[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

Oliviaa has some really good points. I stripped for one year in Sydney, Australia, so I cant give you specific details about strip clubs in Europe. But from my experience, as long as you choose a club that has a good reputation and doesn't side as a brothel, then no one will try to push u into prostitution. On the contrary, my managers had strict rules about not allowing customers to touch you, not crossing a certain line, and never offering extras (but our club was very upper-class and exclusive). There will be clubs where they want their girls to offer everything – so just choose your club carefully.

You do have to be quite mentally strong to be a (happy) stripper. It's good you feel comfortable with the concept of earning money from your body, and you enjoy performing/exhibitionisn/nudity. You have to be tough because there will be cutomers who reject you when you offer them a dance, or who talk crap to you. Don't take any of it personally, it's just business and you are only there to make money.

As Oliciaa said, don't drink too much (one or two drinks will give you some liquid courage and keep your energy going through the night, but dont get drunk – you lose control and rsepect). Stay away from drugs, and dont get into dramas with the other working girls. Be friendly, but mind your own business. When first starting at a club, the girls may be bitches because you r new and competition, but once you've settled in for a month or so they will warm up to you.

The best advice I can give you is keep a strict line between your work and your personal life. I never gave out my number or real name to customers, never met them after work for a few drinks or whatever – even when I genuinely made friends with customers, our interactions were always inside the club, under surveillance by the cameras.

Tips for stripping/dancing – even if u dont feel it, fake super-confidence. STrut your stuff on stage and work it, show your enjoyment, customers will be attracted to that. The slower you dance, the sexier – stripping is a different style to performing a pole routine – some cutsomers will appreciate and admire your pole tricks, but most just love watching sultry/sexy/slow floor work and body rolls etc basic stuff.

I quit stripping after a year because I was getting exhausted, and I was getting sick of listening to men and entertaining them…. I love to perform, it's a thrill being on stage, but I hated being at their beck and call. However at first it was really empowering, it makes you feel like as a woman, men are at your mercy and you hold all the cards…. u know what I mean? But as Oliviaa said, the money isnt as easy to make as it used to be… you really need to hustle and talk to them forver before they'll buy a private dance or spend big. But most of this stuff you will learn on the job, just keep your ears open, watch the experienced stippers who make the big bucks, mimic their moves, their opening lines, their attitude etc. A few shifts and you will feel like you've been doing it forever, so dont worry about the nerves.

It sounds to me like you would suit it well, so go for it and good luck! 🙂

Oh, ps: You may be like me and only want to do it for a short period of time, so make it worth it – save as much money as u can – earning huge amounts can make u go a bit silly and splurge on stupid things like luxury make-up and clothes etc – you will be glad you put aside money later on when you go back to a normal-paying job – you want to be able to see the profit from all your efforts. 🙂 

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

Great vid hun! Your costume and make-up suited marylin manson and the heavy metal music perfectly. Hot boots, loved your floorwork and those one handed spins were great 🙂

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

my youtube address is: http://www.youtube.com/user/LolaOceanessGrace?feature=mhee

Would love to connect with all the veena dancers on youtube. Yay! 🙂

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

I've just recetnly conquered the superman but it still hurtrs sooo much!

Besides the normal invert leg hang emthod, I can get into it from a Jamilla, open legs, by sliding my upper leg in between my upper arm and the pole, but its less than graceful…  Or your can get into from a Jade(Horizontal Split), by bringing both feet together above your head and then pushing/flipping yourself away from pole into superman…. know what i mean? I saw it done on a youtube vid… Goodluck!

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

Hi Guys, uploading my first video to youtube right now! My user name is LolaOceanessGrace… If u fancy my style please subscribe or brefriend me… As its a whole new Alias I'm completely friendless and unknown on youtube at the moment! :S I need to add some of you as well! xox

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

Ugh I struggle with this move too! All those tips were great – I have heard them before, but do I always remember to implement them? No. 😛 Silly me…. I've been warming up to the static aerial pole invert by practicing them from spinning…. as its been said, if my arms are bent then usually I can do it, but if not – no chance. Its one of those moves that r totally unreliable for me tho, so like u, im determined to get it perfect! 🙂 Good topic!

