This blog blossomed in 2010 to chronicle my adventures in pole dance after weight loss surgery. Although I am pole dancing less these days, I still hike and do yoga. I sometimes still have to remind myself that the size of my body doesn't dictate my worth. I believe living a life full of gratitude and joy helps lead to a true mind, body and spirit connection.
If you've been following me lately, you know I've been on the hunt for inversions. If you haven't, you can check out my Month 2 update HERE. September began with recovery from NCPP, a long weekend and a trip to Las Vegas for Pole Expo. So, I missed the first two weeks of Bottoms Up class with Janet. I did make it to lyra twice with Jen. I did a choreography class with Jill. Plus, I did a floor flow workshop with Morgan. I also performed (if you could call it that -- I could barely walk in those heels) at Robert's Twirl for a Cause show. I feel like I got some decent practice in this month. At my final Bottoms Up class for September (just last week), my first chopper actually felt strong. I felt like *I* actually lifted myself up. You won't be able to tell on the video, but I felt it and Janet felt it. The choppers that followed went back to feeling like Janet was pushing me into them. BUT, that is PROGRESS! I have been frustrated because I feel stronger in lyra than I do in pole. Maybe because I can throw myself around a little easier in lyra. So this was the first time I felt stronger in pole as well. I am so excited!
So enjoy some videos and photos from the previous month of strength training and fun!
Preparing for a photoshoot at Pole Expo in Vegas
We love our Vegas nudies
Jill's Pony routine:
Learning new things in Lyra wearing my new She-Fit bra, which I loved!
Whoops...sideways chopper:
Flowing with Mo:
Look who hauled her ass up into the tall hoop!
Robert's show:
I did it! Almost by myself!
Mermaiding...cuz mermaiding
Something about these glasses automatically makes you a bad ass
I just completed Month 2 of Operation Upside Down. And by using the word "completed," I just mean that the month did, in fact, happen. My last update was from Week 4, and you can read that HERE.
August is the month of Northern California Pole Presentational. We had our fourth annual event on Saturday, August 26. It is an entire day of pole dancing. We set up Friday. Practice starts at 7 AM on Saturday, and the show runs from about 9 AM to 5 PM. Then we tear it all down. The entire month of August each year is generally spent collecting and organizing music for 70+ dancers, making spreadsheets, signs and lists, writing the script, gathering information from sponsors and vendors, designing a program, etc. Basically, I get off work and I go home to park it on the couch and work some more. I also started doing hospice volunteer work recently, and that has added to my already full plate (although it is rewarding work). I did make it to a few classes sprinkled throughout the month, however, I was certainly not in gain-strength mode. Last night was the final day of August -- my 41st birthday -- and my final chance to squeeze in a class before month 2 ended.
Do I feel stronger? Yes and no. I kept up my yoga practice, and I also tried lyra during the month of August (I did a lot better than I expected). I am sure I have mentioned before that I gauge my general strength based on how I feel during "chaturanga." My chaturanga is decent right now. I don't crash chest first into the floor as I start to lower. However, when I tried chopper last night, I felt awkward and weak again. Perhaps it was because I hadn't choppered all month. I feel like Janet really has to push me into the move. Ellen had mentioned last week that I may want to try kind of pushing off of Janet's arm so I'm having to push my own ass into the move. I worry I'd break Janet. She's mighty but she's so tiny.
So anyway, here are some videos from August. Slow and steady wins the race, right??
Starting Month 2:
Practicing on vacation even:
First lyra class (don't wanna go backwards):
Upside down with Jen:
Routine with the Dizzy Divas:
Second lyra class (falling backwards like a champ now):
And last night's chopper with Janet:
Thank you to everyone who is being patient while I slowly navigate the upside down world! I know I play around a lot but I really am enjoying the process.
So, I have completed an entire month of Bottoms Up with Janet! I feel like I'm already making progress, and I will probably move to monthly updates from here on out (unless I do something amazing, of course).
Check out some videos from class last week below:
Plus, here's the mini routine we did with Grace on Monday:
So last week was Week 3 of Operation Get Lori Upside Down. On Monday, I took a class with Grace (gotta keep that flow and dance going) and Thursday, I had Bottoms up With Janet. Although I do feel stronger each time I go in, I also don't feel like there's that much of a difference between this week and last week. I did throw my head backwards a little better on that chopper attempt. Thank goodness for Janet's patience and instruction!
I feel like I have spent most of my pole dancing "career" not trying very hard and kind of using humor to hide the fact that I'm not advancing. It is time to put up or shut up.
I appreciate the messages and comments that I am receiving on my videos and photos. It really is nice to have so much love and support on this journey!
My hip and knee won't allow me to grab the pole in the right spot
So, here we go. The project is underway. Last week was Week 2 of Operation/Project Get Lori Upside Down. I started July by joining Janet's Bottoms Up class at Twirly Girls. I really have so many things to work on.
1. My fear. Of falling and of failing. Right now, my own head is the biggest thing holding me back. Literally. I need to throw that thing backwards and just let my body follow.
2. I need to get stronger. Ellen suggested pilates to help strengthen those abs so I am doing that two mornings a week.
3. I need to get more flexible. My hips and knees always seem to be in the wrong places. I am back into my amazing yoga class 2-3 times per week, as well as doing some morning exercises each day.
So, here is a video of Janet attempting to get me to helicopter backwards. I kept grabbing the pole with my toes. Eventually I did make it kinda backwards and kinda 'coptered. It's a work in progress. I mean, that's the point, right?
I think this will be my move to measure my progress for now. She did get me into a straighter leg version but I just can't yet get my hips up over my head to let my head and body drop back far enough. You can see that below. Again: Work in progress.
Oh yeah, and if you like my outfit, check out Artista Apparel. Use ABALM10 for 10% off any non-sale items!
Thank you to Janet for being so patient with me! I may be your most challenging student ever!
The Milli Vanilli of Pole returned with an original piece for Twirly Girls' 8th Annual Lovely Rita Fundraiser to benefit the National Kidney Foundation.
I have received the photos from my Las Vegas underwater shoot with Brett Stanley, The Underwater Photographer.
Brett was incredibly patient during the shoot. The nose plug didn't fit properly at first, so I took on some water. We went over the poses I wanted to do....then we scrapped the plan and he suggested poses I could actually do. Once you're in the water, everything changes. It was fairly difficult to get myself positioned, actually stick to the pole, then make a face that wasn't completely hideous. The panic of NEEDING air took over more than once.
I really love the end result though. And now that I understand how the whole thing works, I'd love to do another one and plan better poses. Check them out below:
