Operation Upside Down: Months 9 and 10

I had hoped to be reporting major gains after my disappointing update two months ago.  However, over the last two months, I have had more of the same.  Sick.  Tired.  Lazy.  I did find out I was slightly anemic last month, so that (with some other low numbers) were probably contributing to my exhaustion.  I was also sick for over two weeks straight.  I increased my vitamins, am back on my protein shakes, and have already noticed a huge difference in how I feel.  I am back to getting up at 5:30 AM for mini-workouts, am walking more, stretching at night and am ready to get back to Twirly Girls full time.  I have been marching around my house in my new seven inch heels so I can get more comfortable walking in them (which ends up being a workout).  I am not fully back to my flexibility training but feel like I am almost ready to get back to that as well.  My knee doesn't necessarily hurt anymore but I have a general tightening of my hips and knee, which is making me nervous.  I just can't sit on my knees or squat down for long periods of time.  I don't want to lose mobility but I don't want to injure myself.  There has to be a middle ground.

That being said, I still feel strong.  I kept up with my yoga practice, and I feel like that is always my saving grace.  I also feel like it's time for a change.  I had been feeling lost for the last few months because I wasn't really sure the purpose of my need to get upside down.  Just to say I did it?  Was I going to get good enough to drop it into a routine?  I really still don't know.  But what I do know is that I have been away from flowy dance classes too long and I feel like I'm losing my ability to free dance.  So, I was excited to find out that Janet was going to start teaching a movement class on Wednesdays.  Beginning this week, I will use lyra to get strong and pole movement to learn how to flow.  I am really excited about my new schedule!

Despite being light on classes (again), I still have a few highlights from the past two months.  You can see those below:




I also joined Wildcat Parlour, LLC for the Empowerment Through Movement day in March.  I took Jen's class, then taught the Closer routine.  I was nervous because my knee still hurt a a bit, so I was stiff and unable to spend a lot of time on my knees, but I otherwise did pretty well.  You can read about that and see videos at the link below:

http://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2018/03/empowerment-through-movement.html

Spinning Pole with Ellen:







Heels with Ellen:













So, here's hoping next month, I will have a better update for everyone!  Cheers!

Get upside down with a yoga inversion chair!

So last night I missed pole class.  I had to get my door handle replaced and would have had to rush out to class.  I decided instead to set up my yoga inversion chair, which was recommended by someone in my plus sized poler group on Facebook.  It was AWESOME!  So easy to put together and use.  I am going to get a ton of use out of it.  Now everyone is asking me where to get it, so I figured it was easiest to put out a blog.  I got it on Amazon.  Link below!  I also did a little video for my friend, Keri, so you can check that out as well. 

As most of you know, I am six months into Operation Upside Down.  You can check out my latest blog on that HERE.

Want one for yourself?

Get it on Amazon!

 

Try it out, then let me know what you think!  Happy inversions!

Operation Upside Down: MONTH SIX!

I can't believe we are already six months into this project.  Although I still struggle lifting into a chopper, I can definitely throw myself into an invert.  Now, whatever happens next still leaves much to be desired, but I CAN get upside down.  If you want to see my month five update, click HERE.  December was another light month for me.  I was in Vegas and I missed another class because I was on a date.  I also only made it to lyra once.  I haven't been to yoga much in the last two weeks either.  Basically, I've been a lazy butt.

Here's how the month went!

I celebrated my 8th twirliversary on December 2nd!

Bad side first:



The slowest shoulder roll ever:



Lyra:

Operation Upside Down: Month 2

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. 

Thank you for the birthday love, Twirlies!!! 

Operation Upside Down: Week 4

Photo by Elle Aime Photography

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:

Operation Upside Down: Week 3

8 years as a TG!

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!




Chopper attempt with Janet:



Dancing with the Graceful Movers:

ABALM10 for 10% off non-sale items at Artista

Twinsies

Operation Upside Down: Week 2

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 Underwater Photoshoot in Vegas...

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:

Dangerous Curves V

I would like to congratulate Tausha Ostrander for taking the Dangerous Curves reins from Roz THE DIVA Mays, and putting on a successful event earlier this month in Denver.  I had the pleasure of attending the event and was impressed with Tausha's hard work.  The competitors did an amazing job as well!  I know how difficult it is to plan an event of this magnitude, and I cannot imaging doing it alone.