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

Hi girls! Im a Bobbi's student too! Just not currently – Ive moved up the coast a bit but I get back there for crash classes whenever I can 🙂 

Ok, Inverted V/Upside-down V – It did take me quite a while to get this move and it was sooo frustrating, and as u say, Bobbi's routined often involve several inverts which lead into other moves, so its an essential part of the combo…. which makes it even more important to get as u said. 

I started in early 2009 and I think it took me atleast two terms at beginners level and then a term of int 1 before I got it…. Now im in Int 3 but unfortunately too far away to take regular classes 🙁 I could do the ankles on for ages, but when i finally got inverted V it was like something just "clicked" in my body and mind. SO I think it comes down to two things, muscle memory (when your body recognises where its supposed to go and just follows through with the motion automatically) and muscle strength (if your arms arent strong enough to hold you up (remember your hands should be placed next to your head, and your elbows should be bent) then you wont stay in the right place while your torso and legs swing upwards, making it a lot harder for you to invert and fit the pole perfectly). Also it could be a matter of core strength too – its like doing a sit up/crunch while standing – its intense!) So, I would recommend building arm and core strength by climbing the pole using only you arms, so kind of doing chin ups… and doing lots of planks, crunches and sit-ups – Pilates is awesome for building core strength and stability etc

Ummm what else can I tell you… Oh sometimes the problem is with your leg placement/movement too. With ankles on, one leg goes up first, hooks on and then the second one follows. WIth upside down V, you want them to go up simultaneusly together. So I was told to put my legs in the froggy position while flipping upside down and then extend legs straight into V. Do u get me?

So hold yourself with arms bent next to head, left hand over right, right hip placed in front of pole, then use a little momentum from left foot to swing u up, quickly bend you legs so your knees are pointing to either side and your in the froggy position, while squeezing your abs and using your arms and back muscles to propell your pelvis and legs above your head. Arms should only straighten out once your legs are high up in the air, so that your head can drop back and down towards the floor. Then once your pelvis is pressed close to the pole and you are definitely upside down, straighten your legs out of froggy into a beautiful V! haha I hope this helps and I havnt confused you….. the whole froggy leg thing might help because your core/arms might not be strong enough to raise your legs above your head while they are straight, as that puts a lot more pressure and weight on those supporting muscles. When legs are bent and held close to body, it's easier to flip yourself upside-down.

 

Anyway hope this all helps, so glad u guys have found eachother to become pole-buddies! 🙂 Bobbi's is an awesome studio, and Chilli is a fantastic teacher, she really pushes u, and she's hilarious of course! 😀 Also keep an eye out for Isabella's classes – shes a great teacher as well, very gentle and understanding. Have fun ladies! 🙂 Oh and Joyful, its hard to know where u r going wrong without seeing you try the move, so if you could post a video it would make it easier to give specific advice…. I film all my vids on my iphone and they turn out ok, so next time you're in class/practice time, maybe just ask a friend to catch u attempting some inverted V's….? 🙂

Goodluck hun! xo

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

Im right now trying to decide wether to upload vids onto youtube too! Im a school teacher, so if someone from the education department/colleague/employer saw the vids there would be consequences, but I really want to get involved in the online youtube poling community and start networking…. So Im trying to come up with a unique alias, and Im going to choose my videos carefully – make sure its dark enough or blurry enough that my face can't be recognised etc. Yeah im a little nervous about getting unwanted remarks from jerks who r just out to get their socks off, but you can always delete those comments right? It would be just such a thrill to know while im watching my pole idol's vids, they can be watching mine too and possibly giving feedback etc. I dunno…. Its up to you, just make sure it cant be linked to you in any personal way – Im not even going to tell my supportive friends about my youtube account, because I know they may (meaning well) post a link to it on facebook or something and then suddenly my whole community knows its me. 😛 Incognito all the way for me 🙂

