Spinning Pole: Last Class

Taking spinning pole classes at Poletential was such a great experience for me. Sunday was the last day out of a 3-day spinning pole clinic. On top of the previous tricks we learned, Amber taught us how to use a split grip to get into a cradle and how to climb beginning with a V/toe twirl.

While I should really master moves on a stationary pole, it's so much more entertaining to practice on a spinning pole. Spinning poles force you to control your movement to conserve momentum and builds your strength because you're just holding a move for a prolonged period of time. I would say the only really difficult part of spinning pole, is getting over motion sickness if you have that problem and being comfortable spinning while transitioning into moves.

Now that this class is over and I only have two more drop-in classes, I have become more motivated to set up my own X-Pole which has been patiently waiting for me. Poor thing.

Spin Class: Day Two

In addition to everything we learned in the last class, Amber taught us how to do combos and to invert and invert combos. The one I can vaguely remember doing is a:

(1)Basic Twirl
(2)Back Hook
(3)Side Climb
(4)V
(5)Swing into a chair
(6)Cross-knee release

The other combo we did last time was:

(1)Bow-tie Climb
(2)V
(3)Swing into a chair
(4)Lean forward and grab knees

Once we were comfortably inverting, which is very similar to inverting on a stationary pole Amber taught us some basic invert combos:

Invert Combos:
(1)Walk into an invert
(2)Gemini

(1)Walk into an invert
(3)Inverted V

If we did more steps afterward then I can't remember them just right now! I did something slightly not smart, especially since we were inverting so much. I repeatedly cleaned the pole with a towel moist with alcohol. Wiping it down so often just made it easier to stick to, thus also made my legs burn like hell!!!

Spinning Pole Class: Day One - Conserve Momentum

After two pole-free weeks, I was understandably nervous to attend my first of three spinning pole classes at Poletential. All I could think about on the hours leading up to the class was how sweaty my palms were and how I would probably go slipping right off the pole if Amber asked me to do anything resembling a twirl. I hate twirls! They are my worst enemy and I would go as far as canceling the 3-week clinic if I needed too. In the past I have quit before even trying, pathetic I know.

Fortunately, the spinning pole class was nothing I expected it to be. While I anticipated twirls, I learned that most of the techniques you use are holds and require little momentum. Secondly, the class wasn't extremely fast paced which I feared for some reason. My fears were put to rest early in the class and I was able to relax and enjoy it.

Half-way through the class I started to get extremely excited and had all these ideas and questions in my head that I just couldn't keep to myself. I started to think that these classes should be offered on a regular basis and I couldn't help asking Amber if she planned on instructing more in the future. Even though I am poor now, I felt hungry for more. And Amber mentioned that if there were any classes I took it should be just for spinning because of all the little unique tricks and techniques you can't learn on your own. I would actually recommend all intermediate and advanced pole dancers to try a spinning pole class if you have a stomach for it.

We began with a basic move that consisted of grabbing the pole with one arm at a 90 degree angle, taking one step forward and placing your other hand on the pole. Spinning pole requires a lot of arm, back and core strength to hold yourself into a position, so even this move was difficult for all of us. The goal of this move was to vertically align yourself with the pole and to distance your body away from the pole. This is harder than it looks. Most of us ended up being too close to the pole and sideways. It takes a lot of control and thought. Another variation was to spread your legs out into a V while facing the pole.

I think the next thing we moved on to was inverting. Only that none of us would be inverting on the first class. We were just learning the steps to getting into an invert. I LOVE AMBER! We were told to grab the pole with one arm (90 degree) and to grab the pole with the other hand while simultaneously swinging out your legs. It's important that you end up in a position where you are slanted up against the pole. Unlike the first move, momentum is important and necessary. After accomplishing this, we were told to bring in our knees. Done. The only issue I had with this was basically getting enough momentum. Amber said that most people either don't start off with enough or more than enough and fly off the pole. I'd rather be the former.

We also worked on climbing. To start us off Amber had us do a bow-tie twirl on the pole. After we were all comfortable removing one of our arms gracefully, she had us learn how to gain momentum. Once you're in the bow-toe position with your ankles crossed, you grip the pole with both of your knees and do a backward body wave up the pole so that you are very close to the pole. This makes you spin faster. To reduce the speed, you basically push your butt outward.

After practicing how to do this a couple of times we moved on to half-climbs using our knees still in the bow-tie position and our arms to pull us up. Amber emphasized that you don't ever want to pull yourself up into a full climb because you lose your momentum.

Once we climbed up the pole, the next step was to release our legs into a V and swing one leg into a chair position. My hands are getting sweaty just thinking about it. I basically chickened out every time I got too high. The pole would be spinning too fast for me and all I wanted it to do was stop or slow down!

