Elyse Hauke
Forum Replies Created
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Ok, way back when the first app I knew about was the Pocket Pole app which I believe to know be defunct. I loved being able to scroll through moves and reference them whenever I got stuck in a rut and needed to change things up a bit during my freestyles or general practices. SV has such a wonderful catalog so a quick menu option to poses and grips would be lovely.
I would also love a function that could generate and track workouts or even generate tricks and spins combos based on a particular move we are working on. This may be a tall order but it’s something I think everyone could get their leg hooks into pun intended. lol! Accountability reminders would be really neat too! Or what about daily inspirational messages/notifications. A big part of why I love so much about SV is the positivity and supportive feedback that is always available and in large supply. I think everyone needs a little pick me up from time to time so a little message when we are living our busy lives away from SV would certainly be welcomed. Some of these ideas might not be feasible but this site always gets my creative juices flowing. 😉
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A fantastic post indeed! I record everything (well I try to record everything, sometimes technology doesn’t cooperate.) I watch my footage after every practice and find that I am more and more excited to keep going because progress can be seen on a daily basis that I don’t always realize in the moment. Even when progress isn’t seen daily, every bit counts and we should give ourselves praise and let us not forget about the happy accidents that can also be found along the way. It’s not easy work but the payoff is so rewarding. Bask in your glory girl! You’ve earned it!
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Way to go girl! So glad to hear this!
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Veena,
This video is priceless!!!!!!
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Phoenix,
Congratulations on all of your accomplishments! 20 lbs is not as easy as it sounds and it does take hard work and dedication. Its really easy for people to judge and make statements because its easier to make excuses for their lack of trying and makes it easier to live with their choices. I am down 50 lbs since February and have hit a bit of a plateau but I never forget how much better I feel about myself for accomplishing my goals and having the dedication to keep going. No matter what anyone says, no one can take that from me. We don’t need their approval and we certainly don’t need their negativity. Just keep your head up, you know who you are and what you are capable of. Let them roll their eyes and talk all they want. You just smile and take comfort in the fact that you are happier and healthier and you earned it! You are an agent of change and taking control of your life and your happiness? What are they doing? Nothing!
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I started in July and life got crazy for me too! What’s new? Hoping to get back on a more regular schedule soon. I did make it to day 7 though! One way or another I will get to day 30.
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Cazzzz, you know, I have typically had difficulties in that area as well. Especially with the cradle spin. While I have always been able to do it, it wasn’t strong and sometimes, it still isn’t. But I have come leaps and bounds since I picked poling back up. I have also found that strengthening the hip flexors has lead to vast improvements which I am sure, with ab/leg lift work that is likely included you will get a lot of that with the 30 day challenge as well. I will be sure to post before and after pics. I just hit the half way mark in my weight loss journey right now. Down 35lbs!!! So…for me it will certainly be exciting to see the results on day 30!
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I am in! I will do the best I can given my recent recovery issues, but something is better than nothing. Fingers crossed I can do the full 30 days on schedule.
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I usually use Tite grip on the backs of my knees and other spots where I need it when practicing or performing, typically only in the summertime though, its very humid where I live. Most of the time, I just use a towel and alcohol and just wipe off to stay dry. I don’t typically perspire heavily unless I am really hitting cardio hard but there are days when I just can’t seem to keep it all under wraps. Tite grip usually delivers though. For hands I usually use dry hands and sometimes use Tite Grip as a base.
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Yayo,
How exciting. Be sure to post your comp. footage if you can! Sorry somehow I missed your post about Tuesday. It wasn’t a good day for me anyway but I am sure we can manage a good time for both of us. I am usually flexible in the evenings just depends on how much school work I have to get done. I typically just need to be done poling by 9:30 so I can wind down and get to bed. I have to be at work by 7:30 on weekdays. I am a night owl and have trouble falling asleep so this schedule doesn’t work well for me, but that’s life.
