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I voted as well.

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All of my thigh holds have gotten a lot less painful, some to the point where they don't even bother me anymore, but that superman is a killer, although I haven't been practicing it lately, which is part of the problem. So far it's been the most painful move for me to learn, although everyone is different.

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When I first learned the superman, the pain was incredible–I held the position for about five seconds, then hopped down, cursing all the way. LMAO It will get better, trust me, it just takes some time. You might want to try doing just a basic pole sit for a little while each day, even if you don't do anything else; that can help you get used to the burn more quickly.

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Definitely let me know how you like it! I'm also eyeing Alethea Austin's flexibility DVDs; my wallet is still recovering from paying my car insurance right now, but once I'm back to a comfortable financial spot, I'm thinking of picking up her splits DVD. To be honest, I don't want or believe it's necessary for me to be as bendy as either Felix or Alethea, but I DO want to finally get my splits down. I have really tight hamstrings as well, and it's actually preventing me from learning some moves. I can't do a pencil mount because I don't have enough hamstring flexibility to get my back flat against the pole; I've gotten to a point in my tricks now where leg flexibility is going to start holding me back if I don't start working on it.

I've never really blogged about my poling, but I have been thinking about it. It would be a good way to sort of chart my progression and see how far I've come from the very beginning. 

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I'm so glad you had a good time!

Have you received Felix's DVD yet and had a chance to use it? And if so, how do you like it? I mean, if anyone knows anything about how to get bendy, it's her! I've been thinking about ordering it myself–flexibility and I are not friends at all. I love to work out, but have always hated stretching–I do the bare minimum to warm up and cool down before and after a workout, and that's it. Now that I've begun pole dancing, I really wish I had been more vigilant about stretching in the past.

In response to your questions, I'm in Washington (the side opposite from all the pole studios, unfortunately–most of them are in Seattle) and most of all my learning has been done with Veena's lessons, which I highly recommend supplementing your classes with, if you can afford them. She breaks everything down amazingly well. They have been super helpful for me.

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I'm definitely going to second practicing from the floor first. You don't want to be kicking into this move at all–it needs to be very controlled all the way through. Lifting from the floor will ensure that you don't have very far to go if you slip, as well as helping to build up strength without worrying about falling on your neck.

Also, are you subscribed to Veena's lessons? If so, I would take a look at her SM video–she actually uses a different grip than a lot of people do. I generally use a regular cup grip, but I've been trying Veena's version out lately just to see which I like better. You might want to try her grip if you have access to those videos.

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Actually, assembly is pretty easy, although I was overwhelmed at first too–the Lil Mynx was super easy to deal with, being just one piece, and then I get my x-pole and there are all these parts to fit together…The video's very clear though; my boyfriend was over when I got my pole and between the two of us we assembled it and put it together in maybe ten minutes or so. (You can easily do it with only one person, though, he just wanted to help because he was kind of fascinated by the engineering of it. lol)

I don't have any photos taken with my Canon posted, no–all pics on my profile were done with a basic little digital point and shoot. I don't really have any of my actual photography posted on-line, although I plan to get some up once I've gotten more experience under my belt.

I so feel your pain with wiping your hands constantly!! To date, I don't think I've ever gotten through an entire routine without wiping my hands. Usually it's like spin, wipe hands, invert, come down, wipe hands. Kind of kills flow and forget combos. I'm really hoping the TG will change all that, if it ever warms up here! Argh.

I practice in bare feet when I'm learning new tricks, but when I dance I like to throw on a pair of sexy shoes. I recommend getting a trick down barefoot first–when you know how to properly execute the move, then you can move on to shoes if you like. Basically you just want to make sure you don't get dependent on the grippiness of the shoes. Anything you can do with shoes on you should be able to do barefoot.

Can't wait to hear how your class goes! I really need to move somewhere with pole studios nearby. 

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That was a lot of fun to watch. Love the tops, too!

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Phoenix, that was what got me–she looks so small and then she just starts busting out all this crazy stuff! Amazing.

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It's so sad that parents send their kids off to what should be a safe environment and something like this happens. I have read about Mattcrobat in Pole Spin but did not realize his studio was near where all this took place. Just totally senseless.

