[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

I am strongly against young people smoking, simply because science and medicine have proven that the health consequences and mental damage it does at that age is particularly serious when the brain is still developing. However, I am kind of one of those people who think you should try everything once, and I've tried it several times and it does nothing for me. I think certain drugs suit certain personalities, and alcohol is my drug of choice 🙂 However one of my best friends is addicted to pot, and while she has admitted that she she has a problem (she can't sleep without it, spends too much money on it etc) that does not take away from the fact that I love her and that she is a beautiful person. I think everyone has a weakness or an "achilles heel" so who are we to judge? However, I think if you know you have an addictive/obsessive or extreme personality, then you should be careful to not get into the habit of regularly taking any drug or stimulant. Everything in moderation 😉

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

In Australia the highlight of my year is Miss Pole Dance Australia. It's a National competition held by Bobbi's Pole Studio at Enmore Theatre in Sydney in November. It is always a huge production with hilarious MC's, a spectacular opening performance by Bobbi's teachers, and fun and sexy performances from contestants. I've been to MPDA two years in a row but this year I'm trying something different: Australian Capital Pole CHampionships in Canberra. It's also in November so I can't really afford to go to both, but I'm interested to see how it's different from MPDA. I'm pretty sure it will be more serious and athletic and less about the entertainment side of pole.

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

I have had so much trouble with this move! My elbow-grip aysha is solid but I just can't seem to get the hand-grip aysha! RAH! My grip never seems secure and the weight of my torso and legs just seems too much for my arms to hold strongly. It's a scary move for me because the body has to be so far from the pole, and since hands are busy gripping pole, I get paranoid that I'm going to fall on my head. 🙁 I find Twisted Grip a little more secure for some reason… I think the angle gives my upper hand better grip, but getting the balance right is SO hard. I can take my legs away for like a second but then I start falling. It's driving me CRAZY!!!!

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

….you have to plan and schedual for the days that you moisturise to alternate with days that you pole.

…. you have skin that resembles the sahara desert.

…. you spend 90% of your time on the internet researching/discussing/watching pole dancing stuff.

…. your friends ask you to perform party tricks like acrobatic handstand pullups or inverts on random poles for their drunken amusement.

…. if guys suddenly come on to you all heavy and strong as soon as you tell them what you do.

…. every song you listen to is instantly anaylsed and judged according to the dance choreography in your head.

…. you feel comfortably and appropriately dressed just in underwear. 

… you daydream about possible new pole moves/tricks/variations.

… one of your best friends is an inaminate object, probably made of brass, long and spherical. 😉

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

Awesome idea SashaMae! I too love finding new pole inspiration, so the more we share the better! 

My biggest non-pole dance heros are: 

Megan Branch – in this video her movement and the music moves me so much I get tingles http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlVDZNgQ28Y&list=FL9xQt3Y3z98CQ2UI_VXGggg&index=38&feature=plpp_video

Caitlin Kinney http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNwCkJnKHsA&feature=BFa&list=PLAD72FE65C64BCEA2

Jordan Clarke 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0y_Cj-4d6w&feature=BFa&list=PLAD72FE65C64BCEA2&index=42

Mollee Gray http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-dza0v5Gcc&feature=BFa&list=PLAD72FE65C64BCEA2

Beth Ann Robinson http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jA8KHEA0K_8&feature=BFa&list=PLAD72FE65C64BCEA2

Pole dancing heros:

Fleur – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gb5cTnHKPAU&feature=BFa&list=PLAD72FE65C64BCEA2

Gypsy (Bobbis Pole Studio) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtCYxH1J1LE

Felicity Logan

Sarah Jade

Sergia Anderson, The Vertitude Pole Studio

Fontaine Bradbury

Alethea Austin

(don't know real name) luckygirl1220 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LL0ReQTWvoc&feature=BFa&list=FL9xQt3Y3z98CQ2UI_VXGggg

Brynn Route

andvideo8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADs04O9T0Ks&feature=BFa&list=PLAD72FE65C64BCEA2

Milien Elayne  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7-2vSjUmVI&feature=BFa&list=PLAD72FE65C64BCEA2

Lisa Davison http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNntiMGQKr8

 

 

There are more but I have to go to acro class now! Happy viewing! Can't wait to see what other great dancers we can uncover! 🙂 

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

I started poling when I though I was reasonably fit… but I could barely lift my own weight on the pole after 30min of practice! I used to go to the gym 3/4 times a week and do a mix of cardio and weights. But I'm SO much fitter now with just pole workouts and acrobatic lessons. My legs are more toned, my core and upper body are stronger, my balance and control is MUCH better…

