[heathalynne]

You know what’s funny? This whole time I’ve been doing all 3 grips with 4 fingers together. Not a single instructor told me about GUN GRIP. Lol.

So today i try gun grip and I feel much more sturdier with elbow and split. Thank you, Veena and her lessons!

[heathalynne]

 

Ridiculously breathtaking!!! Anyone have Marlo's vid?

Oona Kivelä
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrHSV6jcRm0

Zoraya Judd
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwatD5-nRhg

 

[heathalynne]

 

In order of preference, forearm grip, elbow grip, split grip. I'm still working on elbow to make it stronger. I could only do elbow once in a while at home. And with split, I'm too chicken to do it without knowing there's a spot to catch me. LOL! I could only do split at the studio. I guess b/c I push out a lot where my arms are a 90 degree angle. I do the same as chem, go into from extended butterfly, with the side of my knee touching the pole first, not my ankle. Then rotate. Balance is easier that way.

 

@dustbunny – I keep telling myself that. Lol! Set your gaze else where except THE FLOOR. But that floor just keeps staring at me. LOL! I do find it easier to do when I gaze at the mirror. Will try looking at my feet next time. Thanks!

[heathalynne]

Lol! Hardcore, girl! I can’t handle that. Doubles daily. I do doubles but spaced out a week between. -=X

Since you’re doing 4 now, you might as well sign up for a 5th and get the 6th one free. LOL!

[heathalynne]

That’s the ironic part. I think its either an old formula or the fakes they’re talking about somewhere.

I tried both and the 2nd one didn’t work for me, just made my hands sweatier and created little beads of sweat on my hands. The 1st one made them completely sweat-free. Also, the creams looked different in color and texture too.

[heathalynne]

Ooh!!! Nice! Which did you sign up for? 11:30 or 1:00?

Now I’m debating to switch from Thursday to Saturday with you. But idk if my body can handle Jenyne plus 2 pole jams in 1 day! LOL!

I just signed up for Karol’s Sunday 2:30pm class. I love her! She’s cool peoples and a great instructor.

[heathalynne]

Oops the 2nd didn’t come out. This is the fake one.

http://www.scorelow.com/media/images/product_detail/Tite_Grip_LG.jpg

[heathalynne]

Maybe a dot close to half a cm or quarter of an inch.

Also make sure your packaging looks like this:

http://www.tite-grip.com/images/product-small.jpg

NOT like this:

http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/golfstuffcheaper_2149_27129249

Good luck! 🙂

[heathalynne]

Yes, I’m weird. Lol! You know how ppl do that in yoga and pole so easily? Like pencil mount or devotional warrior? I can’t raise my hands enough away from my back more than 1 foot. Its even hard for me to clasp my palms flat together. 🙁

I’m thinking it might be bc of my back muscles too but mostly bc of the cuffs.

[heathalynne]

Ah yes, I stand corrected. Veena does do the pencil grip in Bow and Arrow at 3:02. *blushes*

[heathalynne]

Oh yeah! Looking down while doing something crazy like lunchbox with their toes touching their head or Jenyne's air walk. lol!

I wish my rotator cuffs were loose enough to do that pencil. 🙁 I don't have enough "natural range of motion" that way.

Technically it's the pencil and a step before releasing the foot hook.

[heathalynne]

I've never been to an actual "pole jam" but have been to pole parties at clubs. Not sure if it's the same. LOL! What are we supposed to wear? Tank and booty shorts? Dress/skirt with booty shorts under? Leggings?

[heathalynne]

Yay! Glad it’s working so well with everyone!

Also update on titanium gold and vinegar… We tried it on my friend’s TG, and HOLY MEGA GRIP ALMIGHTY! Grip as if I had gorilla glue on the pole. Lol! Not sure about long term results but immediately, no color change or corrosion.

@Billababe220 – I am sooooo with you!!! Hahaha! Was about 1 step away from botox or iontophoresis. I swear by white distilled vinegar. Also recently got rid of iTac and am now using Tite Grip an hour before poling. Will look for Publix brand to compare with my American Choice brand

[heathalynne]

X-Pole chrome here too! I’m not a fan of Lil Mynx or platinum stages at all.