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

Ok, I love the enthusiasm guys but you've got to remember, this is an international community – and way over here in Down Under Australia, spring is a LOOONG way away – in fact, we've just survived skin cancer from endless days at the beach under the scorching sun in wondrous hot humidity, and now we r about to enter the dark days of winter, so spring is far far from any aussie's mind right now! We r far too busy mourning the end of summer and gettin ready to hibernate in our ugg boots to celebrate spring! haha Im sorry to burst your bubble – i dont want to rain on any one's spring parade, but it wuold just be really hard for me to get in the mood for a spring theme song right now… it just wouldnt make sense to my seasonal rhythm haha 😛

I like the idea of dancing to a song from another language/culture. I also like paying homage to an idol or muse… it's always interesting to see where people get their inspriation in life from…. It could be your fave pole-dancer (but then there would be a lot of crossover with  everyone loving Felix, Karol, Alethea, Jenyne etc)…. But that could be fun too, to see what moves and styles people choose to emulate from the greats. 

I love the idea of dancing to a song released in the year you were born…. Because then we would definitely get a broad spectrum in response…. I love that pole-dancers come from all sorts of fascinating eras of music! Runemist, I have to disagree, im a huge lover of the 80's…. and I have a feeling there were some great hits released in 88, which works for me! More researcxh must be done! 🙂

Salubivires – great idea, i think using just one word or theme for inspirationg like "arty" or "noir" or "aching" or  whatever… would get some really interesting results.

ummmm im trying to think of another idea….. you could just elect one era or style of music for us to use in a video…. since almost everyone has their personal preferrances when it comes to music, like rock, pop, country, ballads, etc, it wuld do us good to get out of our comfort zone n try another genre. For example, maybe classical music? It would be hard but it would certainly be challenging! 😛 

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

Ive had my brass spinny for over a year now and methylated spirits works like a charm. Bobbi's pole studio also uses metho on their brass poles. So its definitely the right stuff for it. You can dilute it with water in a spray bottle and then rub the pole down with it, I just pour a little metho straight onto a small towel and rub it over the pole. 🙂 

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

🙂 Thanks guys for understanding where I was coming from and why I rambled on so much! To those people who've had to overcome ill health or are still battling diseases and injuries…. I am so humbled and in awe of you. So many completely healthy people dont believe that they can do this and wouldn't have the self-discipline or courage to pursue a challenging sport like this, and here you guys are, persisting and enjoying life no matter how much adversity you have to face…. its amazing! So inspiring…. keep believing in yourselves and make sure you remind yourself of hor brave and strong you are… You should be feeling so proud right now! 🙂 xoxoxo

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

Ohhh myyy God I just realised how much I had written! I am so SORRY guys!!! Honestly, I am hopeless when it comes to pole-talk! So bloody verbose!! My bad! 

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

What a great suggestion Peachpop! Well I cant remember what first intrigued me about pole-dancing and stripping, but all through my teens I found it kind of fascinating, and certain things would reinforce my interest in it, such as Natalie Portmans character in Closer, etc. (Pink-bob wig??? – oh so sexy). In my mind I just saw strippers as very independent and ellusive and kind of ethereal. I felt like they were the queens and all the blokes pawning at their feet were their underlings haha 😛 I liked how they were icons or elements of this other-world, only found at night, inside clubs, kind of like rare and unique fairies or something…. From 18yrs on I loved going to strip clubs and I was always the chick dragging her friends to Kings Cross after drinks at the local pub. I particularly appreciated the art of pole-dance – the skillful tricks and the aesthetic dance quality. And also I loved certain dancer's attitudes… it was prob just the lights and smoke and dimness that made them seem so surreal, but certain dancers just had this mesmerising self-composure and seductiveness…. It was probably just self-confidence now that I think of it 😛 I would imagine what it must be like to be one of those beautiful creatures…. I loved the idea of being the center of attention and being wanted but unattainable. (Hmm maybe I should see a shrink 😛 haha) Anyway….

