Posted by Nikki McNeill on May 20, 2012 0 Comments
May has been a busy month for pole dancing competitions and we've been really impressed by the standard of competitors this year. One winner that stood out was Rachel Howard who took the 2012 Pole Factor title and we talk to her about winning and her love of pole...
1. How and when did you first get interested in pole dancing?
I first became interested in Pole Dancing around 3 years
ago when I attended a one off taster class with some girls from work. They had
been trying out different forms of dance and when I heard they were going Pole
dancing I thought it sounded fun and tagged along. I came away from the class
with a few bruises but realised that I was quite naturally strong and wanted to
do it again. I was instantly hooked and signed up for a beginners course at my
local gym in Dartford a few days later. I then went on to train with schools such as
Pole Dancing School in London, where I still train now and also at Ecole de Pole.
2.What is it about pole dancing that you enjoy
the most?
I enjoy the sense of achievement that
you get when you master a new move or get through a routine. For me the
benefits such as improved fitness and strength are a bonus, the fun factor and
the amount of friends you make are what really makes it so addictive.
3.You recently won the Pole Factor 2012
competition. How do you feel about winning and will you be entering more
competitions in 2012?
I am over the moon to have won The Pole
Factor 2012. I just wanted to get through my routine without any mistakes or
falling on my head! It wouldn’t have mattered to me if I didn’t place, so long
as I performed the routine how it was meant to be performed. If I had made a mistake I would have been
really upset. I trained really hard,
about 4-5 times a week for the last 6 weeks after work and at the weekends just
to make sure I was strong enough and could do the moves with confidence. I even
learnt the Phoenix especially. Everyone
did really well and it was a really good night.
As I was last I didn’t really get to watch everyone’s routines as I was
too nervous so I am hoping I get to see them on video at some point.
I will be entering more competitions, I
think it’s good to have something to aim for and to push yourself. I am already
looking on YouTube for new moves and thinking about what I will put into my
next routine. I am hoping to enter The British Isles Pole Championships in October
and The Pole2Pole doubles cup with my good friend and doubles partner Jo Gray.
4. What are your 3 favourite pole moves and why?
There are so many pole moves that I like,
my top three would be:
1) Iron-X - I love the Iron-X, it is my favourite
move. I like it because it shows so much strength and agility. When I first saw the pros doing this move I
just had to learn it!
2) Russian Splits - The Russian splits or (Oona split) is a move
that I am working on at present, I recently attended the Rebecca Butcher master
class and she managed to get me into this impossible position. I like it
because it shows off flexibility and looks a lot more impressive than other
split moves such as the Jade.
3) Circle - The Circle is a doubles move that I love. The trick is to
get the distance between each other right and make sure you don’t spin
round. I like this move because while
not being overly complicated it looks very effective.
5.What are the main fitness benefits of pole
dancing and how has pole dancing improved your fitness, strength or bodyshape?
The main fitness benefits of Pole
dancing include: strength training, all areas of your body will get stronger,
mostly upper body and core. You also improve your flexibility and coordination
as well as gaining confidence. My body shape has changed since I have been pole
dancing; I am a lot more toned and have lost body fat. I have been training
more over the last year and as a result have lost around a stone and I am a lot
stronger and have a lot more stamina.
6.What’s your favourite move for strength
training on the pole?
Most pole moves are good for strength
training but I think conditioning exercises such as sitting on the floor and
pulling yourself up until you reach the top of the pole is very good for
increasing your strength. Trying to hold
moves such as the iron-x for as long as possible is also very good for strength
training. I have been told that when
training moves, you should hold them for as long as possible so when you do a
routine they will be easier than when you practice.
7.What pole performers do you admire or inspire
you?
There are so many fantastic pole
dancers. A few to mention are:
Elena Gibson – she is a fantastic
teacher and performer, she is so beautiful and elegant. I always hear her voice in my head telling me
to point my toes!
Rebecca Butcher – she is so strong and
comes up with unique combinations
Natasha Wang – I always think her
routines are unique, I like her style and the fact that is doesn’t have a dance
background
8. If someone has never tried pole dancing
before how do you advise them to get started?
I would advise them to go to one of the
schools taster classes and explain all the benefits. People who have never tried
Pole dancing always say “I could never do that, I can’t even lift myself” and I
always explain that everyone feels like that when they start and when they
start being able to do the moves they will fall in love with the sport like the
rest of us have.
9. What’s next for you in the coming year?
I am going to continue juggling Pole
dancing with my day job as a Web developer.
As described I am going to enter another singles competition later this
year and compete in a doubles comp. I am performing in the “Grip” showcase in
the summer to raise money for breast cancer. I am then off to Ibiza for my
summer holiday and I am sure I will be up a pole in one of the clubs or bars.
Other than that who knows where it will take me, one thing is for sure, Pole dancing
is now a massive part of my life and part of me.
