[marle777]

I own these two DVDs as well but have been hesitant to post anything about them since I have Jamilla’s series to compare them to. These were the best I could find for sale when I first became enamored with pole dance over two years ago. I have to say honestly, while PolePeople’s set is beautifully produced and informative, Jamilla currently puts them to shame on a few things. The most glaring offense is there’s a lot of jumping into moves which can cause serious injury over time, and nothing of this is ever mentioned in their lessons. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_thumbdown.gif Jamilla has par excellence on gracefully getting into a move with pure strength alone. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_safesex.gif

Also, spotting is not adequately covered and their best safety advice was to just put down some pillows. A lot of the moves are essentially the same but the execution differs vastly. This is less noticeable in their second DVD; you can tell the instructors had taken the long DVD release gap to train themselves to a more acceptable level. On the positive side again as I said these are beautifully produced sets and the girls are cute and fun; the warm ups, strength training and choreography routines make these a keeper for me as well as the couple of moves that aren’t taught on Jamilla’s set. Because of the training and safety issues, I’d give it three out of five stars. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_sunny.gif

[marle777]

I’m glad the video situation has been resolved; I’d say if you’re going to attempt forcing martial arts perhaps start with just a women’s self defense class so the idea doesn’t leave a sour taste in her mouth, due to reason. She may become interested in the more dedicated styles just by watching other girls (or guys https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_surprised.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_scratch.gif) close to her age in the dojo. Good luck! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_flower.gif

[marle777]

Hi pole-twista! Bellydance is something I study and enjoy greatly. From what I’ve heard/seen Jillina is a good instructor, but be sure that is the style you are looking to learn before spending any money on an instructor’s lessons. There are many flavors of bellydance as it is a continental rather than regional dance. I believe Jillina dances in a choreographed Egyptian style? This wouldn’t be a style necessarily focusing on using the zill (finger cymbals) too much; you’ll find them more heavily used in carabet and tribal.

An important question to ask yourself if "What kind of music do I want to to dance to?" as well as what kind of bellydance style of movement do you appreciate the most? Is it the languid fluidity of carabet, the eloquently coordinated movements of Egyptian style? Maybe the flirtacious, yet folkloric Turkish or fast and technique-heavy Lebanese. Or perhaps (like me) you might like the freedom of one the numerous Tribal and fusion styles out there. A good solid practice DVD can be had by Aziza’s Ultimate Bellydance Practice Companion. Sadie’s DVD’s are excellent all around. Ansuya is terrific for zill work and carabet layering.

As far as a dance studio to preview different styles of the dance I heartily recommend http://www.worlddancenewyork.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; because of their wide representation of styles, excellent instruction and affordable pricing. It’s easy to get lost in a sea of alluring dvd’s on that site so the beginner DVD to look for there is Jenna’s "Bellydance Basics and Beyond".

There’s a lot out there overall, so look around for free info and DVD previews on YouTube before buying. Personally, my next bellydance dvd purchase is going to be "Flawless Floorwork with Ruby" from Cheeky Girls Productions. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_study.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_geek.gif

[marle777]

It really depends on what you wanna do, like FreetheSun said. I’m petite but I got a 50mm anyway because I want to dance in a club where it’s likely to be the standard size. It’s more difficult but it strengthens my grip for the more advanced moves later, I believe. Now I’m wondering if the smaller size may have been better for gaining more overall strength, more quickly. I don’t know, but I doubt it matters too terribly. I haven’t had any pain in my joints yet, but that’s most likely because I don’t pole enough. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_redface.gif

[marle777]

http://www.hooping.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

buy one or make one, it’s all there including links to video tutorials. any questions? https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_geek.gif

[marle777]

I don’t care what other people think of my sanity, I’ve worked with the mentally ill before so I know I’ve got at least 50 cards out of the bunch. I named my car Ethan, my houseplant Billy and well I hadn’t thought name my pole even though I do tend to personify it as a dance partner (a cold one that needs warming up to, ha) https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

And Polergirl, nifty name choice for your pole as that happens to be my real name! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cyclops_ani.gif

[marle777]

Weird, I just found her today on YouTube as well; at first I wasn’t sure what to expect and then by the end of it I was picking up my jaw. She is.. effin’ AWESOME!

