I got a cold. Boo!
I have all this time off work and I'm too ill to pole! Bugger!
I'm trying to work the energy up today but it isn't happening.
I'm really excited about getting back on the pole. Since getting the copter (yes, yes, I'll shut up about it soon!) I feel like I can really start making the inverts work for me in a routine. I'm kinda dancing them in my head, feeling where I want to go.
I really need to buy some new music, too. All the stuff I own (which is lots and lots and varied) I just can't dance to. Time to go online shopping - what else can a girl do when she's poorly and stuck at home?! ;)
Thursday 28 August 2008
Monday 25 August 2008
Pole
I'm as good at blogging as I am at keeping a diary - hopeless!
But anyway...
I got my Pleasers the other day, they're awesome shoes and really fun to dance in, though they take some getting used to.
My main bit of news is at last I can do the Copter! It's been frustrating me for months but all of a sudden it's clicked. Really odd how that happens - you can't you can't you can't you hate it and you can't you can't you CAN! And then you can and can and can. It's given me a real confidence boost as it was really getting me down. The next thing to get is my inverted crucifix. I can do it, but not all the time as I have no grip, and especially not at home, even with wax or chalk. Once I can do that I'll be really chuffed.
I'm really noticing how little time I have for poling at home. I'm so busy with everyday stuff I either have no time or no energy or both! Something to be aware of and try to remedy...
Next challenge, then, is to use the copter in a routine. So far, I only invert separately from dancing. I sincerely hope I have time tomorrow. Lots to do: My boyfriend's mum and brother are coming to stay and the house needs serious work. And Leigh has a hospital appointment in the afternoon, so I'm gonna have to start house work early and hope to pole some after lunch before the appointment.
Therefore, I'm gonna hang up the washing and get an early night. Yeah, go to bed. Not more pole. Bed. Honest.
But anyway...
I got my Pleasers the other day, they're awesome shoes and really fun to dance in, though they take some getting used to.
My main bit of news is at last I can do the Copter! It's been frustrating me for months but all of a sudden it's clicked. Really odd how that happens - you can't you can't you can't you hate it and you can't you can't you CAN! And then you can and can and can. It's given me a real confidence boost as it was really getting me down. The next thing to get is my inverted crucifix. I can do it, but not all the time as I have no grip, and especially not at home, even with wax or chalk. Once I can do that I'll be really chuffed.
I'm really noticing how little time I have for poling at home. I'm so busy with everyday stuff I either have no time or no energy or both! Something to be aware of and try to remedy...
Next challenge, then, is to use the copter in a routine. So far, I only invert separately from dancing. I sincerely hope I have time tomorrow. Lots to do: My boyfriend's mum and brother are coming to stay and the house needs serious work. And Leigh has a hospital appointment in the afternoon, so I'm gonna have to start house work early and hope to pole some after lunch before the appointment.
Therefore, I'm gonna hang up the washing and get an early night. Yeah, go to bed. Not more pole. Bed. Honest.
Sunday 10 August 2008
Pole Junkies challenge
I've been seeing these "Pole Junkies Weekend challenges" on YouTube and so I've joined the PJ forum to see what its all about.
It's great! Each challenge makes you think differently and try something different, which can only be a good thing. This week was to choose a song you disliked (I failed that part, don't have anything in the house I don't like) and then move, not dance. Spin, then invert/climb, spin, invert... etc. Every move to land on your feet, and no stepping between moves.
I really enjoyed it! And it was an incredible workout, I was utterly exhausted afterwards. Very good at building stamina too. And it was a good challenge for me, as just doing moves is much easier for me than dancing through a whole song. I expect the next challenge will be much harder.
Tonight I'm treating myself to a lovely long hot bath. ^_^
It's great! Each challenge makes you think differently and try something different, which can only be a good thing. This week was to choose a song you disliked (I failed that part, don't have anything in the house I don't like) and then move, not dance. Spin, then invert/climb, spin, invert... etc. Every move to land on your feet, and no stepping between moves.
I really enjoyed it! And it was an incredible workout, I was utterly exhausted afterwards. Very good at building stamina too. And it was a good challenge for me, as just doing moves is much easier for me than dancing through a whole song. I expect the next challenge will be much harder.
Tonight I'm treating myself to a lovely long hot bath. ^_^
Saturday 9 August 2008
Yarg
We learned the statue on Wednesday night, which consisted of Lisa telling us how to put what where, and then holding us and moving us into position. Felt rather alien and very much as if I'd fall right off if she wasn't holding me!
So Thursday night I needed to try for myself and was delighted to find out that I could do it unaided! Quite messy getting up there but I don't think I hold it too badly once I'm there. Very chuffed!
