This was my first ever attempt after 1 hour of stretch class and an hour of pole, so I was feeling pretty tired. After trying it from a Flatline Scorpio (as taught to my instructor by the one and only Jenyne Butterfly! *Swoon*), I felt like it wasn't quite clicking and felt slightly unnatural. We tried it from an Outside Leg Hang - Bomb - Pike - Hip Hold Straddle and Voila.... I'd managed my Jade Splits!
Understandably, it doesn't currently look like the prettiest move in my pole repertoire but I can work on that!





A few more class photos - Flying Peterpan, Wonky Reiko Splits! , Straddle with nose to wall



Some poling out and about for Pole Social. We're holding another one this Thursday and I'll hopefully get more photos!
(So prepare yourself for another photo heavy blogpost ;) )

I had a great pole session on Monday, a whole 2 hours of spinning, flexing, climbing and floating up, down and around the pole.
I don't have any new moves to show for it, but I have definitely rekindled my love for 'dancing' around the pole as opposed to be able to just pull out signature moves without linking them together. I've never really done any work with freestyle or routines, the pole classes I've been to have always been aimed towards getting particular moves  and never really linking them together to create the dance element. As a warm up, we were asked to do a quick 2 minute freestyle... my mind went blank..

Everyone had a fantastic time, we had our own security guards and most people were very interested in what we had to say about pole fitness! I do have a scabby knee though from their carpeted floor :(  (Sorry, it's gross - I know!)

So I've been working on putting together my first routine. I love the music, love the moves I've chosen but when it comes to the 'attitude' I'm just not getting it...
I've chosen one of my favourite RHCP songs, 'Don't forget me'.

I've accomplished a fair amount in my past few lessons. I got my Pole Splits & Shoulder Mount ( see previous blog entry for those two!)
And most recently my Extended Flexi Embrace [though it's not THAT flexi yet.. It will be in time though ;)], Figurehead and some new handstand variations.





I'm going to use this blog as a tool to help track my achievement's and to set myself attainable goals with realistic time-scales.

Leg Flexibilty
I'm quite lucky in the sense that I seem to be quite naturally flexible. I currently have my splits on my right side pretty much down, I don't need to be warmed up too much to get straight down to the floor - which is great! However, I'm going to focus on my left side and my middle splits. I'm not too far off on my middle splits, but my left side is terrible - so it's definitely a focus area!
Time scale? I'd say 1 year of regular stretching!

Back & Shoulder Flexibility
My back is pretty much rigid. It likes being straight and that's how it plans to stay for the foreseeable future. I have had a little bit of a breakthrough when I discovered I can do this...

But I still think it's probably on par with my leg flexibility, where realistically I'm going to need at-least a year of regular stretching! It's my upper back and shoulders that seem to be the real problem. I constantly have tight, sore shoulders and really struggle with my posture due to sitting at a desk all day on a wobbly chair (I definitely need to book myself in for a massage!).
Time-scale? 1 year of regular stretching!


MOVES I WANT TO NAIL

Extended skater
Will try this next lesson, no promises though...

Cocoon
This may take a while, and will obviously benefit from increased back flexibility. As I'm being a realist, and I don't want to push my luck too much I'm going to say around 2-3 months

Stag/Ballerina
I would LOVE to get this move. I just think it's so pretty and looks really impressive. I'm setting a realistic target of 6 months to give me chance to improve my back flexibility and gain more strength in my dominant arm. It will be a verrrry good day when I get this move!

That's all for now, hopefully I'll stick to it!

NOON-xo