I really appreciate the safe space that Roz and Tausha have created, which allows plus sized pole dancers to compete.  Although I have often heard that plus sized dancers should just compete at the level in which they feel they are able, I do recognize that our bodies are not usually built the same as our "straight sized" counterparts.  We often have to move boobs out of the way, or we have more thigh skin that shifts when we try to attach ourselves safely to the pole.  Competing against other dancers that face the same challenges evens the playing field.

I have often blamed my size for my inability to invert or climb well.  Mama Bel has recently stopped accepting my whining and excuses and has been forcing me to do the work -- basically, each week I am climbing and inverting in class.  Watching these ladies do so many of the moves that I keep telling myself I'm too big to do makes me realize I really am just making excuses.

Congratulations again to Tausha for putting on a great event and to all of the competitors for sharing their souls with us!  I look forward to next year!

5th Annual Pole Expo

Timber Brown

Just a few days ago, I returned from my epic adventures at the 5th Annual Pole Expo.  I have attended four out of five years.  2013 was pretty epic as I was in my walking boot post foot surgery.  And 2014 ended up being epic thanks to me flipping out of the fly gym, smashing my face on the ground and injuring my foot and spine.

In 2016, I successfully attended Expo without injury.  I did not arrive with any injuries and I did not leave with any.  I am not counting the fact that I hurt my back dragging my 50 pound suitcase around BART on my way home -- I made it out of Vegas injury free!!

This trip was a whirlwind.  I flew in last Thursday and essentially went straight to my room to get ready for the Pole Classic competition and showcase.  The Mighty Grip team kindly invited Robert, Janette and me up to their VIP suite.  I have to say this was one of their best shows. 

Underwater with Brett Stanley

Friday began with a floor workshop with Rafaela Montanaro.  I am not super flexible and the room was packed way too tightly, so I feel like I didn't get to perform well.  I also feel like it is difficult to learn a routine in an hour.  I did, however, video it and want to work on it further at the studio.  I then had an underwater photoshoot with Brett Stanley.  It was an interesting experience.  I bought the nose plugs (literally could not have done the shoot without them).  However, in my first pass underwater, I took some water in and came up coughing.  So, I got nervous that it was a sign of things to come and had to calm myself down.  Brett was great, though!  He is very calming and he would give me advice on posing each time I went under.  I certainly didn't do any epic pole moves (which I was hoping for since I was weightless in the water), but I am happy with many of the shots and am excited to see the official proofs.  (The one I attached here is just an unedited phone shot of his iPad.) 

Pepper - Yesod, Bret, Kaleo

Friday evening was pretty awesome.  After I booked Pole Expo, I found out that my favorite band in the wholewideworld, Pepper, would not only be in Vegas on the one night I didn't have plans -- but would be performing in my hotel.  That was a no brainer.  I picked up tickets immediately.  They did a meet and greet at the tattoo shop beforehand, so I got to meet them again.  My yoga instructor, Theresa, trained with the lead guitar player's wife, so we also talked about yoga for a bit.  The concert was at the stage by the pool.  It was hot so my night ended with me in my bra and underwear in the pool.  I guess next time, I'll just plan accordingly and just bring a bathing suit.  You're welcome to the guy who kept losing his shit and thinking I was giving him his own personal strip show.  The show was off the hook and I had a great time!  Thank you to Angela and Justin for coming to the show with me!

Saturday started out a little more quiet.  I sat by the pool.  I had a flexibility workshop with David C. Owen in the afternoon (yeah, I suck at it).  Then, while most Pole Expo'ers went to Pole Show LA Vegas, Robert, Janette and I went for my very first strip club experience.  We had received a tip that locals liked the Palomino.  It was about a 15 minute Uber ride away, but it was worth it.  I think I expected to go in there and see abused women who were being forced into slavery, but I really didn't get that vibe.  I met a couple of really cool girls.  We sat along the stage and threw extra dollars for the girls who could actually do pole tricks.  I loved it!

Sunday I woke up early to have my make-up done so I could do a photoshoot with Somer.  I think most people showed up wearing pole outfits and I busted out my pirate skirt and corset.  The shoot went really quickly and her direction was easy to follow.  I am also excited to see these proofs.  Sunday's workshop was Stripcraft with Lux ATL.  I love Lux's passion as she talks about accepting yourself.  I'm not even into chicks but her eye fucking alone during a lap dance is pretty fucking hot.  I also got to meet Eda from Eda Marbury's Climb To The Top.  We are besties now as we lapped dance each other in class.  Sunday night, Robert, Janette and I essentially ended our trip the best way we could -- front row for Thunder From Down Under.  It was a super fun show, but it was almost more entertaining to watch these ladies lose their shit for a little man meat.  I think I liked it because they didn't get down to banana hammocks during every performance.  I like to leave a little to the imagination. 

