[thesoulstudio]

As a newbie, I would LOVE a links section!  What a great place to find information on pole accessories, attire, publications, resources, etc.  And since the recommendations would be coming from others in the pole community, we can all benefit from each other's experiences and wisdom.  I vote a very enthusiastic YES!

[thesoulstudio]

velvetvixin – Thank you for the suggestion.  I'll look into it!  Quick glance looks great.  I also really  appreciate your including the info for Poletopia.  The images for the cards on the website are stunning.  When I have more time I'm going to play on their website as well.

[thesoulstudio]

I know several people have mentioned Nair.  There is a similar product which I find works better for me called Veet.  It doesn't take as long as the former and seems to take longer to grow back in.  Just wanted to contribute the very little widsom I have.

Thanks for being brave enough to start this discussion board.  I had always wondered what people did, what works, what doesn't, and how to deal with just the whole garsh darn deal!

[thesoulstudio]

Welcome, cheshirekatt!

I am a newbie as well.  I received my FlirtyGirl Fitness pole and the entire DVD set as a Christmas gift from my adoring Bubbee (aka husband).

It seems many of the newbies (including yours truly) initally find we need to increase our arm strength for even basic pole swings and to work up to any tricks and such.

There is another newbie who fairly recently posted a request for resources on how to build her strength.  I spent a considerable amount of time compiling recommendations from other threads and some of my own searches.  You can see the results on the following thread: https://www.studioveena.com/forums/view/Dont_own_a_pole__20110112055258

As for other recommendations, at present I have no wisdom to share.  I look forward to seeing the response of others, though.

All the best with your new dancing partner/friend!

Nayana

[thesoulstudio]

evennotodd – Ooooh!  I like Quicksilver.  Nice.  :o)

nymphdancer – I love your reference for minx.  To freakin adorable!

willowbreath – Now I have seen everything!

[thesoulstudio]

studio409 – I like “Fern.”  It’s fun and cute!  I think it’s funny how we become “attached” to objects.  I remember always sitting in the same desk in school.  There’s a much stronger bond formed with a pole, so why not use the same one each class!  ;o)

horsecrazy12987 – I still haven’t decided on a name or for sure if it will be a manly name, but I completely agree on wanting it to be a little slutty.  You know, a lil bit naughty and a lil bit nice, full of just enough tease…

tiggertail – George?  *giggles*  Perhaps a gender-neutral name…

Finreah – Ooooh!  I <3 Dante.  What perfect name!  I’ll have to find something that speaks to me as much as this.  Our garbage disposal is Fred (I actually had to ask my hubby as I had forgotten the name just now…I find it hysterical he remembered!) and our vacuum is Suck-M-Sam.  :o)

AerialMcK – I like the notion of a pole as a friend you can lean on for support.  Beautiful!

[thesoulstudio]

Belated birthday spinnies to you.

Belated birthday spinnies to you.

Belated birthday spinnies, poling Chemmie!

Belated birthday spinnies to you.

— May your life be continually blessed with the joy of movement, the sass of spinnies, and the power of poling!  Happy belated birthday.

[thesoulstudio]

chemgoddess1 – Thank you for the video.  I was guessing it was something like that, but am grateful for the visual demonstration.  I'll start working on pole ups.  Although, right now, I don't think I can even pull myself up to the balls of my feet.  Must give love to the wimpy, weakling arms to make them strong.  ;o)

[thesoulstudio]

chumpchkin – Great question and one I hadn't even considered yet.  Although, it seems the majority of names which have popped into my head are primarily of the male persuasion.

Runemist34 – <3 the quote!

reenie – You own THREE!  <swoon>  ;o)  I've had a few Latin names pop up in my head as well.   My hubby frequently jokes I hide Jorge or Juan in the closet.  Perhaps I'll have to christen my pole as one of these delights.

[thesoulstudio]

dustbunny – Thank you!  That is exactly the photo I was trying to find.  :o)  So "Prayer Slide" is a more accurate name for what I'm attempting to build strength for.

chemgoddess1 – Thanks for the tip.  I’ll give “skip jump roping” with the pole a whirl.  ;o)  I know this is probably a silly question with a very obvious answer, but I’ve also learned it can be disastrous to just assume something… What is a pole up?

[thesoulstudio]

Welcome, BailaHoops!

Congrats on your major Christmas score and for finding the community.  I am also a newbie poler who received her very first pole for Christmas this year!  :o)  I've been begging for three years and have finally seen the dream come true.  Had I known then was I was getting myself into (the obsession and physical demand), I would have spent the past three years working on upper body and core strength along with flexibility.  ;o)  I don't know why I never thought to look up an online community dedicated to poling prior to owning my newest movement partner.

