keex
Forum Replies Created
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I’ll be there! For those of you wondering, it’s definitely in NYC. I just don’t know the venue yet for the competition. WOOHOO! I can’t wait. I’m sure it’s gonna be a phenomenal competition.
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you can rent studio time from body and pole, shockra, or NYPD. NYPD charges $325/hr.
I don’t believe New York Pole Dancing rents out its space for pole jams. But, you can purchase private or semi-private sessions with an instructor OR have a pole party which is always supervised by a NYPD instructor. According to the website, a pole party is $30/person for a 1-hour party. $45/person for 1.5hours and $55/person for 2 hours. There is a 6 person minimum.
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THIS FEELS LIKE A SHAMELESS PLUG BUT…
Wendy Traskos & I (Kira Lamb aka "Keex")are the Co-Creators of Climb & Spin Inc. which offers comprehensive educational programming for pole dance instructors based on systematic and progressive training.
CLIMB & SPIN CERTIFICATION emphasizes:
1.) proper bio-mechanics based on anatomical/fitness principles
2.) step-by-step technique of 120 skills including climbs, spins, stationary bent arm poses, dance transitions and floor- work
3.) how to assess the needs of each student in class using our FUNDAMENTALS
4.) how to modify skills based on the fitness level & experience of each student
5.) how & when to challenge or progress a student
6.) how & when to spot a student
7.) effective verbal cuing
8.) how to structure, manage & teach multi-level C&S classes
9.) how to teach an effective warm-up that simultaneously prepares the body for the athleticism of pole and prevents injury
10.) how to choreograph your own C&S routines using our C&S formula and 120 skills as a the building blocks for your own creativity and styleThis year, we’re launching our Climb & Invert program!
OUR CREDENTIALS:
Wendy & I collectively share 34 years of experience as certified personal trainers/group fitness instructors. Wendy was also a gymnast and fitness competitor.I have also been a professional dancer and aerialist for 18 years with a background in classical ballet, modern, jazz, salsa, and hip-hop. I also hold 2 comprehensive Pilates certifications through Power Pilates and PhysicalMind Institute and I’m a NYS Licensed Massage Therapist with additional certifications and training in Neuromuscular Therapy and Active Isolated Stretching.
If you have more questions about our Certification Programs or Teacher Training Intensive Workshops please visit our website: http://www.climbandspin.com
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That was AWESOME! I just posted it on facebook. Congratulations!!!
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I’m still wrapping my brain around the fact that I’m even old enough to be called an "older woman". LOL. At 40 years old, I feel like a kid at heart with a youthful and playful spirit to match. I’m sure than anyone 40+ , who "dares" to pole and is on this forum is probably a mirror reflection of that attitude. So, kudos to everyone in this age category who chooses to lead active lives rather than sedentary ones. Kudos to everyone in this category who doesn’t feel too old to face new challenges and fears (physical & emotional) while following their passion. Here’s to us old fogies!
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What great responses, Veener peeps! I love the descriptions offered about pulling your heel up and lengthening through your toes rather than scrunching them. I also like the suggestion about taking your time when practicing pole tricks in order to pay attention to the details of the lines you’re creating with your body along the way. Transitioning in and out of tricks is just as important as the trick itself.
Just to clarify, the ability to point your feet is generated from a contraction of your calf muscles. Extending your leg at the knee comes from a contraction of the quads. 99% of the time in dance, our feet should be pointed even if our knees are bent.
Another common tendency I notice amongst pole dancers is "sickled" feet. I think its because we’re constantly wrapping them around the pole and muscle memory keeps them stuck in that funky position, even off the pole. It completely breaks the line of the leg. When our feet are off the pole, that "hook" shape should disappear. (Anyone notice in Jenyne’s recent USPDF performance, she didn’t even use a climbing foot brace? Both feet were pointed as she climbed. amazing attention to details, that girl!)
Anyway… when practicing standing calf raises, make sure that as you lift your heels off the floor, your body weight is distributed onto your big toe & second toe rather than rolling onto your pinky toes.
Also, if you’re seated on the floor w/ your legs in front of you, you can practice everting your ankles while pointing. Point your feet and try pressing your pinky toes away from the midline of your body to strengthen your peroneal muscles.
Keep it coming ladies. There’s so much to learn from one another!
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What great suggestions everyone! Visualization is a major tool I use as a dancer and performer. The other thing I do is allow myself the freedom to just play. I turn on an inspiring piece of music and just let my body move naturally and organically. I’ll admit that I’ve caught myself on video doing some embarrassingly hideous movement, but, I’ve also discovered unique ways to move across the floor and up & around the pole too…stuff that I’ve never even learned in class. The stuff that you learn in class can serve as a platform for your own creativity. Discover who you are as a dancer through play.