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Yayo-
Sounds good to me. I also have low ceilings so I am limited there but at this point it isn’t crucial. I am game for anything. What competition are you competing in? -
Yayo,
What are you working on currently? I am hoping to work on more conditioning, flexibility and working mostly on intermediate moves/combos right now. I have gotten some of my advanced moves back but my focus has been transitions and building endurance.
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Hi Kellye, I ended up in Columbus because my husband is stationed here. Time zones can be so frustrating, I am on EST time so about 3 hours ahead of AZ and about 7 hours behind Switzerland and Finland. Only an hour ahead of you Yayo. Btw, I appreciate all dance styles so it really doesn’t matter to me what my pole buddies preferences are. I am just interested in the accountability and social aspects of training on Skype. I don’t have the luxury of a pole community where I live.
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Mystical-
I have the Jungle Gym Xt and the Rip60 trainer. I enjoy both but I prefer the Rip60 trainer. Both are under $100 on amazon. Just some others to consider and compare. That is if you haven’t bought one already. -
YES PLEASE!!!! PM ME!!!! I am also a jazz, ballet, modern, contemporary kind of gal. 😉
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Suzanne,
Now having read a little more on the thread, I thought I would add another note in regard to goals. Having goals and setting them based on a realistic timeline is very good mindset to keep. I have been more conscious of doing this myself now that I am back in full swing on the pole.I like goals that are measurable so I can re-evaluate whether or not my goals are realistic and achievable within the given timeframe. Given your current physical fitness and having several months under your belt, the handspring may very well be an achievable goal within the 100 days you have given yourself.
I never thought in a million years that I would have gotten a cartwheel mount after 9 months of poling. I was 175 lbs when I started in the fall of 2009 and in July of 2010 I was 156lbs and nailed my first cartwheel; which, in the grand scheme of things is not that much time. People have done it in less time or can take years to get to that level. Timeframe is relative to how much you train, how you follow through with recovery and ultimately putting in the work to stay safe and work to prevent injuries.
Twisted grip is one of those things where some do it and some avoid it all costs. Listen to your body and I think you will be very happy with the results after 100 days whether you get your TG handspring or not. I am excited to follow your journey and look forward to the progress you make. I can’t wait to see your TG handspring video and I wish you all the best in achieving it by day 100! Just remember, even if day 100 comes and your goal, whatever it may be hasn’t been reached, there is always day 101 or day 120. You will get there and we will be here to cheer you on!!!
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Suzanne, welcome to the SV community! So nice to have you here. I haven’t had much time to read the entire thread either but I agree with Allyson, for your height 160 is a very healthy weight and I echo Allyson’s comments about tall dancers such as Kyra and and let’s not forget Amber Richard! All tall, strong and beautiful dancers!
I am not as tall (5’7) but when I first started I was around 175 lbs. After several years off the pole I was up to a whopping 211 lbs. I recently started polework again and even at 211 I was shocked at how much I could still do and how quickly everything came back. In just a 2-3 months I am back to poling at an intermediate level with a surprising number of advanced moves. Poling with extra weight may seem more difficult at first but it has helped me become much stronger as a poledancer and I have noticed great strength gains when the weight came off that may not have developed as quickly if I hadn’t had to work harder to move all that weight around. After about 4.5 months of dieting and 2-3 months of poling, I am back down to 175 and have about 35-40 lbs to go.
It can be frustrating when in your head you feel like you should be further along but things that once seemed impossible soon become easier than you can ever imagine. I might add that at 6 ft tall and 160lbs you are well within the normal weight range for your height. If there is a will there is way, it may just take some time to find the sweet spots, learn to engage the appropriate muscle groups and learning the little tips and tricks to securing a move or nailing a new spin. Sometimes a small rotation of the hip can make a world of difference.But in the end patience and determination are the most notable characteristics of the dancers we most admire and aspire to be.
Trust, me I am not a skinny girl right now and it has never caused me any sort of great limitations as a result. Everyone has their nemesis moves or things they struggle with but poledance is something that all body shapes and types can enjoy. Poledance motivates me to be a healthier and stronger person inside and out!
