So, having one of those New York weeks where you get really exhausted running the marathon, trip, and then get trampled by everyone. I’m working on getting up again, but for now… Charlie Chaplin always makes me feel better.
This is why I’m fat.
Here’s a quick, three-part summary of the last month: the first part stuck was spent entirely indoors (Sandy), the second part lazing about on the futon with a cold, the third part, cooking then (of course) consuming cheesecake and pie.
Here’s the thing with pole: you get spoiled. You can eat what you want and not worry about it, because your body genuinely needs and will use the food. But then things happen, like your studio closes for the holidays, and it’s totally too cold in your apartment to put on shorts, and your fitness game slips.
Now I don’t like eating much junk food, per se… you won’t catch me with white bread, spray can cheese, bologna, or doughnuts very often. (Actually, now that I typed that out it all sounds delicious together. WHATS HAPPENING).
But I will eat with abandon, until I am full. I don’t worry about calories and fat, so long as I’m getting enough good stuff into my body. Sweet potato french fries? Vitamin A! Guacomole? Healthy fat! Whole grain tortilla chips with flax seeds? Fiber! As long as a food is mostly “real,” with some sort of nutritionally redemptive qualities, I’ll put it in my face. Seriously. And in all honestly, this tends to work just fine for me.
But… then I stopped exercising. I was rehearsing a belly dance routine with my NEW DANCE PARTNER (okay it’s actually an old friend but WE HAVE JOINED FORCES! CAPITAL LETTERS!!!1!!!!) when I noticed my undulation was looking extra… undulationy.
Kinda like this:
Anyway, we have a show coming up (OMG YOU GUYZ, BELLYDANCE SHOW!!!!! More dets soon, I promise), and I had the startling realization that I can NOT be dancing around in a half shirt like this.
So here are the new lifestyle rules, until I look more like my normal self:
First things first: no more alcohol.
Wait wait wait, I’m not an alchy, hear me out! I’m talking wine and beer. I’ve been doing a lot of holiday socializing and that means a hideous combination of chips, the aforementioned guac, and the better half of a six pack.
Want to get fat? Slow down your metabolism with alcohol and THEN pig out without exercising! Super efficient. I’ve tested this method and been extremely successful.
Another really awful thing I’m doing: too much hookah. This doesn’t really make you fat… but it does make you wheezy and lethargic, which is not terribly conducive to exercise.
I’ve been spending way more time in the belly dance community, so to speak, and thusly, spending most of the three hours watching dancing and eating hummus with a pipe in my mouth. THREE HOURS. Imagine chain smoking that long. I’m suddenly panicked that I have emphysema.
Anyway, I’ve been over my cold for at least 2 weeks so there’s no reason I should be this tired and still coughing. I’m blaming the several hours worth of hookah with friends, several times a week. For like, 2 months.
(I know, bad. Really, really bad).
Anyway, my final solution (too German?) is: pole dance, duh!!!!
I’m committing to at least an hour, 3 times a week. Practice, classes, whatever. And on off days, conditioning and/or stretching. Just some kind of activity to remind me to stop being a fat fatty who is getting kind of fat.
I was watching a video I took of some practice dances just a month ago and I can’t believe how different my ass already looks. How can things change so much in one month?! I guess this is a symptom of the late twenties settling in. Ew.
Anyway, tips for me? Please? Pole usually kicks my butt pretty efficiently, but if you’ve got any workout or diet secrets you swear by, please share!!
Classes this week: Thursday and Saturday! Check the schmedule.
Happy Twirls!
Cathy
Cross training adventures: chair dance
The only reason for having your own rules about things is to completely break them, right?
I don’t really like when people confuse pole dance with exotic dance. I mean, you can have pole dancing without stripping, and stripping without pole dancing. They’re not mutually exclusive.
So I like to mouth off about how I’m purist, and pole dance is dance, and it’s not to be confused with stripper stuff like rolling around on the floor and spreading your legs excessively. Because I don’t do THAT.
Well, yeah. In the words of Rick Perry… oops.
A friend was taking a chair dance class and invited me along. And, to be honest, I wanted a break from all the pain and bruising for a while.
I feel kinda wimpy since laying around my house during hurricane sandy, and I need baby steps to get me back in the studio.
Also, my floor work definitely needs help, so I figured something slower and bendier might be in order. Besides, there’s no way “chair” could be harder than pole, right?
Yeah, it was hard. The class was only 45 minutes and I was sweating within 10. By the end, my legs were shaking and I was feeling lactic acid burn in my abs. And I train my abs, a lot! Go figure.