 I wasnt completely naive about the stripping industry; my cousin became a stripper for a year (the year before I did), and she conveyed all the dirty details…. its not a glamourous job, and you aren't always shown appreciation or basic respect… Its exhausting and monotonous and frustrating, but it can also be fun and adrenalin-fueled and ego-boosting. 

Anyway, when I was 18 I think, my aunt held her birthday party at Bobbi's pole Studio in Sydney, we all got dressed up and payed on the poles… Trying to do spins and the feeling of flying and being out of control was just so exhilirating! (I've always loved roller-coaster rides, the scarier the better, so I guess im a bit of an adrenalin junkie).

From this experience I decided I just HAD to get lessons and train in pole-dancing, mainly because it was so much fun, but I suppose I had ambition to become quite good at it too. It took me ages to get around to enrolling, because I kept waiting for when my friends could do it with me (Gosh I was such a little scaredy cat). Anyway, all my friends who started out with me didnt last past a few semesters, I guess they just didnt get the bug or the expenses outweighed the fun for them, but Im still obsessed and in love with it! 

Because of my proficiency and confidence with pole-dancing, and because my cousin had kind of broken down the barriers and given me access into that world, I started stripping at the beginning of 2010 and semi-retired at the end of 2010. I was mainly doing it for the experience (as I've explained it has been an almost life-long curiosity of mine), but I also enjoyed the instant and large amount of cash at my disposal, even if it was so unpredicatble and obtained from alot of sweat, bruises and bullshitting (flirting/hustling). I decided to stop when I started becoming bitter towards the male gender, they were no longer cute and endearing and flattering to my ego, they were irritating and ridiculous and represented 'The Man'… I dunno, It just got too hard to make myself go to work anymore… the fascination had been supersceded by disillusionment I guess. Now that I've stopped I think I could go into a Strip Club and enjoy it once more, although I'm definitely a little jaded… I know what the girls on stage are thinking and how they are feeling, there is no 'ecapism' element or surreal/other-worldliness to it for me now…. Yes you feel thrillingly isolated from the rest of the world, but you know the undercurrent… its not magical or ethereal anymore, its money money money, egos and sex. But its still a great place to party and I made some lovely friends along the way….

Anyway, I feel like I've been waiting to be a pole-dancer my entire life. It just fits. I sometimes try to expain the fascination I have for it by comparing it to surfing. My brother is a surfer, and anyone who knows surfers understand that they are addicted, totally at the mercy of the ocean. They will get up at 5am, trek through rain, hail or shine and plunge themselves in freezing water to catch that perfect wave, or just bob on the ocean, communing with mother nature. I wanted to be a surfer and tried it for years, but I never caught that 'bug'. It just wasn't me… As soon as I took that first swing at Bobbi's year's ago I was hooked. I think I may even have been hooked for years before that… I was always drawn to it. I've thought about the future and whether Ill be able to keep up my committment to it once I have kids, lose my abs and go through whatever else life throws at me…. The thought of not pole-dancing makes me feel so empty inside and… well.. ordinary. Mundane.  I love that its still a very new sport, it can still shock people and open their eyes,….. I guess I like to be a bit of a rebel – I definitely enjoy the feeling of being progressive and liberated. But mostly I love the art itself… the smoothness of one's transtitions, the fluidity and individuality of dance, the expressive and evocative quality of the music, the fitness and skill required to exectute those intricate, "WOW" moves….. I lust love it. I know I will always follow it and appreciate it no matter what.

