majikmyke
Forum Replies Created
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That is really great news SF. I'm sure all the others who viewed his previous performance and voted for him on the SV website would appreciate seeing his pole dance in the final round as would I. YAY!
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While my professional career was aviation my background is business management. Therefore, I strongly urge you to read, and re-read the posts written by "paintilady," "onceuponapole," and "Jellicrew" because they contain the essentials for the creation of the successful business that you desire.
As a quick demonstration; having read "paintilady's" post I can tell you, almost assuredly, that she is a young woman who possesses the skills to use a paint brush, hammer, caulk gun, and drill driver and accomplish things on her own. Obstacles rarely stand in her way. She has good business sense, is creative, committed, and adaptable business-wise. I hope she'll do me the courtesy of confirming what I've stated. I don't know "paintilady," or anything else about her, other than seeing her post here for the first time here.
You need to establish a business philosophy. Does your business philosophy fit with the market (area) you live and work in. You will need to write out a "business plan" whether you are looking for investor's or not. The plan is your guide. It will help you identify your market, your studio operating times, and your business constraints in the marketplace. You will have to do the math to identify your financial break-even point monthly, and seasonally. You need to have, or acquire, adequate cash reserves to cover months where you may show a loss.
The math is simple; total square footage of your "actual" poling area equals how many poles you'll have. How many classes per day, week, month. How much do you want to charge per hour. This makes up your total income per month. Remember, this may be very variable, so don't be optimistic.
Then it's your total expenses, or "overhead" per month; studio rental, electric, water, heat, AC, insurance, any menial fees such as banking fees, or credit card transaction costs. These become your "fixed costs" which you incur month after month whether your variable income is either high or low.
At the outset you will have "capital costs" which include the purchase of the poles, chairs, mirrors, lighting, interior construction (if any), crash mats or carpet, etc.
You have to be committed to your business, and you must be a superb instructor capable of communicating and working well with all sorts of people. Good luck, and success, on your venture.
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What a great male performance. I voted for him. Awesome strength, and smooth transitions!
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PH, I have enjoyed responding to your study and hope it turns out well. Let's get to the interview:
Are you a "discreet" or "open" pole dancer?
I am an open poler. I have no issues with how others may view me. Having said that I can understand the need for discretion for some pole dancers (pd) as it relates to the work environment. If I were to happen to meet someone that I pd with, and they were with an associate, if asked how I knew them I would simply say that we take a fitness class together. There are people in the business world with very closed minds and way too much starch in their panties. I think it's important around these people to use discretion.
Is there a difference between "exotic" pole dancing and "pole fitness?" What is the difference?
In the broad sense "exotic" pole dancing takes place in a strip club environment with an occasional pole trick, but lots of sexually enticing movements that put the dancers physical charms on display. While "pole fitness" is about a physical workout by learning different pole maneuvers and holds and combining them into an ongoing routine that demonstrates strength and stamina.
In reality these two universes collide; very often in our class warm-ups we'll employ the sexy hip movements, squats, and open leg thrusts of exotic dancers. Or, if the mood is right in class, the ladies will go to the high heels for the session (I go to a bow tie). These moves work a lot of muscles. In turn, exotic dancers employ an occasional trick they have learned from pole dancing/fitness. I say "occasional pole trick" because these ladies (primarily) are working an eight hour shift, and as we know we're exhausted after an hour or two of pole fitness. Imagine how they feel?
On the personal level I think all of us want to feel fit, vibrant, and sexy. Pole does that for you. As poler's we need to embrace the reality of where our sport came from, and not try to run away from it. Our job is to educate those around us of the attributes of pole dancing/fitness; low impact strength training for your entire body's muscle groups that hopefully will give you a sculpted appearance.
Do you think people should use their real names when they perform/go to classes, or should they use a stage name? Why?
People going to a class should use their real names. In a class you're associating with others who have similar interests. Pole dancers who are competitive I can understand them using and having a stage name if they want.
