Pole Questions: Answered – Page 4 – The Spin Diaries: Your Guide to Everything Pole and Aerial

Pole and your FEET.

Posted on July 25, 2013July 28, 2016 by Cathy Vandewater

My foot is NOT IMPRESSED with my pole dancing accessories.

I know right?

Not something you think would really be the focus of pole–what it’s like for your feet.

But all the toe pointing and heel-wearing and foot dragging can really do a number on your tootsies.

I mean, let me just flat out make a list:

1. It destroys my toe-polish, but JUST on my big toe.

Like, what? Actually I know exactly why this happens, I drag my toe when I walk (pole walk, that is). Whatever, it looks hot. Sacrifices!

2. It makes my big toe/arch spasm

All the toe pointing in pole makes my arches/big toes freak out and cramp… which is not a good look when you’re in a graceful pose, your foot just twitching and flexing into a claw formation… ugh. And it’s PAINFUL.

3. I have gotten huge bubbly blisters on the balls of my feet

Actually, this was just one time, when I was working REALLY hard on my pirouettes, and my pole was in a room with carpet. That said, the balls of my feet still get warm/sensitive/burny when I’m doing a lot of flow work, which is annoying.

Ahh, that’s better. PS. the winter-time alternative to Yoga Toes are THESE SOCKS OF SEXINESS. Whatever, they feel so good you guys…

4. General ugliness

Dusty floors, mang. They dry your feet into these hobbity husk things. It’s like your feet are wearing leather jackets, but, like, made from your own dried foot skin. Ew. Also, your feet get DIRTY.

5. Top of the foot bruises

Ugly, and not a great combo with slip on shoes.

Does that about cover it? Okay, so here’s what I do for each of the above foot issues (and if you have solutions, be a good person and share your tricks in the comments!!!):

1. Wear clear/light-colored polish

So that one worn down spot at the top of each big toe nail is less obvious.

2. Wear Yoga Toes all. the. time.

(And check out Kim’s awesome post on cramping…)

I even sleep in them, which I’m pretty sure you’re not supposed to do. But most helpful of all, I point and flex my toes while wearing them, and that seems to retrain/strengthen my foot muscles to like, point the way they should, without getting confused and cramping. (I’M NOT A DOCTOR OKAY). Oh PS, you don’t need the real ones, knock offs are good too!

3. Stop pirouetting so damn much.

I mean seriously, half the problems I have with injuries/bruises/discomfort is a direct result of ignoring my body’s signals and pounding away at whatever I’m working on way. too much. Alternatively, you can just live with the temporary pain and let your skin get tougher, which works too.

4. Oy, not much.

I mean like, Ped Egg and the classic vaseline/socks combo helps with dryness. But that really doesn’t solve the problem of having to put yucky black feet into your super cute new sandals after a class. Yucky. You’re on your own, girl.

5. Flip flops and PRIDE

Bruises are our badges of honor! That doesn’t change just because they’re on your feet.

Okay so your turn… any foot weirdness from pole?

I kinda hate heels except for photo ops, but I’m sure they wreak all kinds of havoc…

HT,

Cathy

On telling 17 strange men I pole dance! (also known as this one time I went speed dating)

Posted on July 12, 2013July 28, 2016 by Cathy Vandewater

So I guess there’s no other way to tell this story than to admit I went speed dating.

I WENT SPEED DATING.

WHEEEEE.

Now that that’s out of the way…

This was my first time! I didn’t know what to expect, but my friend K (who’s done this several times over a few years) promised it would be cool and that there’s only a COUPLE of creeps.

I mean, I kinda didn’t care, because I’m in a phase right now where the thought of long term relationships kinda grosses me out (DON’T KILL MY VIBE, BOYS). So, more fun to meet a bunch of weirdos and have a story to tell than to accidentally meet some guy I have to pick out sheets with in a few months. Ew.

ANYWAY. Because I obviously didn’t care enough to try and look wife-like, I decided to conduct a sociological experiment: how will these guys treat me after I tell them I pole dance?

Better? Worse? Indifferent? Humping my leg?

So, I’d spend the first four minutes of my five minute dates being charming and polite and interested in their investment banking careers, and then blurt out the answer to their inevitable question: “So dance instructor, huh? What kind of dance?”

POLE DANCING. I DANCE ON POLES. I HANG UPSIDE DOWN IN TINY SHORTS WHILE TWERK MUSIC PLAYS.

