[Veena]

Try working on your hamstring flexibility. Then you can lower your upper body farther down the pole, this will make getting your legs over your head easier. Engage those abs don’t focus on the kicking, this is a hard move to do with control. So its best to not kick up into the move, give a slight push off, but if you need a huge kick then you might not be ready for this one from the ground. You can still get into the pencil from a cross knee or cross ankle release. https://stage.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_sunny.gif You’ll get it!!

[Veena]

However I can monkey climb, does anyone else find it easier to climb with one leg (and other inner upper thigh) rather than 2?

I’m not sure what a monkey climb is….but if your trying to do a pole climb you don’t use your upper thighs. The pole should run from the top of the foot/ankle across the shin up to the inside of just above the knee. There’s nothing wrong with being self taught, so don’t worry about that, have you thought about the online lessons here? I have strength training moves and stretching too, proper form is always included in the lessons. https://stage.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_sunny.gif

I’m editing this because I just saw your vid. https://stage.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif Your pole climb looks fine to me. https://stage.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

[Veena]

Hello everyone,

I am trying to do the pencil mount aka the iguana!

I know that i can do it, but went i bend over and position my hands, the pole really hurts my back (from the little gap on my shoulder til the middle of my back).

When i am doing a shoulder mount, it is pretty much the same it hurts the top bit of my back.

Am i doing something wrong?

It is holding me back to run up, cause it is painfull…

Any one to help me on that one? https://stage.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

Thank you!!

Jen
it should not hurt your back. By back do you mean a muscle pain, is it sharp or pulling? Its it hurting only where the pole touches or the move itself hurts your back, not the pole??

Make sure that your not on your spine, the pole should be to the side of your spine. You will feel pressure against your muscles but it shouldn’t be unbearable. With the shoulder mount, you want the pole placed by the neck near the spine…not on…but close, you don’t want the pole to be on the middle of your shoulder, if your too far out on your shoulder you’ll hit your clavicle, when you lift up into position. https://stage.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

[Veena]

Hi, regarding cross ankle release (It feels really weird for me to cross my legs, even when just sitting down on a chair for cross leg so I’m starting with cross knee)

I have been having a tonne of problems with this move since late May, poling on average for 30 mins 5 times a week, with 10 mins devoted to this move (I get too sweaty pretty quick)

My main problems are:

unable to get crossed legs upright against pole before laying back, the pole seems just too big, I’m squeezing it soo hard near my upper thighs but I can get no grip from mid thigh to knee. I’m squeezing in bum and rolling knees towards pole.

ah theres loads more but it makes more sense just to put it in a video. my upper thighs sweat and I just slip down pole alot too. grrr.
If you could take a pic or make a vid of you tying the move we could see what is going wrong. https://stage.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_sunny.gif

[Veena]

Ok this isnt pole related, but I was searching for Michael Jackson songs to come up with something different for this months challenge. I came across something that I wanted to share.
Its a 3yr.old doing the Triller dance , its so adorable.

http://www.uzout.com/free-videos/GweUjzhUwNw~3-yr-old-girl-dancing-to-michael-jackson-s-thriller~Hmong-toddler-dancing-to-MJs-Thriller–Just-as-awesome-and-realistic-as-his-music-video.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
LOL cute my boys love thriller!!

[Veena]

Very well done! I read your floor is a bit hard on your feet, have you thought about using these https://stage.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_flower.gif ?

http://www.dancemania.biz/Gymnastics-Shoes-and-Toe-Caps-p-1-c-314.html

[Veena]

My boys saw it and loved it!!! Their like WOW mommy! https://stage.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif

[Veena]

I would ask her how many students there are per pole before you make the long drive out there. If that’s the cost of a private lesson then that a great deal. If that’s a group class then I would really want to make sure I would have plenty of pole use. Its really frustrating to spend money on a class and end up only getting half the time on a pole because you have to share. Sharing poles is fine but the price of the class should reflect that. https://stage.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_sunny.gif

[Veena]

LOL Frida! all in all i think this is a good dvd to accidently on purpose leave on the coffee table for breaking the news to your mom or someone or if you have teenagers in the house. they´ll see poling is hard work but kind of boring and not slutty like they imagined it. Yes I have not see their dvd but I am familiar with their style of pole dance, I know they teach from an athletic perspective. https://stage.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_sunny.gif

[Veena]

I will have some lessons coming with more exotic moves!! https://stage.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

[Veena]

Ooooo thats really cool Gylass!! https://stage.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif https://stage.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

[Veena]

Does anyone know when the July challenge will be posted?
I would like to post it today….I still haven’t made a final decision yet. I was thinking Michael Jackson music?

[Veena]

I know of others who find that the titanium really wasn’t much different than the chrome. I like chrome for beginners because its not as slippery as new stainless steel and not so grippy that dancing on a pole that isn’t your becomes a problem. I have a 45 and 50 both are chrome and I love my 45, but make sure to use my 50mm often or my grip suffers. Gripping a 45 is easier. If you have wrist, hand or shoulder problems and only want to pole at home go with the 45mm.

Roxy is right on here…50 mm is the standard size that you will find in clubs and most studios (at least in the US). If you are planning on taking classes or working at a club, I would stick with the 50 mm. If you will only be doing this at home..then go with the 45mm if you have smaller hands. It will be much easier to go from a 50 mm to 45 mm pole than it will to go from 45 to 50. I have heard good things about the 45mm…but personally I love the 50! There are many people who have tiny hands that do just fine on the 50mm. I think it really all boils down to preference! https://stage.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

[Veena]

WELCOME! A surrogate of twins https://stage.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif…Wonderful, my first midwife had been a surrogate mom once. I have to ton of respect for you! Pole dance is amazing, its fun, and is a great work out. Glad to have you with us. Just grooving with the music and dancing around the pole is a great cardio work out. Nothing wrong with taking it slow. https://stage.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_flower.gif

[Veena]

I’m not sure that I would bother trying to work there, it sounds like you might not learn a whole lot. https://stage.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_scratch.gif I would not want to try and teach static spins on an unusually big, car paint pole. Talk about pole burn! If teaching is really something you want to do, I would say it’s worth your time to go back to the studio you liked and take classes and possible work with them. I know its 45min away but it sounded like you really learned a great deal from them and they knew what they were doing.