I totally agree about studio costs!!!! Imagine paying $480 per session (2 months) plus $35 commute every week. That’s $95 PER CLASS for me, $380/month ($240/month without commute). I found other studios that were cheaper $90-$120/month.

Point blank, its all about preference. With classes, the teacher can tell you exactly what you need to do or doing wrong. Whereas at home, you can replay the lessons over and over and over if you want.

[heathalynne]

Both have their advantages and disadvantages. I bought a pole within the first month or 2 of starting S Factor. Played with it for a bit and dance for my husband once in a blue. Then didn’t use it for YEARS.

I stuck with S Factor bc they helped me build up my confidence, femininity, and sexuality. I especially loved the freestyle improv, choosing your songs, and just letting go. Though I wasn’t advancing fast enough with tricks. I started branching out to other studios a couple months ago. I love the environment of a class and the instructors teach you different things than online lessons or YouTube. You get that one on one spotting, etc.

At home is great, especially with Veena’s lessons, other online lessons, the forums, SV vids, and YouTube. But not as fun as a class setting.

I’m at that point where I’m half and half. Pole at home once a week and studio once a week. As for difference in ability and confidence, it varies on the trick. Like one thing I can do at home but not in studio and vice versa.

[heathalynne]

Not in Australia but if anyone is in San Francisco, Los Angeles, or NYC, Kyra from Body & Pole started a X-Pert Teacher Training Certification. Gives ACE and AFFA credits. Out of all the studios and teachers I’ve been with, shes the ONLY person I trust as a spotter.

[heathalynne]

I have the same problem. Actually recently got rid of itac 2 & 3 bc they just sweat off due to being made of beeswax. Too much reapplying.

Decided to give Tite Grip a 2nd chance and take the polers advice. Apply 30 minutes to 1 hour before poling, then reapply right before pole. Plus rubbing white distilled vinegar on the pole to clean/warm it. Amazing!

I think i didn’t like Tite Grip before bc I used the fake one and applied it right before poling so it didn’t absorb. The fake one has diff packaging! Bought the real Tite Grip from the manufacturer and works wonders. I still sweat a little after 15-20 minutes and have to reapply, but not after every SINGLE move like before.

[heathalynne]

Glad you posted some samples! It will convince others to join. Love the way you break down the moves so well.

I didn’t think about buying lessons blind. Then my friend showed me on her PC and I was hooked. Bought 1 year! 🙂

[heathalynne]

@Empy – It's not loading for us b/c the video is set to your hard drive (C:\), and not uploaded on the web.

file_name_1="C:\Documents and Settings\Mary Ellyn\Desktop\Inverted Leg Hook Spin.wmv

Try uploading it directly to SV or youtube. Or upload the WMV file straight to your website instead of via Frontpage.

[heathalynne]

Pleaser Kiss 201

I love how there's NO strap and yet they stay on your feet. Yup. I have 3 pairs. lol! I have a couple others but some are hard to walk in or fall forward or are too high or uncomfortable.

[heathalynne]

The muscle you're talking about is your tricep. Rest! 🙂

Whenever I pull or strain muscles, I find that hot yoga or sauna relieves it the fastest.

[heathalynne]

It's not so much anemia or any blood levels or skin toughening. It's about control on the pole. The longer your practice, the more you learn to control your transitions and tricks onto the pole, the less you bruise. You may not realize it but you're putting more pressure on the bony parts of your body (i.e. top of your feet, side of your forearm, shins, etc.) instead of on the proper muscles or contact points. 

Then there are certain moves you are bound to get bruises, even with full control, like the allegra. Or if you bruise easily, then even with control, you'll still bruise.

I recently got a really bad bruise from outside/inside switches b/c I put too much pressure on my hip bone instead of my flank area. Then decided to do antigravity a couple days later. NOT a good idea btw. lol!

[heathalynne]

Oh what the? I stopped watching after like season 3. This will draw me back in! T4p!

[heathalynne]

I do and watch more dance and transitions than tricks. Like some say, anyone can do tricks but not everyone can dance with that fluid movement.

[heathalynne]

Hot yoga 3x per week opened up my hips and hamstrings more than pole or stretching exercises ever did.

I highly suggest getting the Resistance Stretching DVD by Dara Torres. Heard it works for a lot of ppl. I’ve been doing just one quad stretch she posted on YouTube and that helps me loosen my hamstrings before class.