ottersocks
Forum Replies Created
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Thanks ladies, some great ideas! Keep 'em coming!!! 🙂
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SM in a double cup grip scared the crap out of me at the beginning so I mastered it with the inside hand cupped, outside hand thumb up on front of pole–I think that's what you're calling the Veena grip…?
And then Pantera came to our studio, and in her own special way, called me right out! Her opinion: if you can't do it in double cup grip (which is the most anatomically neutral way), you're not strong enough to be doing it period. Immediately switched to double cup! 😉
That's a little harsher than my thinking, but I do try to only teach double cup now, unless I have a girl who's just too freaked out about it. Definitely don't want to be kicking up into this one, practicing it from the floor (while harder) builds your strength to do it without momentum. Think about pulling your elbows together and down–the pull comes from the lats and back of arms.
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Barefoot only, for sure.
Natasha Wang told me she puts grip aid on the bottom of her foot–that's the only thing that keeps her from face-planting, in her words. She also said she picks up a load of gross gunk stuck to the bottom of the foot! 🙂
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Ooooh develange, please come! Everyone is right, a pole jam is just awesome fun. Everyone chats and shows each other what they're working on, supports each other, tries new things…and it's SO great to be in a room full of people who understand your sport and obsession! It doesn't matter what level you're at, you'll have an amazing time.
I'm so excited to be back in Massachusetts for a few days and can't wait to meet other Veeners at our jam! This one does cost $20 per person for the two hours, that's what the studio is charging us. Let me know if you'll join us, I really really hope so!!
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Hi 40plus!
I'm actually in California but headed to Worcester for my college reunion in May. We're having a pole jam with a few other Veeners at a studio in Worcester on Saturday May 21 at 9 am. jayjay125 and dezcalda will be there as well, and we are all 40 and up. Would love to have you join us, let me know if you want more info!
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My two best falls:
Doing gemini/scorpio leg switches at my birthday party in front of a dozen friends. Missed the pole entirely and WHAM on my back!
Teaching a class, standing in the middle of the floor in heels just talking. Lost balance, feet flew out from under me, WHAM on my ass!
Apparently I only fall with an audience!
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People seem to either love itac or hate it. I think Amy nailed it, it must be a body chemistry thing. I am not a sweaty person but like a little bit of tackiness when I'm learning something scary. Itac 2 turned to grease on me in the middle of a true grip handspring. I've tried 3 and found the same thing. Starts out tacky, turns to grease. I agree with trying samples before you buy.
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Sarah is miniature. I doubt she's much over 5 feet. She's smaller than Karol.
Alethea is pretty close to my height, maybe an inch or so shorter.
Here's a link to our guest instructor photos page. For comparison, I'm 5'6" barefoot. The picture of Karol is misleading, as she's in shoes and I'm not.
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Yay for cheater jade! I'm with Amy.
As for Charley's problem, I want video too. 🙂
One note: the true jade as invented by Jamilla is actually a straight on square split. That's why she's able to do it without using the inside arm to squeeze the pole. She (and others who do it flat–like Wendy T annd Jenyne come to mind immediately) are actually sticking on the inside of their front thigh. The back arm inside arm does nothing. Truly awe inspiring. 🙂
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If I'm remembering correctly, I think Sarah also was an ice skater.
And she is TINY! Smaller than Karol even.
What cracks me up about Sarah is her face–total lack of expression or effort. She's so zen when she poles. I've done a few workshops with her and she finds everything so easy that she can't even understand when things are hard for us. She's like, what do you mean you can't lift into a TG?! Just do it!
She's hysterical! 🙂
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Dara's DVD is great, but I believe you're getting it all via the app.
The method is based on Bob Cooley's book, The Genius of Flexibility. People have very mixed reviews about this book, as he focuses a lot on meridians and much more "eastern" ways of thinking about health. That said, if you can follow what he means, there are some great stretches in there. Maybe check it out from the library and see what you think.
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Gawkpop's right, it IS hard work! People I stretch cannot believe how tiring it is and how much they sweat. It's normal to be as sore the next day as if you had done a big weight lifting session.
Be sure that you never take the stretch further than you can hold the resistance. As soon as you can't resist any longer, stop moving, and go back to the strengthening part of the move. If this is done properly, with slow steady motion, never going beyond the point where you can resist with the muscle being stretched, it is very hard to get hurt.
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Hey akkis
It’s really common to take a while to get the hang of it. It’s also really common to be resisting too hard. Dont fight yourself too much. You want to be moving smoothly in every direction. Even with a small amount of resistance you will see results.
You can use a yoga strap or even a towel to pull with. But yeah, if I have lotion on, I slip off too! -
Hi Vdub
Yes group sessions are coming. I need to test out the group chat format site I'm planning to use first though to be sure it's good enough quality. I will keep you updated.
E
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For all of you who have expressed interest and/or found Cooley's/Torres' method useful, I am now offering one-on-one video resistance stretch sessions. For those who don't know:
I am a pole instructor and resistance stretching trainer, trained by the same people who appear on the Dara Torres DVD and who stretch her every day. I recently did a Skype session with our very own Amy, who had nice things to say about it! 🙂
This would be a one on one private 60 minute stretch session where we can identify and target your particular issues, practice the appropriate stretches for you, and leave you with a "homework" list of stretches. Price is $45 for the hour; $175 for a package of 5 sessions ($10 per session savings, payable up front in one payment.)
You need a webcam and skype account (free). You need to schedule directly with me and pay via Paypal. You can message me here, or email ellen.lovelace@sbcglobal.net, or find me on Facebook. I am in the Pacific time zone, to give you some help with schedule ideas.
I look forward to working with you!
Ellen