(Okay that’s not what I said, but I was thinking it in sort of shrieking tones)

(I was nervous!)

“Actually,” I would say, leaning in and grinning conspiratorially (boys like that!), “believe it or not, I pole dance!”

And then you guys… the facial expressions… so, so priceless.

How to describe them: delight? bewilderment? happy surprise? disbelief?

What I did NOT get: judgment, horror, or an elevation in creepiness levels (I KNOW, I’M SHOCKED TOO).

They were all just kind of tickled and curious about it. A few had stories about cousins and friends who had taken lessons and loved it too. I think more than the actual pole dancing, the positive reactions I got were surrounding how passionate I am about dancing–how I would tell the story of how I loved it so much that I had to be at the studio fives times a week, and that’s how I got an offer to teach.

So I guess my conclusion is, most men are great. Like women, they liked to be surprised and intrigued. They like women with interests, hobbies, passions. Seeing that for myself made me like men even MORE. They’re people too, you guys! THEY ARE NOT ALWAYS JUST SEX OBJECTS. (jokes!)

And, bonus: K and I have dates on Saturday! I mean, not really, because they’re 24 years old. But, they’re semi-pro salsa dancers, and they invited us to their favorite club. How are we going to say no to that?!!

Do you guys typically just blurt out that you pole dance, or do you keep it closer to your chest?

Would you ever speed date?

LET’S DISH.

10 Reasons Why Pole is the BEST Antidote for Breakups (and Relationshits)

Posted on July 9, 2013December 10, 2014 by Cathy Vandewater

Where did the time go?! I just realized that it’s been almost 2 years since that fateful day that I first printed a Groupon for a pole dancing class and my life changed forever (or, for at least two years or so).

It was something I’d been curious about for a while, but I think the real push to actually GO to the class came from just getting out of a relationship.

Or, more accurately, a relationshit.

You know when you’re in a relationship, and nothing dramatic happens–no one cheats, no one beats up anybody’s siblings at family parties, no one has substance abuse issues–but things just… get shitty?

Like, the tone the other person uses to ask about your friend Joe’s job search just suddenly really pisses you off, or you have a three hour screaming fight because he doesn’t like that your ex works a block away from your office and is friends with you on Facebook, but Jesus, why can’t he just trust you? (Not taking this from real life, tooootally making it up. Cough cough).

It’s when you can’t remember the good feelings feelings you once had, because the bad ones pile up like manure on rose bushes and who can smell flowers through the overpowering aroma of shit, shit, SHIT?

Okay I’m being over-the-top here, but the point is, though the “slow fade” is totally the best kind of break up (since all the SWEET, SWEET FREEDOM overpowers the sad feelings), it’s still going to sting.

You’re still going to be lonely.

You’re still going to wonder if you’re really all that, without a boyfriend around as proof.

You’re going to need validation, the company of friends, and exercise.

Lady, you need pole.

Let me break it down for you:

Reasons Why Pole Will Help Immensely In Your Breakup Survival

1. You will look like a fine, fine dime piece (that he dropped, whoops, watch out, somebody else is picking that up!), thanks to a combination of serious toning and carrying yourself like a BOSS.

2. You can sweat out your pain without having to deal with the gym. And let’s face it, you need all the endorphins you can legally get.

3. You will make tons of supportive female friends. (Seriously. They will clap for you when you get a new trick. Everyone needs applause in their lives).

4. You can EXPRESS YOURSELF (Evanescence, anyone?).

5. You will be distracted (yay, learning new things! What’s his name again?)

6. You will have a place to go at a certain time that is not your apartment, where the ice cream and your cell phone is. Keep that schedule full, girl. Classes, classes, classes.

7. You will have new goals to keep your life on track (“I can’t drink myself into a stupor, I have a pole class in the morning and my Superman is soooooo close!”).

8. Your ex will cry when he finds out. (Mine did. They all do. Enjoy).

9. You will feel sexy and amazing about yourself without making any bad, boy-related decisions.

10. IN FACT: you’re going to get choosier about boys. You’re going to get choosier about everything in your life, because you realized through pole that you are AMAZING. You are strong and sexy, and you have a community behind you.

Him? Oh, like that Beyonce song, he’s replaceable. But you? He’s going to have to look looooong and hard for another one. And she probably still won’t come close.

Anybody else take up pole after breaking up? ADMIT IT! Or if it made your relationship awesome, tell me about that, too. GIVE ME HOPE.

Happy (single!) twirls,

Cathy

OW.

