[ottersocks]

I go into this move from a scorpio (inside leg hang.) Important though to hook the inside leg farther down the calf and push the hooked foot down so the shin is parallel to the floor. If you do that, you’ll create a space behind your knee where you can easily place your inside hand.
So, I do a scorpio, sit up, place inside hand behind knee on pole. Open up shoulders and drop outside hand to the pole below me. Then, straighten hooked leg.
If you haven’t made the space behind your knee for your hand, when you straighten your leg you will knock your hand off the pole. And fall. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_pale.gif
I naturally do scorpio with my leg hooked at calf anyway so this move was very easy for me to get.
I hope this helps!

[ottersocks]

Oh, Anngie, that’s so awesome! You and your girls are going to have such an amazing experience with Amber. I’m so blessed to be able to learn from her every day. Can’t wait to meet you in NY!
Ellen

[ottersocks]

There’s a little person named Veena who lives in CA too. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif I could maybe show someone a trick or two…..

HAHAHAHAHA!!!!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif Excellent point!! God knows you’ve shown me a dozen or two, at least! xoxo

[ottersocks]

here is another story on msn about pole dancing and the olympics. one of my friends forwarded to me today.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/35537139#35537139

sedusa studio is hot! i hope to take a lesson there someday as well when i get to cali again.

Yes, the sedusa ladies are very hot. If you want to learn how to feel yourself up like a champion, that’s the place for you. If however you get to Cali and want to learn how to do some *real challenging pole moves* and how to combine them with fabulous dancing, come visit Fleur and me at Poletential. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

[ottersocks]

I think we are saying the same thing. I am righty. We call the arm closest to the pole the inside arm, the arm farthest away the outside arm–so you and I just use different terms for that, but we’re doing it the same way.

So for the handsfree youre just letting your hand come off but keeping the pole squeezed and trapped in your right armpit yes? Sounds burny but fun! You can show me in NY. WOOT! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

[ottersocks]

Hi Chemmie,
Take a look at my blog post from Dec where I talk about the one on one session I did. From that, I was told to focus on:

#1 knee to forehead

#6 wide leg forward bend

#9 central leg extension

#10 hip flexor (gotta keep em loose!)

#13 crossover leg extension

#14 lotus

I actually don’t do 9 or 13 very often as I’ve had a bicep injury, making it hard to use my arms appropriately to pull on my leg. #6 is my fave and the one I can visibly see the most progress in. I’ve been doing the stretches about 3x a week, although some weeks only once. I need to be more diligent, but I do find I don’t go backwards in between sessions–I seem to keep the gains from the last time. I like to do it in front of the TV so will often stretch for an hour but you don’t have to do it that long at all. The trainer I worked with said the more reps you can do a day, the better. So while the book says 6 – 8, she does upwards of 15 reps and more than once a day if she can.

[ottersocks]

i learned the corkscrew with the outside hand (right if you are righty) on bottom. you have to do it this way to be able to get into a no-handed or one-handed corkscrew later.

i learned the outside hand on top grip, but it was taught to me as a transition move (only 3/4 of a rotation around the pole, land on your inside (right) foot, pivot into a backbend on your right foot), and the hips are turned toward the pole instead of away.

Hmmm, interesting. I do this move with my outside (left) arm high, inside (right) arm low. I pull up with my outside arm as I launch my legs around in a circle to pull my hips out in front of the pole. I can then do a one-armed version by just dropping that outside high arm off the pole once my back is across and I am wedged in the inner armpit. There’s actually a vid of this on my profile, taken at Veena’s house, with Karol and Amber and V and me all doing it.

What’s a no-handed corkcrew like, Amy? https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_scratch.gif

[ottersocks]

Hey Runemist,
Take a look at this link. You can watch a preview of the Dara Torres DVD that explains nicely how and why this works.

http://www.innovativebodysolutions.com/store/dvds/dara-torres-dvd.html

This method is actually extremely safe because, by contracting the muscle while you stretch it, you are activating the fibers, making it very difficult to get hurt. These stretches are not extreme, they feel good on your body, and they leave you feeling loose and floaty the next day–not rebound tight.