On the SV website here we all employ a "handle" or "stage name" for our persona. My "majikmyke" tag takes me into a different personal realm than my real name. We all have different interests, and when we think of a special name as it relates to that interest we mentally transfer our thoughts and energy into that specific area. It's where fantasy and reality coincide in a fun way.
Do you think pole dancing should be a family sport? Or, reserved for adults?
Pole dancing should be for family members when children are old enough to develop the skills and muscular development necessary to challenge them. This can be through the SV website, or through the class environment. Having made this statement there are some caveats attached, and they are; the SV website, and the classroom. The SV website is covered in the next question.
In pole dance/fitness the classroom environment is predominantly women. Make no mistake about it – this is the ladies gym! This is women's private time, and many can be unfiltered when they speak and say things. I have no issues with this. Entering children into a pole class changes this environment. We're certainly not going to use private adult descriptive language in front of children in a class environment. Then there's the issue of sensual/sexy dance (high heels). Again the free environment that many women seek with pole dance now becomes constrained when children are allowed to participate. This is much more controlled by the parents if they're using a pole at home and the SV wesite, Veena's instructional videos as the reference.
Do you think Studio Veena should be 18 plus? Why/why not?
A portion of this was answered above. However, complete access to the website for those below 18 should be restricted. This has nothing to do with Veena's instruction, but everything to do with the "forum" section.
Like the classroom environment where it's the "ladies gym" the "forum" section many times contains adult discussions and references not suited for those below 18. The forum section can be a private area where the ladies, or men in some cases, may want to discuss personal things in an uninhibited manner. I have seen references on the forum portion here at SV that says, "ladies only – please." As adults we are mature enough, and can act with discretion, and say to ourselves, "I'm not wanted here." While we as adults can say this, most children cannot!
I don't think many of the SV participants would be comfortable writing and discussing issues in an unfiltered manner that their children would have access too. Therefore, the SV website "forum" and "blog" sections should be restricted to 18, or older.
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PH, I'm real interested in how your project turns out. As a male, I can only answer a few of the questions regarding pole clothes and shoes.
What would you consider "pole appropriate" clothing? What makes it "pole appropriate?"
There is a wide selection of pole clothing available for women, but for men it's a limited, very limited selection. For the ladies, pole appropriate clothing, along with proper fit, is that which doesn't let the ladies upper parts fall out when they invert, and keeps the lower part covered when they do a showcase, or a split. For guys, it's keeping the lower parts from inadvertently going on display, which is generally reconciled with a good fitting pair of underwear.
The skimpiness of the clothing is inconsequential, but the importance is how effectively it works to conceal. In pole, at least for most of us with limited pole experience, you need to have good skin contact to do the holds.
I have only found several limited sources for men's pole shorts, and they're not really pole shorts. One pair I have are yoga shorts. The others are lined boxcut men's bathing suits that work adequately. You need to have skin contact, and longer shorts don't do it for me.
In my opinion good quality sports clothing covers the aforementioned specific areas. At the studio's that I attend I have not encountered anyone wearing sheer, or see through type outfits. Based on the ladies that I pole with, I don't think this would be tolerated in a pole regular class. In private sessions where people are free-styling it would be alright.
Is there a difference in "pole appropriate" clothing/ shoes for men and women? Why?
When the ladies at the studio go to the high heels then I will generally put on a clip on bow tie. I think the heels add a sexiness and finish to the ladies moves. The moves are the same without the shoes, but the shoes change the visual for me significantly. Plus, when the ladies do holds on the pole the shoes seem to elongate the leg, and accentuate the finish of their pointed toes. It's as though the shoes help to enhance the appearance of a straighter leg.
There seems to be this historical aura surrounding pole dance/fitness about really skimpy clothing. The really skimpy clothing comes into play in erotic pole dancing. For that entertainment I direct you to a strip club. Unfortunately, pole dance/fitness gets tarred with the same brush as erotic pole dancing. If you're going to a pole dance/fitness studio to see skimpy clothing, trust me, you'd be better off going to the beach. If you really want skimpiness, buy an airline ticket to a beach destination in Europe. Enjoy!
