[minicoopergrl]

Im not 100% sure how I feel about it. On one hand, I would love for my passion to be reconized as a sport. We all know its hard work and dedication to do what we do. But then again, I feel like women like me who can dance like crazy but cant perform wild and crazy tricks will never have a chance to win a competition. Like alof of us have said, that if they broke us down in different catagories then I think things would be different.

Like Sissy said, alot of the sexiness would be removed. The music would be clean, the outfits would be mild etc.

[minicoopergrl]

i have a pair of clear ellies that i use as well, but the heel is silver so you cant actually see the metal rod inside at all, i bought them at the studio i used to go to and i think they are wonderful. i bought them a size too small and after about 3 sessions the plastic is stretched enough that they dont cut into my feet or hurt at all, breaking them in though did hurt my toes a tad but nothing unbearable.

that is always my suggestion when getting those shoes. I didnt know that the first time I took pole and my first pair of shoes where stretched to shreds b/c i wore them out. I have a new pair w/o the ankle straps, I got them a size down. They are still snug but after a few more times on the pole, I should be good to go!

[minicoopergrl]

Sometimes when I talk to my non pole friends, they look at me like ive got 2 heads simply b/c they dont know what im talking about. They normally smile and nod, since they know how happy pole makes me. My husband does the same. But I agree, it is great to talk to other polers to not only get feedback but to be in a very supporting group of folks!

[minicoopergrl]

I started dancing at a studio in Ashburn on and off from april-october ’08 then left and taught myself stuff off youtube because I wanted to know everything there was to know about pole lol. But I just started dancing at Jessalynn’s studio in dc called Pole Pressure…def check it out. The atmosphere and energy is amazing…the ladies are so sweet…it is not competitive at all very encouraging and supportive. I take the metro it is a couple blocks from the McPherson stop.

Welcome to the board! I used to learn from Jessalynn when she taught at Xpose. I can say first hand that you are in excellent hands! I live in MD and im about 30-45 from DC. Hope to see more posts from you!

[minicoopergrl]

I flippin LOVE this! I love getting creative with my costumes.

[minicoopergrl]

I also did not advance https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_sad.gif . Its ok though, the ones who I did worked really hard for thier catagory. Im proud of the girl who won Pole Diva, this was her 3rd competing and she never made it to the finals.

I know I didnt get to see Sissy’s performance but I know she had to of rocked it.

I have 2 of my 3 videos on FB, today Ill do the YT, SV uploads

I had a frickin blast! I just wish it didnt go by so fast https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_neutral.gif

[minicoopergrl]

I have a JVC camcorder. Very basic for what I need it for.

I used to stick my camcorder in one of the cubbies at the studio but the problem I run into is getting the shot right (im a TV production graduate, im very picky about all of that). I got a tripod and set it up where I want it. I will put something on the pole to mark my shot. I normally do a wide shot so you can see everything when I perform.

I use Window Movie Maker as well. Its pretty simple and ive used it everytime ive made a movie. I want to try imovie but my mac is very old and wouldnt be able to upload my video.

[minicoopergrl]

Charley, i wrote it into my planner and entered it in my blackberry so I will have a reminder. I am such a nerd https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_geek.gif so i will check back with you for more details

I am all about the crackberry! I have to do that as well or I do forget! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

[minicoopergrl]

I havent had any serious accidents yet. One of my many attempts to invert, I got up there but slid down to face and came down head first. I was doing a handstand mount didnt land back down with my feet but with my bum instead and bounced backwards a few. Gotta admit that was kinda cool, felt like I was a skipping rock. And with my weight you would never think I could do that. I was also working on my split grip and something didnt feel right and then my rotator cuff started to bug me. But Ive been conditioning my rotators to help.

[minicoopergrl]

https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif all the way to the bank https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif when i defend what i do to shallow people (teach Pole dance) i remember all wonderful strong and supportive friends i have made all over the world adn leave the nay sayers behind. to talk behind my back knowing in my heart that only insecure women would talk about other women and thoose arent the kind i need or want in my life.. hope you enjoy NY have fun!!!!

agreed! Ive only had to deal with the "your nothing but an ametur stripper" once. I always think of the song Breakdown by Seether, mostly the chours:

So break me down if it makes you feel right
And hate me now if it keeps you alright
You can’t break me down if it takes all your might
’cause I’m so much more than meets the eye

I also adopt my other policy – WTF-ever!

[minicoopergrl]

Thats great! Are you gonna have a sign on your door that lets people know that your poling at that time? I could already see your dorm as the stage for performances.

[minicoopergrl]

i bring my laptop to xpose with me to record myself when i do pole play, and i can never find a signal. and god, the chair room is worse for signal and that’s where they have the competition.

Ive only found one sweet spot for my phone in the pole room. The floor/chair room – never!