Watch Rebeccas winning performance here
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Posted by Nikki McNeill on May 18, 2012 0 Comments
With the Bucks Pole Fitness Championships just around the corner we talk to event organiser Pippa Caesar to find out more...
1.Tell us more about the Bucks Pole Fitness Championships? How and why did you start the event?
Why? Cos we wanted an excuse to get some wicked polers from around the country all in one place at the same time and watch our fabby students and instructors strutt their stuff to their families to show how amazing they are.... How? No idea, the whole team worked on ideas then Hollie Smith and I (my super Bud and Polenastics instructor) started looking at venues. We asked our pole heros if they would judge and perform and they said yes! We asked polers if they wanted to compete and they said yes! We put tickets on sale and they sold! So BPFC was born last year. Both Hollie and I have done event management so we worked well together. My background is B2B marketing so I used some of that to get the word out and we all LOVE pole and that helped grow the buzz. Last year was a roaring success - Glory Pearl was the glue that held it all together, so this year we wanted bigger, better, more categories and SEATS WITH PERFECT VIEWING FOR ALL!
2.What’s it all about? Where will it all take place, who’s taking part and what can we expect to see?
The event will take place at 3pm on Saturday 19th May at Woughton Lesire Centre, Milton Keynes. Categories are Dance/Performer, Intermediate, Advanced, Professional/instructor, Males and Doubles with award winning judges and compare including; Miss Glory pearl, Stacey Snedden, Deb Riley, Jess Leanne Noriss, Donna Gant, Tess Taylor, Jamie Taylor and Bendy Kate. The event also has outstanding industry support and highly motivated competitors from all walks of life making this years event even bigger and better than before. We can't wait!
3.Who were last years winners?
Beginner: Gemma Hopkins
Intermediate: Remmi Kidwell
Advanced: Daniel Rosen
Professional: Nicole McIntyre
4.How has the standard in pole dancing improved since you started the competition?
The standard of pole improves DAILY! I cant wait to see what we are presented with this year.... I expect slightly less nerves and more thought to the WHOLE performance and not just tricks.
5.How and did you first get interested in pole dancing and what made you become an instructor/performer?
I went to class in 2006 to take the mickey out of a friend that told me she was learning to 'pole Dance' I got hooked, loved it, started doing 5 1/2 hrs a week, bought a pole, jammed with friends at my house - the usual. I was asked to teach alongside Emily (The Fabulous! who originally started up Emily's Vertical Art in 2003 which is now Polenastics Ltd) in 2008 and I took over the company in 2009 making us Polenastics Ltd - so totally random really, I went to a fitness class and from that very SECOND... My life changed.
6.What is it about pole dancing that you enjoy the most?
That with effort, its ALL possible and that there is no limitations. I go to a pole class and I come away with a new skill, a new trick, a new technique. I go to aerobics and I come away sweaty and thats it, just sweaty. There is no euphoric feeling that I nailed a grapevine, no class cheering me on when I alllllmooooost touch my toes for the 5th time and no bunch of friends that I then meet down the pub and have random convos about how many times I step-touched last night.....
7.What are your 3 favourite pole moves and why? (It can be your current 3 or all time favourite 3)
Just 3?! Awww Man..... combo spins, the longer the better and on a static spin, as many different things you can chuck in as possible, I have one I uploaded earlier this yeat you youtube, the cyclone and I LOVES it.... Caterpiller and how dramatic and how sassy you can make that look if you try both up and down the pole.... And Anastasias Arrow as its gravity defying!
To find out more about The Buck Pole Fitness Championship click here
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Posted by Nikki McNeill on May 10, 2012 0 Comments
Suzy Q Williams is the brains behind the Pole Life Documentary which will soon be available for us all to see. We talk to Suzy to find out more...
1. Tell us about your Pole Life documentary? Where did the idea come from and how did it come about?
Pole Life is a documentary on the art,
history, dance, healing power, and fitness of pole dancing. I tell my personal story of how pole fitness
saved my life and how I wanted to find out the history of pole dancing, its
healing power, and to hear stories from top leaders in the world of pole life
and from everyday people like you and me.
I watched my father pass away just one hour and forty-five minutes after
my thirtieth birthday. Seeing my father take
his last breath changed my life forever and it took me down a road of
destruction of alcohol and drug abuse.
