[lazarenka]

It’s definitely my rotator cuffs… I have my master’s in exercise physiology, so I am familiar with pain/problems. I have been doing int/ext rotation with bands, and all the lateral raises, etc.. to prevent this.. because I can’t afford a shoulder injury with my tennis career. I don’t know what to do. I want to get back on the pole… but that might just put me out longer. UGH!! I HATE INJURIES!!

[lazarenka]

I just posted another one… I think I have better videos, but I liked the song…

[lazarenka]

WOW, I was having a crappy day, and then I read that. Thanks!!! I work on it EVERY day, and I have gotten better, stronger, and a LITTLE bit more flexible since then. I will post a video soon. Thank you for brightening up my day!

[lazarenka]

I agree. I REFUSE to weigh myself. Weight on a scale does not indicate ANYTHING. It could be a couple of lbs of water fluctuation, but even so, if we see no lbs lost, or especially if your weight is higher, that can send somebody (I am speaking from personal experience) into an absolute tailspin. Just concentrate solely on how you feel, and as you start to feel better and better and your clothes are fitting more loosely, try a pair of shorts on that were maybe a little snug to see if they have loosened up a bit. That’s always rewarding. I have a rubbermaid bin that is labeled “Too Small”… and when I can gradually pull things out of that bin and wear them, it is VERY gratifying. Stick with it, you are going to be thinking about your weight every day anyway, so why not just do your best “one day at a time”? You’d be surprised how quickly those days go by and how suddenly, there IS a change.

[lazarenka]

@Veena- I am on day 7 of both the Flexy and the Take Off programs. I haven’t actually TRIED any of the routines yet, but I have watched several of them. I think I just need to work on strength in my abs or something to control my spins where either one or neither of my legs are on the pole. I will get there! I ain’t the quittin’ type!

[lazarenka]

Yes, I guess I DO allow myself to fall into the trap of “what is considered sexy, and what isn’t.” I went through a REALLY dry spell for a pretty long time, and NOBODY seemed interested in me. I obsessed about that, “Am I ugly? Why aren’t men asking ME out? All my friends are dating and/or married. What is wrong with me?!” But, the mere fact that I am asking myself those questions reveal to me that I am not ready for a relationship, because I have to unconditionally think I am the bees knees and a deserving man just hasn’t come along to recognize what an amazing person I am.

@Veena- Yes, I started watching those videos last night. They seem awesome and I can’t wait to watch them all. I DO have one question…. for some reason, my inside ankle doesn’t wrap around the pole in order to do spins with one leg extended… like the “Extended Leg Spin”, “Half Cradle”, and even the “Fireman”. I’m tired of banging my ankle bone. If it doesn’t involve both of my legs above the knee on the pole, it’s a colossal flub. What’s wrong with the way I am approaching those spins?
Also, V-leg ANYTHING is too hard for me… the Prance doesn’t even work. Which I guess means I have a problem with having my bodyweight off the pole. Do you have any ideas about something I could be doing wrong, or is it just something I can’t do right now?

[lazarenka]

I just uploaded two more videos. I have a LOT of work to do before I can be very fluid and have more in my arsenal… but I CAN do a candlestick, as long as I don’t move ANYTHING!!

[lazarenka]

Thank you for the responses. I just need to not worry about whether I am being sexy enough and just dance. Thanks for the videos. I HAVE to stop comparing myself to people who have been at it for YEARS and get mad that I am not there yet. It’s going to take a LONG time to get that to sink in my thick skull. I’m just nervous because he is a really hot doctor, whose exes were all jaw-dropping GORGEOUS… They were beautifully muscular and VERY confident. I don’t even come CLOSE to measuring up to their body, and it doesn’t help that I recently gained about 25-30 lbs. I have been working it off.. But I am still not to the point where I would want someone to see me without clothes on. And because I KNOW what body type he is USED to seeing without clothes on, I KNOW I don’t measure up to those standards and I will be a huge letdown.. that’s why I wanted to be COMPLETELY awesome on the pole to make up for it. But you know what…. I have copied down your advice, and I am going to internalize it, and if he doesn’t like what he sees, then **** him. I am a catch! He would be LUCKY to be able to watch me READ A BOOK, much less DANCE for him! I just have to repeat that to myself… over and over.

[lazarenka]

I posted a video last night… It’s SO amateur… and kinda embarrassing, but I figured I needed to start recording progress. If you want a good laugh, check out my video!