 

Okay sorry about the novel!!! haha I got a little carried away…. I guess thats what happens when u get me started on one of my passions! 🙂 You can imagine how I must drive my family and friends crazy with all this pole-talk!! hehe Thank goodness you guys can reciprocate the fascination though!! Im not alone! Hooray!!!  😛 xox

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

I like Meagan Whiskey – because it makes me salivate for a cold beverage haha. I kinda like Meagan Wolf too…. or if you want to go really dark you could be Meagan Fatal…. as in fatal attraction… lady fatale… ?? Umm im trying to think of other dark seductive names…. Meagan Mists….? Meagan Indigo… Meagan Onyx (coz the stone is dark)… Nar I like Meagan Whiskey the best so far 😛 🙂

 

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

Wow you guys are so structured and organised… I have no set workout plan, I just go with the flow and tend to fluctuate a lot. When I pole dance (prob 4 or 5 days a week) I usually just pole dance – so an easy dance to warm up, some stretching, then work on tricks, do a few more dances, stretch etc. When I do my cardio exercise (about 2 to 4 times a week) I run the beach, sprint in the soft sand, and do my strength training then. Usually lots of lunges and squats to burn calories by activating those large muscles (quads and glutes). Push-ups and tricep dips for arms and planks and pilates for core. But I have to admit, I am so undisciplined… My workouts and thus my stength fluctuates regularly. I do think it is so important to include strength training in your weekly schedual though. Especially as women get older, we have to work harder to maintain our strength. I want to make sure i can walk up stairs and lift the kettle when Im 80 🙂 And I really really want to be able to do the Flag! 😛 hehe  

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

Porn Star name would be…. "Titan Alexander"…. very buff and grande for a gladiator but so not seductive for a chick name!

I have been trying to work out a long term stage name for myself for months now and am no closer to deciding…. its soooo frustrating not having a permanent pole identity! 

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

Porn Star name would be…. "Titan Alexander"…. very buff and grande for a gladiator but so not seductive for a chick name!

I have been trying to work out a long term stage name for myself for months now and am no closer to deciding…. its soooo frustrating not having a permanent pole identity! 

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

I love the saying: You dont slow down when you get old, you get old when you slow down. 

I mean, obviously you should respect the years your body has been functioning and dont go doing any damage by trying a pole trick that you arent ready for, but age is no indicator of strength, fitness or abiltiy, lifestyle and attitude is the determining factor.

At my old studio there is a woman in her late 50's who enrols in about 5 advanced classes simultaneously each week! She must be retired to find the time to attend that many classes and practice sessions, but she is AMAZING. So so strong, she's all sinews and muscle. I remembver being so jelous and in awe of her strength… she would definitely be stronger than me and im 23!!! So yep, its not the age of your body, its what you do with it. 🙂 

Anyway, all the best, and just so u know, your enthusiastic and optimistic attitude is so refreshing and inspiring! Cant wait till you are hooked and uploading videos and entering comps and blowing us all away! 🙂  I would def recommend getting lessons – particularly to begin with. Its a much safer and more specific way to learn. Have FUN!!! 🙂 

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

I've been working on the elbow grip lately… Not sure if its the easiest out of them all but I doubt im strong enough for split grip fully extended aysha just yet… I find the elbow grip pretty secure actually… Its very similar to what I was doing for the caterpillar climb anyway. Its just the slipping from being sweaty thats been frustrating me… also I want to learn to do more impressive things with my legs once im holding myself off from the pole in the elbow grip. I would LOVE to get split grip! I would particularly love to get split grip from the cartwheel/kick up from the floor – I just think it looks so dramatic and cool 😀 Yeah I'd be interested to know if there was a certain order or method in which we should be learning these moves… I really really dont want to try split grip and then fall on my face :I lol

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

Fantastic feedback, thanks everyone! I didn't realise that having atleast a group fitness instructor qualification was actually required for pole teaching! Well so it should be… Thanks for the Links Polepuma but Im in Australia, so I'll have to track down the right organisations for certification over here myself… Do any Australians on SV have recommendations for particular courses/institutions? 

So after you've done your group/general fitness qualification, do you then have to do a course for pole instructing qualification? I have heard people on here mention different pole associations/acronyms…. not sure if its all aplicable to Australians though…. From speaking to my own instructors at Bobbis and friends who teach at other pole studios in AUstralia, it seems most juts land their jobs through experience at that studio and networking etc… I've even emailed Bobbi's manager and she said there is no formal process, Bobbi just choses whoever she likes, so its pretty much just networking and exposure, no qualifications necessary. If I ever wanted to teach in America or Europe though (and this is a possibility as I want to live abroad) would a pole qualification be necessary? 