Luckily, one day I woke up and realized that my father didn’t raise me
to live this way. I was driving in
Hermosa Beach and saw a sign that read "Heart and Pole Fitness
Studio." Not knowing what pole
fitness was about other than "pole" being stereotyped as what modern
society thinks of it today as exotic dancers at gentlemen clubs, I was
intrigued by the word "fitness" associated with
"pole." To my pleasant
surprise when I walked into the "Heart and Pole Studio," I was
surrounded by positive, strong, supportive women. They showed me that pole fitness will heal
and help someone deal with all the feelings of grieving, hurt, pain, addiction,
and a broken heart. Through the
discovery of pole dancing I have met a community that spans around the world
through social media. I realized that if
this pole dance sport is international, then I wanted to know more about the
culture of the sport, and if it has changed the lives of others in a positive
way, like my life has been changed. You
will follow Suzy Q as she travels to Las Vegas, Santa Barbara, Mexico City, and
throughout the Los Angeles area interviewing the leaders of the Pole Fitness
community and everyday people who do pole fitness to learn more of the history,
culture, and stories from men and women from around the world.
Pole Life came from my youtube videos on
youtube.com/suzalump I was keeping track of my progress and recording my
performances on youtube. I started naming my youtube videos “Pole Life” around June 2009 because it was now a big
part of my life. Then when I started
film school as a student you had a chance to Direct your own film for
graduation. So, of course I chosen to do
a pole documentary.
2. Who from the world of pole
features in the documentary?
If I could I would love
to travel the world and go to the UK, Russia, Australia, China, and everywhere
that has the best of the best but I just can’t swing it financially to go. So, I did what I could to interview the
leaders that I could connect with. I
have interviewed Fawnia Dietrich (Las Vegas Pole Fitness Studio), Jezabel Olmos
Lemus (Gravity Pole Fitness Studio Mexico City), Trina Lance (Heart and Pole
Hermosa Beach, California), Cat Landry (Heart and Pole Hermosa Beach,
California), Jacob Kujo Lyons (Chinese Pole Instructor and Lux Aeterna Dance
Company), and several everyday women and men that do pole fitness. I am not done filming and have a few more
interviews to accomplish. Jenyne
Butterfly, Natasha Wang, Nadia Sharif, Amy Guion, and Jagged.
3. When can we see it?
The Pole Life feature
will premiere in Las Vegas at PoleExpo on September 6, 2012. I am waiting for the confirmation but I might
be also screening it in the UK. Details
coming soon! DVD’s will be available for
purchase at these conventions, expos, and my website at www.polelifeproductions.com
4. How and when did you first
get interested in pole dancing?
I started pole dancing
on May 18th, 2009. I didn’t
realize this until my 2 year poleversary came up, but my first class was on my
fathers birthday. Interesting how that
worked out. This year is my 3 year
poleversary and I am also performing a solo with Jagged.
5. What is it about pole
dancing that you enjoy the most?
What I enjoy about pole
dancing the most is the pole community.
We support each other and stand by one another no matter where we are in
the world. If you travel you can walk into
a pole studio and we are embraced with a passion and understanding of what we
love to do and that is our Pole Life!
6. What are your 3 favourite
pole moves and why?
Gosh,
my 3 favorite pole moves. This is tough
because I am constantly learning new tricks.
For now I would have to say, Alegra, Superwoman on spinner while
spinning close to the ground (You will see this move in a lot of my youtube
videos), and cupid.
7.What are the main fitness
benefits of pole dancing and how have pole dancing improved your fitness,
strength or bodyshape?
The main fitness
benefits of pole isn’t just physical but mentally for me saves me in so many
ways. It gives me courage, confidence,
strength, and liberation. Pole dancing
did improve my fitness and body because I was abusing drugs and alcohol. Pole got me sober and gave me the power to a
healthier lifestyle.
8.What’s your favourite move
for strength training on the pole?
My favorite strength
training move on the pole would be actually 2.
The caterpillar push up and the straddle leg lift sit-ups.
9.What pole performers do you
admire or inspire you?
By
far Jenyne Butterfly (USA), Jamilla Deville (Australia), Natasha Wang (USA), Anastasia
Skukhtorova (Russia), Kate Czepulkowski aka Bendy Kate (UK), Oona Kivela (Finland), and my
coach Cat Landry (USA).
10. If someone has never
tried pole dancing before how do you advise them to get started?
I tell them, “Don’t
knock it till you try it!” Usually the
person asking me questions to why I do it as a fitness and they just don’t get
it. I usually drag them to a beginner
class or I will teach them in a private at home and they fall in love. Every time they are blown away to how sore
they are and how much fun it is!
11. What’s next for you in the coming
year?
Completing Pole Life. Keep teaching pole. I just finished and Directed a pole fitness
DVD for X Pole US and there are more DVD’s to come! I would love to open my own pole fitness
studio and get the plans finished before the years end but if not this year
next year for sure!
Watch the Pole Life Trailer here
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Posted by Nikki McNeill on May 07, 2012 0 Comments
The Sat Nav had a
mini meltdown and directed us out into the middle of a field, but we finally made
it to Easterns Nightclub in Sudbury for the Pole Factor Finals.