[marle777]

Veena, the undie pattern idea works very well with t-shirt material. An old favorite tee can get a new life… on your bum! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_sunny.gif

Oh and cutting the undies apart should be easy if you take out or cut along the seams that are there already. You’ll probably need to add a quarter inch for seam allowance on your pattern you’ve made too.

[marle777]

Tnanks for the info Angel !! Now I’ve got a problem I’ve just searched and the advanced polegrooves is not longer available on amazon not even on her site !!!

The only place I could find it for sale myself was http://www.dancepoles.com.au/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; I was going to buy it first before I posted this https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_redface.gif but the US exchange rate really sucks right now and I can’t justify spending nearly $50 dollars on one DVD, even a good one thats apparently out of print(?)

Veronika, if you get this DVD, please let me know how it is.

[marle777]

I’m in a similar camp with Veena; yoga is the ultimate cross training and I love hooping (and poi) but I haven’t had the space nor inclination to go out in the cold. Since the pole went up in the living room there’s no room indoors but it’s probably for the best though as hooping inside is a destruction bringer. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/bom.gif
Bellydance is my first love though and great for cross training with pole dance because almost all exotic dance moves and floorwork are a modified form of bellydance. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_farao.gif

I mix things up a lot too depending on how I feel and I DO get bored easily, so sometimes I’ll train capoeira, kickboxing or one of the many kung fu styles. But my emotional catharsis is a liquid-pop/hip-hop style dance mixed with bellydance. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_DJ.gif

[marle777]

My cats definitely have been super interested when I practice poling, in fact I almost squished my kitten yesterday sliding rather ungracefully out of an invert! And heaven forbid I do any yoga around her, she’ll try to sleep under my bridge pose every time and jump through my limbs at every chance. The other two are content to watch, but they certainly look jealous they can’t climb the pole too. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cat.gif

[marle777]

..What the hell is that video cover about?
If it’s wendy porn, I’m definitely buying.

Judging by the last picture still in the set here: http://www.lovingsex.com/ZoomImage.aspx?productID=D620, I think it just might be porn. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_twisted.gif The description on the site says there is a "Bedroom Climax" https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_surprised.gif so who knows?

At any rate, Wendy is an awesome pole dancer, so I’m interested to hear the reviews on this one. Oh and yeah, wtf is up with the cover? The actual pole looks like an afterthought in the photo and they’re marketing the other erotic pole dance going on there!

[marle777]

thanks for all the great advice! can’t wait to get my 1st burlesque dvd! have the flirty girl vids, bunch of pole vids and now just got my hoopnotica dvd! am going to have to get a 3rd job to suppourt my dvd habit! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/bom.gif

Haven’t heard too much positive feedback on the flirtygirl fitness, what was your experience? Hoopnotica has a new third level DVD out recently, I’m wondering if it’s any good. But there is so much on youtube, it’s hard to justify the cost anymore. I kinda wish I could rent all these DVDs first. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_moneyeyes.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif

[marle777]

Thanks for the tip!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_bounce.gif

[marle777]

There are a couple at http://www.worlddancenewyork.com I haven’t viewed them myself, but I own a lot of World Dance New York instructional and workout DVDs and they have yet to disappoint me even once. I am also aware that Princess Farhana has a fan dancing instructional called ‘Fan-tastic!’ and a burlesque workout by the name of ‘Hot Moves for Cool Chicks’ but I don’t know the quality of these at all other than what other reviewers have posted. If it means anything to you, she is primarily an accomplished belly dancer. Which reminds me, Dolphina (who is also a bellydancer) has a better rated dvd, ‘Goddess Workout: Cardio Burlesque’. I Hope this helps to point you in right the direction a bit.
https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_flower.gif