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Thanks for the uber quick reply, Webbie! Sorry, things got a bit busy so I just got around to renewing today. I cut it really close. O_O

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I just renewed my lessons ~1 month ago. If I purchase the sale, will my lessons carry over?

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I can't really comment on the strength training because I feel like I'm in the same boat.  But my weight training male friends say that intense (That is, reps until you are shaking and can't do anymore) once a week with lots of protein is the best.  However, I can't vouch for this, this is just what I've heard.  I'd like to know the answer to this too.  =]

 

In regards to stretching, I would say if you are just starting, stretch 1-2x/week and make sure you have at least a day in between for rest.  You can up the number of days after your body is used to stretching (At least 1 month of consistent flexibility training).  I've tried stretching every day but didn't find there was any added benefit to every day vs. 3x/week.  I found stretch days with rest days to be the most effective.  Hope this helps.

[suigintou]

I'm from BC too!  Just wanted to say hi and if you are ever in Vancouver, you can definitely pole with me.  =]

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I have tendonitis too but it's in my thumb joint where my thumb connects to my hand.  I work in a research lab and got it from repetitive motion (pipetting and opening machine tightened screw cap vials).  It was so bad that I had to stop lab work and do some office work for a while (under doctor's orders).  The tendonitis eventually caused me to have weak wrists as well.  I was in a thumb stabilizer followed by a wrist tensor for god knows how long and I even had to stop pole for a while.

 

My doctor didn't really prescribe anything.  She told me to ice it for 5mins in the morning and 5mins every evening and take Advil to help with the inflammation.  It will never fully go away and things will always agitate it again…like now.  I am trying to ignore it and pole too so I totally understand how you feel.  Side note:  I'm not surprised if it is tendonitis if you work with hair.  My aunt is hair dresser and also has tendonitis.  =[  Anyway, try the ice and Advil for now.

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Congrats and happy anni, SV!  Thanks for creating such an accepting, warm, and supportive environment!  Hope there are many more anni's to come!  =]

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↵There was a weird glitch earlier so sorry if this posts 3x's.  And all three posts might vary slightly because I try re-typing what I thought but can't remember exactly, lol.

 

@Luvlee:
Please be careful and don't overdo it.  I was straddle stretching and over did it and my hip flexor totally freaked out.  It hurt for a few days…even to just walk!  It got better but every time I stretch I remember the pain and it stops me from trying to progress farther.

 

This might not have answered your post but I just didn't want you to hurt yourself like how I did.  You might feel like you're stuck because like muscle building/losing weight, the progress is rapid at first but then slows down and maybe even plateus.  Not sure if this is the same for stretching?  But keep at it, I'm sure you'll get it soon!

 

*crosses fingers* Ok..please post correctly,,,,

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Thanks, Veena!  You're the best!  

 

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To be fully honest, I kind of find it funny.  I joke around about it being my "backup career" and my friends joke and call it "career training" when I say I'm going to pole class.  I guess it doesn't bother me because I know they don't mean any harm and they know I do it for fitness (and passion).  I've brought them to performances and they are all in awe.  =]  One of my friends said it's like nothing in like what she saw in a strip club.  

 

What REALLY bothers me is if they look down on it and don't respect the strength, grace, and persistence that is needed to do it.  Some people think pole is just prancing around the pole like some strip dances in clubs.  Just no.  It's a lot of bruises, sweat, and pain.  I think it boils down to yes, you can joke about it but please be respectful and not ignorant.  

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The first post was typed from scratch but when I tried to repost, I tried to copy and paste from the "updates" page.  It had a funny formatting so I deleted the pasted stuff and manually retyped it.  Not sure if the paste>delete>manual type process messed the post up?

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I'm not sure if this is a bug but I can't seem to post my "butt pains, splits, and over splits" thread.  I've tried twice and the same thing happens.  I'll click save and when the page refreshes, all I see is the purple wallpaper on the veena site.  I see my post on the updates homepage but when I click "more," I don't see my post and it's just the veena wallpaper again.  =[  I don't think it's my browser as I tried loading it on different browsers (so there's no cache or history or…not sure the technical terms, hehe but you know what I mean) but still no luck.

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Thanks a bunch, Veena!  You cleared things up for me.  I will definitely add those stretches to the splits routines.  I've been putting off back mobility for a while but I guess this the perfect time add it in.

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Actually, now that I think about it, a good way to describe the pain is if someone Charlie-horsed you in the butt.

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Thanks for the replies!

 

@AerialGypsy:  Ohhhh, I totally forgot about the pigeon stretch!  I will totally need to add that in.  When you say the attitude stretch, what exactly do you mean?  I know what attitude position is but not exactly sure which way to stretch.  And yes, I LOVE foam rolling my butt, lol.

 

@Veena:  I don't really know how to describe the pain…it's not so bad that I can't breathe through it but it's not really a tightness feeling.  I'm a bit worried that it might actually be a joint pain?  I actually do your front and middle split routine regularly and I love it!  You can really see progress!  It's only when I get into the last part, the actual splits stretch and I really try to sink that it starts to hurt.