After a late start, the
event finally kicked off with a routine by Precious Burlesque, followed by MTM
radio’s Kyla White’s sultry tones as she sang some timeless classics. Next up we were treated to
a beautiful contemporary pole performance by Judge David Zongoli, who’s little
white shorts were a talking point for the rest of the evening.
As the finalists too to
the stage to be introduced by even host and organiser, Catherine Dachtler, many
could hardly speak as the nerves were starting to show.
Judges on the night were,
Kyla White, MTM Radio, Zara Jane Berry, UK Pole Artist Champion 2011 and David Zongoli,
Italian Pole Champion.
First to perform was
Lindsey Coventry, who is a mum and has been pole dancing for 2 years. She wore
a funky hat and danced to circus style music.
Next up was Phillipa
Reason who danced to contemporary music and wore an eye catching blue sequinned
dress, with blue feathers to match on her ballet shows.
Gemma Davies wore white
and danced to Christina Aguilera’s ‘Beautiful’, upping the game in the
competition with many advanced tricks in her routine.
Essex Uni Pole Dancing Society
patron Sophie Logan was next on the pole and she had the added pressure of
performing in front of her boyfriend for the first time.
Mum of 2 Sadie
Hollinsworth was amazingly graceful in her contemporary routine.
Sarah Verrel got the crowd
going with her routine to the music from Dirty Dancing.
And finally, but by no
means least Rebecca Howard who wowed the crowd and judges with her amazing routine
featuring moves such as the Iron X and phoenix whilst sparkling in a cute silver
and metallic blue outfit.
After the first round of performances the top 3 were announced, who
would go on to dance again and battle for the all important title. They were; Gemma Davies, Rebecca Howard
and Sadie Hollingsworth.
We were then treated to the 3 top performances
again. Could they nail their routines
for a second time or up their game to give a little extra? Rachel Howard looked likely to take the winning
position as her tricks and fluidity were amazing, but the battle for second of
third was on between Gemma and Sadie.
The final results were:
1) Rebecca Howard
2) Gemma Davies
3) Sadie Hollingsworth
Congratulations to all the finalists. It takes huge courage to go from being a
student to getting up on stage and performing in front of others. Let’s hope some new stars of tomorrow have
been discovered! We’ll be watching.
See photos from the Pole Factor 2012 Finals here
More info on the pole factor here http://www.pole-factor.com/
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Posted by Nikki McNeill on May 03, 2012 0 Comments
Mika Yoga Year continues to be a favourite with Health & Fitness Magazine and the Lucia shorts in Hibiscus are featured on the front cover of the June 2012 issue.
Buy the Lucia shorts here.
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Posted by Nikki McNeill on April 24, 2012 0 Comments
Ahead of the upcoming Pole Factor finals we talk to event organiser Catherine Batty Dachtler who also runs Little Sapphires pole sports and dance studio.
1.Tell
us more about Pole Factor? How and why did you start the event?
Pole Factor is
actually a non-competitive based event for all levels of pole dance enthusiast,
although oddly it has become a competition because as it has developed
more people have got involved and there is now fabulous winning prizes
being given but that is not the main drive behind it. It was
actually a friends idea, after a few drinks and a political pole chat, but
was developed by all the little sapphires to enable any dancer
/ performer the chance to produce a routine worthy to be a
performance, as well as a chance to play with styles and ideas, and a chance to
perform in front of a friendly viewing crowd. A unique characteristic
of our event is that the 'contestants' receive live feedback from the
judges who include reputable pole dancers who understand dance and understand
what it takes to pull a performance together for crowd pleasing, its ideal
practice before a main stream competition or for an audition maybe. The
judges explain what they like, what they think could be improved upon so that
no matter what level of pole dancer the entrant is, they still get feedback
relating to their personal performance only, no one is compared,
there are no levels separating categories, there isn’t even any rules.. the
only guidelines being that you must choose your style, and that the
performances must be seen as a pole sports event only.
2.What’s
it all about? Where will it all take place, who’s taking part and what can we
expect to see?
The
idea was created to give any person the chance to get on stage, this also
enhances training aims, it gets different schools together, it produces a fair
playground for points to be awarded to the individuals, it also gives the
spectators the chance to hear what judges really think, and for score
cards to be seen. We also video the performances so entrants can review
their show with the written feedback.
I found and
still find it difficult judging performances that vary so greatly, it seems
some polers find it difficult to develop their unique style so Pole Factor
makes the entrant choose their style, they are asked to pick there category....
Rap/Hop-Hop = Freestyle (traditional pole, i.e. bikinis & heels
encouraged, little story to be told, but very dancey) Rock /Pop =
Sporty (no dance, linking moves, gymnastic style, holding power moves for
longer etc) Classical / Contemporary style, (telling a story, ballet
style I suppose) .. this is my opinion on these styles, and the entrants
are definitely developing these further, and then with judges feedback and
perception we’ve also realised this will help non-polers, general public
understand the styles, which in turn will help people develop their training
regime.