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@hookedonpole: sorry we didn’t get a chance to meet. until the next one…
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What a phenomenal event hosted by the incredible Poletential! The weekend was filled with exciting performances, workshops, an after-party with 2 poles AND the opportunity to meet some of my Veener peeps. Thanks for introducing yourselves!
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Be sure to come introduce yourselves at the competition. I’ll be the nervous, curly-haired Black girl sitting at the judges table. Oh, and before that, I’ll be teaching a Climb & Spin workshop at Poletential. I’d love to meet my Veener fam! Bummed Miss Curvy Diva won’t be there. I was totally looking forward to meeting and poling with you.
XO,
Keexps. travel safely everyone!
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@prncsopower: I’m a NYS Licensed Massage Therapist and Certified Pilates Instructor
My guess is your Tensor Fascia Latae & Glute Medius because they abducts your thigh, not allowing it to hang straight. Plus, your TFL and gluteus maximus insert into the iliotibial tract which will further the pull into abduction. Also, if you have limited range of motion while bringing your knees into your chest, my guess would be tight glutes. So you might wanna try stretching and massaging your TFL, glutes and IT band consistently.
As for anterior pelvic tilt (most common aka "hyperlordosis") vs. posterior pelvic tilt; both are caused by hypertonicity in muscles that create pulling forces on bones and cause misalignment. Stretching and massage of the overly-tight (hypertonic) muscles and strengthening the over-stretched (hypotonic) muscles fosters muscular balance. If you tend toward hyperlordosis, focus on stretching and massaging the muscles that cross the hip, especially your iliopsoas which originates on your lumbar spin. Also, your TFL, sartorius and, as Veena metioned, your rectus femoris. Plus, strengthen your abdominal muscles to help lengthen your lower back muscles and create more symmetry. That can help alleviate back pain.
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If I’m understanding correctly, it seems as if your hip flexors (especially your tensor fascia latae) and lateral rotators of your hip are tight which can be rectified through consistent flexibility training and massage therapy to those muscles to decrease hypertonicity.
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LOL! That host was awesome. It cracked me up when she said USPDF lawyers were present and they’d have you arrested. Although their lawyers weren’t there, the USPDF videographer was there and I bet they’ll end up posting all the videos on their website eventually like they just started doing for previous events.
By the way, I can believe I didn’t have a chance to meet my Veener peeps! I swirled in just before the competition started and had to leave the theater with suitcase in tow to hop on the train back to NYC. I would’ve loved to have met you!
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i think that it’s important to remember that although USPDF was first, it is essentially run by one studio in NYC (as one commenter on alethea’s status mentions) and while that isn’t a bad thing, i think that in the strictest sense, it is a conflict of interest. in terms of long term success, i think that it’s important that the governing and judging bodies of competitions prove themselves to be unbiased in choosing contestants and winners.
I have to correct this. The USPDF and New York Pole Dancing are separate entities. Anna and Wendy are business partners that created and Co-Founded the USPDF together. Wendy is the sole proprietor of New York Pole Dancing which she opened a couple of years before USPDF was even conceived. If the USPDF was biased in terms of picking winners, instructors from NYPD would be USPDF title holders. In fact, none of them is a title-holder.
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I’m a big fan of yoga too! I just don’t practice it as much as I used to. My fave is Anusara yoga.
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Pilates. Hands down. It’s all about sourcing your strength, stability, control and stamina from your core. Plus, it focuses on optimal alignment and muscular symmetry which is great for injury prevention and maximizing your strength and flexibility. The key is, you need a great instructor who can assess your needs based on your posture, alignment and fitness goals and who can progress you systematically toward those goals.
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It literally hurts my heart when I see women so hard on themselves when they’re not selected to compete. As a professional dancer all of my life whose dealt with plenty of "rejection"; I know that there’s 2 ways to deal with it.
1.) be bitter, angry, disappointed; convincing yourself that you suck and that there’s no point in trying in the 1st place and give up on your dreams.
2.) let it inspire you to try harder, train harder, and believe in yourself more.
I know for a fact that Karol Helms was "rejected" the 1st time she submitted for USPDF. The following year, she won the East Coast Regionals and took the title of Miss Sexy. And deservedly so.
Never give up on yourselves or your dreams. Pole dancing is about creativity, self-expression and celebrating our individuality. Add to that some clean technique, smooth & unique transitions, powerful yet controlled spins and gravity-defying tricks plus musicality & artistry, and you’ll be sure to dazzle people at a competition one day.
Lastly, remember that LOTS of people are vying for a limited number of spots. You may be amazing, but so are a bunch of other people. What makes you stand out? You have to rely on more than just being able to do the tricks of the month.
DON’T GIVE UP!
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oh, and all the finalists were notified yesterday. i read on facebook that the official announcements will go up on the USPDF website soon.
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Some competitors submitted their videos privately so you can’t find them on YouTube.