The lack of total sports clothing coverage for poling is due to the necessity of skin contact with the pole. You will hear this unanimously from everyone who poles. I can tell you that it's not fun putting your exposed skin against a cold pole when you begin a training session.
PH, the other questions surrounds shoes and I really can't answer them. The same applies to this segment of your project as the previous one I answered regarding why I started poling. I know that I speak for the others on the SV website in wishing you all the best on the successful completion of the project. Very happy to spend the additional time to respond to your survey questions. Thank you.
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PandalinaHooker (PH) I think that you have taken on a very interesting research project for your "Ethnographic Methods" class. I'm sure that I speak for everyone in wishing you all the best in its completion, and at the same time asking a favor in return. That being, would you please share with all of us, or those that are interested, the completed project that you submit, and also the grade you receive, and how it was received by your professors?
The PH interview:
How old are you?
I'm currently 65 and a half years old.
How long have you been pole dancing?
Just coming up on 6 months even.
What got you into pole dancing?
I workout on a regular basis and for four months towards the end of last year I had been looking for an adjunct to my fitness program. I tried a few other things and they basically had the same flavor as to what I was doing in my own workout routine. About the same time, I conjured up the idea of doing a surprise pole dance for my wife's birthday. We've been married for forty-four years.
I found a pole dancing studio near me and went to an introduction class. I explained what I wanted to accomplish, but we only had six weeks. With the help of three fabulous instructor's I was able to perform a surprise pole dance for my wife to the song "Gimme, gimme, gimme, a man after Midnight," by Abba, her favorite group. She loved the dance. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cool.gif
During those six weeks I practiced hard; I lost 5 pounds unintentionally, and my legs and arms were bruised, and I looked as though I had been on the receiving end of a bad first round in an MMA competition.
Why pole dancing, and not something else?
Pole dancing, but really it's pole fitness; is low impact strength and flexibility challenges that works your entire body. It is a way that I can express myself in accomplishing different maneuvers that requires me to engage a much wider variety of muscles than I use in my regular workout routine. Going to a gym and bench pressing 158 pounds means nothing, and only works a few isolated muscle groups.
Taking the same 158 pounds (my body weight) and doing a split grip-invert, or a shoulder mount is the equivalent of benching 158 pounds, but within those two movements I have worked the arms, the abs; upper and lower, the oblique's, lats, shoulders, back muscles, hip flexors, and I have to keep the legs straight and the toes pointed! There's very little that matches the intensity and satisfaction of pole fitness. You get the idea.
Plus, there's the positive learning attitude in the studio's I go to. I am privileged to pole with a very assertive, progressive, caring, and encouraging group of ladies. The external socialization and camaraderie makes pole fitness so much fun for me.
What makes pole dancing special to you?
First of all, since doing the dance for my wife, I often wake up to, "How's my pole dancer this morning?" In addition to starting the day off right, on occasion, I will get asked to use the door frame and do some of the floor moves that I did in the dance for her. Oh, yeah! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif
When I began pole instruction I instantly liked it. I feel comfortable around and on the pole. The ground work exercises that we do before class has improved my flexibility, as well as the stretching after class. I'm learning to have coordinated, smooth dance moves around the pole as well as the increased challenges of being on the pole. I've never been a good dancer. With pole I can listen to a variety of music and visualize ground moves and pole moves that I feel would go with it. Never been able to do that before.
I would like to develop enough pole skills to at least enter into competition someday. It's not that I would win. There are people at the studio's that I go to who compete and place. They're my inspiration. Hopefully, I can at least compete.
How did you first find out about Studio Veena (SV)?
I believe that I found it while Googling pole dance video's.
How much time do you spend on SV?
Initially, I only watched what Veena was doing for instruction. Then I began noticing the video's other Veener's were posting, and also the discussion wall. The SV website is representative of a great community of people. I get so many ideas and suggestions from the SV poler's without ever asking a question. Like the people that I pole with at the studio, all the people on the SV website are incredibly supportive and encouraging of one another.
So, I wind up spending more time. This amounts to, on average 20 minutes a day in a five day week. Sometimes more, and sometimes less.
How did you choose your tag?
