[hrhlaura]

Interested to know if it works on other body parts – also I’m rushing out to Kirk’s today to go buy some! This humidity sucks for me trying to stick to a pole!

[hrhlaura]

That sounds awesome – I’m guessing for US only though? I’m in Caribbean and have the same problem with sweat.

As a side note I find I stick better to my Chrome pole when it is freezing cold. Any ideas why?

[hrhlaura]

Hey 🙂 Firstly – welcome to Cayman! I lived in South Africa before which is also humid but not like here. I brought a 45mm brass X-pole with me (the looks in customs) and it’s been ok. I find that I get super sweaty palms, like too much for the brass to handle so I still slip off but everything else is great. Hate the studio poles but personally I stick better to a pole when it is freezing cold. Lots of grip aid and be prepared to turn your AC down a lot at home to counteract the heat. Also try pole early morning or late evening – I found that helps me more.

[hrhlaura]

Hey Lynn,

any more news on your rig design and availability for purchase?

[hrhlaura]

hey 🙂 – Welcome to the Cayman Islands 🙂

[hrhlaura]

You welcome to chat to me – I own studios in South Africa

[hrhlaura]

I must admit – I have days when the admin and S$#t from other studios is too much and I just want to close – bu then they are out numberd by the days when my students conquer a move and they are delighted. I am reminded on the good days why I actually opened in the first place and it strengthens me.

[hrhlaura]

I have those manuals as well and loved every minute of them – have made changes to what she suggests from videos on you tube and love classes but otherwise and excellent base to work from 🙂

[hrhlaura]

Natasha is considered to be the founder of Pole Dancing in South Africa and is the pioneer of the pole studios concept. She is also an international pole judge. Lovely lady and awesome to work with.

[hrhlaura]

Yes! I have been obsessed with that move ever since I saw it. I have a really good elbow/embrace grip and yet when I tried it, it was impossible (ok let me amend that to Impossible… for now!)

My problems were I couldn't sink into the embrace to get enough grip with my elbows and I couldn't arch my top back enough to push my stomach into the pole to use as extra grip (similar to doing it upright)

If anyone has any tips do please share 🙂

[hrhlaura]

I really wanted to add:

I started the competition, EastCoastPole, in South Africa, as a local competition in order to help people get used to performing and competing. It is only open to local dancers – but we have had great support from the pole dancers around the country and judges are always from out of town (not local) in order to take the bias out of judging. The hardest part has been trying to make sure that the competition can never be seen to be biased or showing favouritism. 

Because of the difficulty with the difference between tricks and dance etc. we do not limit whether people can dance in shoes or not. We try and have 3 judges, one with a specialisation in pole tricks, the other with pole dance and transitions/spins etc and lastly an external dancer. We believe that the beauty of dance is universal and instantly recognisable to any dancer regardless of the "props" or forms of dance. This last judge focuses just on the magic of the routine.

We also have a problem trying to distinguish between intermediate, advanced and professional. Each year we can only make it better by learning from the past year.

Some of the improvements we will be making next year will be to add Junior and Masters levels. These levels will not be judged for placing (first, second, third) but rather as an exam (gold = 80% and above, silver 70-80% etc). It is felt that this will help eliminate competition between people and rather encourage individual performance. Juniors will be open to competitors between 16-18 years. Masters will be open to competitors 40 years or older.

The beginners, intermediate and advanced categories will remain. There will be a professional category as well for competitors who have competed at a national or international level (criteria still to be established). Intermediate move restrictions will remain but instead of limiting certain moves we are looking at moving towards restricting the number of advanced moves. We have found that everyone's idea of advanced moves is different. To help with this you will only be allowed to perform 2 advanced moves in your routine. (as usual the specifics still need to be discussed).

If anyone has anything to add that we might be able to benefit from please do comment as we appreciate any way to improve.

[hrhlaura]

Chat to Juanita from Vertical Secrets studios – not sure about contact details – try find her on FB. Most studios in SA have their own clothing ranges – but i must admit sometimes its difficult to find something that covers, doesn't wedge or roll up…

If you find anything affordable online with good shipping options please let me know.

