[yogabeachbabe]

Happy Birthday! Hope it’s a wonderful one!

[yogabeachbabe]

Excellent points Amy! I would also like to add that knowing the body (anatomy) and how it works (kinesiology) really helps in teaching effectively. Try to analyze how the body moves as a whole in addition to each muscle or muscle group. And depending on your clientele, knowledge of the energetic body can also be useful. When you get to the point where you’re spotting your students, having sure and certain hands-on cues is extremely important. As a student, I’d rather not have an instructor touch me than to have an unknowledgeable teacher randomly put a weak, unsupportive hand on me. I also think that a good instructor can break down what I’m doing wrong, help me correct my form and guide me to the proper usage. I feel a good teacher has a wealth of technique to draw upon and is able to use different images or words when I don’t "get it". And above all, I really appreciate a teacher that stresses safety and making sure that I’m working at my own pace rather than racing to keep up with the group or where I’m "supposed" to be.

[yogabeachbabe]

I remember when I was terrified to expose my midriff with just a bra top. I am still somewhat reluctant, but I’ve come really far from this psychological barrier!

[yogabeachbabe]

There are many different ways to climb, but they all involve technique. Climbing requires strength, yes, but once you understand HOW to do it, it’s pretty effortless. When I first started, I never learned how to climb properly so it was always a mad scramble up the pole! Once I learned how, it never seems like "work" now . Some dancers use more upper body strength, and some dancers use more leg strength to climb. Veena teaches one very solid method in her Lessons, which I believe many people call a Showgirl Climb. I have one teacher who only teaches that because to her, it’s sexier. There are other ways in which you use both legs on the pole. I learned a technique with both legs that is a never-fail way to climb although I get yelled at because it’s not as sexy. As for a sit, I feel that is all about practice. It’s all squeezing and figuring out the rotation of the thighs. It is honestly easier to settle into a sit from a climb than to practice it from the ground. If you post a vid, I’m sure you’ll get more help specifically for what you need.

[yogabeachbabe]

Welcome to StudioVeena! I think there are actually a lot of girls on here from Florida. I’m sure you will love it here. Everyone is really helpful and friendly. Be sure to check out Veena’s lessons and chat on Fridays!

[yogabeachbabe]

I’m a huge Chuck fan and I loved that scene! And how he did end up using a pole move to knock out a bad guy! Loved it https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

[yogabeachbabe]

Thanks all! And Amy go right ahead! We’re proud of our mantras. We have a really serious commitment to the overall well-being of our students and I think that’s really important. It’s a very religious and conservative area and all the women who have come so far have started out with mixed emotions-excited, but nervous, unsure…I even have one student whose alarm for her bc pill goes off at the end of class and she is embarassed about taking it. That’s the kind of embarassment at being a woman I want to obliterate and replace with strength-don’t be ashamed of your choices or your body or who you are!

Funnily enough though, one of my most talented and energetic students is actually a virgin, largely because she is young and focused on her career and unwilling to compromise, which I think is great. Since pole is the main outlet for her sensuality, she’s really discovering herself in the process and it’s lovely to watch. It’s such a drastic transformation as you watch your students get stronger and more confident. So I think it proves that no matter your background or your strength level or your sex life, you can learn something important about yourself through the training.

THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST INSPIRING POSTS I’VE READ IN A LONG TIME! Congrats, PDR! Keep it up.

[yogabeachbabe]

Holy Crap! That was amazing! Give me a sec to pick my jaw up off the floor!!!

[yogabeachbabe]

…you rub your face with your dominant hand and scratch your lip with the callous that’s slightly to the left of your middle finger and to the right of your ring finger…

[yogabeachbabe]

I just learned this one and I LOVE IT! My teacher calls it the Inchworm. Once she broke it down, it was really simple. After inverting near the top of the pole, you are in an inverted crucifix position. Grip the pole at chest level, slide the knees down so your thighs are parallel to the ground and because your bum is already away from the pole, your torso looks like it’s going out and then back to the pole as you move downwards. It’s more an illusion than anything. I’ve got a bad case of vertigo right now or else I would have made a vid for this one–I love it so! Oh, on http://www.esteezakar.com, she does one in her video "free dance after class" she does an amazing one. It’s so easy once you get the mechanics and it looks so cool. I hope this helps a bit.

[yogabeachbabe]

pointed toes and straight legs are an extension of the same act: engaging literally every muscle in your leg, from your butt down to your toes. you can’t "just" point your toes. you should think of pointing as stretching the toes down, by lengthening the top of the muscle along the shin, engaging the calf to pull the heel in, and not bending the toes or not scrunching them– they should stay long and elongated and lengthen the line of your curved foot.

this is the bane of my dancing existence– i never, ever pointed prior to pole. i complained about this once to a trained dancer poler that i know and she told me that i wasn’t pointing right. she had me literally engage my entire leg to the point where it hurt to hold it, and then said: okay, that’s what you want. if you look closely at a ballerina or dancer when they are straight legged, their entire quad is engaged– which is what causes the thigh to look like it’s bulging over the shin. if you are really working your pointe- your QUAD should be really, really tired. you’ll quickly realize that if you’re engaging through your whole leg, it’s not phsically possible to bend at the knee.

any dancers– pls correct me if this is wrong!

