[Tine007]

Hi Missy,
I love Fun Pole Fitness, but I’m a little biased because I teach there 🙂
Our focus is a little more on the fitness aspect, but we have sexy classes too! Lots of different class styles, very welcoming and friendly. Lilredrobinhood pretty much summed up what I was about to type 😉
Our owner, Marie, is super nice and helpful, so don’t be shy to contact us if you need help figuring out which class level fits you best 🙂 If you decide to give us a try, you can apply the money you paid for a drop in towards a class package within 24 hours. We’d love to meet you at FPF!

Pole Sinsations is definitely more on the sexy side, but they are currently closed looking for a new location.

If you want more info you can also message me 🙂

[Tine007]

Oh, Light Active Wear looks great! How accurate is the size chart according to your experience, Ladies?
I usually wear L in Mika & Bad Kitty and a 10 in everyday life, but according to the Light Active Wear size chart I’d be a 6-8.

[Tine007]

I would also love to get the info how to add on to an existing membership, please. Thank you!

[Tine007]

The magenta is beautiful and actually quite dark. No sweat marks whatsoever, same for the other colors I own (any pink, black and peacock). After all, they are made for hot yoga  🙂

[Tine007]

Not sure why the link got messed up?

http://www.stretchgym.com/Home.php

[Tine007]

I could swear I've seen this before… here! Seems to be same manufacturer.

600 bucks is expensive though, definitely not in the budget for my Santa https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_santa.gif:(

http://www.stretchgym.com/Home.php

[Tine007]

Yes, Fun Pole Fitness is in Northpark and I love it! All instructors are very sweet and they are Pole Position and/or Xpert certified.

Sometimes there is also an open pole on Saturday, but that depends on how many parties are booked, so check the schedule or shoot Marie, the owner, an email 🙂

http://www.funpolefitness.com/

 

I also like the Dollhouse 🙂 I'm pretty sure Traci is Pole Position certified. Emiko is performing with Girls next door and absolutely great if you want to polish your performance qualities 🙂

and here's their link: http://thedollhousefitness.com/

 

Pegasus – I didn't know you're in Solana Beach 🙂 It's a little far to drive on a weekly basis for me, but I'd love to swing by and try a class sometime!

[Tine007]

I LOOOOVEEEE THESE!!! I just want to print these out and put them in my pole room (= living room) for practice 🙂 Thank you Veena and Webmaster!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gifhttps://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gifhttps://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

And I must admit I'm alittle jealous you got to shoot with Adam Jay, his pics are plain fabulous!!

[Tine007]

I wish, but I'm waayyy not flexible enough 🙁

RoseMay said it already, it's an extreme backbend split, here's a picture of the floor version:

http://www.contortionhomepage.com/newsitz/sitzman1.jpg

Intermediate  step would be to reach for the back foot in splits, like this:

http://i3.ytimg.com/vi/vSvmQNtf-bM/hqdefault.jpg

Beginning version is using a yoga strap around the back foot (that's what I'm working on).

Good luck and definitely would love a video from anyone who gets it 🙂

[Tine007]

sounds like you found something already, but I'm getting my dye from here:

http://www.dharmatrading.com/html/eng/3257-AA.shtml

And yes, it needs to be simmering and have vinegar in the dye bath (see section 'Stove Top Immersion Dyeing with Jacquard Acid Dyes'
:

http://www.dharmatrading.com/html/eng/208783-AA.shtml

 

Good luck!! 🙂

 

[Tine007]

This sounds like a fun challenge!

How about a (stationary) caterpillar for Chatuari to Pancha, this way you don't need to use the floor at all 🙂

[Tine007]

Shoulder hooping was my nemesis for a loooong time, chest was way easier. It felt as if my shoulders were too wide and 'rectangular'.

Starting the hoop on the shoulders from standing was impossible for me (and I still hate it).

 

Here is what helped me (in addition from keep trying):

I would start chest hooping and turning, then stick just one arm in and tryi to keep hooping and turning, This way you are half ways between chest and shoulder hooping and I found it easier to sustain the hoop and get used to the motion.

When I'd loose the rhythm, I take the arm back out and stabilize on my chest. Just do one or two turns to start with and gradually go longer . You can switch sides, too, try one arm in, take it back out, then the other. This is also the prep for arm weaving (switching arms simultaneously every rotation)

When you are comfortable hooping with one arm/shoulder in, then try bringing the second arm into the hoop for just one or two rotations, then out again.

Equally, you could try from neck hooping bringing one shoulder into the hoop at a time before moving on to both.