It’s great that you voiced concerns, everyone should always investigate new things thoroughly and be sure it’s right for them! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

[ottersocks]

Here it is, my proof that resistance stretching works.
I’ve been working on getting a split for 8 months using Alethea’s methods. I added resistance stretching this winter, and have progressed rapidly.
Tonight, I nailed it. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

Really, just can’t say enough about how great I think this method is.

[ottersocks]

Well, I never posted a "before" picture, but here’s my "after"!
Been working toward this since June 09, using Alethea’s stretch tips. After adding resistance stretching this winter, I progressed rapidly, and got fully down today.
My bad side has been locked up for 18 years with scar tissue from a tear, but is making progress now as well.
I turn 40 in July and am thrilled to have gotten this at 39!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

[ottersocks]

Angel! Score! Thank you for posting this.
Wow, I really want to get certified in this method. Level I in Mission Viejo in April, hmmmmm…… https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

[ottersocks]

From one skinny busty poler to another:

I FREAKING LOVE THIS!!!!!

You are so creative and this outfit is the bomb. Thank you for sharing!!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

[ottersocks]

Angel, how awesome you went to a stretching workshop, I’m so glad you liked it!

I have been doing this consistently for a while now and I am amazed at the results. So much of my stiffness has gone away, I gain and keep more flexibility every day. And just the other day I actually got within 2" of a split on my BAD side, which has been bound up with scar tissue for 18 years! So, I am a serious believer!

[ottersocks]

Aww, E, think of it as you getting a GREAT learning experience with greatly experienced people around you! Sometimes it’s a good idea to surround yourself with greatness and it tends to rub off on you! Don’t worry about being embarrassed, I’m sure Allegra will show us a couple things that will humble us ALL. I’m looking forward to learning things I can’t do yet, myself! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_razz.gif

Thanks Allie, you’re so sweet https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif !! I’m looking forward to it really, just nervous.

[ottersocks]

Thurs
3:30 – 5 pm: Allegra spinning pole USPDF – ottersocks, GatorGirl4Life redke71(karol)

Oh great, me and a whole bunch of USPDF competitors. On spinning pole. Prepare for major embarassment. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_redface.gif

BTW, folks who are in the cancelled Saturday B&P workshops might want to update their enrollments on the running list in this thread. (Too anal, had to say something, sorry…. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_queen.gif )

[ottersocks]

We are in Lake Tahoe for a long weekend. So, I plan on spending the day skiing my ass off on Heavenly mountain, then curling up fireside with my hubby, my dog, and my giant tacky heart box of Russell Stover candy! Every year that’s all I ask for, the biggest heart they sell in the drugstore filled with bad overly sweet chocolate. Love it!

[ottersocks]

Ok, you all realize, we’re going to have to find out our real names. I don’t think the hotel operator will be able to connect me to "foxy rei’s room!"

Hi, my name is Ellen, and I am a pole addict. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

[ottersocks]

Yes! Let’s all have a huge sleepover at the W!!! Who wants to be big spoon??? https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif
CHEATER!! You only spoon with ME! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif

[ottersocks]

I’ll be at the W too, how awesome!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif
Just want to triple check and be sure we’re all on the same page. There are multiple W Hotels in NYC. The Poletential crew is at W The Court, at E 39th and Lexington. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

[ottersocks]

I’ll be at the Courtyard Marriott Upper East Side. It’s very close to Symphony Circle and rates are $200 per room. A bunch of us girls from Maryland will be there.