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No problem! We've all been in the same spot you were. So many choices.

Definitely find out what finish and size that pole you loved is, because that's probably what you're going to want to go with since you're meshing better with it than the other ones. Sweaty skin, dry skin, small hands, large hands–it all makes a difference in who's going to like what pole better. Some people love stainless steel, but I could barely accomplish anything on my old stainless steel pole, it was so slippery.

I love my Canon–it's not a super pricey camera, but I've gotten some pretty nice shots with it with just the little kit lens on there. I can't wait to invest in some better quality lenses. (Sooo expensive, though. I need cheaper hobbies.)

I wish I had a specific pole room, but it's just up in my living room because that's the only room where I have space for it. (I live in a one bedroom apartment.) I'm on carpet, which has it's advantages and disadvantages. Floorwork without boots that cover your knees can definitely be kind of uncomfortable, and twirling around the pole is certainly a lot less graceful than doing it on hardwood floors, although several members on here have suggested applying tape to the bottom of your shoes when dancing on carpet to take away the overly grippy nature of the carpet. I haven't tried this yet, but plan to. There are also a couple of threads around here from people who have rigged up a little dance area on carpet, where they basically lay down laminate or something along those lines. I always just rock out on carpet, but if you're creative, you may be able to figure something out or get suggestions here. I think of it this way–at least if (when haha) I fall, I'm going to have a lot softer landing than coming down on hardwood. Mostly it's just my ego that gets hurt. 😉

How long have I been poling? I think I bought my first pole close to two years ago, but I've been very inconsistent in it. I've had major issues with sweaty hands, so there have been months at a time where I've stepped away from poling out of frustration, which is too bad, because I really do love it and have a lot of fun when my hands are cooperating. I started on a stainless steel and only recently exchanged it for the TG, which I seem to be getting on a lot better with–the stainless steel was so frustrating, because I'm into intermediate and advanced tricks now, but there were days I couldn't even climb it because my hands would just keep sliding and sliding.  The Lil Mynx stainless steel has a reputation for being very slippery–it was like trying to dance on wet glass, for me. However, I feel like I'm finally going to be able to make some progress with this TG pole, so I'm feeling very excited and enthusiastic.

And never be afraid to ask questions. I love to talk. Especially about poling. I don't have any local pole buddies to blab to, so I have to get it all out with you ladies. lol

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Yeah, the Mia is the one I've been eyeing, mostly just because it's cheaper and seems to be (from what I've read) just as good as the original Clarisonic. I keep hemming and hawing over it because I'm cheap, but I love my electric toothbrush and I would never, ever go back to a normal one, and I know this works on basically the same principle.

For you Clarisonic users, what are some specific benefits you've noticed?

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You gotta' love the body pole gives you. Sexy muscles everywhere, not to mention the ability to break in half anyone who feels it is necessary to buy into the 'all pole dancers are sluts' stigma. LMAO

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I LOVE black and white photography. I think it's so beautiful. I just bought a Canon Rebel off my mom–she moved up to a different camera, so I purchased her old one off her for a really good price. It's actually a great little camera. I'm hoping to pick up some new lenses for it with my tax return this year.

Ok, so for a pole, first off I reccommend an X-pole so far as the brand. I used to have a Lil Mynx, which was a good, safe pole, but I had issues with ceiling damage with it. (Chewed through my dry wall, and I'm not the first person this has happened to.) The x-poles are all also spinny-mode optional (except the x-pole sport, I believe) which has been a lot of fun for me, because my Lil Mynx was static only. It's a very sturdy, safe pole that will hold up to whatever you want to do on it. I was a little nervous about going to a multi-piece (the Lil Mynx is one long eight foot pole, whereas the x-pole slots together,) but I have never felt unstable on it. 

Most people will recommend a chrome x-pole for a beginner, because some of the stickier finishes can pose problems for newbies who tend to have death grip. If you know you're a heavy sweater, however, I would consider getting a more grippy finish. Right now I have the titanium gold because I have sweaty hand issues, and I really love it. For diameter, I would go with a 50mm to start off with, just because that's generally the standard in most studios. If you have really small hands though, it may be worth considering a 45 mm, which is the diameter I have right now after starting on a 50mm. I love the 45–I don't have particularly small hands, but it's great for stability in more advanced tricks.

