[grayeyes]

I am accessing on a PC and an ipad–have not accessed by phone. I use Mozilla Firefox browser. Because you asked about browser I tried Internet Explorer and it functions at normal speed. Do I just need to use IE or is there something I can do to make Firefox work faster. Thanks.

[grayeyes]

For about the last two weeks the Veena website runs incredibly slow for me. I’m not having any other problems with my computer and do not have this issue with other websites. For instance, when I clicked on your post to respond to it, it took more than 60 seconds for it to open the page. Any thoughts?

[grayeyes]

SophieP, Been thinking about you. Hope you’re doing okay. Post an update when you’re up to it.

[grayeyes]

I thought an app would be quicker to get to but I’ll try the link for the icon. Functions I would like in an app:

-be able to search for a trick/spin/whatever by its name
-be able to put lessons into different categories such as favorites, in progress, achieved.
-group lessons by static or spin pole or trick versus a spin

I’m new to Studio Veena lessons so maybe some of these things are possible on the website now and I just haven’t figured it out.

[grayeyes]

SophieP, please do keep us posted. I hope you recover quickly, that the cancer was found early and that the lumpectomy will be the only treatment you need.

[grayeyes]

I’m intrigued by the rotating bulb! Thanks for posting. Thank you also to VerucaBlue for posting the MiPole light video–very helpful to see what it really looks like.

[grayeyes]

Regarding Groupons–that’s what got me to the studio and I have stayed. I probably would never have tried it without the coupon. Groupons, Living Social, etc. have gotten me to try all sorts of things I never would have tried. I do stick with the ones I like. As others have said, I could buy a discounted massage every week but one of my Groupons turned out to be with an outstanding masseuse and I have been his client for a year now. Someone said that you can’t provide a “discount” level service to the coupon clients if you expect to keep them–so true. If my masseuse had given me a “discount” level massage, I wouldn’t still be his client now.

[grayeyes]

Yes, for me. I was just thinking about something for my pole at home. I saw the video of the MiPole light someone posted on another thread, which was very helpful to know what it looks like.

[grayeyes]

I’ve been poling for about five months. Here are a few things that will keep me coming back to the studio:

Be professional.

Teach safely–good warm up, stretching and strength techniques.

Teach me at least one new thing each class even if it’s something very small–this is what keeps me coming back.

Ask me my goals with poling, and ask again later because it may change as I progress.

If I have a pole at home, perhaps find out what I’ve been doing at home. I realize my instructor has a teaching plan that progresses in a certain order for a reason, but I have much more time to pole at home and have progressed quite a bit more than she might imagine.

I want to be taught to my skill level, meaning I neither want to hold back others in the class nor do I want to be held back based on my own particular abilities.

I see some studios that have particular schedules such as once a week on the same day of the week for a six-week period. This is too restrictive for my personal schedule and I prefer to be able to come to any pole class on the studio schedule and pick up where I left off.

[grayeyes]

Here’s a link to the MiPole light.

http://shop.mipole.com/mipole-Pole-Dancing-LED-Light-VS-2081.htm

[grayeyes]

Beautiful! How did you film your video to achieve the lighting just on you?

[grayeyes]

Nope, it’s not just you. I injured one of my ring fingers and took off both my wedding band and anniversary band for about two months now–which I don’t really like. I haven’t really taken them off for 17 years. I can’t wear rings at the studio I go to but at home when I was wearing my rings I really didn’t notice them even touching the pole so I wasn’t even bothering to take them off. I believe my finger is pretty well healed now–swelling is finally gone but I’m not sure what I’m going to do. I’m considering having them sized larger so it’s not such a hassle to take them on and off but that worries me that I might lose them if they come off too easily. I’m a nurse so I’m kind of afraid I would pull one of in a pair of gloves and accidentally throw it away.

[grayeyes]

Same here. My studio has brass Pole Danzer poles and I have a Lil Mynx stainless. I don’t have much problem with hand grip at home but knee and thigh are very difficult. I have never used or needed any grip aid at the studio but I’m starting to try some at home. I clean my pole with Windex and also tried the vinegar with no help. It’s definitely better once it’s warmed up but not great. I’m considering dragging a space heater in there before I start to try to warm it up a little before I get started. I’m definitely going to try the shaving gel idea.

