[Tine007]

This looks very interesting, but as I’m poking around on there I want to share a word of caution… https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_safesex.gif

Yes, I believe that every one can get flexible with practice (my yoga got me into poses I couldn’t even do as a kid), *BUT* it takes time and caution. Don’t forget that most contortionists/gymnasts do this since they were toddlers (many, many years), and I’m sure it goes much easier and further when done while bones & joints are still growing (not sure if that automatically means healthy https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_scratch.gif )

These exercises look very extreme and they don’t really talk about how to get in there *safely* (or what to do if you don’t even get into the starting position). Even the warm up is something I would never, ever try without being already warmed up – in yoga class most of this comes in the middle.
This whole thing reads more like it is for people who are already quite flexi and have some basic training on how to do this and how to avoid injuries…

In general, I’ve learned to resist and control every move/pose by engaging your muscles and make sure the joints stay integrated, rather than just sinking into your flexibility so that you don’t injure your tendons, ligaments and joints. Once a tendon is overstretched, you won’t get it back without surgery and you risk your joints dislocating by themselves. So just pulling/squeezing yourself in position sounds very dangerous to me.

For the backbends, my yoga teachers explicitly warn to do a backbend from a few vertebrae only – the already most flexible one will get more and more flexible up to the point of a serious back injury. We learn to distribute the bend over the full range of the spine, which means a lot of chest opening first before even thinking about full backbends.
They don’t talk about hip flexors at all, which are important for both splits and backbends.

Enough eyebrow raising – but please stay save and listen to your body!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_safesex.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_safesex.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_safesex.gif

[Tine007]

I’m guessing there are exercises I probably should have done to prep first. If anyone has any suggestions I’d still benefit, as well as other polers getting ready to invert.

Hi Jill,
hope your ribs will heal soon!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_flower.gif

Have you checked out Fleur’s post "Am I ready for inversions?", it’s the top one in the Pole Moves section:
http://www.studioveena.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=793
She also has a video showing the monkey hang : http://ver3.studioveena.com/lessons/view/1529

Roxy-Pink also has posted some great abs exercises to prep for inversions:
http://ver3.studioveena.com/lessons/view/1019

[Tine007]

lol i thought this challenge was for the coming january lol silly me https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_albino.gif
You can still do the old ones, no problem, go for it!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_sunny.gif

[Tine007]

Welcome, Tam!!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif
Ich komme ursprünglich aus Dortmund in Germany, lebe und pole aber z.Zt. in den USA https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_sunny.gif
Wo genau kommst Du her?
Viel Spaß beim Polen https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_compress.gif
Tine

[Tine007]

I usually wear 10, ordered size 10 and they fit OK.
They are very pointed, so I have a little of the tip showing in front, but at the same time my toes are kinda wide and I like to spread them for balance (well, usually I dance barefoot), so they hang over on the sides https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_scratch.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_scratch.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_scratch.gif
I don’t think I would get sz. 9 on my feet, and 11 would have too much shoe sticking out in front, although maybe better in width https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_scratch.gif

[Tine007]

Oh yes, please!!!
Hope Veena doesn’t mind https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

[Tine007]

We don’t allow members to upload tutorials on the site…you may post this to youtube or some other place and link it into the forum if you would like.

Ooops, my apologies!!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_redface.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_redface.gif I should know… https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_redface.gif
Thanks for kicking it, Veena, won’t happen again!
I don’t have a youtube account or such, so it won’t show up elsewhere. Sorry

[Tine007]

OK, my video just disappeared https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_scratch.gif
I’ve uploaded it again and now it’s there:
http://ver3.studioveena.com/lessons/view/1983

[Tine007]

Sorry, this seems to be processing forever https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_sad.gif
If it doesn’t show up by tomorrow morning I’ll try posting it again…

[Tine007]

OK, here is the video version https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif
http://ver3.studioveena.com/lessons/view/1980

[Tine007]

Yep, Boobs out is good https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_thumleft.gif

My yoga teacher explained nicely:
"shoulders back and down" or "shoulders away from the ears" can be confusing, because people think about their shoulder *blades* while the problem is usually the head of the arm bones, aka the joint itself.
When slouching, the head of the arm bones is rolled forward and downwards (so technically it is away from the ears). To get the right posture and shoulder placement, move the head of the arm bones back (you can do a few shoulder rolls and then park them on the back). This will bring the boobs out and up, and vice versa boobs out = head of arm bones back. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_thumleft.gif

With this, you can take a look at your shoulder blades. For sure you don’t want them all the way up right next to the ears. But forcing them all the way down and inwards, so they pinch together, will actually restrict your chest from opening and the boobs from coming out. Also your rhomboids (between shoulder blades and spine) will not like this (I know ’cause I did this when starting pole…). Somewhere in the middle is good and should feel most natural.

