[vamp79]

I have been dying to record myself so that I can better my dancing since I don’t have mirrors in my poling area. The only reason I haven’t started is because I keep forgetting to buy the discs that you can record over and over on. I don’t want to keep all my recordings over time, just wanting to see what I can do to beautify my tricks and transitions : ).

[vamp79]

pinkbubbles – here is the link.  I added the first stretch called "the egyptian" in this page to the other common upper back and shoulder stretches to my daily routine and I felt that they helped.  I used to do this stretch throughout the day at work and before going to bed. http://www.fitness-training-at-home.com/upper-back-stretch.html      

[vamp79]

I am finally getting yoga shakti from netflix tomorrow, very excited to finally try it this weekend.

[vamp79]

Youre welcome : ) Good luck!

[vamp79]

lol its ok, I might not even be calling them by their real name. One is done standing beside your pole, with your hands positioned the same way that you use gor inverting. In this position tuck both legs up to bring your knees as close as possible to your chest. That alone has improved my core strength tremendously. The other move I am talking about is where you stand behind the pole, one hand holding the pole at about chin level, the other right above it. Then lift your feet off the ground as if you were trying to hit your butt with your feet, hold this as long as possible. In this one I found it better to get a little higher up on the pole instead of lifting my feet right off the ground but that might just be something weird that only I find easier. I am horrible at explaining so I hope I made sense.

[vamp79]

lucifairy ~~ I had been working on just conditioning exercises like polegirl just suggested. Lots of tuck, and pole holds ( for the I found that climbing up the pole and then doing a pole hold would make me hold the position longer )

Laney ~ one of my instructors also says to learn with heels first but it was just impossible for me. Working barefoot and on my toes gave me the chance to build strength in the mean time

[vamp79]

I feel your pain….maybe you can take this time to work on spins that you already know but on your left. Its always a good idea to use both sides.

[vamp79]

I am posting from my crappy phone so excuse the lack of punctuation and structure in my post : )

[vamp79]

I did not go to a doctor even though it would have been a good idea. Instead I stopped inverting for almost 3 months. During that time I kept poling only using my right side since my injury was more toward the left. After about three months, when I could’t feel the pain anymore while doing simple spins I started inverting but no chooper attempts. The few times that I did try the pain just came back so I decided it was safer to give it a rest. It wasnt until recently that I started trying the tuck invert and I am going very slow. You really do have to listen to your body, back injuries can take a while to heal. Oh, and I also looked up upper back stretches that seemed to help. I will try to post links for you when I get home today.

[vamp79]

I injured my back attempting the inverted V about 6 months ago and it took a full 4 months to heal to the point where I could try the move again. Even now 6 months later, I still feel a weird little pain when I invert too many times in a row.

[vamp79]

I finally was able to invert with heels last night!!! I have been inverting barefoot for about six months :o. After a while I decided to stop trying with heels and instead focused on starting on tippy toes and no momentum. I think it has alot to do with getting used to the foot position and also being able to do it without kicking up.

[vamp79]

poleophile ~ Hubby doesn’t mind my jiggly thighs either LOL but I would love if I didn’t have to make them more noticeable. I think I might cut into mine to see if they fit better.

raquellestarr ~ thanks, I will check out that website today. Will post an update if I end up ordering.

[vamp79]

good for you! I try to just dance at least once a week, no tricks at all, just body waves, transitions, and floor work. It helps me get through the feeling of being “stuck” because of a few tricks that I haven’t been able to master.

[vamp79]

took a flexibility workshop with felix today and she was amazing!!! so funny too.

[vamp79]

I signed up already : D  Can't wait!!

[vamp79]

I think I will try the dishwashing gloves first. Thanks for the tip!

[vamp79]

Amisue ~ that’s just too freakin cute!!!
My 4 year old used to spin on my pole all the time but she has goten tired of it (I got my pole last year in June). My 11 year old daughter knows that I do it for exercise and the challenge. I dont do anything sexy on it unless they are both in bed so to the its really one more equipment that i use in the garage.

[vamp79]

congrats! I can’t wait to have a breakthrough as well : D

[vamp79]

Thanks for the links, she's amazing!  I'm excited about the workshop YAY!

[vamp79]

I must say that when I started pole dancing I was too focused on doing all spins with good form to even think about transitions and style. It wasnt until a couple of months ago that I started taping myself and noticing that I looked a little stiff dancing. Since then Ive started watching other dancers videos and have foind a few styles that suit my natural body movements. I like leigh ann’s style… the arched back and butt sticking out, the hair flips…etc . In my case it takes watching others and trying different things to see what feels and looks natural.

[vamp79]

pink_bubbles-yup, the cracking sound was a little disturbing. The pain is not as bad as the last time though so hopefully it means a quicker recovery. I will look up what you recommended for stretching, thanks!

[vamp79]

amy-I’m not sure if I am engaging the front of my leg, can you explain what you mean by that? I think ot happened when i was sitting with my legs in the straddle position and then bringing my chest to the floor. I heard a crack but no pain at the moment. It wasn’t until I finished stretching for the night that I felt pain.

[vamp79]

wow, you guys are the best. Thanks for all the ideas. I just ordered a couple of the mentioned dvds fron Netflix. Hopefully hubby won’t get mad when all he gets in the mail are yoga dvds lol. I will post how it goes as soon as the first one arrives!

[vamp79]

I was hoping to find a good deal too but everyone has them for about the same price. I ended up buying only one disc and will keep buying them separately ( it hurts to spend so much at one time).

[vamp79]

Perfect!  Another one to look up : ).  I have a pole class in an hour and then coming back home to do my homework on all these yoga dvds.  Can't wait to order one and start yoga at least twice a week.