YouTube video here
Today I finally got my lounge much tidier thanks to the wonderful Kristie, and moved my pole more to the centre (cue big stress about finding joists and excess extension on the pole, but ok in the end).
To be honest tonight's practise was disappointing. I feel like I can do a few moves, but I can't string them together and can't dance, and certainly can't look sexy. I don't like being negative so I'm going to try not to dwell on it, but I really wish I could improvise/ freestyle.
Harumph!
Have a suitably silly clip:
Random quiz:
What pole move are you? I'm a Butterfly.
Fun and graceful, you are naturally the center of attention. Certain to shine in any crowd, you enjoy socializing and love to be with all your friends. You feel life is meant to be enjoyed - and that's exactly what you do!
Web-to-real life translations:
fun and graceful = Funny yet clumsy
naturally the center = never the centre
shine in any crowd = avoid any crowd
enjoy socialising = are a recluse
*beats self round head with stick* I'm gonna go to bed and wake up happier. Fact!
Night night
xx
So Thursday night I needed to try for myself and was delighted to find out that I could do it unaided! Quite messy getting up there but I don't think I hold it too badly once I'm there. Very chuffed!
YouTube video here
Today I finally got my lounge much tidier thanks to the wonderful Kristie, and moved my pole more to the centre (cue big stress about finding joists and excess extension on the pole, but ok in the end).
To be honest tonight's practise was disappointing. I feel like I can do a few moves, but I can't string them together and can't dance, and certainly can't look sexy. I don't like being negative so I'm going to try not to dwell on it, but I really wish I could improvise/ freestyle.
Harumph!
Have a suitably silly clip:
Random quiz:
What pole move are you? I'm a Butterfly.
Fun and graceful, you are naturally the center of attention. Certain to shine in any crowd, you enjoy socializing and love to be with all your friends. You feel life is meant to be enjoyed - and that's exactly what you do!
Web-to-real life translations:
fun and graceful = Funny yet clumsy
naturally the center = never the centre
shine in any crowd = avoid any crowd
enjoy socialising = are a recluse
*beats self round head with stick* I'm gonna go to bed and wake up happier. Fact!
Night night
xx
Sunday 3 August 2008
Tennis, hours and tiredness.
Briefly on the splits, I had a go last Wednesday at the end of class (yay I remembered!) and was pleasantly surprised to see I'm closer than I thought I'd be. Still a fair way off, but it was encouraging to see.
Tennis. I played it, yesterday. Didn't think I'd feel it today, but I do, in my glutes. Owweee! Wouldn't have thought tennis would tone up the butt, but then I know very little about physiology and I'm certainly not complaining. Yes, in case you were wondering, I suck at tennis, but it was a good laugh and a good hour-and-a-half of exercise. It was more fun when we were pratting around and not scoring. I lost 3 games in a row and declared scoring is dull. Yes I'm a bad loser but also we had much better rallies when we weren't concerned about keeping within the lines or letting the ball bounce only once.
Hours. Wondering how many hours of pole practice I've put in, and it's 13 hrs tuition plus 7 hrs independent. 20 hours.
Tiredness. I am tired and shall be mostly doing nowt today. :)
Tennis. I played it, yesterday. Didn't think I'd feel it today, but I do, in my glutes. Owweee! Wouldn't have thought tennis would tone up the butt, but then I know very little about physiology and I'm certainly not complaining. Yes, in case you were wondering, I suck at tennis, but it was a good laugh and a good hour-and-a-half of exercise. It was more fun when we were pratting around and not scoring. I lost 3 games in a row and declared scoring is dull. Yes I'm a bad loser but also we had much better rallies when we weren't concerned about keeping within the lines or letting the ball bounce only once.
Hours. Wondering how many hours of pole practice I've put in, and it's 13 hrs tuition plus 7 hrs independent. 20 hours.
Tiredness. I am tired and shall be mostly doing nowt today. :)
Wednesday 30 July 2008
The Splits
I have a recurring dream, and it's of me doing the splits.
I remembered this the other day when I was practising - maybe I should work up to it, maybe the dream is saying I should do for it. Last night I dreamt of doing the splits - except in the dream I was remarking on how I have this recurring dream, and that I should try it, and lo and behold I did the splits effortlessly. Odd.
Back to real life, and I've done the splits once. I think I was about 13, I was in a dance class, practising, I remember it was towards the end of class and so my dad was waiting with the other parents. I went into the stretch too quickly, bounced right down into the splits which hurt. I remember saying, "shit," and hoping my dad hadn't heard me or read my lips. Haha!
Anyway, I have very short, tight hamstrings and I can't even touch my toes without serious warm up and even then it's very painful and I can only just do it.
I've got a Pole-da-cise class today, if I remember, I'll give it a go at the end of the class once I'm warmed up to see how far off I am (miles and miles I bet!) :)
I remembered this the other day when I was practising - maybe I should work up to it, maybe the dream is saying I should do for it. Last night I dreamt of doing the splits - except in the dream I was remarking on how I have this recurring dream, and that I should try it, and lo and behold I did the splits effortlessly. Odd.
Back to real life, and I've done the splits once. I think I was about 13, I was in a dance class, practising, I remember it was towards the end of class and so my dad was waiting with the other parents. I went into the stretch too quickly, bounced right down into the splits which hurt. I remember saying, "shit," and hoping my dad hadn't heard me or read my lips. Haha!
Anyway, I have very short, tight hamstrings and I can't even touch my toes without serious warm up and even then it's very painful and I can only just do it.
I've got a Pole-da-cise class today, if I remember, I'll give it a go at the end of the class once I'm warmed up to see how far off I am (miles and miles I bet!) :)
Sunday 27 July 2008
First video
Sisko woke me up at 5.30 this morning by jumping all over me. He's our kitten and he has no idea about letting us have a lie in... shall have the door closed tonight as I've work tomorrow.
But anyway, I got up, did the washing up, then took the dogs up the hill, which is always gorgeous in the early morning.
I then spent all the rest of the morning, which was about 3 hours, practising pole and taking lots of videos. It's really useful, I can see what I'm doing wrong and what I need to work on, currently posture and trying to smooth everything down, I'm not very graceful! That's in addition to the technical work , course. Copter is going better, reverse sundial is sort of half getting there and all in all it was a good workout.
I then spent about 5 hours working out how to covert .mov files from the camera to .avi/.mpeg and then edit them all into a half decent video. If I can be bothered and if I find enough time when I'm bothered and in the mood to laugh at myself and let the world laugh with me, I might make a 'bloopers' video, as I recorded a few of them! One was a proper falling off an invert, and at that moment I loved my foam sofa cushion more than anything in the world :)
But yeah, I'm achy but happy, I want to do some more now but I know that will wake me up and I really need to get to sleep at a decent hour tonight, I was buzzing til midnight last night.
But anyway, I got up, did the washing up, then took the dogs up the hill, which is always gorgeous in the early morning.
I then spent all the rest of the morning, which was about 3 hours, practising pole and taking lots of videos. It's really useful, I can see what I'm doing wrong and what I need to work on, currently posture and trying to smooth everything down, I'm not very graceful! That's in addition to the technical work , course. Copter is going better, reverse sundial is sort of half getting there and all in all it was a good workout.
I then spent about 5 hours working out how to covert .mov files from the camera to .avi/.mpeg and then edit them all into a half decent video. If I can be bothered and if I find enough time when I'm bothered and in the mood to laugh at myself and let the world laugh with me, I might make a 'bloopers' video, as I recorded a few of them! One was a proper falling off an invert, and at that moment I loved my foam sofa cushion more than anything in the world :)
But yeah, I'm achy but happy, I want to do some more now but I know that will wake me up and I really need to get to sleep at a decent hour tonight, I was buzzing til midnight last night.
Saturday 26 July 2008
Leftie!
Well, I did my pole practice left handed today.
This isn't so odd, given that I am in fact left handed, but I've learned pole right handed so far, as I do most sports right handed and it's so much easier. I'm so glad I didn't learn guitar left handed!
So, I found out something interesting: I'm much better doing it left handed! :)
Reason I swapped was because I've really hurt my right tricep (you only make the mistake of not warming up properly once) and it was giving me too much grief and I desperately wanted to practice.
I've made some silly videos but they are far too silly for public display, but were a giggle.
Picked up a new move, too, the Cradle, from the X-Pole DVD, which was surprisingly easy to get. Yay.
I plan to practice lots tomorrow, I did no inverts today (can't do that left handed, I tried) and I really need to get the Copter, it's my next target.
I'm winning on the shoes I'm bidding for on Ebay. I'm hoping I don't break my ankles...
This isn't so odd, given that I am in fact left handed, but I've learned pole right handed so far, as I do most sports right handed and it's so much easier. I'm so glad I didn't learn guitar left handed!
So, I found out something interesting: I'm much better doing it left handed! :)
Reason I swapped was because I've really hurt my right tricep (you only make the mistake of not warming up properly once) and it was giving me too much grief and I desperately wanted to practice.
