you agree and or want to share your story.

 

There are 180 comments following this.  It was posted on November 27 so if you are friends with Alethea you can keep hitting "older Posts" until you get to that date.

 

I am not sure if this link will take you directly there.

 

http://www.facebook.com/ALETHEAAUSTIN#!/photo.php?fbid=10150335833000623&set=a.256773935622.295704.553230622&comments

[chemgoddess1]

There was a HUGE hoopla on FB a few months back where a lot of this came out.  I believe that the 45 issue was written in emails to people.  I will see if I can find the FB thing when I have a little more time.  It was started by Alethea and had close to 200 comments.  I had gotten an email from PS regarding my post, forwarded the info to my studio owner and they STILL ignored her phone calls.

 

As far as customer service goes, they are great while ordering, no so much once they have your money.

[chemgoddess1]

Momma, it seems for me that Ellies run wider than Pleasers.  I too have wide feet but go with Pleasers one size smaller just because either brand after one wearing I have toe hang.

[chemgoddess1]

The lessons are only available if you pay for them.