You can also try starting at the waist and try to bring the hoop up (waist to shoulder/neck lesson). For me, this was even harder than going chest to shoulder, but your brain might work differently 😉

Usually shoulder hooping is taught pushing front-back with the chest and upper back, but you can equally emphasize pushing side-to-side with the shoulders. Try both. you might find that your optimum push points lie somewhat diagonal in between (mine do).

If you have different size/weight hoops try them all. I could better shoulder hoop with a medium weight hoop than a heavy (and theoretically easier) one whenI first learned shoulder hooping.

Also try your non-dominant direction, you'll never know.

Turn, turn, turn, makes everything easier because your hoop slows down relative to you. Try turning at different speeds.

 

Keep at it, it will come with practice!!!

Happy Hooping!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_flower.gif

[Tine007]

Congratulations Rena ans Sissybuns!!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

[Tine007]

BWAHAHAHA!!! I didn't even realize when I was typing that, LOL!!! But it does hum…https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_safesex.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif

[Tine007]

I got a cheap (25$) Dyna-Flex from the sporting good store. It does the job, but I find it quite loud. Not just the humming noise ( I guess that's hard to avoid), but also a chafing plastic rubbing on plastic sound. It's so loud that I really don't like to use it when watching movies because I don't understand a word. Hoping that is better with the Powerballs? I'm planning to upgrade to a NSD if I ever don't spend all my extra money on pole/yoga/dance classes 😉 I should really use it more often, esp. for my left hand…

[Tine007]

The easiest is to wear another plain pairof shorts in a contrasting color/fabric  (e.g. black or sparkly silver) underneath. I've seen girls layer in all colors of the rainbow and it looks great without having to do any sewing.  https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

Plan B would be attaching a wider waist band as already mentioned.

[Tine007]

@RoseMay – in German it's 'einfacher / weisser/ reiner / Haushalts-Essig' or 'Branntwein-Essig', that's the clear cheap stuff you'd use to clean your coffee machine (as opposed to the (flavorful and usually colored) Weisswein-, Rotwein-, Balsamico- or Himbeer-Essig). Every supermarket should have it, and you probably have the right stuff already. You can also get 'Essigessenz', which is the concentrate – dilute according to what it says on the bottle. I'm pretty sure the standard vinegar is 5% acidity – so dilute yours by 2-fold  🙂

[Tine007]

Wow, love her routine! Thanks for sharing! 🙂

 

This one is a little different, but  just blew my mind… enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aL1DjtOfA2g

[Tine007]

So exciting!!! You'll totally rock it!

I agree that you need to choose your top according to the moves and if you can do them with a shirt on https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif. If you're going upside down also check that your boobies don't escape  or your shirt is hanging in front of your face… I need a bra and then add layers. On my last recital I was performing a spins choreography (no tricks), I wrapped myself into sheer fabric over a bra and shorts so it looked like a floaty dress.

Cut shirts are fun! I also like a contrasting (sports) bra. You could also wear a lace, mesh, burnout or fishnet tank over a nice bra.

Did you check dancewear stores, they have a lot of cute stuff (matte jersey is shiny though, not as matte as the mika shorts)

http://www.dancewearsolutions.com/dancewear/tops/items/100/page1.aspx

http://www.discountdance.com/dancewear/tops-and-bottoms/all-tops/page1

or something like this?

http://www.etsy.com/listing/46600106/no-bra-required-black-haute-tee-dance

http://www.lrosedesigns.com/products/longline.html  (this is custom order and will take 3-4 weeks, make sure to tell them if you have a performance date!)

Corsets are fun, but might restrict your movement and usually don't stick to the pole (but that is true for almost any full length top).

Have fun at your performance!!!

[Tine007]

Thank you,Veena!! Great demo! 🙂 And your handstand is rocking, you hold it forever!!!

Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmIciddJyPY

[Tine007]

Felix has her head placed down in the moment she lifts, so it's a head/elbow stand lift.  Her elbows are shoulder distance apart, so I think her form is correct. She takes the head off the floor into forearm stand after.

For the elbow (head) stand, the head is close to your hands and your upper arms are not completely vertical (and i checked in Veena's lesson, she does it the same way https://www.studioveena.com/lessons/view/f7c4b034-b91e-11df-856f-001b214581be  🙂 ). This way the center of gravity is in the middle of the triangle formed by your clasped hands and two elbows. When lifting the head, the weight needs to go back over your elbows and they become vertical.

[Tine007]

That would be great, Veena!!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif Too many names and variations…

 

Amy, thank you for explaining, it makes sense 🙂 I just keep forgetting and was writing my first comment with the wrong pose in mind…  We call your yoga headstand tripod or headstand 2 (there's at least 7 different ones in yoga to make it even more confusing…)

I totally agree on lifting from the core vs. dragging the feet up by sticking the butt out. I was taught the deadlift by just lifting the toes into a tuck (knees to chest) and then un-curl up from there, to make sure you use core and stay hollow 🙂 Straddle and pike lift came only after A LOT of practice doing the tuck.

