May Pole Blog Hop

I happened along the May Pole Blog Hop on http://sheenalashay.com and thought it would be fun to try – and I wanted to feel like a little part of the collective fun! I thought it was especially interesting to come from a perspective of a returning poler – as I can now say I am

• How long have you been pole dancing?

I was dancing the first time around for nearly two years, but I’ve had a break of nearly two years in between. I started back to beginner/intermediate classes just two short weeks ago and it feels great to be poling again.

• What’s your favourite song to pole dance to?

The one that gets me most in the mood for pole dancing I think is Muse – Supermassive Black Hole, but my pole playlist has all kinds on it from fun rubbish to soppy slow songs. I’m an awful freestyler so it’s just mood music really.

• What’s your favourite pole dance move?

I love so many but I am especially impressed by uber strong flexible stuff like Felix’s spatchcock

Or starfish and deathlay…. lots of scary and near unattainable impossible stuff to strive for! Don’t think I’d even attempt them let alone get to any point of perfection!

• What pole move is your nemesis?

It used to be this one…..

But now that everything is back to square one I’m sure I will have many more as I re-learn everything again!

Damn this move for people making it look so easy and pain free!!

• If you have to classify your dance style, what would it be?

Less dancing, more tricks usually – I look like Monica from friends doing her ‘fat dance’ whenever I try to look sultry!

• What inspires your movement? Why do you dance?

I do pole dancing in a less dance motivated way (because I’m not fantastically coordinated). I’m inspired to do it because of how fit you feel for doing it. There are so many amazing strong women pole dancing – that in itself is inspirational.

Pole dancing also made me think a little more about life – If something is worth doing you usually have to go through some hard work and pain to get there.

• Do you study/participate in any other kinds of dancing or other kinds of training?

I do other kinds of fitness – swimming, strength work, yoga, Pilates, dog walking… but I’ve never been interested in other kinds of dance.

• How often do you train, dance or attend class per week?

I have class once a week, and had intended to train at least once a week on the pole as well like I did first time around, but it’s been trickier to fit in this time. I try to exercise about 3-5 times a week if I can.

• Any tips for training?

I found classes invaluable to my motivation. I could only push myself so far with YouTube tutorials at home. I feel more confident learning in classes so I would recommend them to any beginners. They can be a lot of fun as well as getting you fit.

• Do you train on both sides when you pole? Why or why not?

Trying to – but I find my weak, left, side so cumbersome. Perhaps it’s because everything feels new again? But I intend to try as I get back to the point I was at. It would be nice to simply look more even!

• If you’re not a full time poler, how do you balance work and pole? Friends and pole? Life and Pole?

As with everything else – you just make time for the things you enjoy

• Is pole dancing, which happens to be a hobby for most, worth the investment?

If you are like me and started as a new fun way to workout it’s totally worth it. I bought a pole after my first couple of classes (as I knew I would need the extra practice!) and have never been as fit as when I was dancing twice a week at least. You find muscles you never knew existed. It’s much more addictive than the gym as well!

• Why did you start a pole dance blog?

Technically my blog is about all sorts – I don’t reel it in to any one thing. I write about pole on my blog because there is such a community of polers out there and it’s a fun world to be a part of. It’s good to share the highs and lows.

• What does your pole dance blog mainly focus on?

When I write about pole I try to focus on my perspective on issues (such as children pole dancing) and my own journey and what I have learnt. If any wisdom I pass on helps anyone else then that’s a bonus.

• What’s your favourite post on your pole dance blog?

Probably my first, because the pictures I put up then have a nice shape to them….and I probably miss my pink hair!

• What’s your favourite non-pole blog?

I follow lots of lovely people from a range of areas – each can be found on my ‘people I follow list’

• What is your favourite dance studio? (If you teach or own a studio, please list one other than where you teach.)

I workout in Belfast at Pole Kittens. The girls there are great and make it so much fun to do.

• If you teach, why did you start teaching, and how did it change your practice? If you don’t teach, do you think you’d ever want to teach? Why or why not?

I thought about teaching, when I was at a much better level, but looking back I don’t know how wise it would have been, as my form was never that good. It was nice to pass on tips to girls one to one but a whole class might have been a little overwhelming! At the moment I am just keen to learn. If an opportunity comes up years down the line when I’m much improved I might rethink – I might even bring pole dancing to the sleepy community of Weardale yet

• Heels or No Heels? Also any good recommendations for heels?

Love to look at them but can’t dance in them very well! I always wear bare feet because I found it easier. Although warm up squats in heels is much more of a workout…

• What are your favourite pole clothes?

I would love fun poling outfits, but I just workout in usual vest tops and a pair of tiny shorts – bit boring really. At least you don’t really need any specialist stuff to get stuck in, and it doesn’t feel like a fashion parade like it can in some gyms!

• What’s your favourite pole? Size? Material? Height? Static? Spin?

I have a 45mm x-pole sport at home and I work out on a 50mm pole in class. Haven’t had much experience of spin but might be fun to upgrade in future. Taller the better! My ceilings are so low I clang my feet off them inverting!