Summed up, the optimum position is head of arm bones back and shoulder blades slightly down, but not too much.

For climbing the pole I conclude, as long as head of arm bones is back and boobs are out, it is OK for the shoulder blade to slide up slightly when you reach up over your head, but when you pull yourself/step up, they should simultaneously slide back down. This movement gets your lats (the triangular muscles under the shoulder blades on both sides of the spine) working, protects you from dislocating your shoulder, and helps get you up the pole. A lat pulldown in the gym is a very similar movement.

OK, that was a lot of rambling… hope it helps a little.

Let me know if you want a video to explain better https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

[Tine007]

This pic is gorgeous!!! You are wearing the most amount of clothes possible (even leg warmers, LOL) and all important parts are covered. SO WHAT?!? I go with pole-twista, nobody is forced to look https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cyclops_ani.gif .

If a cami top qualifies as "naked", then I go to work naked every day https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

I really don’t get it why people here just freak out if they see the slightest bit of your underwear (I don’t have problems quickly changing my pants in the office, in the corner, behind my desk, 2 seconds in panties covering more than my bikini https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif but I need to check who might be around, LOL), but tiny, tiny bikinis at the pool, beach, bar, grocery store (yes, grocery store – I’m in SoCal) and minimum-fabric flimsy-whimsies for going to a club, as well as artificially enhanced body parts proudly displayed are totally normal… https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_scratch.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_scratch.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_scratch.gif
We Europeans seem a bit more relaxed somehow https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif

[Tine007]

I only watched the little DVD trailer on youtube and figured to try the principle on my hamstrings using a resistance band for the resistance part (kinda logical, LOL). I didn’t do it for long, but the stretched leg seriously got 2 inches closer to my face without even pulling (was lying on my back) relative to the not-stretched one… https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif
I so need to get this book now https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_bounce.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_bounce.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_bounce.gif
Hope it also works for hip flexors…

[Tine007]

hoopnotica DVD’s are the best I have seen with the best instruction.
I agree, the hoopnotica DVDs are awesome (wanna have Vol. 3 for Xmas https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_santa.gif ).

I love the hoops that Happy Hoopy Love (aka Kendra) sells on Ebay (http://stores.ebay.com/HAPPY-HOOPY-LOVE)
She custom-makes them, means you can get the size, weight, Travel or not, and colors you want. She is super nice and fast, her hoops are awesome quality and cheaper than the hoopnotica hoops. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

[Tine007]

Aha!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_exclaim.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_exclaim.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_exclaim.gif
I think I need to loosen my pole, too, ’cause I have the same problem.
I think my floor gives in a bit, I have a little trouble figuring out when to stop…
I kept tightening it because otherwise it unscrews when I go couterclockwise, even though the locking nut on top is tight.
Any idea how to avoid the unscrewing without over-tightening???

[Tine007]

Are you taking lessons in a studio or are you only going to pole at home?

I decided to get the 50 mm chrome because that’s what my first studio had. I figured this way I don’t need to get used to a different pole every time.

However, I am sweating a lot and really need to warm up my pole before I can even do a spin without slipping down right away. I also need to wipe my pole basically after every move.
Last week then I tried brass for the first time and for me it’s perfect. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif I can still spin without getting blisters, but holds actually worked and did not turn into slides right away https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_thumleft.gif If I decide to keep going to that studio, I’ll probably sell my chrome and get a TG… https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cyclops_ani.gif Unfortunately, I haven’t tried TG yet, so I can’t comment on that finish.

My bottom line – I think it is good to have something similar to your studio (at least for starting out), but chrome can be tricky with sweaty hands.

[Tine007]

If you like the wax, maybe you can ask your studio what exactly they are using and how they get it on there? https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_scratch.gif I don’t see any reasons why you couldn’t coat your pole at home, too.