It took me two terms of pole classes (16 weeks) to do an inverted V whne I first began. Now I can do Inverted V's from up the pole, and I can do them repetitively. So I have definitely become fitter in 3 years of poling, even if my weight (kilo's) hasn't changed much. But I know I can get stronger – the best things about poling instead of gyming is that the journey is FUN and feels cathartic in a way…. the self-ecpression and artistry is good for the soul I think. 🙂  

SO don't be too hard on yourself to learn everything asap, it takes time and perseverence, but you will get there~! 🙂 xo

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

hahahaa that second video is hilarious. Alethea tried to teach me the fish flop in her workshop over a year ago but I couldn't get it. But then I got some advice from an acrobat in my circus class and I got it straight away! Ok here's a few tips to keep in mind.

 – raise your legs so that they are vertical and toes point to the sky, NOT over your head. 

 – roll your head.shoulder when your feet are at their peak height

 – as soon as your facing down towards ground, arch back, bend knees and ROLL onto ground. 

I made the mistake of not pointing my feet and keep my legs straight on my descent… make for a very loud bang and very sore toes.

Goodluck! 🙂

 

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

azblanco – I am SO jealous that you had a private with Alethea! SHe is my favourite pole dancer ever! I had a workshop with her in Sydney two  years ago when she came out to perform at Miss Pole Dance Australia – she was awesome. I remember being worried I wouldn't be advanced enough for her class but she actually taught us alot of stuff off the pole – floorwork, bakward shoulder rolls, body rolls, flexibility etc. It was great, and she gave us time to ask questions. Plus I love how instructors will play their music – it makes it so much more authentic because we are used to hearing their music on their youtube videos etc… ANyway I am glad you feel like you got a lot out of your private with her – that must have cost a bit! So it's definitely worth being prepared…  Good tip! 🙂

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

*feminine

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

Whate an interesting topic for discussion. I have come across similar surprise and exasperation when faced with another person's negative or dogmatic opinion.

One thing I like to say to myself is "Those who havn't tried it shouldn't judge it" and that goes for many things and for everyone, including me. If someone has actually experienced being a stripper or a pole dancer and found it uncomfortable or demeaning, then they have a right to express their informed opinion. But it irritates me that many people feel entitled to voice their beliefs loudly and obnoxiously when they have no particular knowledge in that area. It would be like me stating something decisively about chemical engineering being against nature – I don't know anything about chemical engineering so who am I to dismiss or condemn it? I think trying something is an important part of forming an accurate judgment because often we have these preconceptions in our heads about how we would react in a certain situation or what's wrong and right, but then when it comes to living it in the moment, our instincts or our true selves astonish us.

So maybe you could say to these critics: "Why don't you try it and then tell me your informed opinion."  ….? Or something along those lines 😉

I'd like to say also; I am a feminist, and I have been a stripper, and I am proud to be a pole dancer. If I was so worried about being sexually objectified that I couldn't enjoy my physicality and express my sensuality, THEN I would be repressed. Being comfortable in my body, exhibiting myself nude, enjoying my sensuality, enetertaining others with my body…. that is empowering to me. Just as being confident in my intelligence, exhibiting my knowledge, entertaining others with my wit is empowering. Being respected as a woman and being considered equal to man shouldn't mean denying a part of ourselves; our femine allure.

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

Azblanco – Oh I hope she teaches the marion amber this time too, I would love to know how to do it! I've never attempted it before, it just looks so impressive! 😛  Thanks for the feedback girls and Veena 🙂

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

Cool thanks! 🙂

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

SashaMae I agree with what you said too! Yes Laurence did look like she was made of water or dancing under water! Just watched Michelle Stanek's performance – I love that it was sensual and erotic – as you say, this is a classy pole event, so unfortunately sensuality and sexyness often go out the window…. so I love that she brought that back, it was exciting!

Oh my gosh Jenyne's performance was stunning. I love her song choice – it's emotive and dynamic…. I didnt want her to stop!

I still have to watch Phoenix's, will get back to you soon! 🙂 

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

Mel I just noticed you're in Sydney – you'll find most studios in sydney use brass 38mm spinny pussycat poles. I trained at Bobbi's and it was nice to be able to use the same pole in the studio and at home… I know that overseas 38mm is pretty small and they use larger diameters…. but it depends where you plan on training. Thanks for the compliment on my vids! 🙂 

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

I can do this! However some position make it much easier. My favourite place to do a back bend is in a handstand against the pole. Try going from a plank/lay back, placing hands about 30cm from pole shoulderwidth apart, then arch back and press your shoulder/trap against pole and lift head so you are looking towards your feet. Then spread and bend knees and bring feet down. Always do back bends SLOWLY, it gives the spine time to stretch and adjust to pressure. This gives me the best stretch because the weight from by bum and legs helps push my feet closer to head. Doing it on stomach on floor is trickier for me because you don't have your natural body weight helping with the stretch.

