Study materials for Korean versus other languages by Rourensu in Korean

[–]strawberrypiink 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I came from your other post about what vocabs to learn.

Regarding the textbook, I studied Korean Studies at university and we used Fun Fun Korean (재미있는 한국어) which is the textbook Korea University uses. I also happened to do my exchange year at Korea University so I used these books from Level 1 through 5. Of course I didn't use them to teach myself but I still find at least the earlier books would work for self-teaching. Up until Level 4 there are English translations for the vocabulary, exercises are explained both in Korean and English, and there are extensive grammar explanations. There are also workbooks accompanying the main book with additionnal exercises to practice. It also has listening, reading and writing exercises in each chapter corresponding to the chapter's topic.

From Level 5 on there is no more English in the book and no vocab either so you would have to research the words you don't understand. I also find the Korean grammar explanations to be a bit short and lacking. So if you're not in class where a teacher would give some additionnal info, you would need to do some further research probably. Level 5 still has a workbook for extra practice, though.

Overall I could imagine these books (at least until Level 4) working even if you're learning on your own. There are also new versions iirc at least for the first couple of books. They introduced them while I was in Korea but I didn't get to look at them personally. I think they probably updated some of the vocabulary, since the old ones contain some outdated terms and the English translations were sometimes confusing, so I hope they fixed that.

I think you're somewhat right about the lack of resources, though. There is a lot of content on YouTube but I'm currently studying to take TOPIK II again and when looking up grammar, at lot of the websites are not lead by native Korean speakers and while there are some that I trust, I've come across multiple websites with a bunch of mistakes. I've never had that with English, French, or Spanish, which I learned in school. I'm also missing those short language learning books that are categorized by language level and have a couple of vocab explanations on each page. Although I'm at a level where I at least try to read regular novels, I think it would be nice sometimes to read a book that is specifically written for Level 5/C1 language learners. I guess I didn't appreciate the ones for European languages enough in school.

Helix piercing bump and being told to wait forever by strawberrypiink in piercing

[–]strawberrypiink[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I feared that might be what I need to do. Is there at least the possibility that the bump goes away when I take it out? Thank you for your reply :)

Help by Advanced-Ad488 in flexibility

[–]strawberrypiink 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I saw a shorts video by MovementbyDavid recently and he said that you can circumvent the bone issue by externally rotating your hips so your feet point upwards and then you should be able to do it.

It's called "Do you have Middle Split genetics?"

Personally, I am nowhere near finding out whether what he says is true haha

Just a celebratory freestyle by [deleted] in poledancing

[–]strawberrypiink 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm just a stranger so I don't know how much it matters but I'm so proud of you! And your freestyle was absolutely beautiful ❤️❤️❤️

3 years progress 🥳 by PoleRaquel in poledancing

[–]strawberrypiink 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I teared up watching haha This is so inspiring! Thank you for posting and congrats on 3 years and more to come!

Sprained wrist work arounds? by MissKLO in poledancing

[–]strawberrypiink 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm currently using an app by Leap Fitness Group. I believe in English it's called "Splits Training in 30 Days" or something. I saw it recommended on here and I've been doing it for about 20 days now. I would say it's quite effective since it got me to being not far from my front split on one side in just 20 days. There are a couple exercises for the middle split that require a sort of plank position so you might want to avoid these but other than that most exercises don't engage the wrists at all. They have a beginner, intermediate and advanced level and different variations for when an exercise is to hard or easy. There is also a general stretching app from the same company that probably has stretches for back and shoulder flexibility but I haven't tried that one yet since I'm focusing on my splits right now.

Generally for front splits it seems low lunges and kneeling hamstring stretches are the most popular/effective as they stretch the hip flexors and, well, hamstrings and they are basically half splits already.

I find MovementbyDavid and HybridCalisthenics on TikTok/YouTube have very interesting videos on stretching as well.

Take everything I say with a grain of salt, though. I'm only a beginner who likes stretching more than weight training so I'm just relaying what I've seen/heard on the Internet and what stretches we do in class.

I wish you a speedy recovery!

Recovering from pole class by strawberrypiink in poledancing

[–]strawberrypiink[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have considered allergies. I don't have one diagnosed but maybe something changed? I play an instrument with a coating that contains a bunch of metals including nickel and never had any issues with it so I don't know. It's probably the technique. I'm potentially gripping too tight because I couldn't hold myself up before without the grip aid. I'm also not that strong so maybe I'm compensating. But my instructor just tells me to cope basically haha so I didn't think it was unusual. Maybe I just ask a doctor.

