[ottersocks]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mf3C07Ngt2o

1st one at :05 is the inside hand, outside foot version

:26 is the outside hand, outside foot version

Starr is really loose about which hand, which foot—which is why it flows so beautifully….

[ottersocks]

Aveeno Active Naturals Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion with Soothing Oatmeal Essence, Fragrance free
http://www.amazon.com/Aveeno-Naturals-Moisturizing-Soothing-18-Ounce/dp/B001E96LCM/ref=sr_1_2?s=gateway&ie=UTF8&qid=1285018146&sr=8-2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I haven’t tried the other Aveeno lotions but I noticed when I am wearing this particular lotion, it acts like MIGHTY GRIP on my skin. I find my skin is not greasy nor slippery. I just find I have better grip all over while wearing this lotion. Sometimes I use this lotion instead of MightyGrip. I never see the Aveeno lotion on my pole. It stays pretty clean. So now I can stay moisturized and still have grip. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

Naughtywed, thanks so much for this! I tried the Aveeno daily moisture lotion (my husband uses it so we had it around) and it does the same thing–makes me soft and a bit sticky! I’m so impressed I’m recommending it to all my papery-dry students. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

[ottersocks]

One last suggestion: they sell a product at all major drug stores called Sinus Rinse. It’s a bottle and little packets of saline mixture. It works like a neti pot but is much easier to mix the solution perfectly (so no sting) and very easy to gently squeeze the contents into your nostrils.
You might also try some Afrin nasal spray. It will clear up any congestion in your eustachian tubes. I often use it when I fly.

[ottersocks]

Just want to clarify- you should always be rolling the knees in and engaging all the way through both legs whether you’ve got one foot pointed or two!!

Says the fabulous and non-bowlegged Amy! (xoxox to you my awesome friend and amazing teacher) https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_salut.gif
BUT
CAR is really different depending on anatomy. I am bowlegged. If I roll my knees in, my thighs separate, and down I go on my head. I roll my knees OUT, hard. When I teach this move, I spot students and have them try rolling both ways. They can determine which makes them and their leg anatomy feel the most secure.
E.

[ottersocks]

I know part of this has to do with stretching the ligaments and tendons so that getting them straight is easier, but I have no idea what stretches are beneficial for that. I have been doing stretches geared towards splits and overall leg flexibility, hoping that ease of straightness will just be a byproduct of that. Is there anything specific I could do to make this process more productive?

One of the main principles of resistance stretching is that, in order for a muscle to fully be able to lengthen, its balancing (opposite) muscle has to be strong enough to fully contract. Basic example: some people can’t touch their toes because their quads can’t fully contract/shorten, allowing their hamstrings to lengthen.

You can apply this principle for straight legs. I see so many students who cannot straighten their knees, and it’s usually due to weak quads. I’ve mentioned on other forums that I highly recommend the Dara Torres stretching DVD. Here is a sample that happens to include the quad strengthen/stretch series:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUPMCu7WAzA

[ottersocks]

Anne and Steve, the two people in that YouTube video, are the ones who trained me. It’s from the Dara Torres DVD, which is great.
Go stretchers go!!

[ottersocks]

All of us at Poletential are SO HAPPY to hear that you all had such a wonderful time. We put a tremendous amount of energy into making sure you had a terrific weekend, so we’re glad it paid off! Come back and see us again soon!!

[ottersocks]

Yep. And Tiffany Hayden and Sajsa Lee also finished in top 5. Only the top 3 got pro status.

[ottersocks]

Can’t wait to meet you, Kira! I’m backstage manager all day on Saturday. See you there!
Ellen
Poletential Instructor

[ottersocks]

Anyone driving up to the Bay Area from the North Hollywood vicinity? Any chance you could pick up an X-Stage for us? Please reply or email me at mailto:ellen@poletential.com if you can help us out. Thanks!

[ottersocks]

so if anyone has any suggestions what i can use instead of a foam roller hit me https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

Thanks Otter I wouldn’t have found it if i didn’t read your resistance stretching posts.

Hi Nicci
You’re welcome!
You can try tennis balls instead of a foam roller. It’s much more intense and localized, but they work well.
A new trick I found is, go the pet store and buy the GIANT tennis balls meant for large breed dogs. (Make sure you don’t get beef scented or with squeakers!) Those work really well and can spread out over a larger area of tissue. For outer thighs (IT bands) though, foam rollers are still tops.
Good luck! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_salut.gif

[ottersocks]

Some big sporting goods stores carry them. I get mine online through OPTP.

