[Veena]

If you find a magic way to meet friends I’d like to know! There are zero pole studios in my area and so far it’s over all been a very lonely place. I’m happy the kids are home now from school!!!

I’ve seen events but none close to me at all…..

[Veena]

Hi Jade!

You might benefit from checking out the lessons here! You’ll find spinning pole tips and lessons for all levels and all lessons are place in order so you know what you should work on next.

This sample video from my lessons may answer some questions for you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtinAzp17s0

[Veena]

I’m not great at following the plan myself, at least when it comes to anything that is just for ME! I can follow and finish perfectly if it affects someone that isn’t me. I guess that’s why personal training was a natural fit for me.

So guys, let me ask you this, what is it about pole that make everyone go crazy to the point where we push ourselves to the point of injury and burnout? For me, I thought it’s just because that is my personality, when I find something new that’s physical in nature, I work very hard to improve. However, I see so many posts and comments of not being good enough or “I can’t learn this or that”, they talk about quitting because they can’t invert and so on. What is it about pole…….

BTW, I no longer feel the need to be the over achiever when it comes to pole, in fact it’s not been up for 2 weeks now and I’ve been perfectly happy, I’m thinking I’ll put it up soon. Until that point I’m doing yoga, working out, lot’s of balance work and hula hooping.

[Veena]

For me it often helps to really thing of bring my nose towards my knees (tucking) before opening up. And ditto to the other suggestions too!

[Veena]

I’m mentioning this because you asked for suggestions….Have you finished the 30 day take off program and 30 day flexibility program yet? It’s very much about preparing the body and mind for pole and teaching the importance of listening to your body. I know you have had the lessons in the past but I’m not sure how far you have gotten in them or how you used them so I thought I may be worth a mention.

It’s always great when someone other than myself (as it comes across as your mom telling you to wear a coat in the winter) lol mentions that inverts are not the be all and end all of pole, so while I feel for you and never want to see anyone in pain, the fact that you have brought this up is a good thing!

[Veena]

Just click the link Webby posted above 😊

[Veena]

Thank you guys!!! Your support means a lot to us! xoxoxo

[Veena]

Side push up https://instagram.com/p/332kIKpAf9/

Here’s the lesson https://www.studioveena.com/lessons/view/557b3d85-6a60-4fcb-8a15-4a390a9aa0eb

[Veena]

I think the biggest issue dancers run into is they feel they have to learn every move and be inverting and flying all over the place. The feel the need to “keep up” with what’s new. That’s just not the case, any level can see increased strength, grace, flexibility and enjoyment. We all have our own strengths and it can be nice to focus on those while also working on things that challenge you.

Often frustration comes when we compare ourself and our progress with others. So maybe take a look back at where you started from and be proud of how far you’ve come.

Also keep in mind the majority of pole dancers are not elite or pros, it may be what you see on social media but they are not the majority. Pros and elites do pole for a living, it’s their job and so they will progress more than say someone who poles as an amateur. Enjoy pole and the strength and expression it brings to every level. 🙂

[Veena]

It all depends on the gym. Some even offer their own certifications. Some also allow you to work as an independent contractor, so you would just use their facility, and they may or may not require a certain cert. It really varies.

If you think personal training is something you will be interesting in then certify in that, if you want something to help you teach classes, then go with group fitness.

Keep in mind the certifications get you in the door, but the best thing to do is learn everything you can on your own and get as much experience as possible, this is what make a good instructor, not certs. Being qualified is far more important than being certified. 🙂

[Veena]

Yep squats, walking lunges are great for the butt. Keep in mind that the best way to fire up the glutes and not have the quadriceps take over, and save your knees is to push through the heels, don’t let the body weight push forward into the toes. Sit back first don’t start and lunge or squatting motion with the knees. Butt first! I agree that squatting low is a good thing, but Alice if you find the quads tend to take over then try doing several squats just to about chair level before going all the way.