I flew home Monday to the post-Expo blues.  I'm still recovering from that.  There are so many people I didn't get to see (what, Nadia, how did that happen?!).  But I am looking forward to next year already!  Thank you to everyone I did see -- you helped contribute to a really fun trip!

Having make-up done for the underwater shoot

My Artista Activewear outfit for the underwater shoot

 

Dinner with my partners in crime and my polly pocket!

Steve Gale at the Pole Classic

My pirate outfit for the photoshoot with Somer

The 7th Annual Lovely Rita Fundraiser

Well, we did it again.  Twirly Girls Pole Fitness hosted the 7th Annual Lovely Rita Fundraiser to benefit the National Kidney Foundation.  Our very own Rita has had three kidney transplants and Bel has hosted this event every year to help support Rita and to fund research to help people have healthy kidneys.

I performed a routine choreographed by Pole Dance Reunion with Jade, Alana and Katie.  These ladies are another reminder of the importance of sisterhood.  We had a great time getting together to practice and actually have our next two routines sketched out.

Each year, we have an issue in the studio at this event.  The toilet has flooded.  The AC has gone out.  The stereo has broken.  This year, it was the lights.  They kept going into strobe mode.  After two false starts, we finally got the green light, no pun intended.  Although it certainly wasn't my strongest performance of this routine, I am still mostly happy with how it turned out.

If you would like to donate, please visit this link: http://donate.kidney.org/site/TR/Walk/NKFServingtheWest?px=1559560&pg=personal&fr_id=8163

And to watch our video, please do so below:



Be happy you can pee!  If you've had any kidney experiences you'd like to share, please do so below!

Review of Artista Active Wear's Monokini

Recently, I posted a photo of myself wearing Artista Active Wear's monokini on Instagram and I received messages asking how well it supported "the girls."  So, Saturday, I went to the studio to test it out.  I did video my review, but apparently didn't realize that camera wasn't focused, so I figured a written review and pieces of my dance on video should suffice.  I recorded this dance at 9:30 PM on a Saturday, after having participated in the Wipeout Run (a 5k with ten obstacles) that same afternoon (and after spending over four hours in the car going to and from the event).  I got ridiculously sunburned.  And I haven't been doing regular pole classes since starting my new job in February.  Now that the disclosures are out of the way, don't expect much from the actual dance.  Just watch the movements and see how the outfit moves with me.

In the interest of full disclosure, I was recently invited to be a Brand Ambassador for Artista.  However, I did purchase this item with my own money.  This review would be the same whether I was reppin' them or not.

First off, I loved how the monokini looked.  I did order a size up (XXXL), as I felt I was between sizes, and I probably would have been fine with the XXL.  Second off, I loved how it felt.  It was comfortable to wear.  No riding up or slipping down.  And no dreaded back rolls.

Now, for how the girls reacted.  In the category of "TMI," although most people probably do know, and again, in the interest of full disclosure, I had a breast lift nine years ago.  However, my boobs are way bigger and sit way lower than I would like.  That being said, they are still way perkier than the boobs I used to have.  If I had tried to wear this outfit back then, my boobs would not have stayed in place.  However, I do have a halter dance bra that would fit just fine under the monokini.  I have to say, though, that I loved that this outfit didn't give me a back roll, and I imagine a bra under it might do that.

At the end of the day, though, I did love the outfit and would recommend it.  If you want to see it in action, check it out below.  And if you want to order it (or anything else) for yourself, you can use my discount code for 10% off: ABALM10.  Just visit www.artistaactivewear.com.

Check out the video and let me know if you have any questions!

Cleo's Rock N Pole

Last month, I took on the challenging of trying Cleo's Rock N Pole website.  In the interest of full disclosure, I was provided a free month of lessons in exchange for reviewing the site.  My plan was to approach the lessons from the perspective of a plus-sized pole dancer who no longer has a pole at home.

Cleo's Rock N Pole is a combination of Cleo's previously-produced DVDs, as well as new lessons and challenges by Cleo, in addition to some videos by guest instructors.  I like how the lessons are grouped.  There are clearly marked sections for the warm-up, fundamentals/pole (broken down by level), floor/chairplay or strength/flexibility training.  In the Rock N Pole section, you can find cute choreographed routines.  I found there were plenty of lessons for someone who does not have a pole at home.  I especially was interested in flexibility and strengthening exercises as I feel like I am constantly battling weight issues and injuries.