Here’s the thing: getting your legs straight and close to your face is not easy. Keeping them there while you open and close in patterns in much harder. Doing all that while balancing on the edge of a chair: SUPER FRICKIN’ HARD.
How great to have these moves in your arsenal though, right? Now when I want to do a mini workout before bed, screw sits up and push ups–I’m going to run through my chair routine! It’s got all the power ab and quad work with a nice side of flexibility training and floor-work drills.
And BONUS: while I have a personal policy against exploiting my pole moves for sex appeal, I have no such rule for chair dancing. So I totally did my new routine for a kinda-sort-boyfriendy type.
He liked it 😀
Anyway, I don’t think I’m going to move on to “lapdance” classes any time soon, but I really, really dug chair and I’m thinking about spending a little more time on floor work/dance moves in general for pole.
What do you guys do for cross training when you’re bored of pole? Do you separate pole from other “exotic” arts, or would you give another genre of sexy dance a try?
Don’t forget, there’s a new website for my studio! So make sure to sign up for my Monday spin class HERE.
Also, speaking of floorwork (and because I’m a bad business woman and I love giving other instructors my students), Alieesah is teaching an amazing Sensual Floor work class right before me. GET ON IT, seriously. I’m going to try and sneak in myself, if I can. 6-7pm, snitches!
Happy twirls!
Cathy
Dicking around after class!
12 people in my intro to pole today…. not that I’m complaining, but DAY-UM. Kinda felt like a choir director 😀
Anyway, here’s some shots I took after stuffing a camera down my shirt. Practice! It’s important.
Cracking the Jenyne Butterfly climb
Hey y’all,
Wow, so I got lazy and took like two weeks off of practicing and I’m really feeling it.
You know you haven’t danced in a while when you’re bruising again. Whoops.
I’ve been feeling kinda blue and burned out so I’ve been trying to trick myself into falling in love with pole again. Kinda like taking your spouse on a date, or making your boyfriend speak with an English accent and messing up his hair so you can pretend he’s Rob Pattinson.
I digress.
First I tried my pole on spin mode. I think I first attempted this for about 5 seconds when I first got my X-Pole and filed the experience under NEVER AGAIN.
Staying on a spinning pole when you’re a rookie must be what riding a mechanical bull feels like. That sucker DOES NOT want you on. Also, Centrifugal Force is a bitch!
This time, I got all smug like, whatevs, I can handle this now, so I tried again. And yeah, I did better, but, I’m a wimp and I dizzy quickly.
(I think I’m going to try it for 10-15 mins at a time, just to get used to it and work on staying in control. Because you can get reaally out of control on a spinning pole. It’s kind of amazing, but yeah, a little too difficult and sickening for long periods of time).
Anyway, I decided to pick a couple of tricks/style points to master. I’m still working on my headstand mount, but I’m a little scared of cracking my head open at home without a spotter, so instead, I’m working on style stuff.
My first mission: the Jenyne Butterfly climb. (Sorry it look me like eight paragraphs to get to the point, guys).
If you haven’t seen it… this is Miss Jenyne Butterfly, making climbing look insanely easy (dig it at 0:19).
Funny how, with her technique (which is in fact more difficult than your average climb), getting air looks effortless. I hate it/lerve it.
Anywho, I’m working on it, and here’s a couple of finer points I’m trying to crack that might help you as well:
1. Push/pull
So basically, with Jenyne’s climb, you’re lifting both legs from a dead hang. Hence, you gotta keep your body from collapsing into the pole as you do this. If you look closely, you can see she has her bottom wrist locked and is pressing her whole forearm flush against the pole. (It took me an embarrassingly long time to figure out that this is what she was doing). This is the push arm! (Duh). The other is the pull arm (ultra-Duh!).
2. Pointed toes
Yeah, it’s really hard to to grip a pole without flexing your inside foot to grab it around your ankle, but the effect is totally worth it. You’re really going to have to rely on the grip your “push” arm is getting, and you may need a little grip aid on the tops of your feet. Test is a few times with your traditional climb to find the “sweet spot” where your ankle dips in enough for this not to hurt (though I guarantee you’ll bruise, sorry!)
3. Even knees
If you’re used to a one leg-then-the-other climb, it’s going to feel really weird bringing both knees up and gripping at the same time. I recommend getting into position and just practicing the first lift over and over (switching push-pull arms!) before you try making your way up the pole.
I hope everybody tries this and lets me know how it goes!
I may have a new bruise collage by the end of this, but I’m not quitting!!!
PS. Classes this Thursday, and another open house is coming up! Check the schedule for more info.
Happy twirls!
Cathy ❤
I’m in the New York Post today… on a pole!
Look! Here’s me, making my parents proud!
Haha, kidding, they’re okay with it… mostly.
(FYI: This is just a picture of the full length photo, which is only the print version, so pick it up!)
Anyway, here’s the back story: I had a nasty breakup and ended up on OK Cupid (per the realization that everybody else I know is on it and no one’s been murdered). (YET).
Funny enough, the only non-creepy message I got was from the dating editor at the NY Post, asking if I’d like to be set up for Meet Market (TM). I guess pole=marketability?
Long story short, there’s a photographer at my house (!!!!) so yes, that pic is my room and my beautiful, beautiful X-Pole making its stunning debut. Glad I remembered to polish the Dry Hands off first!
I still haven’t been on my date yet, but (SPOILER ALERT) I picked the trainer. Because I don’t already work and live with enough trainers. I needed an extra person in my life to give me dirty looks for eating a bagel. 😀
Jokes! I love my trainer friends and I’m going to bribe them very soon to give me a specialized pole workout and stretches I can share with you guys.
Anyway, click the link, stalk my write up, and feel free to vote? Because make the guys feel good?
❤ and don’t forget, classes on Monday!!!
Happy Twirls!
Cathy
PS. A little pimpage for the Dating Editor at the Post, Jozen Cummings… he has an awesome blog “Until I Get Married” and he’s generally a doll, so, check his shit out!
Getting MAD FIT in 8 super weird places
Ah, more reasons to love pole. So. Freaking. Much.
I know a lot of people dance to mix up their work out routines (great idea, by the way!), but fitness has always been just a nice plus of pole for me.
I mean… I’m the type that gets really frustrated when my muscles start giving out because dang, I wanted to practice that one thing one more time!
But the weird thing is, it’s always super random muscles that get tired from pole. Last night I had to give laybacks a rest not because my legs were giving out, but because my big toe was cramping.
Seriously?
Seriously big toe? You’re going to play me like that?
As our instructors like to say though, you can’t ignore even the little muscle issues because a toe cramp can definitely screw with your leg muscles, which can in turn screw with your grip.
Which can then screw with your head. Because you landed on it. OH SNAP.
But seriously, cramps aside, here are weird muscle groups I’ve noticed I’m accidentally keeping in top condition:
1. Inner thighs
Okay this is actually pretty awesome. I remember being in middle school and finding out what “thunder thighs” meant for the first time, staring at my legs for a bit, then frantically doing leg lifts out of my mom’s Jane Fonda book.
Eventually though, I realized “spot reducing” is kinda BS, and resigned myself to a little inner thigh chub. NBD, right?
NOT UNTIL YOU HAVE AMAZING INNER THIGHS. Holy crap, trying not to die while hanging upside down from your thighs is like, the best training ever, apparently, because my inner thighs are looking boss. I mean, I guess I’ll take it?
2. Deltoids
This kinda pisses me off, because I assumed that pole dance would trick out my arms. Nope, just the shoulders.
In fact, the contrast between my super tight delts and loose, ever-so-floppy triceps just makes the whole arm situation look worse. Damn you, fiercely toned delts. Damn you to hell.
3. Calves
Can’t pretend to be angry about this. “Imaginary high heels” at all times (ie. standing on your toes) makes for some awesome, accidentally toned calves that look baller in real heels.
Downside: the shame of running in shoes with lifts in the back. The guy at the shoe store was horrified by by my apparent muscle imbalances, so that’s what I ended up with.*Shame*.
4. Forearms, wrists, and hands
This is kind of a do or die situation, really. After I weaned myself off Dry Hands (grip aid’s a hell of a drug!), my wrists and hands had to get stronger… because I couldn’t really spare any more skin rubbing off, and they must have known that.
I mean, I guess my forearms never really looked fat or anything, but I can the difference. I find myself giving very intimidating handshakes. Though that could also be the cray cray callouses I have, that are scary people. Whoops.
5. Obliques
ROCK ON, I love my new side abs! Kinda wish the rest of the abs would catch up, but I’ll take what I can get. I think it’s all the leg swinging, twisting, and wrapping, but I can actually see individual, Bat-man ablets happening along my rib cage. That’s DEFINITELY a pole perk.
6. Upper back
Holy god is all I can say about this. In addition to posture improvement, my upper back is mighty fine in the muscle department. I think it’s safe to say that this is where the majority of effort is coming from in pole, not arms (at least with spins).
7. Feet and ankles
Weird, right? But all the push offs, the climbing, the ankle hook make their mark. I’m hoping this helps with running, since the top of my feet tend to get tired. Is there a word for that muscle? Moving on.
8. Biceps
Okay this is not a weird muscle. But yes, climbing and inverting will tone the shit out of it.
Any weird places you’ve noticed firming up with pole?
How about muscles you WISH would get stronger, to help with dance?
I work with a lot of personal trainers at my day job so I’m thinking of asking them for help with a strength building routine. If they give me a baller work-out, I’ll be sure to share!
Happy twirls!
Cathy
I believe I can flyyyyyy
Literally.
So first of all, HI SNITCHES! I’ve been away… doing a little of this:
And a teeny, tiny bit of this:
Baaaaaaaaaaaallin’.
So basically, my birthday happened (eww, getting old, gross) which meant a pilgrimage to my home country (upstate New York) to hang out with my parents and re-enact parts of my childhood, like looking at my mom’s flower bed, walking around the block with my lil sis, and going flying with my dad.
My dad, who’s closing in on his 1000th hour in the sky, has been flying since the 70’s for fun…. because people did weird shit like that for fun in the 70’s.
I was raised on 20 minute trips to the Oneida County Airport, saying “Niner niner!” and the gumball machine by the Upstate Flying Club sign out counter. (Gum helps you equalize your ears, which was always my excuse for begging for some, pre-flight).
A few years ago, while I was still coming home for the summers, I was even working on my pilot’s license, to my dad’s delight. I had a female flight instructor named Adina that I paid for with my lifeguarding money ($75 an hour!), studied my flash cards, and wrote in flight sessions in my log book. All until I ran out of money and moved to New York City to be A Writer.
Now, not so much to my dad’s delight, I dance on poles. And write! But it’s the dancing on poles part that I know bugs him.
My mom’s having a hard time with my new hobby too.
They were both okay with my illustrious bellydance career (I was in an off-off-off broadway show!), but, though that arguably involved less clothing, it was more easily put in the “art” category of dance.
Now, even when I try to tell my parents about climbs, spins, and inversions I’m working on (so not sexy! This is totally a serious sport!) they tell me I’ll paralyze myself.
You’ll shoot yer eye out, kid!
It’s impossible to win: do spinning and floorwork, you’re too sexy. Do inversions and holds, you’re PUTTING YOUR LIFE IN DANGER, CATHY.
*sigh*
Truth of the matter is, pole IS sexy. It DOES involve your body, and scantily-cladness.
Maybe that’s okay.
Our manager likes to say at EDC that it takes balls to call ourselves “Exotic Dance Central,” while it’s easier to go by “pole fitness” something or other, and not offend anybody.
But at the end of the day, whatever stereotypes or fears people have about connections to The Industry That Shall Not Be Named, pole dancing is still dancing on a pole. Some people are going to call it exercise, some people are going to call it stripping. But what is really is is dance.
Use it to get fit. Use it to feel sexy. Use it for whatever you can get from it, and enjoy every minute.
Just don’t use it for approval from others–because that might be a taller order.
I especially know my dad will be a hard sell, since he still sees me as a 5 year old wearing a huge headset and chewing gumballs. But I’m going to keep working on him. I have this hunch that when you’re doing things with a pure heart, other people will come around.
Meanwhile, I did get SOME family approval during my trip–from my little sis (not so little at 23). She picked up my camera while I was out and found a few practice videos. I was immediately concerned when she told me she watched them, but she just smiled and said… “That was really cool.”
Gotta love family.
How do you guys talk to your family about dance? Do you feel like you get a lot of judgement from people?
Spins class tonight at 7–I’m back and getting straight into the swing of things 🙂
Happy twirls!
Cathy
Breakthrough!!!
First layback and first chopper achieved in the space of one week. Also hitting my first successful headstand mounts. All those reverse crunches are paying off!
On a separate note, anybody in the Tri-state area, go see Sweet Charity at The New Harlem Arts Theatre, featuring one of my amazing students on pole!
Oh, and last day for 60% off a 5 class card at EDC! You can buy here.
Happy twirls!
Cathy
Pole Jams ’12: Your Ultimate Playlist
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!
4. You know this one’s gotta be good…
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
The Spin Diaries: Your Guide to Everything Pole and Aerial 