[minicoopergrl]

I didn’t mean to record it, I meant to stream it live. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif

I know the first year there was a live feed but it wasnt that great. Im not sure about last year (i was a mess from giving birth 2 weeks before the competition) if there was a live feed. From my understanding the girl who was doing the feed, wasnt getting great signal in the room and couldnt find a wireless connection.

[minicoopergrl]

omg how did i miss this thread??! Sissy you’re gonna do great! It’s natural that you may have lost some of your technique while you were in your cast, but thank goodness for muscle memory, you’ll have it back way before the competition! But honestly though, I saw what you could do while you were still IN the cast, & hadn’t poled in over 2 weeks & it still looked like you had never been off the pole anyway!!!! Just focus on practicing the tricks you plan on using for your routine. I also think it’s normal to have last minute self-doubts, but you gotta remember how awesome you are!! and i agree about the having fun part- focusing on having fun instead of on winning will make you less nervous & more confident, and this will show through in your dancing!
Good luck girl i’ll be cheering for you from all the way across the atlantic!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif I love you Azzy!

I wish I could set up my little netbook in there so you could watch LOL. I wonder if they’d let me do that…

Im bringing my camcorder and having a friend record it. Im not sure about your netbook but you could ask. If not Ill have my friend record your performance and I can send you your routine or post it here on SV.

[minicoopergrl]

Welcome to SV! You will see alot of East Coasters here (im one of them – Im in MD).

Ask away! You wont know the answer until you ask!

[minicoopergrl]

And a less expensive yearly pass too!!! Young polers just starting off in life don’t tend to be wealthy!!

agreed! Something doesnt sit right w/me paying $60/yr for a membership. I always thought USPDF was tad overpriced which has prevented me from attending events.

This sounds like possibly making a thread about what would the new organization be like https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_scratch.gif

[minicoopergrl]

my husband doesnt celebrate vday. Hes made no plans or suggestions, im lucky I get a card at this point. Also the Daytona 500 is on https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif so thats the start of being a nascar widow. So I think im just going to practice my Ms Xpose routines.

Velvet – I love that idea! I love getting creative but ive got no follow through or anyone who’d appreciate it.

[minicoopergrl]

HUGS!!! I know we talked about it recently. Find that song that you love and cant get enough of. Your gonna be fine. Like Vanessa said "if you entered and dont win, your still a sexy bitch!". I think going barefoot might make you stand out in your catagory. Im heading in there today to practice since they have finally opened.

Really hoping both of us take home a crown! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_bounce.gif

[minicoopergrl]

Welcome Janice! There are alot of us MD’ers here! Youll love us all here!

[minicoopergrl]

I wish my crackberry had an app for it.

http://www.livestrong.com/thedailyplate/blackberry-calorie-tracker/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif

I LOVE YOU!!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_bounce.gif

[minicoopergrl]

That was so informative and helpful Lilbit! Thanks!

I am really looking to slim down beofre the competition later this month so I’m gonna try giving up my beloved evening wine in the days leading up to the show and see if that helps. I already cut simple sugars, but now I plan to eliminate all forms of glucose and hopefully my belly won’t being hanging over my shorts too much while I dance. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

I know how you feel, I had made sugar cookies yesterday (mostly for the kids). I had some in my hands, Will grabs them and tells me ‘ cant have these, too close to competition’. Hes like my food Nazi! But I need that, I see it as ‘im an adult, I can make adult decisions’. I maybe drink once a week, sometimes I can go weeks w/o it. I really need to write down everything I put in my mouth. I wish my crackberry had an app for it.

[minicoopergrl]

Im with you. Its a sense of pride thing, trust me b/c I hate when my IL’s offer to pay for everything for my kids. But if your gonna make arrangements to pay him back (even if he doesnt want it back, do it anyway), id say go for it.

[minicoopergrl]

I know how you feel. Ive had 2 children both via csection. The top portion of my belly looks great, but its darn pooch that wont go away. Im the same as you, I know I will never be skinny and im ok with it. I have the thick layer of fat sitting on top of my abs, I know that the fat will go away once I get a better diet. But im starting to feel ok with it. Whats really helped tighted up my tummy was abs. I do abs like crazy, I do 3 reps of 15. I do abs about 3-4 different ways to get my whole abdomen in it.

I will say tinker around with your diet and exercise. Maybe your body is used to what you put it through and isnt going to budge. I noticed a difference in my body when I started going to the gym as well.

I too also have the goal of rockin a bikini by summer. I want people to say ‘holy crap youve had 2 kids and one of them was over 11lbs!!! Damn girl you look good!’.

[minicoopergrl]

when you ride public transportation and the poles are eyeing you down. I was so close to doing this riding the metro to the Caps game. I really needed someone to egg me on!

[minicoopergrl]

thanks for sharing, I want to buy some pole grip but im such an instant gratification girl, that I want to buy it in store vs. online. Was it in the Tennis section? Theres a Sports Authority next door to my gym so Ill check it out the next time I head over there.