I enjoyed the Rockin Legs N Abs (RLNA) daily challenges (found under flexibility).  I was able to follow the videos fairly easily, although I have to say that Cleo moves really quickly.  I would sometimes catch myself trying to keep up, but felt like I was sacrificing my form.  I noticed that when I did some of the moves at half time, I was still sore and sweaty at the end, so it was good to listen to my body.  I really appreciated that Cleo's voice overs often offered modifications and encouraged beginners (or inflexible people like me) to be careful about pushing themselves into moves for which they aren't ready.  The lessons are also accompanied by specific hashtags so you can take to social media to search for others who may be doing the same challenge if you have questions or need motivation.

I would say the hardest thing about doing any kind of home workout is the fact that you are trying to do it alone.  It can set you up to injure yourself, it can be lonely, and it can be hard to motivate yourself to continue the program.  Cleo has a really active group on Facebook called Rockin' Legs N' Abs.  It is a great place to connect with others to receive the moral support that you may sometimes need to motivate yourself to bang out that late night workout even though you're exhausted.  With members from around the world, you will probably always find someone online and willing to chat.  Cleo's site also offers a blog and community tab to help people connect as well.  My biggest concern with any DVD or online workout videos is that those new to this kind of workout may injure themselves.  I believe if you have spent any time in group exercise classes, though, you usually know well enough if you are doing something you shouldn't.  If it hurts, stop.  Definitely talk to your doctor if you are just starting up a workout program for the fist time.

I am an extremely inflexible human so a month of working on my flexibility didn't really give me noticeable results.  I am 18 years into doing yoga and the fact that I can now touch my toes in a forward bend is a huge accomplishment.  However, I did really enjoy Cleo's workouts.  I hope that you will check out her site and then come back and tell me what you thought!

Chunky Girl Comics at Big Wow Comicfest 2015

Chunky Girl Comics has returned to Big Wow Comicfest!  [You can see photos from last year's adventure HERE.]  In addition to Marisa's table, we were privileged to sit on a panel: Fierce, Fab and Fluffy, which discussed body diversity and plus sized issues in comics and pop culture.  It was another amazing event.  It was so much fun, seeing old faces and meeting new ones.  We ran into Damion Poitier again (who makes me turn into a bumbling idiot who can't find their words, and who is one of the nicest celebrities I've ever met).  The day ended in a mechanical "bull" ride...in a corset.  I have much love to those guys for helping me not fall off.  It's hard enough to ride that thing...it was even harder when you can't bend!!  Video does exist.  Check it out on the fan page:

Riding the bull. In a corset.
Posted by Confessions of a Twirly Girl on Saturday, April 18, 2015

Thanks again to Marisa, Gia and Jess for another awesome Chunky Girl event!

Getting ready

lil bit helping me get ready

The amazing Ray of Tragic Hero Comics

Saw my friend, Jenna!

Prom pose!  Again.  

Damion Poitier

Philip

Best day ever

Thank you, Marisa for catching these awesome shots!

Liquid Motion at Kitty Kats Korner

Last weekend, I paid Kitty Kats Korner a visit to take a Liquid Motion doubles workshop.  Our instructor was the lovely Danielle Mayzes. Our gracious host, Sandra, who owns Kitty Kats Korner, is also a certified Liquid Motion instructor. 

Ginger and I have been dancing together for awhile now.  Probably going on two years.  She has been a fan of Liquid Motion so often she incorporates that into our routines, but I had never taken any formal classes.  I remember being at Pole Convention in 2012 when the ladies of Liquid Motion performed (Jeni Janover Stephanie Skyy, Danielle Mayzes and Danielle Romano).  It was mesmerizing.  Bodies moving so fluidly, crossing paths without effort.  They would come together and move apart and sometimes you didn't know where one person started and the other ended.  It was sexy in a very sensual but non-stripper way (not that there's anything with dancing in the "stripper way").  I don't know how to explain it.  It was just different.  You can view that video HERE.

Anyway, Ginger said Liquid Motion was coming to town, so away we went!  Ginger did FOUR workshops on Saturday.  FOUR.  And they were each 90-120 minutes long.  She's a badass.  I did my regular class with Ellen in the morning, then came out just for the doubles workshop, which did last two hours.  I went straight to a massage (which was actually kind of brutal).  I could barely move the next day.