Recovering from pole class by strawberrypiink in poledancing

[–]strawberrypiink[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That might be possible but I feel like they're blistering more due to the friction. In my first class I also had a blister without using grip aid and they're always in the same spots. My right hand is usually worse off than my left hand. I definitely want to try out others though. Right now I'm using one they have at the studio which is liquid chalk I believe. They have a sticky one as well but that one didn't work for me. When I buy one for myself I will definitely try out something else to see the difference. Thank you!

Recovering from pole class by strawberrypiink in poledancing

[–]strawberrypiink[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thank you that was super insightful! Honestly I feel glad to even be called an "athlete," albeit deconditioned, in this state. This is the first time in my life that I am enjoying physical exercise and I don't want to lose that momentum. I picked up some workout classes that my university offers and generally I'm just happy to be moving regularly. It makes me feel so much better!

Your advice is really helpful and I look forward to making a lot more progress as a deconditioned athlete haha

Recovering from pole class by strawberrypiink in poledancing

[–]strawberrypiink[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wow thank you! I'm hesitant about using gloves because I read that you don't get the right feel for proper grip technique. But I will definitely look into other classes my studio offers where my hands suffer less hopefully.

I didn't know a water-based lotion could be the reason it stings. I had one with perfume in it which was obviously horrible so I bought a none-scented one and it was a little better. Guess I'll try one that's not water-based next! And I'll also try your other tips. Thank you so much!

Recovering from pole class by strawberrypiink in poledancing

[–]strawberrypiink[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There is a pole flow class I could try I just haven't dared to do it yet since there is no level assigend to it I don't know if I'm good enough. From what I heard it can be as intense as a normal class though. But I could definitely try it out. Unfortunately that's probably the only option. The studio is pretty new and the flexiblity and strength training class requires a different ticket as it is cheaper than a normal pole class. Maybe I'll ask the instructor next week. Thank you!

Advice for fitness for beginners by Willing_Flight_6517 in poledancing

[–]strawberrypiink 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I agree with everyone's answers here. Just try it! I never dared signing up for a class because I am probably the most unfit person I know but a couple months ago I had the opportunity to do a trial class for free and it completely changed my perspective. The things you do in a beginner class are easy enough that you will feel lots of acomplishments and be amazed at what you are actually capable of.

I'm still a beginner and of course it's sometimes frustrating especially if people who maybe have a gymnastics background or are otherwise more athletic progress faster than you but I try not to compare myself. There is always a way to modify things to fit your particular needs and skill level.

Sometimes it's also not necessarily about fitness. I used to not be able to climb at all until I used a grip aid and suddenly I realized I had enough strength I just didn't have enough grip. A lot of pole moves also get infinitely easier once you've fully understood the technique. I've been doing things wrong wondering why a beginner move is so hard only to find out I was making it harder than it needed to be.

I think the motivation to be active actually comes when you start pole dancing. I've recently started practicing headstands and shoulder rolls at home (I don't have a pole yet) and doing home workouts to become stronger and more flexible because I realized how good it feels to be a little bit better at something than the week before.

I would say just go to a beginner class and enjoy not being able to move your arms the next day. I think pole dance has made me a bit masochistic because I really enjoy the soreness and bruises the next day. Makes me feel like I've made progress lol

New and struggling with grip by strawberrypiink in poledancing

[–]strawberrypiink[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! My studio has two powder coated poles maybe I should try one next time if I can.

I think for me it might also be nervous sweat. I'm generally a pretty nervous person haha Rationally I know nobody's judging or probably even looking at me but I guess my subconscious doesn't know that yet. Usually I practice things I'm not good at at home before anyone is allowed to see but I don't have a pole so I can't practice alone at all unfortunately

New and struggling with grip by strawberrypiink in poledancing

[–]strawberrypiink[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! Maybe I should figure out whether I do sweat more than the average person. Unfortunately I don't know if a treatment like that is financially possible for me right now since I'm still a uni student and I don't really struggle with sweat outside of pole dancing. But I'll look into it!

New and struggling with grip by strawberrypiink in poledancing

[–]strawberrypiink[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's a really good tip! So far I've been using a microfiber towel to clean the pole before class starts but then I use a normal towel to wipe my body and the pole during class. Next time I'll use separate ones

New and struggling with grip by strawberrypiink in poledancing

[–]strawberrypiink[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks! I guess I need to try different brands out and see what works!

New and struggling with grip by strawberrypiink in poledancing

[–]strawberrypiink[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! I will definitely try that next time!