Now the final will be in Sudbury, Suffolk, where we have held
competitions and sports days before, we open doors at 7pm and we have our
lovely Precious Burlesque troop performing, they have covered a few of our
events, including little sapphires big Christmas party and the last round of
Pole Factor and I cant wait to see them perform again. We also have live
singers, we have the judges Zara Berry and Davide Zongoli performing, we have
IFilm London recording the event, and we have Kyla White from MTM Radio
singing. Kyla White and
MTM radio are also offering the unsigned band of their chosen category as the
winning prize for the video shoot, we also have a winning makeover, a photo
shoot, a Platinum Stage Pole and lots more,
We started in September
2011, on the 17th, it was my birthday, we had Jess Norris over for a class too
and she judged along with Zara Berry (UK Pole Artistes Champ. Instructor division)
and my friend Michelle Slatter who owns AheadOfHair.
We have seen
over 25 entries this season, local polers and from much further afield too, I
was surprised how much interest there was, so then decided this has something
going for it, so from each round we had 3 top scorers go through to the semi's,
contestants are placed to 6th place, but we also gave a few honorary positions
to the semi finals as scores were sooo high, but as there were more entrants in
some of the rounds they weren’t placed in the top 3 so we gave honorary places to
those considered worthy of a place in the final.
Contestants can enter more than one event, and their scores
accumulate over the season, this may also result in a honorary position, i.e.
if someone keeps getting 4th, their points are credited, and at the end of the
year there total scores may mean a prize, other wise its just 1st, 2nd &
3rd that go through to the semi finals, which can be hard if at one event there’s
only 6, and another 14 entries, so you see to travel to the different rounds is
beneficial, so its a great social event too!
We have had 12 finalists, how ever only 8 have re entered
for the semi final, (those that cant make it have automatic entry to next years
semi finals because I know some were quite upset they couldn’t make it) I think
some have used it for what they wanted, and have gone on to be placed at main
stream events so there for don’t feel the need to pressure them selves for
another competition type performance.
3.How and
did you first get interested in pole dancing and what made you become an
instructor/performer?
My main drive
behind teaching was to give students, new to fitness or pole the help they
needed, having seen others teach pole 'fitness' I could understand that how the
body functions is very relative to pole dance & fitness. I’ve
done massage for sports for years, I was then a gym and fitness instructor and
had already been pole dancing but found going to class could be detrimental to
my longevity in the sport due to strength and flexibility training not
being given in the correct stages. I went to 1 lesson, I was in my
heels but the girl didn’t know me from Eve and on class 1 we were
inverting and covering a routine she had been performing for 12 years, no warm
up I tore my deltoid! I spent the next 3 months getting fatter
watching you tube and really focusing on lines, correct functionality, using my
knowledge from personal training and exercise to music I made programmes to
suit all levels.
When I was
fitter I got a job in a gym with basic wage and filled
4x2hr classes a week. After 9 months realised I could do this
off my own back and control the classes my self, so I did. I decided to
stick to pubs and clubs, and over the past 4 years have built up a recognised
school and have 4 instructors in different venues, they all get a very decent
wage, not like how I was treated I hope, and I’ve given them all I can to get
their own classes established. My instructors work hard and understand
the principles and personal growth pole fitness gives every one and we have
great classes and have a great 'pole fam'.
4.What is
it about pole dancing that you enjoy the most?
Pole
dance is obviously a great way of getting fit, it keeps you
fascinated, its a great social thing too, so we pole, get fit, have fun and
because you can do it at home, in the park, in a gym , in a club it creates a
great place for people of many backgrounds to become involved, its because of
this that I also love the music aspect of pole dance!! You can pole dance to
nearly any thing, the same way you can work out to any thing, but when putting
a routine together, its the music that binds it all together, I love music, I
love pole, and the 2 together couldn’t be a better way for any one to express
them selves and release tension and feel good whilst getting fit and changing
your physical and maybe mental shape.
5.What
are your 3 favourite pole moves and why?
1) I adore what I
think is the Humming Bird, but have only pulled it off once for some
reason, and feel more like a seagull coming into land rather than a
beautiful humming bird...
2) I love the
simple flowing moves, a link between some of the most basic spins when
performed correctly look and feel amazing, such as carousel concorde to forwards
attitude to reverse star, these kind of moves we link a lot in our classes, the
individual can make them very unique, they’re challenging and yet so pretty and
so amazing when you pull them off.
3)Other moves I
would like to do nicely are the Jade, and Allegra!
(flexibility.will.get.better....?!)
6.What
are the main fitness benefits of pole dancing and how has pole dancing improved
your fitness, strength or body shape?
Pole dance is
very underestimated as a sports discipline in its own right. Co-ordination, and
balance, flexibility, strength, power, and cardio fitness are all enhanced
via pole when taught effectively. Stamina is
increased and an over all feeling of wellbeing from the physical activity, but
also via the feeling of accomplishment.