I think the assumption was that most people came with a partner or at least had someone there they knew well enough to bump and grind on and slither around on the ground with (there was one hetero couple who were super sexy to watch).  So, of course, the whole reason I was there was to dance with Ginger.  But before we even got started, there was a mention of switching partners.  We could opt out...but I didn't want to be the sissy baby.  So I said, OF COURSE I will dance with other partners!  Then I cried a little on the inside.

Now, part of why I love dancing with Ginger is because she doesn't judge me.  She doesn't judge my fat.  Or my ridiculous sweat (of which there is always a ton).  She doesn't care that I can't dance that well.  Ginger just accepts me.  And not many people do that.  So, for me to say, of course I'm cool switching partners, is also me forcing myself further outside of my comfort zone.  And that is why I'm there, right?

So, we begin class together.  Ginger and I.  We warm up.  We do some log rolls.  But the time comes when we are supposed to switch.  I see people pairing up.  And I'm like the kid at the playground who doesn't want to get picked last.  It was a really unnecessary vulnerable moment for me.  I see Brie sitting against the wall.  Brie isn't stressed about finding a partner.  I have always liked Brie.  She has always been nice to me and she exudes confidence.  I respect that.  So I crawled up...will you be my partner?  Brie says yes!  Score!  But here's where the fear sets in.  Will she be disgusted by my sweaty body?  We are rolling all over the floor together.  But she didn't miss a beat.  If it did bug her, she kindly didn't let it show.  She's closer to my height, and also has ginormous boobs like mine, so it was a good match.  Later, I got brave again and switched to April.  Again, slightly closer to my height with boobs.  And so I got to fly in some moves that I could have only based before.  For the record, April is as freaking strong as an ox.  I kept worrying that I was going to squish her but she never failed me.  I have to admit, I did drop us once.  My chaturanga was not strong!

Anyway, I won't give away the secrets of Liquid Motion but I really did enjoy the class.  It was humbling realizing that, even when I feel silly, I can't let go because I'll let my partner down.  This was not just about me.  It was a great feeling to try dancing with new people but I still prefer dancing with Ginger.  We did some breathing and moving in the beginning.  We were asked to really pay attention to who was leading and make sure we both took turns.  There were a few times when it was clear that one of us initiated a move, but I felt like a good portion of that exercise, I absolutely could not tell who was leading.  I think we just are that in tune now.

Danielle was a great instructor.  She had a clear curriculum and was open to suggestions as some of us with different body types talked about how to make certain moves work for us (until we realized we were shoulder rolling the wrong way, Brie and I ate a lot of boob).  I'm always concerned that a thinner instructor won't understand how my larger body works.  But I never felt judged, she was always helpful with suggestions, and was open to listening to us talk about how to make moves work.
I want to thank Sandra and Kitty Kats Korner for opening their home to me once again, and thank you to Danielle for traveling to this coast to teach us how to be liquid!  Thank you Jeanette for taking photos!  And THANK YOU to Ginger for being you.  If you've ever been curious about taking a Liquid Motion workshop, I absolutely recommend it.  They can accommodate all levels.  And, especially if you are shy and feel awkward being sexy, you should make yourself take one of these workshops!

Don't mind my wild hair and creepy face...it was that kind of workshop!

Cowboy's Wild Adventures - a pole show and a bike ride

So, Robert is doing it again...he's going to ride 545 miles over 7 days to raise money for AIDS LifeCycle.  We came together last weekend to do a pole fundraiser at Club 1220.  It was so much fun!  Check out everyone's videos below.  I am highlighting mine, as Ellen helped me put it together, and despite not turning around in time so everyone could see my underwear properly, it is my absolute favorite routine to date.  

If you would like to donate to the cause, please visit:

http://www.tofighthiv.org/site/TR/Events/AIDSLifeCycleCenter?px=1258305&pg=personal&fr_id=1770

Twirly Girls on KTVU!

Recently, a KTVU camera crew came to Twirly Girls to film a segment for a show called Bay Area People.  One of our students is an intern so she was one of the producers and editors (hope I got that right, Tiff!) of the piece.  I am so proud of how it turned out!  I mean, I could certainly nitpick my fat face and robot voice, but I really am excited that pole is getting some love on mainstream television. Take a look!

http://www.ktvu.com/clip/11071573/bay-area-people-company-teaches-fitness-with-pole-dancing

Let me know what you think in the comments below!

Negative Self-Talk: Crushing Pole Dancer Dreams Since 2009

This month's blog hop is about five things you should never say to crush a pole dancer's spirit.  Well, considering the only person who crushes my spirit is me, I am going to write about five things we shouldn't say to ourselves.  I am also giving a shout out to Pole Geek, who already wrote a great post on things you should never say to a plus-sized poler, and who used her last item to talk about negative self-talk.