As far as grip strength is concerned, everyone starts out gripping on for dear life as Runemist mentioned! Absolutely everyone! Grip strength is definitely something that builds over time but when first starting out it is more about being comfortable on the pole and learning how to gauge how tightly to grip the pole than it is about having hand/grip strength. You will see a huge difference in how you move around the pole and in your transitions in no time. Veena’s lessons are such a wonderful resource for everything pole related. I think you will find her instruction to be very detailed and help learn some of the best tips and tricks in regard to executing moves and spins as well as the conditioning necessary to prepare for each stage of your pole journey. You will also find plenty of help and support here in the forums from others as we are a tight knit community and we are all here to learn and grow both as dancers and people. This has always been my experience here on the site, I am sure you will find this to be true in your adventures here as well.
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While I have not yet tried this yet, I have done some research recently and have come across many videos and articles online about making your own liquid chalk. If you have access to a sports gear store that sells powder form gymnast chalk, you can mix it with isopropyl alcohol. People claim that it dries quickly and doesn’t make a mess the way dry chalk does. Based on what I have seen it should work just as well as Dry Hands and is virtually the same thing. Only difference apparently is that it just doesn’t have the thickening agent that most liquid chalks have to keep it from being so runny and drying out quickly. If it does just add some more alcohol. Very cost effective in comparison to paying $7 and up for a small bottle of grip aid. I have wanted to try this for a while, I just haven’t gotten around to it.
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Welcome back love! Veena’s advice is definitely the way to go to reduce the discomfort while you recover. Expanding upon her suggestions you may also find some additional relief from arnica gel (helps with bruising and sore muscles.) You might also try Biofreeze or some other brand of cooling or warming therapy topical. Heating pads are always helpful to me, especially for my lower back when I am idle and not moving around a lot. Sitting idle for too long definitely makes me incredibly stiff. If I have been sitting for too long, I make sure to stand up and move for a minute or two. Even if its a walk to the fridge to top of my water, it helps.
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409, I am in complete agreement with what Veena has said. You should never be made to feel that the you should do anything that doesn’t feel right for you; especially when children are or may be involved. The partners we choose to be with or marry may be the right person for us but even marriage does not necessarily mean that having a child is the right decision.
Based on the limited information you have shared, and I may be wrong, but It doesn’t sound like this man has offered much in the way of long term commitment or given you any indication that he would be the type of father you would want for your child even if you wanted to have children. Given the pressure he is putting on you, he doesn’t sound like the type of man you deserve in your life.
My heart goes out to you as I know this situation is very disconcerting. As hard as it may be, it sounds like you should follow your instincts that may be leading you to a decision to find someone else. I know how difficult it is to spend any length of time with someone when you feel like your time is limited to find what will make you happy. I understand how difficult it is to curb feelings of fleeting time and desperation for happiness but please know that you are special and that there are plenty of people out there that will value you and give you the respect that you deserve.
Over the years I have watched many of your videos and from where I am sitting I can clearly see that you are a funny, witty, creative and beautiful person that enjoys life and has so much to offer! Follow your instincts and be true to yourself! Only you know what is right for you!
If you ever need to talk we will always be here. You are welcome to PM me anytime. I may not always have the ability to give the best advice but I am certainly able to listen. Sometimes, that’s all we need to find some centeredness or at the very least, comfort. Remember to love yourself and good things will come. Sending big hugs!
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Barbwire- Thank you! I am sure I will find something. Its just a matter finding something that fits correctly and doesn’t cause chaffing. As far as the pain in your forearms goes, if the pain is emanating from the tendons or muscles down the forearm from the elbow joint it is most likely tendonitis or better known in that area as “tennis elbow;” generally the result of overuse. I suffered from this on and off for the first 8 to 10 months of poling because yes, I too have been guilty of overtraining.
Once my forearms became stronger and I lost a bit of weight, it started to ease up and eventually go away completely. Having been off the pole for a long a time, I was concerned that I might experience it again but fortunately it hasn’t been an issue thus far.