I've made some silly videos but they are far too silly for public display, but were a giggle.
Picked up a new move, too, the Cradle, from the X-Pole DVD, which was surprisingly easy to get. Yay.
I plan to practice lots tomorrow, I did no inverts today (can't do that left handed, I tried) and I really need to get the Copter, it's my next target.
I'm winning on the shoes I'm bidding for on Ebay. I'm hoping I don't break my ankles...
Thursday 24 July 2008
Off topic
I lost my rook piercing yesterday.
I don't like retiring piercings, it's quite a sad affair, but this one just wasn't healing, and enough was enough. I had it done in April 2006, same time as my left nipple, so if it hadn't healed by now it wasn't going to. The lovely lass who took it out for me offered to put a titanium bar in it to see if that would heal it. I declined but now am wondering if I made the right decision! For the hassle factor, getting rid of it was pure win. And I'd rather lose the rook to give my nipple a better chance of healing (it's going through a whingy phase). Apparently bodies are happier only having to heal one piercing at a time, which makes sense. However, the rook is a cool piercing to have and I half wish I'd tried the bar. Ah well, my policy is to have no regrets and thus I've made my decision and am happy with it.
Yesterday's pole lesson was 1-to-1 again as Nicola was away, and the other lass due to join our class couldn't make it either. Lisa is wonderful, I must have had 3 1-to-1 sessions now due to absenteeism (is it me that scares the other folk away?!). She had me practising inverts for an hour - how exhausting!
Its odd how some stuff with pole seems to be 2 steps forward 1 step back: I've successfully done a Crucifix before, both static and spinning. Yet for the past few weeks I've lost my grip and can't take my hands off. Ah well, it will come.
The Copter is still giving me grief - I just can't get it right. I'm sure it's arm positioning. But again, practise makes perfect and all that!
On the plus side, Lisa said some of my other moves were looking really nice, so that's very encouraging.
Anyway, I'm at work and procrastinating. Enough for now.
I don't like retiring piercings, it's quite a sad affair, but this one just wasn't healing, and enough was enough. I had it done in April 2006, same time as my left nipple, so if it hadn't healed by now it wasn't going to. The lovely lass who took it out for me offered to put a titanium bar in it to see if that would heal it. I declined but now am wondering if I made the right decision! For the hassle factor, getting rid of it was pure win. And I'd rather lose the rook to give my nipple a better chance of healing (it's going through a whingy phase). Apparently bodies are happier only having to heal one piercing at a time, which makes sense. However, the rook is a cool piercing to have and I half wish I'd tried the bar. Ah well, my policy is to have no regrets and thus I've made my decision and am happy with it.
Yesterday's pole lesson was 1-to-1 again as Nicola was away, and the other lass due to join our class couldn't make it either. Lisa is wonderful, I must have had 3 1-to-1 sessions now due to absenteeism (is it me that scares the other folk away?!). She had me practising inverts for an hour - how exhausting!
Its odd how some stuff with pole seems to be 2 steps forward 1 step back: I've successfully done a Crucifix before, both static and spinning. Yet for the past few weeks I've lost my grip and can't take my hands off. Ah well, it will come.
The Copter is still giving me grief - I just can't get it right. I'm sure it's arm positioning. But again, practise makes perfect and all that!
On the plus side, Lisa said some of my other moves were looking really nice, so that's very encouraging.
Anyway, I'm at work and procrastinating. Enough for now.
Monday 21 July 2008
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!
"So, what is the project you're using these for?"
This was asked by the chap who kindly donated the foam from an old sofa bed for my makeshift trixmat. This is the chap who's already had me collect a few things from him off freecycle, and last time I saw him, on finding out I'm an accountant, asked me to quote for his new business. Do I normall tell prospective clients I do pole?
"I've taken up pole exercise," I told him. "These are to make sure I don't hurt myself when I fall off."
He looked somewhat bemused.
Anyway, it arrived one day early! Took a bit to put it up, and my teeny living room is even teenier now. It's quite a slow spinning pole, not sure why. 4/5 of the ones at the studio are fairly quick, but one in the corner is quite slow, and mine's the same. It's kinda good, though, I'd rather have a slow spinner than one that spun too fast. I need to get some chalk or Gorilla Gold, too, it's mighty slippery as it is.
But.... Yaaay!
Enough typy, more spinny!
This was asked by the chap who kindly donated the foam from an old sofa bed for my makeshift trixmat. This is the chap who's already had me collect a few things from him off freecycle, and last time I saw him, on finding out I'm an accountant, asked me to quote for his new business. Do I normall tell prospective clients I do pole?