7.What’s
your favourite move for strength training on the pole?
Little
Sapphires have a fair few strengthening exercises for pole, most we use have
progressions and adaptions to suit all, most work in a functional way that they
are relative to pole moves, which ever you use, or are guided to use, we must
say that along side correct technique breath is the most important thing! We
teach this too, how to breath before a move, upon exertion to pull the move,
how to breath into it to hold it and how to breath in conjunction to get ready
for the next one. The other huge aspect of strengthening training is
make sure you rest and recuperate between sets!
8.What
pole performers do you admire or inspire you?
All the
performers that take this sport to the highest heights, the ones that are in
the gym as well as on the pole, the ones behaving like serious athletes,
eating correctly, sleeping well, the ones who are focused on encouraging
their fellow polers, the ones enhancing moves and styles, they are all my heros.
The one I hold dearest to my heart has to be the one and only Sally-Ann
Giles. She helped me so much and from day 1 made me feel 100% accepted
into pole sports! I know she has made many many others feel the same, she has
inspired, she shares every bit of info. she can and she parties like a trooper
(which is always a bonus, because she trains like a trooper too!)
9.If
someone has never tried pole dancing before how would you advise them they to
get started?
Lol, bob along to Little
Sapphires! Easy as that.. wear something not too loose, not too tight, prepare
to be challenged but don’t ever feel you will be asked to do something beyond
your capability, do not suspect to be bruised 'n' battered and end up like popeye
when trained correctly, but be prepared that the training tool / dance
partner is a metal pole and if you treat 'it' and yourself with loving
care you will soon see just what can be achieved.
10.What’s
next for you in the coming year?
Personally I am not teaching evening group classes this
year. I have let my lovely instructors sublet from me, and we are
training other instructors from any part of the UK to get their own fitness
classes off the ground, they need ideally 3 years experience and dance /
fitness qualifications. So this has given me more time to rekindle my love with
Fuzzy.. My horse as she’s been as good as neglected for a while, as well as i
still teach privately and now with summer on its way the 2 stages are out in
the garden for jammage and to hopefully build on my own strength and recreate
my own personality on the pole, I’ve lost a lot of strength and really
want to get committed so by this time next year I am back on the pole regularly
and enhancing my self again.
11. What are your hopes for the pole dancing
scene/industry in the UK for 2012?
Well thanks to Pole Sports Benevolent Fund (P.S.B.F.) and
Pole Sports Committee I think wheels are in motion for a regulated,
universal industry. It's very hard when we don’t want to be dictated
to, and we want pole to be free for all, but time has come for some lines to be
drawn and some regulations to be brought in. Including fair pay for instructors
from pole school owners, health & safety regulations in major chain gyms,
and all the political fluffs sorted out so we can all move on healthily!!! I already see a new influx of polers, like a new era of
fabulous younger polers attaching to established schools and creating a
new atmosphere which is very enlightening and inspiring.
For more info on Pole Factor log onto www.pole-factor.com or email info@pole-factor.com
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Posted by Nikki McNeill on April 14, 2012 0 Comments
Get your hands on the new and raunchy red Mika Yoga Wear before anyone else at the South West Pole Showcase in Bristol on Saturday 14th April. We'll be there with our stall of all things pole fitness - including Mika Yoga Wear, Pole Candy tops, Addicted to Pole tops, grip products, DVD's and more. Come and say hello.
Products will be available in our online shop from Monday 16th April, so if you want to ensure you get them first while stocks last, get down the the pole showcase! We look forward to seeing you there!
Look red hot in the new Raja Red!
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Posted by Nikki McNeill on April 13, 2012 0 Comments
Ahead of the South West Pole Showcase this weekend, we talk to organiser Robyn Rooke from 360 Pole Dancing to find out more...
1.Tell us more about the South West Pole Showcase? How and why did you start the event.
I used to be the main organiser of Pole Divas with Fay Warne. We did it for 3 years but it ended up being too much work with the pole schools we both run and living so far apart. People kept telling us how much they missed the event as not everyone wants to compete in competitions, so I thought about starting something regionally. I contacted some schools and got such a great response and so the South West Pole Showcase was born.
2.What’s it all about this year? Where will it all take place, who’s taking part and what can we expect to see?
The event takes place in a big old church on Saturday 14th April. It’s an amazing venue just perfect for pole and I can’t believe we hadn’t found it before.
We’ve got 10 pole schools taking part including my school 360, where the students have had to get on with it themselves since I have been out of action. I’ve helped them with a few moves but I’m sure they will be great, even though they haven’t had much time to practice and 2 of them have only been pole dancing since January.