I also like doing a back bend from sitting on my knees. Push hips forward and squeeze glutes and hamstrings. Arch back, arms above head and slowly drop head behind you, like you are diving backwards. Once your hands are on floor, bend arms and try to grab you feet with your hands and pull you head as close to your toes as you can. Keep pushing up through pelvis.

There are some awesome yoga tutorials on youtube that show how to do some amazing stretches. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWxxUiBMcd0&list=UUH-81uaxCwAAaSgxRtxMkxg&index=9&feature=plcp

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

Hi Mel,

I have a Pussycat pole! It's a 38mm Brass spinny semi-removable – my cielings are taller than average too (although not 5 m tall!) so I had to get one that slips int oa socket in the ceiling. This socket can be easily bolted in to a beam above the ceiling. The base is just tighten to press onto the floor, so no damage is done to my floorboards. I absolutely love my pole. I have had it for…. hmm atleast 2, probably 3 years now. No complaints. It's never come loose, and the grip is pretty good. I rang their office to ask advice on which pole to choose and they were super friendly and helpful. Mine cost about $700 and then a bit more for delivery. Best money I'v eever spent! 

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

Watch this too! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=va5X758JN_4&feature=youtu.be This is the chick I as talking about.

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

Also, watch videos of great pole dancers. Not only do they inspire and motivate, but they can also be great practice! My acrobatics instructor has told me the same thing: Knowing in your head how to do something is half the battle. If you have watched a trick being performed 20 times, your mind will be able to process it like second nature. When I am dancing sometimes I think of moves other dancers I love have done, and I find myself mimicing them a little bit. That's how I've taught myself basically, I've borrowed my favourite moves from Alethea Austin, Karol Helms, Felix Cane, Marion Crampe, Sergia Anderson, and learnt them from watching their videos over and over again…. So that is something you can do without lifting a muscle! 🙂 Check this out for an example of an awesome pole dance that is mostly floorwork, spins and off-pole dancing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4gFLxzBBUk&list=FL9xQt3Y3z98CQ2UI_VXGggg&index=12&feature=plpp_video

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

I recently performded n stage in front of hundreds of people, and one of my fellow dancers was an amputee – she only had one arm. She had built up enough strength in that one arm to invert, climb, spin, almost everything! If she can do it with one arm, then you can do it with two arms, no matter how weak they are. We all started at square 1. It definitely sucks that your back inhibits your flexibility, but dance is the best thing for improving it! 

I get frustrated when my grip is slippery or when my strength gives out and I can't do what I want to do on the pole. The best thing to do is just accept it for now but stay determined to keep trying. Keep your goals in mind while appreciating each little improvement.

Dance around the pole! Let yourself get sexy and expressive with floor work and transitions. Strength and flexibility are not the only skills a pole dancer can aim for. Fluidity is very important to me. Lines. Flow. Say it takes you a year to invert. Well at least by the time you're upside down and learning new tricks, you will be a pro at floor work and fluidity. 🙂 Look on the bright side, focus on what you CAN do. If we all focused on our flaws we would be a miserable bunch. It's natural to want to push yoruself to improve, but don't forget to pat yourself on the back for every small thing you achieve… 🙂 Have fun!

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

LittleEngine…. how wonderful that you can learn and memorise dance steps so easily! Remembering routines must be a piece of cake for you…. I can repeat a routine a million times and I will forget something or add an extra something… I had SO much trouble preparing a routine for a recent performance, I ended up changing a whole bunch of tricks mid performance anyway! 

I think it's just a mental difference though. I mean, the neurons in your brain that communicate with your body must be super responsive from all that dance training, so maybe psychologically you feel like your body can't move smoothly without that instruction? But in freestyle there is still that connection between mind and body… it's not total random movement. As much as aim for "free" and "unplanned" movement, our bodies are going to want to move in ways and combos and tricks that it's comfortable with. Muscle memory and instinct will kick in and come to the rescue. So even though I don't decide before hand what I'm going to do, I am still makin some decisions in my freetyle. When I'm dancing I'm thinking things like…. "hmmm I think I should stay on the floor for a little longer, it suits the song" or , "Oh man, big climax/crescendo coming up, need to get spinny quickly"…. I mean, they aren't always full on conscious sentences, but I'm reflectiong on the music and making split-second decisions… 

So maybe it's just a confidence thing…. because I am sure your body has just as much muscle memory as me. So when I let myself just go "weeeeeee" spinning around the pole, I will automatically move into some kind of combo, and your body should be able to do that too…. I mean, I'm not a scientist or doctor or whatever haha but that's my optimistic opinion anyway! 🙂 

What has helped me with my fluidity is pacticing in combos. In fact, I can count on one hand the times I've practiced a trick in isolation. I ALWAYS practice while dancing… Knowing combos like the back of your hand helps make everything fluid. Transitions are essential too – Practice getting from one trick/move/combo to another. SO it all looks like one piece….

