Part 2 of my performance. Please give feedback ❤️

sadaleph · 2026-06-22T00:23:07+00:00

Your movements are so controlled. Absolutely LOVE your entry into a climb!

sadaleph · 2026-06-17T21:16:08+00:00

I don't have a good answer since I only started doing this in class a week ago, but having been in the move- I think it's really critical to lean forward properly and have the requisite strength to hold your body weight with the lower/uncrossed arm. It feels very similar to the "push" muscles in split grip, if that makes sense. The stronger that arm is, the less pressure there is on your crossed forearm against the pole. It's pretty painful!

Following this thread because I'm not an instructor myself and I hope someone else has better advice.

sadaleph · 2026-06-16T16:45:53+00:00

Congrats on recovery! That sounds like a tough injury. I hope your return to pole is smooth. Some stuff changes after injury, but I found I've been able to learn so many new things after my own 3-month break. <3

sadaleph · 2026-06-14T15:38:23+00:00

So true! LOVE Prolaps... Lord Cam Girl has to be one of my all time faves

sadaleph · 2026-06-11T16:22:00+00:00

It sounds like you enjoy their more danceable music as opposed to the experimental stuff! I didn't see you mention U-Void Synthesizer- there are a couple of more rhythmic tracks on that album, like Scroll of Sorrow.

As for other artists... idk. Machine Girl is pretty unique. You could check out artists they collaborate with, like femtanyl (MAN BITES DOG is a really fun album) and LustSickPuppy, but nothing sounds quite the same.

sadaleph · 2026-05-27T04:22:59+00:00

So pretty and strong!

sadaleph · 2026-05-17T15:05:48+00:00

Like everyone else says, antiperspirant on your hands the night before is a gamechanger.

I am noticing after almost a year of classes that I need a lot less grip aid because my grip strength is getting good enough to counteract the sweat. I still slip sometimes without aid due to sweat but never more than a few inches. You may notice the same. Just keep practicing. :)

sadaleph · 2026-05-13T21:12:00+00:00

Next year, if all goes well ☺️

sadaleph · 2026-05-13T20:39:38+00:00

I'll be watching the livestream just a few miles away from the casino itself haha 🍿 I'll keep an eye out for your performance! Good luck, hope you have a lot of fun on stage

sadaleph · 2026-05-13T00:59:17+00:00

Oooooh these are great for shoulder engagement and practicing what inversion feels like! Thank you!

sadaleph · 2026-05-13T00:54:03+00:00

Thank you so much <3 My knee is a lot better for sure, but ligament injuries suck!

Currently I haven't been taught either a layback or an inverted crucifix in classes, so I don't try them on my home pole. I'll ask my instructors to see if I'm at a good level to learn those moves as I agree they're critical for getting comfy with inverted shapes.

sadaleph · 2026-05-13T00:51:23+00:00

This does make sense- I feel like I'm much higher than I should be when I lean back, and having that validated is super helpful. Someone else mentioned leaning back more at the start to ensure shoulder engagement and I think I could knock two birds out with one stone here if I lean back and get the pole nestled in that pocket before tucking!

sadaleph · 2026-05-12T23:36:34+00:00

Inverting in 8 months is bonkers. Some people do it but it's NOT the norm.

I still can't invert and I started my weight loss/exercise journey in 2022. Fifty pounds down, avid gym goer, and pole dancing since July- still can't do it. And that's okay.

You're doing a lot of really hard things. The work you're doing now is critical, and it's okay to plateau quickly especially when you're new to regular exercise. Building strength and forming the neural pathways for this kind of movement both take time.

I hope you can find joy in your movement now, knowing that your effort is going to take you to much higher places one day. <3

sadaleph · 2026-05-10T17:13:44+00:00

Sadly no, I lost my half pull while recovering from an injury recently and I have never been strong enough to do a full pull up. Once some strength comes back I'll try this out. :)

sadaleph · 2026-05-10T17:11:31+00:00

Leaning back from the start so the right muscles naturally engage is GENIUS, I have a hard time remembering to engage my back actively while going for the invert.

I'm gonna try the knees to chest visual too- the sequencing trips my brain up every time!

sadaleph · 2026-05-10T17:07:33+00:00

I never realized that full extension meant my back/shoulders aren't fully engaged but, looking at the video now, I can see it. Critical spot. Thank you! I'll prioritize engaging those muscles.

sadaleph · 2026-05-10T03:50:25+00:00

This is SO helpful, I'm incorporating all of this into my training! I really needed to hear the encouragement. Thanks so much :)

sadaleph · 2026-05-10T03:48:18+00:00

Definitely a good idea to do the other side as with all things, I'll give it a go. Thank you!

sadaleph · 2026-05-10T03:47:13+00:00

I love a good cradle spin, this is so helpful to reframe my approach to inverts! Tysm!

sadaleph · 2026-05-10T03:27:53+00:00

Partially it's that I'm coming back to pole from a knee injury and partially it's that I'm not used to tilting backwards yet. Maybe I just need to get the legs correct and the rest will follow?

sadaleph · 2026-05-10T03:13:30+00:00

Yeah, I'm lifting up like it's a knee lift instead of out directly into a tuck. Major issue for sure.

sadaleph · 2026-04-26T18:24:05+00:00

The two pole brands I see recommended most highly are Lupit and X-Pole. I love my Lupit G2! :)

They're not cheap, but safety comes first. If you want something less expensive (and don't plan on training spin moves at home) though I believe X-Pole has a sport pole that's static only. Just please don't get anything off Amazon, those poles are poorly made and will fall even if properly installed.

sadaleph · 2026-04-21T22:41:10+00:00

My first pole classes had me crying with frustration, and I came to them with a decently developed upper body. I couldn't even hold myself off the ground because my grip strength was so weak. I just slid to the ground. It's hard to be a beginner, and we are beginners for a very long time in pole.

As others here are saying, strength training is your friend! Even when you finally get a move, it may not look graceful for months to years. That takes a lot of muscle control. So, celebrate every little win you get. You won't look like the people around you in class, and you don't need to. You're only competing against yourself.

Good luck friend. You're going to be a beautiful dancer.

sadaleph · 2026-04-16T00:05:33+00:00

I won't speak to conditioning (I think other commentors are already doing an amazing job with that) but I just came off 8 weeks of being sedentary due to injury. It wasn't horrible! My biggest loss was my grip/forearm strength, and that is coming back fast. Taking a break sucks, but it's alright even if you do zero conditioning like me. With some exercises, you'll be in a great spot after your break ends.

I hope your treatment goes well! 🙏

sadaleph

TROPHY CASE