I didn't. When I was first on the SV website I just used my screen name of gulfstream, with numbers that followed. At our studio, one of the young ladies, Samantha, began calling me magic Mike. We all had a good laugh about it. So, she continued to call me that.
Then the priest at our parish found out that I was pole dancing. After Mass one Sunday as we were leaving I shook Father's hand and he said, "Good to see you magic Mike."
So, I changed my tag to "MajikMyke."
In your project you may use my name, as well as my tag on the SV website. Thank you for affording us this opportunity to participate in your class project.
Sincerely,
Michael Egan – tag: MajikMyke
Retired / Senior Captain / Aviation Dept / Fortune 50 Company
Potomac Falls, Virginia
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Just be yourself during the audition and focus on the pole maneuvers that make you look good. Stay calm, focused, and always smiling with flowing movement. You'll nail it! Best of luck to you. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif
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I don't find it particularly surprising that your guys; your husbands, or significant other don't care for pole when it gets up close and personal. If you're a couple then it's up close and personal.
For many men this becomes a masculinity issue. Guys are threatened by the unknown. Pole fitness is relatively new and many of you are at the forefront in this community. Your guys may realize that it takes an amazing amount of body strength and core strength to do what you do. That can be intimidating. Now we get to the confidence, positive outlooks, and assertiveness that I see in the women that I pole with, and again this can be intimidating to men.
Of course, as we all know there's the historical background of where pole's beginnings came from. Somehow your mission, should you decide to accept it, will be to make pole a non-threatening item in your life as a couple.
It would be interesting if more of the husbands and significant others who are comfortable with their wife's and girlfriends poling would speak up and offer their opinions on why they're comfortable with poling. I do think that PlatinumAni's three line post is right on the mark for anyone.
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Hello Everyone….. this is a really great thread. I'm impressed with how many people there are poling that are in their fifties. I also just began poling in January of this year. Like many of you, I am privileged to pole with a very supportive, assertive, and caring group of women predominantly in their late twenties to mid-thirties. I don't have the flexibility that the ladies do, but I get a lot of help from them with ways to improve my movement.
I was fortunate to have the assistance of three fabulous instructor's at the studio that I go to that helped me put together a choreographed pole routine in a six week time period for my wife's birthday. We've been married for forty-four years, and I wanted to really surprise her this year.
I am in reasonably good shape. During the six weeks of preparation for the dance I lost an unintended five pounds, and have kept it off. I have absolutely no musical ability, meaning that I couldn't carry a note if I had it in my pocket! Yet, when I get around a pole I can get the feel of the music. I can picture the moves that go with the music. Go figure! When I get around the pole it's like I'm a young kid again. I have continued poling after the performance for my wife, and she encourages me. The ladies at our studio have encouraged me. I'm finding that it's a great community.
I haven't purchased a pole yet, and therefore, haven't signed up for SV's classes. I do however, think this is a fabulous site. My experience when telling people that I pole has been a positive one. Many older guys have daughters that have taken a poling class, or are poling, and they're extremely supportive and complimentary. In addition to learning the sensual body movements for the floor work, the pole fitness work is a terrific low impact strength enhancement program in addition to my regular exercise routine.
I'm a guy, and I like poling. I'm 65 years old. And, no, I will not grow old gracefully.
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Veena, this thread was a wonderful idea. I read every one of the responses. I've only been poling for three months. My wife and I have been married for 44 years so here are my few insights:
Physical:
1. I love that I lost 5 pounds when I started poling without trying.
2. I love my abs and upper body for my age.
3. I love that my wife likes my body.
4. I love that I still have a nice head of hair.
Pole Related:
1. I love that I was able to do a surprise pole dance for my wife's birthday in a six week time period with the help of three phenomenal instructor's.
2. I love my shoulder mounts.
3. I love that I pole with the most incredibly supportive and assertive women.
4. I love that my flexibility is increasing slowly.
5. I love the feeling of confidence I have around the pole.
Emotional:
I love that my wife occasionally asks me for repeats of certain parts of the dance I did for her, and, most of all……
I love hearing her say to me, "How's my pole dancer this morning?"
