[keex]

I think people often open pole studios based on passion & a personally transformative experience they’ve had with pole. There’s a genuine desire to share that experience with others. But when that passion isn’t matched with clear vision, business skills (including impeccable customer service) & an effectively taught movement curriculum; it results in overwhelmed and frustrated studio owners and students.

[keex]

Glad to see you've re-surfaced, Sarah. We've missed seeing you since USPDF! Welcome back & much success with your pole studio.

[keex]

The response to this thread has been awesomely helpful in creating the playlist for my new, sensual movement workshop, IndieGirlEmBODYment: a soulful self-seduction.  I'm launching it in Tulum, Mexico next week. Thank you so much Veeners! You da bomb!

Here's my workshop description: http://on.fb.me/TvgBXN

Here's my playlist: 16 tracks, 1hour

Herfra Hvor Vi Star, Quadron

Love Song #3, Me'Shell Ndegeocello

Chasing Pirates (Droogs Remix), Norah Jones

Unsuffer Me, Lucinda Williams

Give, Tori Amos

Heavy In Your Arms, Florence + the Machine

When You Love Somebody, Leela James

Wasted, Mazzy Star

Glory Box, Portishead

Blue Jeans Blues, ZZ Top

Feelin' Love, Paula Cole

You Look Like Rain, Morphine

Everybody Here Wants You, Jeff Budkley

Gravity, John Mayer

Lovesong, Adele

Ready for Love, India.Arie

[keex]

the one w/ the least chemicalshttps://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif

[keex]

How am I just now seeing this? I swear by Alaffia brand which I get at natural food stores like Whole Foods. They're shea butter based products which are awesomely moisturizing for curly hair which tends to get dry/brittle easily. It helps add shape to your curls too. Oh, & their products are certified fair trade.

@ was absolutely right. Don't "wash" your hair a lot. I wash my once/week but condition it every 2 days followed by a leave-in-conditioner.

http://www.alaffia.com/

[keex]

One of the best ways to grow as dancers is to experience working with multiple, highly qualified and skilled instructors and their unique approaches to teaching technique, artistry, performance skills etc. 

I don't think your potential for growth or breadth of experience should be limited by a sense of studio loyalty. Instructors/studios should be able to recognize that they can't solely offer every student everything they want and need. Every instructor/studio has its strengths and weaknesses. Collectively, well-rounded dancers are trained.

[keex]

Listening to all the sensual musical suggestions I purchased on iTunes last night while writhing on the floor. I'll give you the final playlist for my workshop once it's complete. I'm inspired and excited.Thanks again for your help, Veeners!

 

[keex]

You ROCK (sensually, of course). I'm heading over to iTunes right now to sample each of the 84 songs you've recommended. I'll let you know the final outcome of my playlist once it's complete. It's for my new workshop:

IndieGirlEmBODYment: a soulful self-seduction .This workshop is a guided, moving meditation led by professional dancer and aerial pole artist, Keex, and artfully designed for you to embrace the sweet surrender of vulnerability and the strength of your fierce feminine power. Experience how to redirect your energy inwardly and redefine your sexy; not based on media’s contrived concepts, but by channeling your own innate sensuality and your ability to experience pleasure through organic movement. Erase shame, stigma and inhibition related to your erotic energy. Instead, get lost in the grounding, multi-sensory landscape of your body, mind and spirit while bringing physical expression to the positive emotions that support self-love… your IndieGirlSpirit.

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!

[keex]

@CapFeb: TOTALLY worth the wait, huh?

[keex]

Yet another phenomenally talented and articulate artist representing pole dancing and the USPDF title supremely well. The legacy continues with Michelle Stanek.
Thought you might enjoy this awesome interview w/ her plus highlight videos from the 2012 USPDF Championship.

http://www.animalnewyork.com/2012/meet-the-us-pole-dancing-champion/

 

[keex]

@Mary Ellyn: I have no idea. I'm waiting with baited breath like the rest of you and I've already seen each performance from the best seat in the house : )

I did see on the USPDF fan page that videos are coming soon. And I noticed that they worked with a new video company this year so perhaps that will make a big difference in how quickly they're released too.

[keex]

@chemgoddess1: have you visited the USPDF YouYube channel? I see amateur and pro videos from '09–'11

http://www.youtube.com/user/poledancer2/featured

[keex]

I'm 42 years old. And isn't it awesome to recognize the growing contingency of us "mid-lifers" defying our age and kicking ass in our own unique ways?