[lazarenka]

You are very correct. I focus SO much on the end results and wanting to be awesome, I don’t want to feel inferior while watching pole videos. I did get a little rush out of the few moves I can do, but now I expect to progress at an expedited rate. I plan on sticking with it no matter what… I just have this pole in the middle of my den, and it just STARES at me and mocks me because I just want to jump on and do a ton of tricks. Thanks for the words of wisdom!

[lazarenka]

Now THAT’S impressive!!! I tried lining it up without taking the pole down, but it looks like that’s the only solution… so, IT SHALL BE DONE!!! Thanks for the uplifting example! I CAN DO IT!!!

[lazarenka]

Oh that’s hot s***!! I love it

[lazarenka]

@jsheridan… thank you!! That’s above and beyond help! I will keep that in mind when I reconstruct it!

[lazarenka]

I have like 12 foot ceilings!! And I just had a friend’s husband look at it and he said that I would have to take the whole thing down. I appreciate the bravado you are suggesting that you have in me… but I am only known for my ability to completely mess everything up!! “Damn the instructions!! Full speed ahead”! I feel as if I am somehow missing the mechanical/technical part of my brain. Maybe I can… maybe I have just avoided doing things that I didn’t want to read the instructions to… I CAN DO IT BABY!!! ALL BY MY LONESOME!!

[lazarenka]

[lazarenka]

Wow. Thanks for all the GREAT responses! Yeah, I had a construction worker put up my pole… so you can see my reluctance on taking my 12 foot pole down and reconstruct it by myself. I need to get myself a boyfriend! I tried to call X Pole and they directed me to get online and watch the construction video. I will figure it out. I am about to post a nice pic of my scars.

[lazarenka]

Ok, well they don’t open until 9 a.m. So, I should just go to bed and try not to obsess about it until morning!!! I have my master’s degree, but the idea of having to deconstruct this pole makes me want to cry. I have a feeling that I will be having a break-down on my floor, rocking back and forth, repeating some sort of mantra like “screws should face in… screws should face in….” ANYWAY, I think it’s time for me to get to bed!!

[lazarenka]

I am definitely on the first DVD, just the second lesson! I should be progressing past that!!

[lazarenka]

Ok, I will call them. Update you tomorrow. OH I HOPE I don’t have to take that whole pole down again. Wait, are they an Australian company? If so, I can call them now… Anyway, I will leave you in a soap-opera suspense to let you know what I have to do! And I will try static, even though I can’t even get around once on a static! Hahaha!

[lazarenka]

Oh Snap! I just saw your picture!! yeah… ok… so I have to deconstruct my whole pole?! Crap. It hasn’t budged from the ceiling, but I see that it is wrong by the way yours is flush with the pole.

[lazarenka]

Lefty-loosy rightie-tightie…. They just get so tight I can’t move them in further. I will check with X pole… It was harder to put up than the videos portrayed.. Especially since I had to order 2 separate extensions. When I tried a static pole, I just kinda “SKREECHED” to a halt. I can do all the basic pole moves… front hook, back hook, pole sit, knee spin, etc.. on a spin pole… It would take a while to find out how to spin on a static. I figured that wasn’t the correct way for the pole to be, considering the gashes to my legs, but I was just really excited to actually FINALLY get the pole up that I just considered it a price to pay. You are AWESOME, thank you for the UNBELIEVABLY fast responses to problems!! This site and everybody on it are just FABULOUS!!

[lazarenka]

I have always had my pole on spin-mode. Should I go to static? I have been poling for about 2 months. No, I don’t have sweaty hands. I could just not be used to the split grip… As far as the pole moves I was talking about… Believe it or not, they are on all 3 of the beginner DVDs (The Art of Pole- Lesson 2; Felix Cane beginner pole; and I can’t remember the name of the other beginner pole dvd)… but it’s very frustrating!! And yes, I have tried to screw in those bolts even further, but they won’t budge. You should see these scars from those bolts!!! UNBELIEVABLE!!! Thank you ALL for your responses.

[lazarenka]

Here’s a picture

[lazarenka]

YES! I have 4 screws that stick out on my X pole and have left very obvious scars on the inside of my ankle-to-calf! and they won’t go in! Let’s hope somebody can answer!!

[lazarenka]

Thanks for the input! Any mat in particular you could suggest? And where online could I get it?