I just htoguht of this metaphor: Imagine dance moves were words. You and I both know the English language, the full alphabet, we have a similar word count in our vocabulary. You are used to reading a story and repeating it. I am not. Freestyling is like someone saying "Make up a story on the spot, right now, go!" So I just go "Blah blah blah blah and then this happened and then this happened" and I don't worry if it won't make any sense, I just let the words fall out of my mouth, I just say the first words I think of". …. Im an English and History teacher and I come across sooo many students who REFUSE or just seem unable to start a story or add to an existing sentence…. but they CAN. They just don't know they can. It's about trusting yourself. There are no rule in freestyling or in creating. No right and wrong. So just let whatever comes out of your mouth or out of your pen or out of your body just flow. 

I get it must be hard to let yourself go in front of a class… Having your own pole would probably make a big difference. But I hope my weird analogy helped somehow! I really think it's just a mental thing…. 🙂 and it's practice. I wish I had your ability to remember steps so easily! 🙂

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

Why thank you LillyBilly! I happen to be uploading another one as we speak!  Talking about freestyling got me in the mood and I had to go spend an hour dancing!  🙂 xo

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

I LOVE FREESTYLE!!!! It's what I do best. I struggle to follow choreography, and trying to remember all the steps interferes with my expression… im so busy overthinking things that I can't put much feeling into it. So freestyle is where I can express myself. Music is essential, you have to feel it, it has to move you. Sometimes I dance with my eyes closed or turn the lights off so it's almost dark.

I'm not a trained dancer so its easy for me to let go and dance without a plan. I'm drawn to unusual and unique movements, I love it when other dancers come up with interesting and sometimes weird ways of moving their bodies. I think thats why Alethea Austin and Pink Puma are two of my favourites. They both have an individuality to their style.

So if I could suggest one piece of advice, it would be to not worry about ANYTHING while freestyling. Don't let yourself think about what tyou're goin to do next, just be in the moment. Follow your gut instinct, let your body be a physical embodiment of your emotions…. The more emotional and expressive the better – my best freestyle dances have occurred when I'm feeling strong emotions (anger/sadness/excitement/sexual frustration) hahaha.  Oh man, I love freestyle sooo sooo much! It's when I discover cool new ways to move and when It makes me feel sooo relieved and satisfied afterwards. 🙂

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

I show this combo in my latest vid "Love and Affection" if you want to see what I mean. xo

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

I like to do a Jade (horizontal split), then Scorpio, then Allegra. Hold each trick for a few seconds at least to make the most of it and so it doesn't look rushed. It's easy to go from Jade to Scorpio, just bend top leg and cross over pole, keep gripping leg bent in scorpio so that you have room to reach up and grab pole with hand. If you wait too long and slide down pole until your leg is flush against pole in Scorpio, then your upper leg will be too vertical for allegra and there won't be much room for your hand to grab pole around leg. So that switch from Jade to Allegra should be swift, unless you can keep your legs bent in Scorpio. So for me the scorpio is just a transition. 

To come out of Allegra, I just release and raise my back/lower leg and bring it around to grip pole in a crucifix/ankles on. You just have to twist your torso back to face pole. There are probably many more ways to transition out of it…. 🙂

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

Thanks for replying girls. You all had good points. Being under-rehearsed is destructive because it increases self-doubt and nerves/apprehension so I really need to make sure I have repeated my moves so many times that muscle memory will kill in no matter what. This will help me relax and focus on the artistry of my dancing.

Thinking about what is more important to me personally is such an essential thing I cant believe I didnt do it before now. I am definitely someone who appreciates dance, fluidity, expression etc over strength and tricks, so I should let myself feel the music in the future and just stop over-thinking my routine. I think that's why I like freestyle so much… I'm not distracted by trying to remember choreography, and there's no pressure to get everything right because I have no expectations, im just in the moment, feeling hte music.

Thanks so much everyone for taking the time to comment, it's really helped me clarify my ideas and emotions. I know now why I feel disappointed by my performance last weekend, and I know how not to let that regret happen again 🙂 xoxo