Hey Angel,
Just want to be sure you realize that you’re not really close to the theater. You’re on the upper east side, 92nd and 1st avenue, so all the way east almost on the river. The theater is at 95th and Broadway on the upper WEST side, and you have the entirety of Central Park between you. You have to go more than halfway across the city.
Not a big deal really, just wanted to be sure you were aware. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

[ottersocks]

Ooooh, sandybrown, I could KISS you for organizing this list!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

I decided to take one of Allegra’s classes instead of the Miss USPDF one. Frankly, there’s a 50/50 chance I will have already done a workshop with (or WORK WITH—go Fleur!!) the winner. I’m scared of the spin class but nothing ventured….(amyxshi you’ve scared the crap out of me with talk of https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_puke_l.gif )

Thurs
3:30 – 5 pm: Allegra spinning pole USPDF – ottersocks
5pm – 6:30pm: Alethea USPDF- TrophyWife, PhillyPoleJess, PoledanceVienna
6:30 – 8pm: Jenyne USPDF- amyxshi, ottersocks, Phillypolejess, PoledanceVienna

Sat
9:30 – 11am: Estee B&P–ottersocks, bauderlady
10am – 11:30am: Spinning pole with Allegra (MPD Australia) USPDF – Fleur
1pm – 2:30: Brooke USPDF–ottersocks
2pm – 3:30: Contortion B&P– PoledanceVienna
2:30 – 4pm: Alethea USPDF- amyxshi, tracee
4pm – 5:30: Miss USPDF winner–
4pm – 5:30: Jenyne B&P- sandybrown
5:30 – 7 pm: Karol USPDF- TrophyWife
6:30 – 8pm: Alethea B&P- sandybrown, PoledanceVienna
7pm – 8:30pm: Amber USPDF- amyxshi, tracee, Foxy_Rei
8:15 – 9:30: Karol B&P–PoledanceVienna

Sun
10am – 11:30: Amber B&P–PoledanceVienna
12:30 – 2pm: Leigh Ann B&P- sandybrown, PoledanceVienna, LuvlyJ
2:15 – 3:45: Alethea B&P- PoledanceVienna
7:15 – 8:45: Karol B&P- amyxshi, sandybrown

[ottersocks]

Because additional workshops are being added with the same ladies on the same days at USPDF, I thought we should add times for clarification:

thurs
6:30 – 8 pm jenyne USPDF- amyxshi, ottersocks, Phillypolejess
5 – 6:30 pm alethea USPDF- TrophyWife, PhillyPoleJess

sat
7 – 8:30 pm amber USPDF- amyxshi, tracee, Foxy_Rei
2:30 – 4 pm alethea USPDF- amyxshi, tracee
5:30 – 7 pm karol USPDF- TrophyWife
Brooke USPDF–ottersocks
Miss USPDF winner–ottersocks
Jenyne B&P- sandybrown
Alethea B&P- sandybrown
Estee B&P–ottersocks

sun
karol B&P- amyxshi
Leigh Ann B&P- sandybrown

[ottersocks]

thurs
jenyne USPDF- amyxshi, tracee, ottersocks
alethea USPDF- TrophyWife

sat
amber USPDF- amyxshi, tracee, Foxy_Rei
alethea USPDF- amyxshi, tracee
karol USPDF- TrophyWife
Brooke USPDF–ottersocks
Miss USPDF winner–ottersocks
Jenyne B&P- sandybrown
Alethea B&P- sandybrown
Estee B&P–ottersocks

sun
karol B&P- amyxshi
Leigh Ann B&P- sandybrown

[ottersocks]

There aren’t a ton of us. I work at Poletential with Fleur and her sister Amy. Would love to meet you. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

[ottersocks]

I love this one, too. Jenyne’s tip that helped me nail it quickly was, as you bring your leg through under your arm past the pole, don’t think about leading with your foot. Instead, bend your knee and think about making your shin parallel to the pole, then passing it through under your arm in that vertical parallel position.
Definitely easier with as much spin momentum as you can gather, that makes it way better. And try it at first barefoot, as you may stab yourself in the static V leg’s thigh with your stiletto as you pass your shin through. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif