I learned how to make a pole dancing gif!

WHEEEE

a1n3rI

I love gifs. They’re so weirdly mesmerizing.

bitch i'm fabulous

So anyway, I was messing around on my pole this weekend (hence this gif), and decided to try a handstand.

And I was like… wow, okay, that went better than expected! It was definitely hard (you can see me shaking!) but I didn’t feel as scared or as disoriented as I usually do in an upside down, free-standing movement. Progress!

Note: this may seem obvious but it was helpful to me: I just started (literally, one class under my belt) this floorwork/capoeira-inspired class, and the teacher tells us to PUSH against the ground through hand-based movements. Really helpful for handstands on or off the pole! (LOL as if I have ever done a handstand off the pole, but I’m using my imagination).

I also got yet another failed try at taking my leg warmers off without stopping a dance. Listen, I don’t care, I WILL NEVER STOP TRYING TO MAKE THIS WORK. I’m convinced it can be done, somehow, someday.

Oh and here’s a still of my shirt flying up in a handstand with a filter, because why the f*** wouldn’t I put a filter on this? Filters on everything.

handstand

Here’s a photo of  how red my thighs were afterward–without a filter because my thighs are majestic on their own and don’t need one. (Sorry that this is also a closeup of my crotch, the proximity of thighs to crotch could not be helped. I made it small so as to be less offensive).dat burn

For real though, my thighs really hurt.

How’s everybody? Anyone want to do a music swap? Here’s what I’ve been listening to. Share something!

1. Otis Redding, Stand by Me

This version has the perfect amount of lilt for pole. #Classic

2. D’Angelo, Feel Like Making Love

D’Angelo on one of my playlists? Not a surprise. I don’t mind being predictable when it comes to consistently perfect pole music tho…

3. Jah Khalib, Out of My Head

I don’t know what language this is in. Russian? Give it a chance because the hook is hot fire.

4. ScHoolBoy Q, Collard Greens

This beat is really different from everything else on my playlists.

5. J. Cole, Wet Dreamz

Love the beat/vibe on this one.

XOXOXOXO

Does anyone ever dance to country music?

DISCLAIMER: I am a resident of New York City, which I think is one of the only cities in the United States that does not have a country radio station.

I am not a fan of country (mostly).

I am also not a fan of guns, pick-up trucks, large dogs, casual references to Jesus, etc, that many country songs contain. Though I do enjoy whiskey.

That said… I kind of like Miranda Lambert.

AM I HAVING AN IDENTITY CRISIS. Anyway, I was really, really tired of the hip hop, and while coding yesterday (yes, still doing that project, IT SHALL LAST FOREVER), I switched over to country music on Pandora.

And I.. I didn’t hate some of it.

(Except for Luke Bryan. He is everything I hate about country music poured into a person mold. And Rascall Flatts should just entitle all of their songs “This Is a List of Similes”)

Anyway, I got to thinking about pole (which I do it every 7 seconds, like men with sex), and started jotting down the name and band every time I heard a might-work-for-pole track.

Here’s what I came up with. You might totally hate it. Or it might make you think about your pole game in a different way and be totally refreshing!

1. I Feel a Sin Coming On, Pistol Annies

Miranda Lambert is in Pistol Annies. Did I mention that I love her?! I f***ing love her. You’re my spirit animal, ML!

2. Blowin’ Smoke, Kacey Musgraves

Okay I’m seeing a pattern in my country musics tastes: sassy women!

3. Undo It, Carrie Underwood

I know that feel, Carrie. Also, any relation to Frank? (soooooo much House of Cards).

4. Downtown, Lady Antebellum

I remember reading that Antebellum means “before the war,” and that a lot of country music celebrates that time (during which slavery was a thing), and that that’s kind of racist. Lady Antebellum got some crap for this. Anyway, I like this song. (This is becoming stream of consciousness because I’m exhausted).

6. Done, The Band Perry

I LOVE THE SHIT OUT OF THIS SONG. Kimberly Perry is so damn sassy. Bless her heart. (Not the correct usage?)

Okay that’s my list. Are you guys ready to disown me for these selections? Or do MOST people really like country music and I’m just in this geographical bubble so I don’t realize it?

HT 🙂

“There’s no nice thing to say to a woman that ends in “knife.””

This sketch perfectly captures both the spirit of today’s holiday and my problem of finding music to pole to that isn’t insanely degrading. You’re gonna die when “em” raps. Enjoy!

http://m.worldstarhiphop.com/video.php?v=wshhgKQ60u9gbNXTvhn1

Oh, and Happy Valentine’s day!!! Hope everyone, attached or single, did something nice and a little special for themselves and someone they love. Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo 🙂

Pole Jams ’12: Your Ultimate Playlist

Awkward still of Chris Brown showing his abs in the “Strip” video. Why? BECAUSE I CAN.

Hey Y’all!

Sorry I haven’t written in so long… shit has been CRAY CRAY.

Luckily, it’s all in good ways–classes have been intense, and we just had a packed open house. I taught a few intro pole classes, but the best part was sitting in on the “exotic stuff” that I usually don’t get to see… lap dancing,  the “wiggle it jiggle it” booty class (booty booty booty rockin’ everywhere!), and an amazing chair dance demo.

Of course, half the fun for me in watching the other instructors was sneaking a listen at their playlists. The music is a huge part of why I love dancing. And getting to pick my playlists for class? YES PLEASE. So sorry students, but we DO have to listen to “Creep” by TLC at least every other week. THAT’S HOW I ROLL.

Anyway, after shamelessly incorporating a few new jams from the routines I saw last week, it got me thinking…. let me share my weird-ass favorite pole songs!

I know when I was just starting out I was desperate for good tracks to dance to. So here ya go–10 sweet-ass tracks to get you started, and, with one or two exceptions, I can guarantee that you’re not sick to death of them!! Cause they’re super-weird, guys!

1. Tonight (Best You Ever Had), John Legend

I bold faced stole this from the lap dance demo I saw. Sexy but not raunchy, it’s a great performance song… even if your audience is just a bewildered guy in a chair.

2. Careless Whisper, Seether

Sometimes I get tired of hip hop (very, VERY rarely) and this little bit of grit is such a palate cleanser. Great for floor work, and lots of bump and grind level changes.

3. Look After You, The Fray

This is such a sweet slow jam… great for a more emotional dance, or where you’re going for a more artistic, less sexy routine.

4. Strip, Chris Brown ft. Kevin McCall

Great performance piece–upbeat, sexy, and under three minutes! Nuff said.

5. Quickie, Miguel

Ugh, so. frickin’. sexy. Great spin song, especially extended ones, with a little pirouette work. It’s got the perfect lilt for a little bit of playing around between moves.

6. Keep It In the Closet, Michael Jackson (For extra fun, this vid is an amazing pole dance by Miss Pole Dance Ukraine, 2011!)

High energy and “different.” Perfect practice track to throw on when you’re exhausted and frustrated with inverts 😛

7. Kick Your Game, TLC

Cute, sexy, but not trying too hard–great “dancing for other dancers” song. Plus a few moments where the music slows down to throw a pose on. Love!

8. Fool That I Am, Etta James

Vintage pole song! This is unbelievable sensual, emotional, and romantic to dance to. Also, a great build up on the last 30 secs to toss a big trick in. Try it on your S.O. 😉

9. I’m Doin’ Me, Fantasia

Empowerment song. When I’m dancing through boy trouble, I play this.

10. Play With Fire, Hilary Duff

You guys, I don’t know why I like this song. It just kinda kicks ass. I like the words. LEAVE ME ALONE. Personal preferences aside, this is great for a trick-loaded routine. It’s very well suited to snappy movements and hair flipping.

Also, “You can’t make up for what you’ve done, but you still try to be the one” is every girl’s life, right? 😛

BONUS: SEXIEST SONG EVER CREATED.

Just kidding ;)but if you can successfully pole dance to that, please send me a video and you’ll be my hero for life.

Actually, just for fun, here’s 5 terrible songs to dance to:

1. Mystery!

2. Bet you wish you knew!

3. Oh man, SUSPENSE!

4. You know this one’s gotta be good…

5. BEST FOR LAST.

Oh PS, my studio’s having an AMAZING promotion right now–45 bucks for $115 worth of classes (ie. a 5 class card). Having been to at least half of the studios in the great NYC area, I can tell you that you’re almost never going to do better than $25 an hour… and this breaks down to $9! GET ON IT, it’s only up for 2 days!

And while you’re at it, don’t forget to request MOI for your first lesson ;)Here’s the schedule, snitches, come get me!!

Happy Twirls!

Cathy