Thanks for the info guys, I cant believe Im only just coming to understand all these details! 😛 

 

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

Rin-Rin described it exactly – while friends or strangers might find it shocking or exciting, once you are in that environment, surrounded by nudity and alcohol and horny men, taking your clothes off seems natural and easy. The first time you might feel self-conscious and awkward but you will soon realise that the cutomers will be wowed by you no matter what, they just want to see a real life naked woman up close. The novelt wears off really quickly… I had a long fascinationg with stripping from when I wasa a teenager to when I started at 22. Now its a struggle to remember what I found do intriguing about it…. It can be fun and exotic, but mostly its a physically and mentally exhausting job that sometimes pays extremely well and sometimes pays you nothing. A club is NOT the right place to practice your pole tricks – because the only tricks you should be performing in front of an audience you would to seduce are the ones you can pull off with great confidence and smooth pazzazz. There is nothing less sexy than watching someone stumble and fumble and strain to do an invert or a trick while wearing barely anything 😛 But, dont consider it a compelte waste of time regarding pole skills – stripping taught me alot about flow. As podiums often extend for longer than a song, and you are constantly being watched, you learn to smoothly transition all your moves together continuously… and you will pick up some great sexy dance moves (particularly floorwork) from watching the other strippers strut their stuff.

I dont know anything about the military, their policies or your risk of getting recognised. But you have to consider how important your military career is to you compared with this stripping venture. Is it worth the risk? Good luck with whatever you decided to do! Oh and whatever you do, act super-confident, even if you're terrified. Fake it till you make it! 🙂 

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

StellarMotion said some really interesting things about dancing even when tricking… and I like Veena's term "expression" – I think that's a big part of dance. Regarding StellarMotions concern about some expectations for women's dancing to also be sexy, I think that sexiness while it can add something to dance, isnt necessary. It just depends on everyones style and interpretation. Apparently I tend to dance sexy/sultry even when Im feeling emotional and sad…. Others might find one dancer's style sexy while others may not. I agree that sexiness shouldnt be a requisite for pole dancing. But I do think a touch of sexy can add some great spice 😉 Oh and floorwork isnt all about getting down n dirty – it can be just as artistic and acrobatic as footwork/pole work. Also, you dont need to be on the floor to be sexy…. some classic pole tricks and poses can be astonishingly beautiful and seductive. I refer to ALethea Austin's dancing (youtube) as evidence. 😉 

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

**weights

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

Wow. So many varied opinions! This is what keeps pole interesting…. diverse individual styles. I guess it partly depends on what your motivations and attitudes towards pole dancing is; Do you see it as a fitness program or sport (Strength and tricks) or do you value it more for the artistic/aesthetic side of dance (so lines, movement, flow etc)? I supposed the ideal is a harmonious combo of the two… It's interesting to hear what comes naturally to some and not others though…. I find that building strength is such a slow and laborious process, while the dancing is just so fun and easy for me. But I know others just master trick after trick but find things like floorwork and body rolls incomprehensible…. haha. Of those who naturally have muscles of steel – I am soooooooo jelo, but I dont think I'd trade in my natural groove for it. Back to the wights for me! 🙂 

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

Wow. So many varied opinions! This is what keeps pole interesting…. diverse individual styles. I guess it partly depends on what your motivations and attitudes towards pole dancing is; Do you see it as a fitness program or sport (Strength and tricks) or do you value it more for the artistic/aesthetic side of dance (so lines, movement, flow etc)? I supposed the ideal is a harmonious combo of the two… It's interesting to hear what comes naturally to some and not others though…. I find that building strength is such a slow and laborious process, while the dancing is just so fun and easy for me. But I know others just master trick after trick but find things like floorwork and body rolls incomprehensible…. haha. Of those who naturally have muscles of steel – I am soooooooo jelo, but I dont think I'd trade in my natural groove for it. Back to the wights for me! 🙂