Really, what it comes down to is that it's a very personal decision, and everyone is different. Different body chemistry reacts differently with different pole finishes, but most people do pretty well with the chrome x-pole to start off with.  

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Whining about sex is one thing–ignoring your feelings entirely when you try to bring up his disrespectful attitude is another altogether. You said in your previous post 'the question is how much are you really willing to put up with? I'm at the end of my rope!'

I don't know how long you guys have been together, but this complete lack of respect in regards to your feelings is concerning. It's one thing for a guy to not realize how you feel–they can be pretty oblivious creatures, but for him to completely ignore it when you bring it up with him…like you said, how much are you willing to put up with? I would assume (and maybe I'm wrong) but I would assume that those respect issues are probably bleeding over into other parts of your relationship as well.

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Hey! Glad to meet another poler and photographer! (I'm an aspiring amateur photographer.)

Welcome to the board, and happy poling! Do you have your own home pole yet?

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Congrats! I can't wait to start working on this one!

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I'm really sorry to hear that. I'm glad the person responsible finally stepped forward, and I hope justice is carried out for your friend. I'm glad you have an outlet for all of this.

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Thanks for the links and info, guys! Like I said, she sounded familiar to me but I couldn't really place her. This was just a video I randomly stumbled across.

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I'm pretty sure I've heard of her before, although I don't think I've ever seen her dance.

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I'm another Makeupalley fan. Love, love, love that site. I'm also a product junkie, so I too spend a lot of time on there to give my wallet a break. And Meleania, that Salux cloth is fabulous.

I have several fave beauty products but don't have time to list them all since I've got to head off to work in a few minutes. However, I will say that I love African Black Soap as a face wash. No chemicals, it cleans beautifully without drying out my skin, and it hates zits. Can't go wrong with that.

Also, I've heard such great things about the Clarisonic that I really kind of want one, but it's so expensive. I've been reading a lot of reviews on it lately to try and decide if it's worth it.

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Betsyevil, he's being very disrespectful, not to mention unsafe if he's grabbing at you like that while you're on the pole. He shouldn't be doing anything that makes you uncomfortable–while my BF ticks me off sometimes with his attitude toward sex, he never tries to make me do stuff I'm uncomfortable with. I think the naked pictures are crossing a line–it's perfectly normal for you to not be comfortable having those taken (I mean, how many times does stuff like that wind up on the internet?) and he shouldn't be getting mad at you for refusing to practice pole in a way that you're not comfortable with. Pole is your thing–I doubt you got it for him, and it shouldn't be made into something that's awkward and uncomfortable for you.

Honestly, the grabbing at you while you're on the pole thing really concerns me. He could actually injure you if you fall while you're in an awkward position, or even if he causes you to slip–I have to deal with sweaty hands, so I know all about slipping, and I've just narrowly avoiding straining muscles a couple of times from the abrupt jerking motions that can come with it. Pole should be your me time unless you've made the decision to dance for him, and I don't think he should be interfering in it like that. Have you tried talking to him about it at all? Is he aware how uncomfortable he's making you and the potential safety hazards of trying to grab you while you're practicing?

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Yeah, my boyfriend likes to glare at men looking at me. I don't even notice them, but he sure does! I don't really get it–I always point out to him that if he finds me attractive, doesn't he think there's a chance other guys will too?

Ginger, I hate the 'just get it over with and let me go to sleep'  feeling, but I also hate the pouty attitude that's probably going to take its place if they don't get any. I guess it's the wounded sort of 'oh, what, you don't want me?' vibe. Sometimes, I'm just too tired/run down/whatever, you know? It seems like men take it as a personal affront or something. I'm not trying to reject him, I just need some rest. I mean, I wouldn't be upset if he told me he was feeling really shitty and just wanted to roll over and go to sleep.

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Yes, communication is really what it comes down to, but God, men are so HARD sometimes to actually communicate with, you know? I mean, seriously, where's the manual?

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Oh, and that video was absolutely hilarious, and so true! LMAO