Posted on July 5, 2013February 19, 2014 by Cathy Vandewater

Hey party people!

Good news and bad news:

The good news is, I CAN DO A MARLEY.

Bad news: I BLEW OUT MY CALF.

Er, like, side-calf. Where your calf connects to something hard and probably important on the side of your leg.

Like, you know that cute little line down the outside of your calf? Yeah, that’s where things are ALL messed up.

I did the successful Marleys (BOTH SIDES) a week ago and felt something kinda… spasm… when I grabbed my feet. Now I can’t even crouch without falling over in a dramatic fashion, clutching my leg and making a crazy pain face.

…so what did I do?!!!! Have you guys experienced this? All my CPT friends insist on foam rolling the crap outta me, but it’s not helping 😐

Anyway, I hope I heal soon because GUESS WHAT GUESS WHAT: my freelance photog friend is going to help my document some of my tricks!

I’m super jazzed about somebody else taking pictures of me because the better my tricks get, the worse I am at taking capturing them. I mean, I can’t really get into a butterfly or marley before the 10 second timer on my camera goes off and not break my neck, you dig? So it’s been difficult trying to track my progress. Which is sad, because SHOWING OFF: I love it.

Anyway, what’s everybody working on? Are we all wussing out because it’s hot and nobody feels like doing anything difficult?

I have an air conditioner this summer for the first time in 6 years of living in New York, so, I’m really excited that I can practice at home this year! (And without coating my entire body in Dry Hands (!!)).

Fill me in: what’s new?

HT,

I Can Haz Choreography?

Posted on June 15, 2013August 7, 2013 by Cathy Vandewater

OMG, PROJECT.

(Please read that in the voice of Cher, re: makeovers).

SO, I’m working on a routine!

This is hard!

First, let me give you guys that advice I’ve been given, and then YOU give YOURS. Because, I’m stuck. I have this awful habit of re-inventing the wheel every time I dance to a song. No matter what I have written down (yes I’m being all official about it), every time my music starts, I do something different. HELP ME COMMIT.

Here’s what I’ve heard so far about The Process of choreographing (word? not a word?):

1. Choose 3 tricks and build your dance around them

This is sooooooo helpful. If you can think of the three tricks you want to include (your music can advise as to what feels right/fits the mood/theme), you can think about spreading them out well, THEN fill spaces between with transitional moves. GENUIS. I love a general layout for writing, why not dancing?

2. Waste time

It’s hard to remember while dancing (or choreographing) but it takes an audience at least a few seconds of watching a move to even register what you’re doing. So I think especially for the first 10-15 seconds of a song, extremely simple moves are a good way to ease into a dance… and make sure you’ve got everybody’s attention for when you’re ready for a trick.

3. Make a list

…of everything you know how to do.

For me, I wrote down key words/phrases of the song I’m using (Running, by Jessie Ware) and a few moves that kinda conjured that emotion for me.

Examples:

“falling” (back hook spin, Juliet spin, recliner)

“running” (hang man spin, half bracket hold with “walk,” pirouettes, headstand “walk outs”)

“I just go weak” (spin in arch, bridge slide, back bend with extended leg)

…and a bunch of other stuff I don’t have names for. (That’s the annoying thing about pole… not knowing what the heck to call the stuff you know how to do).

Anyway, that’s all I got, and I’m stuck, guys!

Here, listen to my song and tell me shit to do that you think would look good!

Also, please, share your tricks for getting the Choreography Muse to visit. I tried leaving her cookies and milk, but that might just work for Santa.

Happy twirls!

Cathy

“Snowden’s Girlfriend is a Pole Dancer!”: and other thoughts on hiding.

Posted on June 11, 2013February 19, 2014 by Cathy Vandewater

…that’s the first sentence somebody said to me when I got into work today. Of course, I had to clarify, “Wait, she’s a stripper, or a pole dancer? Because there’s a difference. Also, good morning!”

“She’s a pole dancer,” he said, “she has a blog!”

Welp, it looks like that blog is probably getting totally overwhelmed by curious people looking for PICTURES (IS SHE HOT IS SHE HOT), so, I guess let’s all discuss this more as things develop?

Meanwhile… do you guys ever worry that you’ll end up in politics and then your hobbies will come back to haunt you?

This type of thing has happened to me several times, but in different ways. Like that time this real estate agent was showing me the apartment I moved into. He asked all kinds of questions about my life on our first walk-through (being stupidly honest, I just told him I’m a writer and dance instructor, instead of making something up), which I guess led to him investigating me a little further. Probably by searching my name and the word “dance.” SUPER SPY.