There is another newbie (mintchocochic) who posted a requested for resources on how to build her strength.  I spent a considerable amount of time compiling recommendations from other threads and some of my own searches.  You can see the results on the following thread: https://www.studioveena.com/forums/view/Dont_own_a_pole__20110112055258

Hope this helps as you (and mintchocochic and I) work to build the strength and flexibility to rock the pole!

Joy in movement,
Nayana

[thesoulstudio]

Welcome, mintchocochi!

I’m a newbie as well (both to the site and poling).  While I received a pole for Christmas this year, my upper body strength is seriously lacking and I am at present unable to do many pole movements.  I’ve been keeping tabs on a lot of the strength building discussions…here are a few brief things I’ve picked up thus far.

You can actually build up quite a bit of upper body strength in the comfort of your own home for free by simply using your body weight:

Upper Body Strength

– Pushups (wall, incline or standard).  See the “How to Train Without Equipment” section in the middle of this article: http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/fitness_articles.asp?id=1003

– Tricepdips: http://www.sparkpeople.com/myspark/ex/exercises.asp?ID=124

– Plank pose (http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/470) into cobra pose (http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/471 into downward facing dog (http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/491)

– Four-Legged Staff Pose: http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/469

I also just realized there are a whole host of arm strengthening poses/balances listed here: http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/finder/browse_categories/arm_balances

– For building up your gripping  muscles, see if you can obtain a “Grip Exerciser”:

This one allows you to work on specific finger grip: http://www.amazon.com/Gripmaster-Exerciser-Tension-5-Pounds-Finger/dp/B0006GBDZY/ref=cm_lmf_tit_10_rsrsrs0

This one only works the full hand but still appropriate: http://www.amazon.com/Fitness-Cathe-Starter-Hand-Grip/dp/B001FB614W/ref=sr_1_19?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1294879310&sr=1-19

If you want to venture outside the home and still stay in the “free” range.  Check local parks.  Many have monkey bars, jungle gyms, or actual pull up bars.  You can then do sets of pull ups or chin ups completely free!  See the “How to Train Without Equipment” section in the middle of this article: http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/fitness_articles.asp?id=995

Core Muscles

Be sure to also work on building up your core muscles.  This link will take you to a host of core exercises.  The site (SparkPeople) also has  similar demonstrations for upper body, lower body, stretching, etc: http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/exercise_demos.asp?exercise_type=core

Stretching and Flexibility

Many members are also presently working on increasing flexibility to perform certain movements.  In addition to work on your upper body strength, you may want to consider adding stretching to your daily routine.

FreeTheSun (a member here) recommended this website:- http://www.yoga-age.com/articles/stretching/index.html

There are several members following the Splits in 6 Weeks: http://www.unique-bodyweight-exercises.com/splits.html

A couple other members posted links to great lower body stretching videos via YouTube.  I created a playlist: http://www.youtube.com/user/theSOULstudio#grid/user/D979A04E8CF5FCB7

Final Thoughts

Several of pieces above link to http://www.sparkpeople.com which allows you to become a free member.  You can then track your fitness goals, create customized workout plans, and view hundreds of demonstrations, examples, etc.  If you decide to sign up for the free membership, find me under “thesoulstudio” username.  Even if you don’t sign up, check out their Exercise Demonstrations. 

Well, that gives you a bit of start.  I’ll be working on many of these right along with you!

In movement,

Nayana

[thesoulstudio]

vickizoo,

How exciting to be involved with such an amazing project!  I am a (from afar) admirer of big cats.  It's heartbreaking to see how people will senselessly take the life of another for no good reason.  Rather than stealing their fur, we should be admiring their beauty in life!

As for the Prayer Pose…  I thought I had seen a message on one of the other forum boards where someone mentioned the pose and included a picture.  Looking back now, I am unable to quickly locate it…  My basic understanding is you are holding the pole (with feet off the floor) as though you are kneeling in prayer.

Although the hand grip in this image is different than what I had originally seen, the pose in the bottom, middle is what I envision.  The hands would both be at around eye level rather than one at eye level and one supporting below.  As a newbie, though, I truthfully don't even know if the hand position I'm describing is appropriate or even possible.

http://www.weddinggirl.ca/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/polefitca-pole-dancing-sass.jpg

Does that make sense?

Nayana

[thesoulstudio]

Thanks, meganoff!  As it turns out, I mentioned a Grip Excerciser to my hubby and had one just collecting dust.  I have officially confiscated it!  It's just a stander gripper and doesn't allow me to push each finger individually, but it's a start at least.  :o)

[thesoulstudio]

Squeeee!  I was just thinking, "Man, I'd like to get into a nice stretching routine on a daily (or every other day) basis.  I could use some suggestions."  And then, bam!  You post these vids.  Thanks!  :o)