While I think I understand this concept, I would like to add that you don’t want to overwork the quad. Quads are really easy to overwork and that results in a really unattractive bulky muscle. When I was a young dancer, my quads looked like they belonged on a body builder–not on a 95 lbs Asian girl! I would advise engaging the quad, but really focus on the hamstring. Energy travels up the front of the leg (quads) and down the back of the leg (hamstrings). Really lengthen the hamstrings and think about opening up the back of the knee (never jamming back or hyperextending). As for pointing the foot: true strength of point means a really strong arch. Really reach through the arch. Don’t even worry about pointing the toes yet. Push through the ball of the foot when standing (think Barbie doll foot), then press off the floor with the toes. They don’t scrunch, but they, too lengthen.

[yogabeachbabe]

I want to pipe in here lol. I don’t recommend doing any sort of TG..Why you might ask. You see i can do everything on here comfortably that you guys should be able to do before the TG. I tried the TG once..just ONCE, no jumping ect. Well i’ve been out of poling for now three weeks. It wasn’t my shoulder, nor my wrist that I hurt. It was my elbow. I at this point can’t really do any simple spins w/o my elbow giving me pain.. Please i can not over emphasize this enough. Don’t rush into this move, or you will be sorry (like i REALLY am i miss my pole!)

Oh Megs, I’m so sorry! Yeah, all these girls are skipping regular grip and going right into twisted grip handsprings in class. I honestly cringe. It’s just like what Roxy said: some aren’t even cleanly inverting, let alone doing leg hangs and such. Trust me–I don’t see myself doing TG in any way, shape or form for a long, long, long time to come!

[yogabeachbabe]

Thanks ladies. All your replies have given me a lot to think about. I do want to work my way towards handsprings so what do you all think is a good progression? Lazydaizy (such a cute name!) mentioned that she didn’t see handstands as part of the progression, so what is? I’m way too old to NOT work consciously in my body and I really want to learn it correctly.

[yogabeachbabe]

I agree with everything that BACE said. You are very advanced for only having been poling for 5 month! You’re lovely and you’ve got terrific energy and presence. What BACE said is very important about learning how to climb properly and effortlessly (are you in Facebook and "friends" with Climb&Spin? She wrote a great article and in it she stresses how climbing really conditions the whole body). Are there certain moves/spins/tricks that the panel is asking to see? If not, I would strongly suggest polishing some of the "easier" moves instead of adding in a lot of advanced moves. Emphasize your beautiful CAR, rather than struggling with an aerial invert. Work on straightening your legs and pointing your toes rather than hopping into an Iguana mount. Make it look effortless. I think you’re going to do wonderfully! Go for it!

[yogabeachbabe]

My problem is that when I’m choreographing, it’s usually with someone like Karol, or Jenyne or Alethea in mind. Then I have to stop and realize that I CAN’T DO ANY OF THAT STUFF!!!! Bummer…

[yogabeachbabe]

I’ve actually been thinking about this very question. The obvious and very true answer is abs, abs, and more abs. I think the secondary and more subtle answer is arm strength and the arm/back connection. I’ve seen tons of dancers just hang there in their basic inversion. Their backs are rounded and the energy is disconnected. I suspect this leads to intercostal injuries and soreness. You’ll often hear Veena say "shoulders back and down, ladies!" and she’s absolutely correct. All the muscles in your back have to be working correctly and connected to equal strength in the front of your body, as well as your arms. I guess this also means that the legs, all the way down to the toes, should be engaged (not tightened or hyperextended). The whole body needs to work together to get you there. I hear your frustration, Lisbeth. Try not to beat yourself up. I’m positive you’ll bet your chopper very soon!

[yogabeachbabe]

Happy Birthday!

[yogabeachbabe]

Happy Birthday Amcut! You are such a wonderful voice/personality to this Forum. Thank you for always being honest, intelligent and hilarious!

[yogabeachbabe]

I’m going to buy a case purely on your recommendation alone!

[yogabeachbabe]

Great idea Veruca! I just joined Mapme, but don’t know how to add myself. Help!

[yogabeachbabe]

I love that one, too! Ottersocks does a phenomenal one in her Polestock vid. I think it’s towards the end. I’ve been trying to practice it, but I think it’s one of those moves you’ve got to video because looking at it upside down in the mirror is really confusing. I’d love to see a tutorial (hint, hint).

[yogabeachbabe]

Congrats! You guys make a beautiful couple!

[yogabeachbabe]

Thank you my beautiful pole goddesses, who are my inspiration every single day!!! Love you all!

[yogabeachbabe]

Are there any links to the vids yet? I’m dying!!!

[yogabeachbabe]

Thank God Jenyne wasn’t hurt! That looked like a 25 ft drop from that rigging…and she was in heels, too! She was utterly gorgeous before and after. She showed complete grace and poise. Thank you Jenyne, for showing us what physical and mental strength it takes to be a competitor.