[keex]

Karol Helms placed 3rd. Not sure why that wasn't announced. She was phenomenal!

1st: Michelle Stanek

2nd: Alethea Austin

3rd: Karol Helms

[keex]

@Mary Ellyn: Wow, that was one of the first videos I ever shot when I was brand spankin' new to pole. I love that song "Give". Thanks for the reminder https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

[keex]

Thanks so much everyone!!! I'm discovering artists I've never heard of before & remembering ones I'd forgotten. Kee 'em comin'!

[keex]

@Charley thanks, girl! 

[keex]

Thanks @Athena30, @MagickDaisy & @Irmingard! This is so helpful https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

[keex]

Have you checked out the glassless mirror option? http://glasslessmirror.com/

[keex]

I know it's hard to not compare yourself to other students in class.  But, considering you're only 2 months into pole dancing (& I'm not sure how many times/week you practice) there are so many other pole skills that you can focus on that are fun and challenging and will help you build the strength & coordination needed to invert safely & properly rather than just flipping yourself  upside down by any means necessary and putting yourself at risk of injury.  Veena's tutorials should be a helpful guide in training progressively & systematically.  I can't even imagine teaching inversions to beginners.  In fact,  I just wrote a blog about this very topic.  Check it out: https://www.studioveena.com/blogs/view/Step_10_The_Key_to_Nailing_Advanced_Pole_Tricks_20120813053514

[keex]

Yes, the goal is "straight" or even slightly bent.  I always do split grip (aka push/pull grip) with my bottom elbow slightly bent to provide more muscular stability. It helps me to engage my biceps, pecs and anterior delt more. (I have slightly hyperextended elbows)

[keex]

@amberpoledancer: Good choice on avoiding the moves that are causing your student pain rather than succumbing to her eagerness to learn tricks that might not be safe for her body.  You can modify spins using a baseball grip rather than the split grip.  Instead of pushing herself away from the pole with her lower arm in a precarious underhand grip, she'll be encouraged generate spin impulse (centrifugal force) and sustain her spins using the strength of her back and core.  

Baseball grip also simplifies the process of learning joint stability because it's symmetrical. Split grip on the other hand, requires the complex muscular coordination skills of stabilizing the pull of the top arm with the simultaneous push of the bottom arm. Neuromuscularly that's a lot to process and accomplish in a way that's biomechanically safe for most people. So I consider split grip an advanced grip that's only introduced when students have a strong shoulder girdle; the muscular strength to maintain an open chest and stabilize their scapula against resistance. When doing a split grip, however, I encourage a "micro-bend" at the elbow to make it a muscularly stabilized grip rather than a bone-on-bone grip, so to speak.  To someone with hypermobile elbows, a mere "micro-bend" will feel like a bicep curl (lol). 

Strength exercises might include isometric bicep curls such as the ones seen here: http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/rehabilitation-exercises/triceps-biceps-exercises/isometric-biceps

Also, modified serratus push-ups against the wall like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p81Iw9Hg3yw

I hope that helps.  And I'm sure your student will appreciate your desire to keep her training safe.

 

 

[keex]

At a stumpy 5' 2 3/4" I would love, LOve, LOVE to experience at least ONE day in the life of a tall, leggy woman.  Tall and leggy is HOT! Embrace your statuesque presence.

[keex]

It's the separation of the rectus abdominus (6-pack muscle) along the linea alba (midline of the muscle). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFVh330SygI

[keex]

@addictedtopole:  Sorry to hear you're frustrated. I've never had kids or experienced diastasis recti personally.  I'm only chiming in to agree with @StudioVeena and to support you because I know it sucks to feel frustrated; especially when you're working so conscientiously at taking good care of yourself. 

What I can share is my experience with diastasis recti as a Pilates instructor.  After a new mom gets a doctor's permission to return to exercise, I've worked with them at regaining core strength and "closing the gap".  The key is to begin with the subtle work of accessing and strengthening the transverse abdominus muscle which is the deepest layer of your core.  It wraps around your torso from your ribs to your pelvis like a corset. When it contracts, it even cinches your waist-line.  As a deep stabilizer muscle it should be trained to fire as you initiate movement. It will stabilize your spine and pelvis, increase your strength, stamina, power and eventually serve to help you "close the gap".

So, I've witnessed it happen through Pilates and Pilates-based exercises.  As Veena said, your abs aren't ruined! The body is amazingly and thankfully resilient.