[hrhlaura]

https://www.studioveena.com/photos/view_album/57bbe1aa-1492-11e0-ab19-12313b090e12

Here is the link to the album

 

[hrhlaura]

hi there,

I have a studio with very high celings as well (cement thank goodness) – they are about 4.30m high (20cm shorter than yours)

I installed 50mm stainless steel poles which had a wall thickness of 1.5mm. I made sure that there was a top coupling which prevented the pole from spinning or slipping. Yes the poles flex (but not a lot) but we have never had any problems and the girls love the height for climbing. No spinning poles but the girls dont mind that much. I will try load a picture to my profile so you can see what I mean

[hrhlaura]

Finding the combo for class is great but I'm terrified for performances – what if fall on my ass?

what is your perfect formula of grip aids for performances? Or does the adrenaline do everythign for you?

[hrhlaura]

Hey – https://www.studioveena.com/users/view/bc950dd0-d89d-11df-ab19-12313b090e12, It is something that I will bring up on the PDC forums thank you, but I was actually more referring my country's pole dancing association. It was something that I was worried about with the new studio and when I approached them for guidance, I discovered that they didn't have any for me. It got me worried about the studios and gyms they were admitting and the safety aspect of it, but I guess they are hoping that you will use your own judgment.

Because of the lack of help that side I thought I would approach The Veeners, as everyone always has such helpful and relevant advice for me. I have my own feelings on it but I wanted more advice.

[hrhlaura]

Ahhhh Chem! You rock 😀 thank you so much! Some how I knew you would know what I had missed (or been too lazy to search)

So, is anything being done to amend pole associations codes of conduct? Should I push my Association to amend their code? Of course I will keep my studio safe based on the "Veena Code" courtesy of all the input from you amazing people! But its frustrating trying to "legitimise" pole dancing when associations are allowing no limits on the number of poles per studio.

 

Thank you so much guys

[hrhlaura]

@BACE16 – Thanx so much – registered! Im hrhlaura on Fitocracy. see you guys there

[hrhlaura]

Anymore invites available? dance@fusionkzn.co.za 🙂 Thanx

[hrhlaura]

Hey Mich 🙂

The best thing is to ice your hands after practice – I find this helps me alot. Ice in a bowl of water, no more than 20mins EVER! and keep moving them (your fingers) after practice.

also grab a tennis ball or stress ball and when you sitting in the office keep playing with it to build up strength in your hands and fingers.

One of my instructors has RA and silks and poel ahve actually improved it so it probably not RA.

[hrhlaura]

Heya sexy lady – Don't stress we gonna have an awesome pole jam and sort your home pole out! Promise I will whip it into shape for you 😉

PS the girls in class are super impressed by the reverse hand stand. Don't stress about them you can do stuff they can't do and they can do stuff you can't. Hell you can do stuff I can't! 

Focus on what you can and slowly work on what you can't. And while you at it – teach me some of those awesome moves too!

Mwa

[hrhlaura]

Hey – I teach silks, but when I was learning I had the same problem. Bear in mind that this is not medical advice and you should see a doctor if you are worried.

BUT normally it is beacuse your foot is not used to holding your weight in that way. Some strengthing exercises are to roll your instep on a tennis ball or hardish ball while sitting on a chair (if that makes sense). This massages the area which helps with the pain and strengthens it. After a couple of months is disapears.

[hrhlaura]

I'm having the same problem with my old studio I used to co-own re: the bad mouthing . I have since left, but I still refer people to her if tehy are closer. However she definitely goes out of her way to steal my students. What goes around comes around is my moto.

@ Vertical Secrets – very glad some other studios in SA are co-operating – makes life much more fun 🙂

[hrhlaura]

Yay another South African 🙂 Nice to meet you

[hrhlaura]

Hi guys

 

I'm on FB as well: (studio)

http://www.facebook.com/fusiondancecentre

or: (personal)

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=751990147

Just add a msg saying from veena etc.

Laura