[Tine007]

Sparrow, I love your variation going into a backbend!!! Looks very pretty! I'm gonna try 🙂

Your elbows look very far apart as Amy already mentioned, but I also noticed that your palms are facing down. Maybe try clasping your hands (still in front of the pole) and press down through the pinky side. That also helps keeping the elbows in 🙂

 

I think I'm having different definitions of 'elbow stand' and 'deadlift' than the rest of you folks because I'm used to yoga nomenclature and I noticed the same terms mean different things sometimes.

Let me explain what I meant with some pictures:

If the head touches the floor (even though most of the weight should be on the forearms), it is a headstand. this is what emotioncatcher ans Amy talk about. Deadlifting no problem. Like amy mentioned, I never cup my hands around the pole, I lift freestanding and then find the pole with my butt.

http://yoga-a-porter.com/wp-content/uploads/headstand2.jpg

 

Forearm or elbow stand, Pincha Mayurasana, you are standing on the forearms, but the head is off the floor at all times, even when going up. This one I can't deadlift with both legs at the same time because my shoulders are not open enough to bring my hips over my shoulders. Haven't seen anyone deadlift this one at all. I've seen people lift into headstand  and then lift the head off the floor though like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVjXtq2cMPc (she's also deadlifting a handstand at the end). Lifting controlled leading with one leg is no problem.

http://img08.shop-pro.jp/PA01034/578/etc/rachel_forearm_stand.jpg

 

Handstand, obviously, you are on your hands, and I can almost deadlift w. both legs with the back against the pole, still need a little push from my toes. Hopefully, one day I'll deadlift in the middle of the room 🙂

http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/pub/body_and_soul/2010Q2//mbd105582_0410_handstand2a_xl.jpg

Deadlift, to me, means lifting both legs off the floor at the same time without pushing off.  Not leading with one leg and following with the other,like lifting from a standing split (as Natasha Wang does it so beautifully),  no matter how slow. Not hopping the feet off the floor either.

 

If anyone can lift with both legs into Pincha Mayurasa, I'd love to see a video because I'd like to learn, if it's possible 🙂

[Tine007]

Hi Zaengle,

I'm sorry your pole keeps falling and you can't trust it anymore!!!

I'm a big girl and absolutely trust my X-pole and the ones at the studio.

However, there's a few things that come to my mind:

– Are you sure it's really an X-pole and not fake? Did you buy it directly from X-pole or an authorized dealer (package ships from X-pole, check sender on your box), in that case the pole itself should be good. Did you get it from ebay? Is the top rubber seal on the dome clear (some fake ones have black rubber). Does it have two 'X' on the base, the screws for spinny mode shoulds align with those when on static?

– Did you screw out the adjuster more than recommended by the manual? That makes the pole unstable because there isn't enough of the adjuster inside the pole. You'll need an extension inthat case.

– Did you make sure your pole is sitting on a ceiling joinst and not in between? Do you have a stud finder?  If it's not on the joist your ceiling can give way and in the worst case end up breaking a hole in the ceiling when your pole falls.

– Is your pole tightened enough? Do you check before every practice? Try going from a half spin to spins with more and more force, if it moves tighten again. Also check the joints/threaded connections because they can come loose with time.  If you have an old X-pole (threaded connections instead of X-joints) make sure the locking nut at the top is screwed down. Always check yourself, because what is stable for a lighter person/ someone who spins with less momentum might not be tightened enough for you!

– Is your pole level? My teacher said the new X-poles (with X joints) can slip at the base and fall if they are not exactly vertical because the base is much smaller than it was on the old X-poles. You can get a magnetic level for 4 $ at you local hardware store (e.g. Home Depot).

 

Hope you can figure it out and get your pole stable!!

Good luck!

[Tine007]

I'm not sure it is anatomically possible to deadlift and elbow stand (unless you're contortionist, maybe?).

Even the most advanced yogis I've seen and who can deadlift a headstand and handstand in the middle of the room always go into forearm stand one leg leading, even if it happens super slow and controlled.

My teacher explained in an inversions workshop that forearm stand is actually harder to get into than a handstand (even one leg at a time) because it is much more difficult to bring your heart forward through your arms due to the position of your shoulders. This however is what enables you to bring your hips over your shoulders, which makes lifting sooooo much easier 🙂

I can dead lift into headstands, handstand w. back against the pole and Iguana mount, but for forearm stand it feels like my shoulders won't allow to hips over my shoulders enough.

For the iguana, try bringing your head closer to the ground, that helps getting the hips over the shoulders and you don't have to lift as high 🙂