Poletastic - I have my very own X-Pole!

As usual, it’s been a while since my last post. I’ve been extremely busy with work and have been struggling to find the time to keep you all up to date with my adventures but I promise I'll do better :)

Since my last post I’ve been a very busy Polebean. Yep Polebean. I’ve literally just made that up. But it’s cute right? Anyway I now have my very own X Pole … yippee! And boy have I been putting that baby to use. Before I go on let me tell you about the traumas I have had buying a pole. I toyed with the idea for a while because I was unsure of whether or not I would get my use out of it. Eventually after a few weeks of deliberation I figured that I most definitely wanted my own pole and looked at it as a really fun piece of work out equipment after vowing to use it at least twice a week (in combination with classes).  My very generous other-half had been secretly watching poles on Ebay but being as fussy as I am he ended up having to tell me in case he bought the wrong one, I was still super-happy because I couldn’t think of a more thoughtful gift. When it came to buying I was so confused because even I didn’t know what I was looking for. After speaking with my instructor she gave me all the information I needed on how to choose the perfect pole and what I should be looking for. I hadn’t even realised there were different diameters ranging from a 25mm to 50mm, they also come in spinning and static and in a few different finishes. Crazy, I know, welcome to the world of poledance. I figured that since I had been using a 50mm, static in class then that’s what I was going to go for. Being the ever impatient Sabrina within a day or so I was on my way, boyfriend in tow, to pick up my static, 50mm, Xpole, purchased from eBay and in great condition. Needless to say my pole was up within minutes of being home, but I wasn’t feeling it. It felt awful, it just didn’t feel right at all. I tried and tried with this pole but I felt as though my grip was off and after two mini-sessions my left arm had started to really hurt. I ended up selling it on to another beginner who it suited perfectly  and in it’s place I was gifted a very beautiful 45mm, Spinning  Xpole. Brand Spanking new and very, very sexy. I feel much more comfortable on this pole and still don’t know why even after using a 50mm in class I couldn’t use it at home.

 

I attempted to use my new pole in spin-mode almost immediately. I tried a simple fireman spin and literally had no control. I was so dizzy when my feet hit the ground I literally had to wait a few seconds before moving on to the next. So for a long time I used the pole in static only switching to spin for a few minutes and only for spins such as Chair, Attitude and Mermaid. I’m definitely getting much better and although some believe using the a pole in spin mode is cheating, I can tell you from my experience it requires a whole new skill and technique to static. In my opinion both methods can be as equally difficult. For example a front hook in static, I find I can be a lot more loose in my core but stronger in my arms and legs, sort of more flowy. Whereas in spin mode my entire core is what keeps my form together, so I feel I need to keep everything tight. It actually wasn’t until using my pole in spin that I was able to really do a front hook, it’s so simple but has been one of the moves I struggled with the most. Using my pole in spin has also allowed me to move on to a few combo’s. A little advice from one beginner to another, if you do get a spinning pole make sure you practice all of your spins in both static and spinny. I alternate between the two always. Plus I’m getting of a better work out that way. Lost a few more pounds and I now fit into a pair of pants I couldn’t even zip a few months back. 

So, where am I up to now? I’m working on my strength in between classes as I feel this will help with pull ups and inverts, I’m also working on my flexibility (determined to get into the splits) so focussing on my leg and back flexibility (Yoga stretches come in really handy for this). I’m still mastering my spins, because learning how to execute the move is half the battle (for me anyway). So I'm working on how to make them prettier. I’m completely in to a handstand *CHEERS*. I also found I was getting overly frustrated with myself when trying certain things and felt like I was going backwards so I decided to use the moves and combo’s I can do and put them into a routine, this helps when I’m feeling tired, frustrated and groggy. Because I LOVE to dance this is an instant pick me up and a break from some of the harder stuff and takes away the frustration. Give yourself a challenge, if you’re feeling frustrated stick your heels on, let your hair down and bust a move. I love turning my music on and dancing for myself, sometimes if you just go with the flow you’ll even find yourself doing things you didn’t think possible. This is how I learned to do a plow-over, handstand and pirouettes. I’ll get some video’s up soon.

In my next post I'll talk to you about my poledance tantrum (uh-oh) and a little bit about what I'm doing at home.

As always, my advice to you is give Poledancing  a go. It’s the sexiest sport on the planet, you’ll laugh, you’ll learn and you will definitely love it!