Naturally, on our second meeting, he blurted out (while alone in his car with me, for extra creepiness), “So… WILL THERE BE ROOM FOR A POLE IN THIS PLACE??”

*Blink.*

“BECAUSE I DID A LITTLE GOOGLING…”

Ah, congratulations, sir. You’ve learned the fine art of search engines! How embarrassing for me that you have discovered that I pole dance!

I had to endure a few repulsive comments about how much my boyfriend must LOVE this (I don’t have a boyfriend, I told him, which only prompted a conversation about how I should use it to get one), but throughout the whole gross meeting I made one thing clear: I’m not hiding.

I mean, if I were, I probably wouldn’t have a blog with my name and photos plastered all over it.

In a way, yeah, it sucks being vulnerable to the wrong kind of attention. People think they can scroll through a few pictures and jokes about what I’m up to and know me, or worse, judge what kind of person I must be.

I guess in this age of Facebook, that was going to happen anyway. So I might as well celebrate something I love.

But then there’s the other stuff–the things I write about on here that I’m not super proud of. Feeling lost, falling in love with the wrong people, getting burnt out on pole, struggling…. yeah, just “struggling” pretty much covers it.

It’s not an accident that this stuff ends up posted. There’s definitely an edit button, and I’ll admit I’ve used it.

But as much as I love sharing my most flattering trick photos, I feel like it’s important to show the hard work and the mistakes and the blisters and the tears, too. In pole AND in life.

It’s not easy. Should that part be hidden?

Do you guys have any interesting “discovery” stories?

Fill me in!

Anyway, here’s what Jezebel makes of Snowden’s chick…

Blog Hop: Things I Wish I Had Known Before I Started Pole Dancing

Posted on June 5, 2013August 7, 2013 by Cathy Vandewater

Just saw this and couldn’t resiiiiiiiiiist… here’s what I wish I knew:

1. You can’t force everything with sheer willpower/stubbornness

I can’t tell you how many times I had decided a move was simply impossible, only to fall into it very easily on an attempt a month later (after weeks of struggling). When you’re ready, you’re ready. When you’re not, stop torturing yourself and work on something else!

2. Some people will never get it. Others will, and they won’t be the people you expect

My grandmother thinks it’s cool. My ex was horrified. Go figure.

3. Your body will change

I guess I assumed, like most people, that pole is all about upper body strength. So I was totally shocked when I got lower ab cuts and an entirely new ass. SWEET. (It comes in handy, too, because pole shorts are tiny).

4. And if you take a break, it will change right the fuck back

I learned this lesson the hard way. 3 weeks without pole, and a lot of occasions involving cake. 😐

5. You will get used to being upside down!

For the longest time, my body would scream NOOOOOOOOOOOOPE every time my feet went over my head. To the point where I almost thought, okay, I’m a spin girl, I’ll never really invert. Now my lack of fear scares me sometimes. (This is another “Don’t tell my mom,” thing guys!).

6. Everyone will judge you

Get used to it. And know that, by ignoring the haters and being the same person you always were, you can even change a few minds. That’s powerful!

~CV

SO. Thigh gap is now a thing?

Posted on May 22, 2013July 28, 2016 by Cathy Vandewater

OOOOOOH jesus.

So I read a piece today about this woman who bemoaned her young daughter’s future struggle with body issues, including a recent trend among youngins’ to seek the elusive thigh gap.

This bitch wrote like 3,000 words about why thigh gap shouldn’t be a thing.

Which I respect, but sometimes, paying attention to something retarded makes it more of a thing than it really deserves to be.

So, I did something I really wish I didn’t do: I got curious and Googled “Thigh Gap.”

You guys, there are entire Tumblrs dedicated to stick-ass legs. And e-How guides to achieving them. And blogs where girls cry over NOT having stick ass legs, and describe their self loathing and desire to kill themselves over it.

And all I can think is… really??????? DOES ANYBODY REALLY CARE ABOUT THE SPACE BETWEEN LEGS THIS SO MUCH?

Ladies, your bodies are not decorative. Do not seek out a 10-step plan to starve down parts of your body for a “desired look” (apparently a 1-inch gap is serviceable but a 2-inches is really the money); do not stare longingly at 14 year old Hungarian supermodels, hating your life because you are not gaunt Euro jail bait. Do not avoid physical activity because strong quads will ruin your aesthetic (which I can only assume is “scarecrow” or “baby horse).” These are all things that will ruin your happiness and squander your happy young time. Come on. Don’t do that.