Other schools taking part are; Spin City - Bristol and Exeter, Pole Affinity -Barnstaple, Emily’s Pole Fitness- Swindon, Pole Dancing (Funky Monkey Studio) – Bath, Studio 22 - Taunton, In The Shadows – Weston-Super-mare, Poleatis - Bridport, Pink Kitten Dance School – Bristol.
Expect everything from student group pieces to super glamourous professionals and special guest performances UKPPC champion Annie Norris and Jamie Taylor who is also doing workshops in Bristol on Sunday 15th April.
3.How and did you first get interested in pole dancing and what made you become an instructor/performer?
I first got into pole dancing in 2004 when a friend was getting married and I was researching things to do for Hen dos. I came across pole dancing and really wanted to book it, but my friend chickened out at the last minute as she didn’t want her mum doing it.
I was still really excited about it and wanted to do it and about 6 months later I found a class nearby and when I arrived the teacher was my next door neighbour when I was at University!
I took lessons for 8 months and took part in the Pole Princess amateur competition organised by KT Coates with my friend Michelle who ended up winning. To be honest I was terrible and did really badly, but loved the experience and being on the stage and wanted to do it again.
The school Michelle and I were students at then asked us if we’d like to teach and we did training course and got our certificates. After that I moved from Birmingham to Bristol and went to a few pole classes to meet people. By the third lesson, I knew more tricks than the teacher and as luck would have it she had to leave to go back to college and I was asked to teach. This was in 2006 and I taught there for 3 years.
Unfortunately the venue for my classes was changed to a smaller room more like a cupboard with not enough room to pole dance properly so I left as I felt I couldn’t teach properly in that space.
During that time I was also busy with Pole Divas and after that I opened my own pole school 360 in January 2010. This year we celebrated the second birthday which I feel is a real achievement as it’s gone from one class to six classes a week with a waiting list too!
4.What is it about pole dancing that you enjoy the most?
Pole dancing gives me the chance to get away and escape when I am performing as I can be someone else. You can be a gravity defying princess and wear 6 inch heels and be fabulous! I also love the challenge of learning new moves and being strong and having killer abs.
5.What are your 3 favourite pole moves and why?
1) Twisted Stag – Makes me look bendy, even though I’m not and it shows of my flexibility. It also looks pretty with a nice extension.
2) Inside leg hang or Scorpio – Versatile, pretty move that you can go in and out of so many other moves as it works in many combinations. It’s also great to see when someone really understands how the move works and there is more to it and that you can do with it.
3) Reverse grab – It feels like you are flying when you get it right!
6.What are the main fitness benefits of pole dancing and how have pole dancing improved your fitness, strength or body shape?
It’s a great exercise for toning your body, especially core, arms and shoulders. I noticed it’s toned my waist and I am pretty much straight up and down now with improved core strength. I’ve also got strong arms and bigger shoulders and sometimes find it hard to find t-shirts to fit! Haha! And believe it or not, before I started pole I could not even touch my toes.
Teaching and doing everything with the class I have really noticed an improvement in my flexibility and was then able to do the splits, but really had to work at it as it as you have to keep stretching regularly to improve.
7.What’s your favourite move for strength training on the pole?
I like to do leg lifts and crunches when you stand to the side of the pole as if you are going to invert, but first bring your knees to your check in a tuck position and repeat, then do the same thing with the legs straight. It really works the legs and abs.
8.What pole performers do you admire or inspire you?
Jenyne Butterfly – Big fan of Jenyne, she is a pole technician. She can visualise everything so perfectly and do it as if there is no gravity.
Sally-Ann Giles – She knows how to own a room, It doesn’t matter if she doesn’t do the hardest tricks, she always has everyone in the rooms eyes on her and never misses a beat.
Tess Taylor - She knows how to fly, gravity does not apply when she gets near the pole.
9.If someone has never tried pole dancing before how would you advise them they to get started?
I’d say go to a group lesson, the social aspect is the best things you can do to meet people just like you, who feel just as nervous and have never done it before. Look on the PDC website for approved schools and also find someone you get on with as an instructor.
10.What’s next for you in the coming year?
Getting back on the pole for starters! I should be able to do a handstand by Christmas. I’ve been told I can do basic teaching with someone with me demonstrating in June, but nothing putting weight through my shoulder until the Autumn. I’m also on the look out for a new studio where I can run classes every night so I don’t have a waiting list and can run a larger variety of classes to suit all levels.
Find out more about the pole showcase and buy tickets here http://www.360poledancing.com/showcase.htm
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Posted by Nikki McNeill on April 02, 2012 0 Comments
Justine McLucas gets the thumbs up from Indigo magazine for her pole dancing teaching skills in the Pole Motion Pole Fitness Volume 1 DVD.
It's been very rewarding to help spread the word about the fitness benefits of pole dancing to a wider audience and Justine is a great ambassador for pole fitness, showing that you can get fit with finesse. Good work Justine!
