Here are the facts: video, film and TV cameras widen the body. It’s just what they do. And actresses, video stars, tt stars all have make up artist that do such fantastic things with makeup, like creating shadows so your cheekbones don’t disappear and applying body makeup so your saddlebags and cellulite melt away! If you subscribe to today’s modeling/star/youth-oriented ethic, you better be an ectomorph if you go on film. Or a wealthy star. It takes everything for me to bare my legs in the flesh, they have always been my nemesis. Why can’t I love my thighs — my husband does? This last year I started to question my perceptions. Yes, I do have cellulite, but believe me, most women do — even ones under 30. And in looking at photos of my legs over the last 40 years I think now — what was I so critical about? So when I turn 60 will I look back at my 50′s and think — what was I so critical about? So this is the year for my thighs. And I want YOU to get up on that pole — yes tweak the lighting, maybe get a spray tan if it helps ease your mind — but don’t cover up that belly — let it show! And let your feelings and joy flow! Thanks so much for your videos and for writing about this!

This is why I love my pole buddies!

Birthe and Virginia – you have made me feel so much better. I know it’s all in my head, but it helps so much to have someone else say they are going through the same thing.

Love you – and all you bring to the pole world!

Having just watched your video, you do look great . Your attitude really shines through.

It’s really hard to be an objective judge of how you look on video/photos. I think it’s really easy to get accustomed to looking for the bad in yourself, that other people just don’t notice.

I know I find it hard not to criticise myself and how I look, but trying not to is so worth the sanity it brings! Your videos are really successful at doing what you intend them to do.

I think you look beautiful and amazing on the pole! I feel the same way…that is why I haven’t made ANY videos of my pole dancing. Anyway, you are great in my book!

I love this blog. I tell you, you and Yannori are two of my new favorite people. So, I agree with everyone else here–I think you looked wonderful in your video. Very passionate about the subject matter, and frankly, quite hot. But, I completely understand the harsh self-judgment. It’s SO easy for us to be hard on ourselves. I’ve only made two videos of myself and they were so painful I haven’t made another. Yet. Perfection is unattainable, so I don’t know why I’m so worried about it, and I’m beginning to feel like I’m missing out on some serious fun by letting my self-judgment override my desire to have some fun on the pole. I may have to work on that tomorrow …

“Yes, I do have cellulite, but believe me, most women do — even ones under 30. ”

I can vouch for this! I’m 20 and TINY – slim and petite – I’m often told I have to shut up complaining about how I look because I “thin like the girls in the magazines”, blah blah blah. To which I say “just because I look how YOU want to look, doesn’t mean I look how *I* want to look.” (I wish I had more curves! But that’s off topic).

The point of this post is … I’m teeny, and toned and… yep, damn straight I have cellulite! LOL!

Oh Jennifer – about the trunk stomach thing. I also have hardly any waist.

In my experience, the best solution is low rider pants. The red shorts you’re wearing in your vid are longer in the stomach than in the leg. They should be equal IMO, which elongates your torso.

@Georgia – Yes, you are so right about the low-rise on short waists. They actually are, but I hike them up higher than normal because I have a big scar on my lower tummy that makes me look pregnant. Sigh.

Jennifer, I have watched many of your amazing videos. You look GREAT on video! I always think that watching yourself on video is a bit like hearing your voice on a tape rcorder for the first time. We are not used to seeing ourselves as others do. That being said, there is a distortion effect present in film and video. I read an article a few years ago about one of the great film stars of the 50′s (was it Grace Kelly? or Hepburn?)–well, anyway…she insisted on working with only ONE camera-man her whole carreer. He had figured out the right way to light her body and where to put the camera! I have one dirty little secret: placing the camera on the floor and then backlighting with a spotlight aimed upward BEHIND you makes you look ten feet tall and have toothpick legs!

–Joel

@Joel Those tips are a blessing – thank you! I’ll see what I can hook up.

Beauty is found within. In my new line of work (I’m a holistic healer doing Body Talk) self love is a huge issue even with some of the best pole dancers.

I’m glad you got the lesson Be yourself and love yourself.

I don’t pole dance much anymore. My only vid was done in 2007.

S