[ottersocks]

Yay! I look forward to meeting you! I’m Ellen, one of the Poletential instructors. Be sure to come say hi! Are you taking any workshops?

[ottersocks]

I have never tried foam rollers but have been looking into buying one. Could I get this one to start with? https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_razz.gif

Eva,
I wouldn’t recommend it. This roller is really intense, and until you’re used to doing myofascial release on yourself, you’d be in pain and likely discouraged. I’d start with the basic white foam roller. You can do a lot of good with that one, as you get used to it!
Ellen

[ottersocks]

I teach at DL fitness in Worcester, MA now and we would be happy to have you https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif
OMG I went to Clark Univ in Worcester, I would have *killed* to have pole classes! (although, back when I went to college, no one ever dreamed of pole classes… https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif ) Say hi to Worcester for me!!

[ottersocks]

Sorry to say it but i’d rest it for longer than a week, maybe more like a month to six weeks! Tendonitis is inflammation of the tendon or tendon sheath, and unless it is fully rested and healed it will only reoccur. You could try deep transverse frictions but you would need a PT to show you how to do it. You will also need to look at some wrist strengthening exercises and take a good look at your pole technique/ wrist position as you need to find the cause of the inflammation.

Yep. Please be careful and take it easy. I have biceps tendonitis in my non-dominant arm. Rested it entirely–poled one armed–for 2 months. Had two cortisone shots and months of PT. Felt great for months. And now it’s back. And now I’m one-armed again. Until you let it heal totally AND correct what is causing it (which, clearly, I did NOT do), it won’t go away and could get much worse. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cry.gif

[ottersocks]

Oversplits stretching will definitely help. And to answer your question, you can raise both your front and back foot. I like putting my front achilles tendon onto a foam roller, as it’s then easy to roll away to go down into your split after stretching.
Also try the squeeze and release technique. When you’re down as low as you can go, squeeze your legs together like you’re trying to scissor them closed through the floor. Both legs squeeze down HARD and keep squeezing for a slow 10 count. Then relax everything and try to sink lower. Repeat this 3 – 5 times.
Good luck you’re so close great work!!
Oh and also–cold, I’m a good 6" away. Warm, I’m flat to the floor. I spend up to an hour warming up my legs and stretching ALL the muscles in all directions–glutes, quads, hip flexors, inner thighs–before I stretch splits.

[ottersocks]

I love that one, too! Ottersocks does a phenomenal one in her Polestock vid. I think it’s towards the end. I’ve been trying to practice it, but I think it’s one of those moves you’ve got to video because looking at it upside down in the mirror is really confusing. I’d love to see a tutorial (hint, hint).

Awww shucks! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_colors.gif Thanks yoga.
So, here’s how I do it. I get into a good handstand position with my hands directly under my shoulders to bear my weight strongly. I slide my legs down into caterpillar legs position, deep bend in my knees, thighs are parallel to the ground. And then I hip roll–start by sticking my tail out, roll to the side, tuck tail under, roll to the other side. It’s fun. I never look at it in the mirror, I just need to feel it and concentrate.
But yeah, Alethea is the all time queen of it. I pale in comparison. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

[ottersocks]

Just bumping this to the top! Spots still available in workshops, one more has been added with Leigh Ann Orsi on Saturday. Good seats still available too. After party tickets are $5 and are available in advance at http://www.poletential.com/poletential_2010uspdfwest_allticketsrsvpsignups.html
The after party is in an awesome club attached to the theater. This venue is amazing!!