"I've taken up pole exercise," I told him. "These are to make sure I don't hurt myself when I fall off."
He looked somewhat bemused.
Anyway, it arrived one day early! Took a bit to put it up, and my teeny living room is even teenier now. It's quite a slow spinning pole, not sure why. 4/5 of the ones at the studio are fairly quick, but one in the corner is quite slow, and mine's the same. It's kinda good, though, I'd rather have a slow spinner than one that spun too fast. I need to get some chalk or Gorilla Gold, too, it's mighty slippery as it is.
But.... Yaaay!
Enough typy, more spinny!
Sunday 20 July 2008
Owch and stuff
Cor, I'm feeling it today! Its normal for my arms and leg muscles to ache, but my back and shoulders are giving me hell today. Serves me right for falling off onto my back really! Just as well I have to wait a couple of days for my pole to arrive, give my body a chance to recover. Yesterday was a valuable lesson in warming up too, I rushed it and pulled a few muscles as I was practising. Patience is a virtue! I paid a bit more attention to warming down, that's for sure. It's quite nice, though, to feel that my body's had a workout, and I do love the endorphins from exercising, helps keep my various energy levels up.
Today I'm decorating the house in my ancient army trousers and Pooh Bear T-shirt. How very glamorous ;-)
Today I'm decorating the house in my ancient army trousers and Pooh Bear T-shirt. How very glamorous ;-)
Saturday 19 July 2008
3 days to go!
I can't remember what made me think of it, but 3 months ago I decided to look up pole dancing. I found there was a dance studio near me, the fabulous Pole-da-cise in Trowbridge. 3 months later, I've had 11 lessons and I am addicted! So much so that I've ordered my own X-Pole for home. As you may have guessed, it arrives in 3 days. Very exciting!
I'm really chuffed to have found a really good form of exercise that is fun and enjoyable. I've never really been one for going to the gym, it's always felt like a chore, but this is brilliant! Pole dancing is far more than erotic dancing in clubs. It's a great fun way to keep fit, feel good about yourself and build your confidence. This is the first thing in many many years that I've felt passionate about, and absorbed enough to actually keep a blog about. Hopefully this will give me something to look back on to see how far I've come, and I'd be delighted if it inspires you to take up pole or any other form of exercise or activity that you feel good about.
As this blog is to chart my progress, I'll briefly note where I'm up to. Today I booked some time in the studio and managed at last to sit on the pole and do split-legs, which is an achievement. I'm still working on street spins (getting there) and copters are going badly but I'm making a little progress. I also tried a spin I've seen on YouTube - I really should learn the names of them all. It's the one with 2 hands on the pole, facing the pole, and split legs either side. The upper body and abdominal strength needed for this move is incredible! I can't get my legs very high nor sustain the spin for long, but it's nice to have new things to work on and aim for.
I'm searching my local freecycle for old cushions etc to use as a crash-mat at home. The Trixmats are wonderful but at £70 I fancy something a bit DIY, given that I've only just forked out on the pole itself. Will have to see how that pans out! At this stage, I'd be silly to try inverted moves without a mat - I've already been grateful for the mats at the studio and would be really bruised without them. I should say more bruised - pole dancing and leg bruises are good friends!
I'm really chuffed to have found a really good form of exercise that is fun and enjoyable. I've never really been one for going to the gym, it's always felt like a chore, but this is brilliant! Pole dancing is far more than erotic dancing in clubs. It's a great fun way to keep fit, feel good about yourself and build your confidence. This is the first thing in many many years that I've felt passionate about, and absorbed enough to actually keep a blog about. Hopefully this will give me something to look back on to see how far I've come, and I'd be delighted if it inspires you to take up pole or any other form of exercise or activity that you feel good about.
As this blog is to chart my progress, I'll briefly note where I'm up to. Today I booked some time in the studio and managed at last to sit on the pole and do split-legs, which is an achievement. I'm still working on street spins (getting there) and copters are going badly but I'm making a little progress. I also tried a spin I've seen on YouTube - I really should learn the names of them all. It's the one with 2 hands on the pole, facing the pole, and split legs either side. The upper body and abdominal strength needed for this move is incredible! I can't get my legs very high nor sustain the spin for long, but it's nice to have new things to work on and aim for.
I'm searching my local freecycle for old cushions etc to use as a crash-mat at home. The Trixmats are wonderful but at £70 I fancy something a bit DIY, given that I've only just forked out on the pole itself. Will have to see how that pans out! At this stage, I'd be silly to try inverted moves without a mat - I've already been grateful for the mats at the studio and would be really bruised without them. I should say more bruised - pole dancing and leg bruises are good friends!
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