Also, nobody’s looking at your goddamned legs, unless you are in Mean Girls, in which case, make your priority finding some new friends. And hobbies. Because “achieving thigh gap” is not going to be a thing you look back on fondly while reflecting on your life. Like, “God, I’m so glad that when I was 16 I ate carrot sticks for 2 weeks and FINALLY got that thigh gap going.” <====thing you will never think on your death bed.

WHAT IN THE WORLD IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE.

Okay, okay, I feel better now. Here’s a picture of me hanging by my legs and holding a bottle of Dry Hands for no reason. Because recliners are probably impossible with out that wonderful, squishy inner thigh fat. So let’s celebrate it a little, okay? It’s God-given, and you can hang upside down by it. Boss.

Happy twirls! (And squats… and eating)

Cathy

Summer Beauty and The Beast (AKA your pole).

Posted on May 20, 2013February 19, 2014 by Cathy Vandewater

Ignore the faces. Focus on the luscious, luscious skin of summer.

Okay, this is no secret to anyone that knows me, I’m sure, but, I’m a tad vain.

You would probably not know this to see me actually poling (I can’t post the last few practice vids I have because they’re in underwear. Like, I couldn’t find shorts and I was to lazy to bother looking for them, so I just wore underwear. That is how lazy I am about looks while poling). But IRL… yeah, I like makeup, hair, and some shimmery body lotion.

OH WAIT.

FUUUUUUUUUU.

SHIMMERY BODY LOTION IS SO NOT ALLOWED.

So, I don’t know about you, but pale dry skin is not my look, and pole, dude, you’re killing my vibe a little. I have parties to go to and backless dresses to wear. GET IT TOGETHER, POLE.

Anyway, here are my strategies so far for upping my summer skin game while not endangering my life on my pole. (I’m being careful Mom, I swear!)

1. OIL.

Hahahaha I know what you’re thinking, that is literally the worst idea ever. But here’s the thing ladies, you put it in a bathtub of water and soak in that shit. Softens up your skin a little, but doesn’t leave a layer of any glycerin nonsense that’s going to sweat out all over your 50mm.

2. A SHIT-TON OF LOTION

…the night before. Preferably with some exfoliation before hand, so you can soooooooak it up. Then just hop in the shower and rinse in the morning, real quick-like.

3. Moisturize from the INSIDE. (I said that in the voice from Zoolander… it’s IN THE COMPUTER. Did that come across?)

SO. We all know it’s important to stay hydrated while working out anyway, but tons of water is also a great way to keep flake free and look all glowy and toxin-less on the outside as well.

Also, this is going to sound a little woo-woo, but I’m a big fan of Hair/Skin/Nails vitamins. Listen, IT CAN’T HURT. Feeding your skin the building blocks of… skin… is always a good idea. SCIENCE.

4. Shimmer powder or spray

So if you’re doing the exfoliating and moisturizing at night thing (or a nice bathtub soak) your skin’s probably holding up pretty well and a quick dusting of power won’t make you look at weird and ashy. (Let’s hope). You can totally stuff made for this purpose, but I’ve made my own by crushing up some shimmery bronzer I didn’t like and shaking it with a little baby power. A quick swipe over chest, arms, and shins looks pretty (especially for night), but has no slippage side effects if your pole schedule is as unpredictable as mine. (Or you’re like a few of my friends who run to Saturday morning pole classes in Friday night’s makeup. GET IT, girls).

5. BONUS: YOUR NASTY FEET.

Oy. So for a long time I was just fruitlessly attacking my feet with a pumice thing. But let’s face it, those dusty studio floors and all the grinding into them you do with your feet (hello pirouettes) make for mutant-ass callouses. I recently graduated to a foot file (Ped Egg knock off, holla Duane Reade!) and I am never. Looking. Back. I have skin on my feet now that resembles normal skin. Not mutant dance foot skin. Combine that with some vaseline and socks over night and you are seriously set for a week. Meaning, you don’t have to lotion up your tootsies every day just to wear sandals without scaring people. Meaning, you can dance and climb a pole to your hearts content! Wheee.

Okay ladies, so what do you do differently during somewhere when your nasty pole skin is all exposed?

I know we’re all getting stared down about the bruises. I kinda DGAF about covering them, but if you have any tricks, do share!

Happy twirls!

Cathy