1.  I can't do the same moves as everyone else, so this is pointless.  It's true.  Not every person can do every move.  Some people are stronger.  Some more flexible.  Some more fluid.  That's what makes us all interesting.  If we were all doing the same moves in exactly the same way, pole dance (and life) would be boring, and we'd already be done with it.  Find something you can do well and build around that.  Maybe it is a move -- I can do handstands, which really makes people cheer for me.  Maybe you are insanely fluid.  I remember a girl coming into class one day and she was saying she dropped out of a show because she could only do pirouettes well and she couldn't pirouette for an entire routine.  Maybe not but I get dizzy doing a pirouette, so I find them awesome to watch.  I bet she could start with some dizzying pirouettes and go into some other moves easier than she thinks.  But do yourself a huge favor and don't compare yourself to the rest of class.  We are all good at something!

2.  I can only make it to class once a week, so clearly I'm never going to get better at this.  Well, while it is certainly true that the more you practice, the better you will most likely become, you have to ask yourself why you started pole dancing in the first place.  Are you trying to compete or participate in high level showcases?  Then, sure, you should be practicing more often than once a week.  Are you exploring a new type of movement and enjoying the benefit of exercise?  Then there's nothing wrong with coming to class once a week.  I don't know about your class, but my weekly pole class wasn't just about exercising.  It was about seeing friends, laughing and enjoying the mental release that comes with closing my eyes and dancing.

3.  I'll try pole once I've lost five (ten...twenty...fifty) pounds.  If I waited for weight loss to do anything in life, I'd truly never do anything.  Get out there and try things now.  The best way to get strong for pole dance is to try it (notice I didn't say the best way to lose weight for pole dance...).  I have very literally spent my entire life worrying about my weight.  Drink Slim Fast, drop 20 pounds in a week.  Weight Watchers, yo-yo up and down.  Even after gastric bypass, I have been as low as 180 pounds (extremely slim for my frame) and have crept back up to 260 pounds (and have been every weight in between).  If I only did fun things during the times that I felt like I was thinner or was at least losing weight, I would have wasted most of my life.  I'm over that.  I get that there may be physical limitations based on what I weigh (I think zip-lining has a 250 pound limit, but I didn't enjoy zip-lining anyway), but for the most part, if I want to do something, I go do it.

4.  I can't wear those tiny shorts.  Okay, then don't.  But after the first class of sliding around in your yoga pants, you won't be able to wait to get into some shorts.  Our very first aerial move (called a sliding prayer) requires a little skin and stick.  Pretty much everyone who tells me they don't want to wear the short-shorts is in them by class 2 or 3 (and I would say the majority of them are looking for shorts in the lost and found before their first class is even over).  One thing I learned in my class is that no one is looking at me or my cottage cheese thighs.  They're all too worried about themselves!  So bring your yoga pants but make sure you have some shorts hidden in your bag.  Trust me, you'll thank me later!

5.  I can't pole dance because my family and friends will think I'm a whore.  The stereotype is still there.  I still get the lifted eyebrow when I tell some people that I pole dance (however, more often I get the "holy shit, that is so cool, when can I come try it" reaction).  So I am careful about who I tell (not always something I reveal on the first day of a new job).  I realize that my personality is pretty gruff.  I don't take a lot of shit from people, I don't waste time with people who aren't worth my time and I generally don't care what people think about me.  That's actually not true.  I do somewhat care what people think, but I am grown up enough to know that what they think about me says more about them than it does about me.  And I remind myself of that when dealing with many, many, many, many people in my life.  The pole dancer in me says, who cares if pole dance came from the strip clubs?  Mind your business.  The real-life-job-holding-religious-family-having person in me realizes it's never just that simple.  Pole dance certainly isn't for everyone.  But I would hope that you would try a class (and encourage the haters to join you) before passing judgment.  Because most of the haters I've brought to class can't use their arms the next day and have a new-found respect for pole dance.

Can you think of some soul-crushing things you've said to yourself during your pole dance journey?  Please share them below in the comments!  Also, please read the other entries in this month's blog hop!

December 2014 Blog Hop: My Year in Photos!

It has, once again, been a crazy year.  Here are some highlights.  Sorry, I couldn't just pick one photo to represent each month and I'm sure I missed a bunch of things because I got tired of downloading photos.  And, since my life isn't just about pole, I really did include everything I did.  Enjoy!

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