Altogether I absolutely loved this class and it was a great class to get me back into pole. I've been feeling really horrible in terms of self-esteem and my love life, so I have been a hermit. Taking this class has really pumped me up again and I'm definitely looking forward to next Sunday's class! Thank heavens for Amber and Poletential!!!

Pole Class: Day 18

There are some things I will do and some things I won't do. The things I will do are things that my body has a physical advantage over, like climbs and inversions. What always gets me are the twirls. I blame this on my short legs. I also do have a fear of falling off the pole because of my sweaty hands.

This Total Pole class would be the first class I take after my brief 2-week hiatus. I think we started off with a transitional move, which consisted of a hand twirl into a stationary heart beat and a transition out. That was easy enough, although I can't say that I looked the most graceful. Of course we move onto our twirl, the part of the class that I dread the most!! We did the Reverse Grab which happens to be my favorite twirl of all twirls. All I can do is literally stand back and watch my class mates complete this trick while I watch. Sad huh?

After that we did our climb. This time Amber taught us a climb with a more foot emphasis versus the usual upper body grab and pull. I hated this one. The spot right on top of my foot is so weak and bruises so easily that it's painful for me to put too much pressure there. It would've been easier if I was wearing some sort of show, but I tend not to bring shoes to class anymore.

After this climb, Amber taught us how to do the Ballerina. I don't think I'll ever look comfortable doing this move. I should actually ban this pose from my repertoire to save myself the embarrassment. If you're great at contorting your body, this is the move for you! Actually if you're tall and slender this move is for you! Can you imagine a little midget like me doing this one? Not enough body to twist around the pole!

Lastly, we ended with an inversion which was the Caterpillar. We did it both ways. Since I'm pretty comfortable with going down the pole, I really wanted to concentrate on the Caterpillar as a climbing technique. I think it takes a lot of control and strength to do this one so it's definitely one of the ones that I push myself to learn. Too bad I can only really practice this one in the studio with the sky-high poles! You can only go so far with a portable pole at home!

Spinning Pole

I just signed up for a 3-week spinning pole series class! Too bad it's not until May. I'm really excited to start learning since I SHOULD be expecting my X-Pert X-pole (stationary/spinning) at the end of this month or next month! I know the class is going to be really challenging, but it's going to be awesome! The class is is a hour long with 4 students max, since the studio only has 2 spinning poles. I better start getting used to being dizzy! Centrifugal force?? Pssh...that's nothing.

Pole Class: Day Seventeen

With the exception of finding bloody fingernails and a belly button after class, I though today's class went very well. At today's Total Pole, Amber taught us the Corkscrew twirl, Yogini and Caterpillar. For most of us in the class, these were tricks that we've worked on before (which isn't a bad thing!).

I had so much fun in class, partly because I was trying and actually getting the tricks down. I secretly love the Caterpillar and Reverse Caterpillar. I know it isn't the sexiest pole trick you can whip out, but it's definitely one of the more interesting and difficult ones just because of the whole defying gravity part.

I can't wait to get and install my own pole! Then I can practice every day!

Pole Class: Day Thirteen

Today, Amber kicked my ass in Total Pole. I can always count on Thursday and Saturday classes to send me home in aching pain. In addition to a cute three-step move she taught us to use while walking around the pole, we focused on the power climb, Spinning Scorpio and a Front Knee Hook twirl. I definitely made an attempt at all three, but it wasn't a pretty sight. After class, I went home and drowned my sorrow away in breakfast food. Yuuuuum.

Pole Class: Day Eleven

As always, Poletential's Total Pole class taught by Amber was great. Every Saturday we're taught new twirls, climbs and inversions.

We started off with an Inside Spin. For this twirl you use your outer thigh (inside leg) to roll against the pole. Your thigh and leg should be parallel to the ground and as you pick yourself up with both hands you lift up your outside leg.

Then we moved onto the Corkscrew. I really like this twirl because it's a lot different from the other ones we learn where we face the pole. For this twirl you use your outside leg to swing out your hips to the front of the pole so that you can wrap your body around the pole as you spin down. This twirl gets painful when you do it repeatedly since your armpit is gripping the pole. I have bruises all over my arm still from this one. But it was fun!

Our next move was a climb into a Cross Knee Release. This is very similar to the cross ankle release, but instead you leave your thighs crossed as if you were sitting and then lean back so that your knee touches the pole and your tail bone is resting on the pole as well. Once you're in this position, you're safe to lean back and let go of your arms.



Lastly, we learned how to go into the Butterfly from an inversion. Things to remember when getting into this move include keep your booty out and square your shoulders before you let go of your leg. I was finally able to get into this move at the end of the class, although I don't do it as graceful as Amber.