[Veena]

You know, it took me well over a year to really find my balance and strength in my core to not hold “stands” arched. Working on my over all core awareness, like what I’ve shared in the Veena’s tips really made a change for me. I use to not be able to walk very far because I had such terrible pain in my hips and now I walk, and walk with no pain! It was like magic! I never had pain when dancing or stretching just walking, I tried to watch my foot placement, knees, hip rotation all kinds of stuff and nothing would help. All I had to do was be aware of my pelvis and low back, and condition them every time I work out., pain free. I’m not saying that is your issue, but it really takes so much time and consistent practice where balance is concerned, at least for me, it did not come easily despite how fast pole work comes for me.

[Veena]

Sounds like you’re arching your back, you want to think about contracting the abs as you mentioned and pulling the tailbone under you. I really suggest working on handstands against the wall then moving on to releasing off the pole and hardstanding against the pole. There’s a lot going on in handstand. Can you do forearm stands? These are super helpful in achieving handstands. 🙂

[Veena]

The best thing to do is work on handstands against a wall, then when it becomes comfortable move to the pole. Do you mean pressure on your lower back when coming out from CKR, as in the pole is against the tailbone?

[Veena]

Poleisnewtome, it doesn’t have to be a clip from someone else, I’m always looking for any suggestion of new things you’d like me to teach you. Have you looked at the Handstand lesson here? https://www.studioveena.com/lessons/view/b6392600-b882-11df-856f-001b214581be Only asking because sometimes people miss things I have already 🙂

Thanks Lucca, I’ve not tried either of those, so it will be a nice challenge!!

[Veena]

Any new requests for me to work on? It was fun to have some new tricks to try!!

[Veena]

I use an app called Video 2 Photo

[Veena]

I like to use isolated moments for all muscle groups to help clients develop a “feel” for that muscle group, before working on more compound movements, so I think that they have a place and can be very beneficial. Sometimes when you fatigue a muscle group you can feel it better! Its also nice for people who are just into body building or weight training to do thinks like twists. Traditional sit ups however, have been proven to not really be worth anyones time for the most part. So many more things you could be doing.

I think it’s important to understand you should be using your core anytime you workout or do any movement. It should be something you’re tuned into just like breathing.

I’ve used a lot of the exercises and movement I have in the Hard Core Routine https://www.studioveena.com/lessons/view/52ed861b-ec78-434e-a1d0-23a40a9aa0eb Working on balance moves like handstands, yoga and such can also help you connect to your core.

[Veena]

Sorry for the delay in replying, I’ve been super busy with end of school parties and graduation.

I was only offering my help, offering the solutions and knowledge I have of body mechanics and having dealt with my own core issues and knowing what has worked for me and others. As always, feel free to take of leave my suggestions.

[Veena]

Spinning pole – forward side sit combo https://instagram.com/p/3tj2AKJAXP/

Here is the lessons https://www.studioveena.com/lessons/view/55762e16-90f4-4afb-896c-56430a9aa0eb

[Veena]

I would avoid wearing the corset! Doing so will actually cause the core to become weak, because it doesn’t need to support it’s self when wearing it. The best thing you can do for posture is practice and be diligent with conditioning work everyday, maybe even several times a day. You will find great stuff here in the conditioning section and veena’s tips section as well. You will need to continue to work on strength building moves like pole climbs, holds and such to build the muscle memory and strength to be able to properly perform static spins, this is why I have spins placed last in the beginner section.

Here are a few other things that will help with core and overall posture:

Don’t use the back of chairs, sit up and away, using the core to hold you instead of the chair.

If you sit at a desk try taking breaks to stand up and do some posture exercises a few time every hour.

Work on your breathing, working on becoming aware of your breathing can help relax the upper body and relive stress and muscle pain.

[Veena]

Yes, I think you’ll find good info in those threads or doing a search here of your own.

[Veena]

If you have tried brasso or other brass polish and it didn’t work I would contact who ever the pole was from and ask.

[Veena]

Thank you! Snow shoveling, now that’s something I haven’t done in a long time!! Heal well! 💜

[Veena]

In general you don’t want to work on a pole move more than 10 times. If you keep going trying only one thing over and over for say an hour session you’ll have a lottery bruising and soreness, it also put you at risk for overuse injuries. Mix it up and keep a blog or list of what you would like to work or or what you have worked on.