[grayeyes]

I haven't turned into a monkey yet, but I can see how it would happen.  Sounds like pole Parkour. 

[grayeyes]

Ditto what RobinB said.  I'm not pushing it on anyone either but I don't hide it.  When I said I make my coworkers watch my videos–it's the coworkers who have gone to class with me or who ask me if I've learned any new tricks.

[grayeyes]

Love the TED video and it's message.  Very thought provoking.  Also love the idea of a T-shirt that says I pole, and I don't give a shit. 

I've only been poling for about 5 months and I have told a lot of people.  Some of my coworkers jumped right on board and came to class with me.  I told my 73-year-old parents (I'm 44) and they asked about it a little and didn't say much else, which I thought was a pretty good outcome because I wasn't sure what they would think.  I told old college friends (almost all male) and they acted like typical ignorant boys–as if I had started stripping at 44–probably wouldn't be very lucrative at this age.  I told my hairdresser, and I make my coworkers watch videos of my new tricks.  I wish I got better reactions from some people but I figure I never will if I don't keep talking about it.  I guess I don't give a shit either.  If the people I tell don't know me well enough to ask questions or realize that poling doesn't equal prostitution, then to hell with 'em.

🙂    

[grayeyes]

The classes I take at the studio are an hour which includes about 10 minutes of warm-up.  At home I probably pole for at least an hour or an hour and a half.  At that point I don't necessarily want to stop but am usually getting pretty banged up and figure I better give my body a break.

[grayeyes]

I'm a nurse and at my main job where I am closer to my coworkers I have told just about everyone and I make them watch videos of new tricks I learned.  So far three other girls have come to class with me.  I've told my parents and they seemed okay with it, just asked a question or two but nothing negative.  I just told a bunch of old friends a few days ago at a party and they all seemed a little freaked out and no one seemed to know where to look–I'll have to work on that group.  Apparently all they can think of is stripper and since I'm 44 years old they probably didn't know what to think.  I'm new to pole but I LOVE it and I figure if I've told my parents I can tell just about anyone.  I think the only way to get people to understand that pole doesn't necessarily equal stripping is by talking about it.  I'm not on social media at all but if I were I probably would have to be careful because at least one of my jobs would probably be an issue.

[grayeyes]

CloSmo, that makes me smile–sounds like a cool grandpa to me.  🙂

[grayeyes]

If you feel like you have a weak spot or any other questions you should follow up with your surgeon and get your questions answered.  Find out for sure if there are any restrictions.  I know what you mean about the weird feeling when you open a heavy door–I can feel that too. 

[grayeyes]

Thanks for the thoughts.  I knew when I bought it that it would be more slippery and figured, as you guys have said, that it would make poling on anything else that much easier and would make me stronger.  However, when I told my instructor that I bought stainless she actually suggested I buy something different when I can.  I wanted to tell her that I didn't buy it because it was what I could afford–I bought it because it's what I wanted.  I love it–slippery or not so I'm just going to keep working on it and figure it out as I go!

[grayeyes]

I have implants under the muscle and I can do a pullup–yes, only one.  I train using a resistance band and can do quite a few with that.  I can also do pushups without any problem.  Pullups are more about your back muscles than your chest so the implants shouldn't interfere.  Some chest work definitely feels weird now that I have implants (I've had them eight years), particularly flyes, but I don't think they impair our strength in any way. 

[grayeyes]

I wondered the same thing about how fast various poles went up and down.  I ended up buying the Lil Mynx largely for this reason thinking that since it is only one piece it would go up and down quickly…and it does.  I can take it up and down literally in maybe ten seconds.  Neither my husband or I thought we would like it up all the time but it turns out that I think it's beautiful and love having it up, and he hasn't complained either.

[grayeyes]

Thanks, I'll give it a try.  I'm finding if I'm on the pole long enough and it's warmer I can get some grip but, dang, you're right that the brass pole is so much stickier.