But I’m sure your skin will re-learn how to stick on the new surface in time, like the very first time you learned the moves https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_rambo.gif

Out of curiosity – do you practice in spinny mode? Candle wax sounds ultra-sticky to me and I can’t imagine that would work on static https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_scratch.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_scratch.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_scratch.gif

[Tine007]

For me, wiping with alcohol cools down the pole a little and I loose some stickyness, I usually prefer to wipe it dry. But there seems to be a point when it warms up even more that I get less grip again, but could be that weather has something to do with that.
I must admit though, I have the opposite problem – I’m sweaty and don’t get grip until the pole is warmed up. And even then, I need to wipe my pole after every move… https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_twisted.gif

I use wrist bands to avoid sticking with my wrists.

Not sure if any of this actually helps your problem https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_redface.gif
Hope you get used to your new pole soon!!

Last week, I tried a class, first time on brass. Was a little wary first because people say it’s so grippy, but actually for me it was perfect https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif Now I’m debating if I should sell my chrome X-pole and upgrade to the TG… https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_scratch.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_scratch.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_scratch.gif Feels a little like cheating on my X-pole though https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

[Tine007]

I finally finished mine, going Frank Sinatra https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_geek.gif :
http://ver3.studioveena.com/lessons/view/1933

I originally wanted to do a belly dance fusion performance to this song, longer than I even thought about poling…
So when I figured I’m performing on Halloween it was now or never https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif
Poleophile requested the performance, so here it is, too:
http://ver3.studioveena.com/lessons/view/1934

[Tine007]

Hi Eileen,

I felt the same in the beginning, and still do for every new move https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_pale.gif
I totally know that it’s a combination of building the muscles and being mental… Ususually I don’t get a new move right away, but at some point, it seems to click all the sudden https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_sunny.gif
It also comes in waves, alternating between feeling totally dumb not getting anything and then I get 2 or 3 moves at the same time….
Overthinking is another thing I always do, it kinda works when my brain gives up and I just do it https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif

It took me over 2 months till I didn’t feel like a sack of potatoes, to build enough forearm/biceps/lats and I was also afraid of crashing into the pole or flying of… For the muscle part of it, climbing and hanging/holding with arms only really helped my spins https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

Oh, and weather (temperature, humidity) is a factor, too… It alters the stickyness of the pole. If it’s humid, my spins don’t work very well either ’cause I slip https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif Veena has a great artice here http://www.studioveena.com/info/2009/05/19/the-temperamental-pole/

And honestly, last week, when we went on a stage pole for the first time (usually we learn on stable X-poles) I was so mental I couldn’t do a single spin ’cause I was terrified to crash on the edge of the stage or have the whole pole fall over with me (although there were weights at the bottom and everyone else did it and it was fine) https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_redface.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_redface.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_redface.gif Inverting though was no problem (I think because you can’t fly outwards, lol)… https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

Keep at it and be patient, your brain and muscles will catch on, followed by your confidence and then you’ll be spinning around the pole like no one’s business https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_compress.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

[Tine007]

The website is http://www.funpolefitness.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. If you need any other information let me know and I will get it for you.
Thank you!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif
I already found them and emailed my quetsions. Marie got right back to me https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_thumleft.gif
Are you still going? So maybe see you there https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif
I still need to coordinate with my girl friends, for now I’m planning to go next week Saturday.

[Tine007]

Thank you, Sparklie!
I will try them https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_thumleft.gif

[Tine007]

If you happen to be in North County, you’re only 45 minutes from OC Pole Fitness in Aliso Viejo. Fantastic place!!!
Thank you, Ottersocks!
I checked out their web site and now I so wanna go…
Unfortunately, I’m over an hour away, and that’s without traffic https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_evil.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_evil.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_evil.gif , so not doable for a weekly class https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_sad.gif
But I have bookmarked them for workshops https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

[Tine007]

Thank you, Jade!! I will definitely do a drop-in to check it out https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_sunny.gif

[Tine007]

I also learned to swing the outside leg out and away from the pole rather than all the way around, and to lead with the chest, aka boobs out. Kinda fall into it, and not take the inside foot off the ground till it absolutely can’t stay any longer without falling on your face…
For the grip, we learned thumbs up to not torque/pull the forearm, so most of my grip comes from the middle and ring finger. I like wrist bands, especially for carousel & Co. because I get pole burn otherwise.

It took me to the end of week 7 though that I felt like I was actually spinning around the pole and didn’t feel like a sack of potatoes crashing down right away anymore… For spin combos, it took another few weeks.
Keep at it, your muscles will soon be strong enough to hold you up longer https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_thumleft.gif