 

My friend was saying that the split position isn't a "natural" position and said I might want to caution it.  I tried to do some googling but there wasn't and conclusive answer so I thought I'd come to the source to ask.  

 

It's good to know that oversplits isn't necessary.  I thought that being able to oversplit meant regular splits could be "easier."

 

I think the MOST painful stretch is the quad stretch!  I remember when I first did your routine I was convinced you were trying to kill me, lol.  But now I'm so close to the splits, yay!  Just a bit of butt pain still.  -_-  

 

Thanks again!  I really appreciate your replies!

[suigintou]

I was wondering this too,  I did Veena's stretches for ~6mths, 2x/week then upped it to everyday…now I went back to every other day because I was hearing everyone talk about over stretching…but now reading beginner2's post on the contortion site…I'm worried and wondering if I should go back to everyday….

 

Anywho, maybe this thread will help:

https://www.studioveena.com/blogs/view/51a0ee3e-b57c-4267-b9f7-5bfd0ac37250

  

[suigintou]

Xpert!  If you ever want to give spin a try, it will be cheaper than having to get a new pole.  I never hear girls regret getting an Xpert but I do hear girls regretting getting sport because they want to try spin later on.

[suigintou]

This might not be the correct place to post but I've always wondering about the TG vs. chrome.    The TG colour fades over time right?  Is the gold colour a result of the grip enhancing treament (anodizing?) or is the colour more for aesthetics?  I guess what I'm asking is if the gold colour fades over time, are u just left with a pole that is no different than a regular chrome pole?

[suigintou]

I'm sorry you feel this way.  I know how it feels and it really sucks.  Are you feeling discouraged because it's difficult to do stuff or do you just not enjoy doing pole?  There's a bit of difference in there.  

 

If you hate it because you are having difficulties, it's completely normal, we all feel like that in the beginning and to be honest, two weeks isn't that long!  It will take a long time to become "good."  But when you get there (and I very sure you will), it will be that much more rewarding.  Just think of it this way, anything in life that is worth doing involves a lot of hard work (and sometimes some blood, sweat and pain).  When I was starting off, I was the WORST of the bunch in my class.  I sucked at everything and I sucked the MOST at EVERYTHING.  I would watch others elegantly do spins while I did not have the strength and was also (and still am) hopelessly uncoordinated. BUT!  Here I am one year later, still never the top of class but always striving to catch up…and that's ok because I keep at it and little by little I see myself improving.  You just need to push past the rough patch.

 

Now…aside, while I don't encourage you to stop, but if you find that it's just not something you enjoy then…maybe it's not your thing.  You should try going to a studio with a friend (or make friends there).  It's more fun with company!  Give that a try and all the feelings of not enjoying pole will go away.  Again, just need to spiff it out a bit.  Don't worry, you got this.  =]

Oh one last thing, do Veena's Pole Strength Routine.  Most.  Awesome.  Workout.  Ever.  It works and takes ~month to see significant results. 

[suigintou]

@hml888:  LoL, no no.  Sorry to scare you!  I just thought it was really cool.  Yeah, it's a great studio.  If you are ever looking for studio in Van, I recommend it!

[suigintou]

hml888, side note, that photo is from the studio I go to!  I just thought that cool.  =D

[suigintou]

That was such a cute video!  I really want to try your cupcakes, they look delicious.  You two kind of remind me of Max and Caroline from 2 Broke Girls when they entered cupcake wars (Don't know if you watched it but you should, it's so funny!).  Anyhoo, I wish you the best of luck!  

[suigintou]

I completely understand how you feel.  Last year, I had tendonitis and had to stop poling for a while.  I had just started pole strength training and had made a lot of progress but lost it all.  I gained the strength back but until this day, I still have very weak wrists and have to tape them sometimes.  The reason I'm saying this is yes, I know it sucks and know how it feels but something to consider is that if you don't rest you could risk hurting your knee more and you can't undo that…versus if you are temporarily set back on progress, it can always be gained back.  So don't feel defeated, I'm sure everything will work out in the end.

 

That being said, I recently hurt my back and it hurts even to sneeze so I'm taking a rest too.  You're not alone!

[suigintou]

I have really small hands and pole on a 40mm too!  My legs for some odd reason are very grippy even though I moisturize.  There are occasions where I change moisturizers and find my skin became less sticky so I think the type of moisturizer you use affects grippy-ness.  I only moisturize after I shower, not right before pole or anything.  I'm guessing your 40mm is chrome?  Chrome is finicky, I find both me AND the pole needs to be warm before it gets less slippery.  And also, I hear shaving gel/cream works well for the body.  I've only tried it on my hands and it made my hands VERY sticky so I'd imagine it'd work very well for legs too.  Hope this helped a bit.  =]

[suigintou]

Thanks for the advice and input.  I agree that it is hard to rotate different bits with pole.  I'm reading the blog article and it really does sound a bit like me…oh dear….  It was good read.  I wish I had a coach to work out my schedule!

[suigintou]

LoL!!!  Humm…need to think about this one.  I would for a significant other but I'm also in the same boat as LillyBilly.  If my boobs and all other floppy parts were able to defy gravity…I would lean towards the yay.