Mueller makes a great elbow strap/support that I found to be very helpful.
http://www.amazon.com/Mueller-Tennis-Elbow-1-Count-Package/dp/B0027VOS8U/ref=sr_1_5_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1464299597&sr=8-5&keywords=mueller+elbow+strapThe best exercises I have found to help strengthen, relieve and prevent the pain and discomfort are:
1.) using hand grip strengtheners (something like this) http://www.amazon.com/Strengthener-Grippers-Musicians-Rehabilitation-Exercising/dp/B018GUBLWG/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1464299786&sr=8-18&keywords=hand+grip+strengthener. Also, under the conditioning tab, please see Veena’s lessons! Watch: “Shoulder Rotation” all the way through “Radial Wrist Lift.” I threw in the rotator cuff lessons for good measure due to the fact that rotator cuff injuries are very common and are also the result of overuse in poling. Since you are already focusing on the lower arms, it is best to also take a minute to devote to your shoulder health as well.
2.)Forearm stretches- Please see Veena’s Forearm Extensor and Forearm Flexor videos. These can also be done from a sitting position on your knees on the floor, place both arms on the floor in front of you fingers pointing away from the body with widely spread fingers. You can also stretch the muscles of the inner forearms by placing place the hands so that your fingers are pointing are pointing towards your body and with fingers widely spread. Gently and I mean ever so gently lean in to increase the stretch if needed. This can also be done from a standing position using the pole. http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/detail/view/name/kneeling-forearm-stretch
3.) Also, during every warm-up, cool down (I sometimes do this during the day, if I feel my forearms and wrists are sore or tight)- create circular motions with your wrists while spreading your fingers and moving your fingers in the along with with the circular the same circular motion.
My absolute favorite is something I first learned from Karol Helms years ago is finger flicking. It really helps!!!! With your hands facing downward, bring the tips of your fingers to the tips of your thumbs (looks like you are making the shape of an “o” with your hands. Create a slight amount of pressure between the tips of your fingers. Then flick your fingers outward firmly so the are widely spread as you extend like you are flicking water droplets off your hands. Repeat this motion, in the reverse direction as well. I typically do about 10 repetitions in each direction for both hands.Please check here on Veena’s lessons. I am sure Veena may have already included these in her lessons somewhere in the hand/wrist/forearm section under the conditioning tab. I have not yet completed them all, so my apologies for not sending you to an example of what I have described here directly. Also, here is a page that gives some instruction on some more exercises that you may find helpful for the hands, wrists and elbows. Some variations of the exercises/stretches I have noted are also given on this page. Lastly, give yourself ample time for rest and healing. It can be so difficult, believe me, I know! But, being regimented about rest days is just as important as being regimented with your workouts. I hope this helps!
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Wrist strain and hyperextension can be so frustrating. I have had a problem with it on and off for a long time (non-pole injury) but for some reason when I sleep I curl my hands into my chest where my fingertips nearly touch the insides of my wrists when I sleep and continually strain my wrists by hyperextension. Still on the hunt for a wrist brace that is comfortable to wear at night to stop myself from doing this. I really should be working with my left as the lower bracket, but I am terrible about training a lot of things on both sides. Shame on me! lol!
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Edit*- As veena’s mentioned this hand position also applies to the upper arm (top bracket) for split grip hold moves.
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Barbwire- what moonflower is referring to and what you will see in veena’s lessons is the pointer finger of the bottom hand (lower bracket) is pointing downward forming a parallel line with the pole when performing moves/spins where a split grip is used. It resembles the hand position used when shooting a gun. You may have also heard this referred to as a trigger finger. This hand position is important to use as it keeps your wrist in a stable neutral position that AIDS in preventing hyper-extension. It is the best way to protect your wrists as well as the tendons in the hand and the forearm muscles through the elbow joint.
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Welcome to our wonderful community Kristine. Congratulations on your recent weight loss! Can’t wait for you to get a pole at home, you just won’t believe how much pole can do for your body until you experience it for yourself. Having a pole at home will help you to practice more and reach your pole and fitness goals quicker than you might think. Excited to follow you on your journey!