Tickets are now on sale to the public for West Coast Regionals:

http://www.ticketalternative.com/Events/12497.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Workshop schedule has also been posted and can be purchased:

https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ASP/home.asp?studioid=8706" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Fri November 5, 2010

4:30 – 6:00 PM (1 Reserved , 17 Open) Jenyne Butterfly – Int – Adv. Jenyne Butterfly Poletential – Redwood city, CA
7:15 – 8:45 PM (0 Reserved , 18 Open) Floorwork & Flexibility w/ Alethea – all levels Alethea Austin
8:30 – 10:00 PM (0 Reserved , 18 Open) Pole Choreography – Amber Richard Amber Richard Poletential – Redwood city, CA

Sat November 6, 2010

8:30 – 10:00 AM (1 Reserved , 17 Open) Estee Zakar – Beg thru Adv. Estee Zakar Poletential – Redwood city, CA
10:30 – 12:00 PM (0 Reserved , 18 Open) Climb & Spin – Kira Lamb – USPDF Judge Kira Lamb Poletential – Redwood city, CA
12:00 – 1:30 PM (0 Reserved , 18 Open) Brook Notary – Beg thru adv. Brook Notary Poletential – Redwood city, CA

Sun November 7, 2010

10:00 – 11:30 AM (0 Reserved , 18 Open) Polished Pole – Amber Richard Amber Richard Poletential – Redwood city, CA
11:30 – 1:00 PM (2 Reserved , 16 Open) Sexy Flow -Alethea – Int-Adv. Alethea Austin Poletential – Redwood city, CA
1:00 – 2:30 PM (2 Reserved , 16 Open) Chair & Floor w/ Alethea – All levels Alethea Austin Poletential – Redwood city, CA
2:30 – 4:00 PM (0 Reserved , 18 Open) Jenyne Butterfly – Int – Adv. Jenyne Butterfly Poletential – Redwood city, CA
4:00 – 5:30 PM (0 Reserved , 18 Open) Estee Zakar – Beg thru Adv. Estee Zakar Poletential – Redwood city, CA

[ottersocks]

Well that’s annoying, but if so, then I guess if someone buys both these tix they can sit together!

[ottersocks]

You can always try tennis balls for cheap and effective self myofascial release!

[ottersocks]

Gsylass, I don’t think so. Foam rollers are quite firm–you can put your whole body weight on it and press down hard. A paint roller has a cardboard center and would collapse.

[ottersocks]

Hey Jessica
If you’re still having trouble, email Christina at mailto:ck@poletential.com She can talk you through the workshop sign up.
I’m taking Alethea’s two back to back on Sunday.
Ellen

[ottersocks]

Tickets are now on sale to the public for West Coast Regionals:

http://www.ticketalternative.com/Events/12497.aspx

Workshop schedule has also been posted and can be purchased:

https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ASP/home.asp?studioid=8706

Fri November 5, 2010

4:30 – 6:00 PM (1 Reserved , 17 Open) Jenyne Butterfly – Int – Adv. Jenyne Butterfly Poletential – Redwood city, CA
7:15 – 8:45 PM (0 Reserved , 18 Open) Floorwork & Flexibility w/ Alethea – all levels Alethea Austin
8:30 – 10:00 PM (0 Reserved , 18 Open) Pole Choreography – Amber Richard Amber Richard Poletential – Redwood city, CA

Sat November 6, 2010

8:30 – 10:00 AM (1 Reserved , 17 Open) Estee Zakar – Beg thru Adv. Estee Zakar Poletential – Redwood city, CA
10:30 – 12:00 PM (0 Reserved , 18 Open) Climb & Spin – Kira Lamb – USPDF Judge Kira Lamb Poletential – Redwood city, CA
12:00 – 1:30 PM (0 Reserved , 18 Open) Brook Notary – Beg thru adv. Brook Notary Poletential – Redwood city, CA

Sun November 7, 2010

10:00 – 11:30 AM (0 Reserved , 18 Open) Polished Pole – Amber Richard Amber Richard Poletential – Redwood city, CA
11:30 – 1:00 PM (2 Reserved , 16 Open) Sexy Flow -Alethea – Int-Adv. Alethea Austin Poletential – Redwood city, CA
1:00 – 2:30 PM (2 Reserved , 16 Open) Chair & Floor w/ Alethea – All levels Alethea Austin Poletential – Redwood city, CA
2:30 – 4:00 PM (0 Reserved , 18 Open) Jenyne Butterfly – Int – Adv. Jenyne Butterfly Poletential – Redwood city, CA
4:00 – 5:30 PM (0 Reserved , 18 Open) Estee Zakar – Beg thru Adv. Estee Zakar Poletential – Redwood city, CA

[ottersocks]

Tickets and discount packages are now on sale to USPDF members only. Public sales begin Sept 27. See http://www.uspdf.com or http://www.poletential.com.