• If you have ever performed, how do you usually prepare your performance?

Happy to stay out of the spotlight and cheer on others! Pictures are fine – but I’m not pretty in motion….I’m not exactly pretty static but you get my jist!

• What’s something you love to do or experience aside from pole dancing?

Animals and travel are my two other big loves. If I can combine the two it’s even better.

• How has pole dancing affected your life?

First time round everything was about pole dancing. Friends, going out, working out. This time I’m hopefully a little more laid back about it. I hope it will make me a lot fitter and healthier again though.

• Looking back at your life, are you surprised that you’re a pole dancer? Like were you a nun five years ago and now you’re a pole teacher? Or does pole dancing seem like a natural fit into the progression of your life?

There have been a few times in my life where I’ve made an unexpected decision – so perhaps that’s become accepted about me? So in that way, choosing to start pole dancing was total normal! It’s nothing as drastic as moving country or shaving your head really! It’s a small step for man…

• What’s one pole stereotype that you wish would go away?

That pole dancing is ALL about sexy strippers, and that you easily look sexy on a pole - it’s bloody hard to make pole dancing look sexy! I certainly can’t manage it! People would pay me to put clothes back on to cover up the bruises!

• Best reaction when you told someone that you are a pole dancer?

Think the only different reaction has been ‘Really?!’ Think everyone understands it’s not me going out and stripping so they just see it as unusual. I haven’t had any negative reactions thankfully – although in my life I have been criticised on the street for outfits I’ve worn to go out clubbing, and someone thought I was the devil because I had a naval piercing as a teenager…. maybe those sorts of people would have a problem? Their problem, not mine!

• Also, since its May… does your Mother [or any maternal person in your life] know that you pole dance and what does she think?

Course she does – secretly she would love to herself

• What’s your pole fantasy or dream?

To be graceful and amazing on the pole making even the most extreme moves look easy! Total fantasy

• Finish this sentence. Pole dancing is….

….Fun, challenging and addictive.

To see more May Pole Blog Hop see below

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The Tasty Streets of Bologna

One of the reasons we loved Bologna was, of course, the food. Bologna la grassa - I know for certain I would be fat spending any length of time in this fantastic city!

The shop windows and street markets here were enough to have us pining for crumbs!

Here are some of the quick shots we got of the tasty streets of Bologna.

Can’t resist flowers either

I found this story after we got back and just loved it.

There are a couple of tales about the origins of tortellini. I think the one about Bologna is my favourite.

Venus and Jupiter arrived at a tavern one night, on the outskirts of Bologna. They were weak and weary from a fierce battle between Modena and Bologna that had raged that day.

After copious amounts of food and drink they began to liven up again. They could be heard chatting and flirting from the bar, captivating all around. When they retired to their room the innkeeper, entranced by the couple, followed them and peeped through the keyhole.

All he could see was Venus’s navel. He was so charmed and spellbound, he rushed down to the kitchen and created tortellini in its image.

Tasty fun cakes

I’m not even a fan of cherries – but even they looked tempting!

For more adventures in Europe please click here  :)

Stretch it out – How to speed up recovery from your first pole dancing class

So it wasn’t quite my first class on Monday, but in terms of fitness levels it might as well have been.

Many people don’t realise what an intensive workout pole dancing can be. It works muscles often overlooked in other forms of exercise.

I can still feel the work I’ve done from my 60 minute class two days ago in a whole bunch of muscles. I can tell for certain that my deltoids, the lower part of my trapezius muscles, pectorals, triceps, biceps, brachioradialis, latissimus dorsi, glutes, hip flexors, adductors and intercostal muscles all got a really good workout – and there are probably many more besides.

First of all, to aid recovery of sore muscles, it’s important to know when to take a rest day. Pushing yourself on when you can already feel discomfort is a quick route to injury (which I’ve discussed more about in the past). I’ve been doing a few ‘new’ fitness things for me lately (more on that another time) but I knew yesterday I would be good for nothing so it was better just to take a break!

Rest days allow the muscles to develop and adapt, as you are reshaping and building them in pole dancing and other forms of exercise.

Stretching, however, can and shoukd still be done on your off days and might help to relieve soreness.

Yesterday I was feeling most of the pain and tightness across the top of my back and my shoulders, and less elsewhere but still noticeable as I shuffled around.

Following these two videos helped ease my muscles a little.

Although there were squeaks of pain from me getting into the stretch I was able to relax into it a little with time to feel the benefit. And be aware that with stiff muscles your flexibility is going to be more limited than usual – so for me yesterday was practically non-existant take it as far as you can feel the stretch and don’t push too hard – it just hurt to get to the point of feeling a stretch for me so I know my body must have done plenty of work on Monday!

I also found some forwards bends, like prasarita padottanasana and uttanasana, and extended balasana made the muscles feel much more released.

I have a yoga class and a pilates class this evening which will hopefully be more restorative as well, stretching out the muscles even further.

Pole Dancing is Hard! – My painful return to pole

Last night marked my first pole dancing class in nearly 2 years, and I’m certainly suffering for the time off today!

It wasn’t a hard decision to make – I had always wanted to get back into lessons – it was simply hard to get my swing back.

I joined a level 4 class, which is beginners to intermediate level and had been building up my exercise levels prior to going. Despite this I knew it would still feel physically tough.

I don’t think I was mentally prepared for just how difficult I would find it – especially going back on my own.

I arrived early chatting to the teacher, whom I had once been in classes with, about the old days and how far away they seemed as the girls began to arrive. They all seemed younger than me, and perhaps scarier they seemed like they had never had to worry about cellulite or ugly leg veins in their lives so far! I could already tell this wasn’t going to be a great confidence boost – by I was still relaxed. I had experience on my side. I could make myself feel better that way… or so I thought!

We started to warm up with some gruelling stretches which highlighted my total lack of flexibility – and I pined to be back in my pilates class at the gym where I’m one of the most flexible! The back bends could have finished me off – lying on the floor with the pole between my legs and being told to reach back and grab it was a step too far as I felt my spine scream at me. It literally could have been the straw that broke the camels back!

But eventually we made it past the stretches.

On the bill that day were a few moves to learn. A black widow combo, a Mexican wave sit, a jazz drop, a ‘Katie Did’ spin, a Brazillian and an angel. Generally all things I’d done before.

A black widow combo starts with you spinning backwards with your legs in a z shape, then you twist briefly into a chair spin and finish with a bit of a pole cat.

The Mexican wave sit sees you lift and rotate your legs up and around (Mexican wave stylie) then you twist towards the pole to sit on it before your feet touch the floor.

A jazz drop sees you climb the pole, swing to one side and then drop with your legs in a half split position.

Katy Did is the name of a spin where you lift yourself through the gap in your arms and straddle your legs (so they are spinning round the front of the pole). I remember hating this simple but annoyingly tricky move first time around! It’s only called a Katie Did by the studio coz Katie did it! For this reason we all hate Katie – whoever she is!

The Brazillian can be a painful dismount from the pole. You are inverted and bring your hands to the ground then isolate turning your hips until your feet reach the floor. Simple – but sore if you end up with the pole hitting you dead centre! Past experience!

And the angel. As seen here:

http://poledancedictionary.com/moves/318/closed-inside-leg-hang/

Everything felt so clumsy. These were mainly moves I hadn’t liked the first time round – so avoided doing them once I had ‘ticked them off’ as learnt.

My coordination was poor; virgin skin bruised, burnt and tore; and my poor flexibility only added to poor form.

It was so tough. I must have blocked out how tough it was the first time because it completely took me by surprise.

I am back to the very beginning again – I couldn’t even remember how to invert because I’ve put off doing it for so long!

I had a fear this time that wasn’t there so much first time round. Was it fear of falling?  Fear of looking stupid? Slipping? Maybe everything. I also had my own expectations to be better to fight against.

Maybe I have to accept it will take much longer than I expected to feel it again.

I am proud that I went and made it through though, and going regularly means I will start to improve again with time.

I think it just really hit home just how hard pole dancing is compared to many other workouts!

Of all the things I’ve lost

I spent the last few days looking for age appropriate attractions that we can visit with my mini nephew when we travel back home for a while in May and I made a rather sad discovery.

Nearly every attraction I enjoyed as a kid is now gone.

I guess it shouldn’t have come as such a shock, but it kinda did.

So many of the places we loved and played at as kids are now non-existent. I think the thing that’s sadder is that they don’t even seem to have been replaced with something else. They are just gone. Lost. Perhaps that sort of carefree fun won’t come back?

Scarborough was the biggest shock. The cable car and Marvel’s amusements are now gone forever.

Marvels Back in the day, where me and my sister got to sit on dinosaurs…

And with the passing of time…

Atlantis outdoor pool, where we got to spend the day on one holiday and walk past the gates pining to go in on every other!

Then…

And once they started to  remove it…

Kinderland, which was like a big outdoor play ground and a lot of fun which sadly closed down as part of the ‘refurbishment’ plans (which doesn’t seem to have created anything in its place)

Scarborough’s Millennium experience which was fun and educational and also closed down around a similar time to the rest of these attractions.

I also miss the hologram gallery in Whitby – yes its retro but it was a bit of fun!

I think the thing that makes me the saddest is the loss of Lowther Park. We spent lots of time at Lowther. It’s where my sister started her massive fear of clowns (and, to be fair, it was entirely warranted when the clown at the circus there pointed a gun at the audience!!) and I beat my dad on the tarzan trail. I believe it’s also where I decided to say goodbye to a little pony and kicked me in the head leaving me scarred for life – happy times!

We went back to Lowther year on year. It was just a fun place to be on a decent day. So much space to mess around. Very sad to hear its been gone for about 10 years now.

Makes me wonder what there will be for me to make memories with my own children, everything seems so changed to when we were young it’s hard to get my head around the differences.