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Posted by Nikki McNeill on March 28, 2012 0 Comments
It's the UK Pole Showcase in Newcastle this weekend and we talk to founder Aimee Lawson from Northern Pole Dance to find out more...
1.Tell us
more about the your pole showcase event? How and why did you start the event.
UK Pole Showcase was formed as soon as I learnt of the sad decision not to run
pole unity in 2011, northern pole dance took part in 2010 and hoped to do so
again in 2011.... It was the perfect place for me to actually decide to perform
again after having my daughter in 2009.... I'd considered giving up pole
altogether after finding it hard to get back into after that... I decided that
the UK needed a non-competitive environment to allow people from pole schools
the chance to perform. There are so many competitions but I know that there are
many many schools who don't get involved in the competitive side of pole....
This showcase is a brilliant place for all schools to come together and do what
they love doing in front of a supportive audience :)
2.What’s it
all about this year? Where will it all take place, who’s taking part and what
can we expect to see?
The Showcase is being
held at 'The Peoples Theatre' in Newcastle upon Tyne on Sunday 1st April.
Geographically Newcastle is in a great place to allow schools from all corners
of the UK the chance to come together, lots of events take place in the south
which often means Scottish and Northern England schools often chose not to take
part due to the travel costs involved... As expected lots of schools signed up
to take part, but for varying reasons a few have fallen along the wayside,
however, we've got 16 schools taking part out of the 28 that applied with
performances from Glasgow Uni, JLN, BodyBarre, Northumbria Uni, StaceyPole,
PoleFit, X-Stacia Pole Fitness, Cumbria Pole Art and The PoleGems to name a
few!! A full list of performers can be found on the UK Showcase website www.ukpoleshowcase.com There are many
wild and wonderful themes from Pirates to Spooky to Black Swan, there's sure to
be a performance to suit everyone's tastes!
3.How and
did you first get interested in pole dancing and what made you become an
instructor/performer?
I first took a Pole
Class back in 2006, in those days it was still very hush hush and hard to come
by in Newcastle, there was only one company providing classes which were held
in a gentlemans club and taught by a stunning 20 foot tall beautiful long leggy
dancer! I got so drunk (due to being so nervous) at my first class that I fell
asleep in a cheeseburger on the way home!!! But my friend and I persevered with
it and went on to really love it!
I began teaching hen-parties for
that company in 2007 (basically to fund my spiralling wedding costs!) and
opened Northern Pole Dance in 2008. I take much more of a backseat role these days, for the
simple fact that I am just not at a good enough standard to teach the advanced
levels these days! The Northern Pole Dance instructors can defy gravity that I
only aspire I reach nowadays. I have
very little time to train and it would be wrong of me to think my standard
would be high enough for the modern pole world!!!!
4.What is
it about pole dancing that you enjoy the most?
I love love LOVE to see the progression people make, I find their enthusiasm
spurs me on to create a better place for them to train with us and provide the
best school I can for each and every one - maybe the sun is now getting to
me!!!! Time for a swim! ;D
5.What are your 3 favourite pole moves and why?
1) Butterfly because it looks really
impressive and is actually really achievable for everyone!
2) Handspring because it took me SO long to be able to do!
3) Jade split because I’ve only managed it twice and no-one got a picture!!!!
6.What are the main fitness benefits of pole
dancing and how have pole dancing improved your fitness, strength or body
shape?
Pole dancing has really changed my life
(corney I know!) but since getting involved with pole dance I have pretty much
changed my entire career to join the fitness world! I have developed muscles,
become pretty damn flexible and I really enjoy keeping fit which is something
that wouldn’t have ever happened if I hadn’t started Pole Dance!
7.What’s your favourite move for strength
training on the pole?
Its too hard to choose! I enjoy all kinds
of training
8.What pole performers do you admire or inspire
you?
Felix Cane was one of my biggest
inspirations and we were lucky enough to host her for a Masterclass at Northern
Pole Dance last year, it kick-started my flexibility training and it was a
refreshing change to see someone as amazing as her finish a massive plate of
pub-grub and drink real ale!!!! I also love to watch Jenyne Butterfly and Elena Gibson,
every time I watch a performance of theirs I fall in love a little bit more…. I
think I may start developing little girl-crushes one of these days ;)
9.If someone has never tried pole dancing
before how would you advise them they to get started?
I’d recommend everyone to go along to a
Pole Class, its not just about safety it’s a social thing, I’ve made some of my
best friends ever through pole classes, although there’s no reason not to pole
at home its absolutely brilliant to pole with friends.
10.What’s next for you in the coming year?
We’ve got so much going on at Northern Pole
Dance this year! Our very own studio opens in Newcastle in about a week or so
which is super super exciting, we’re very busy decorating at the moment which
is hard work to fit in around all of the showcase work! But it’ll be so worth
it to see it finished. The we’ve got out Northern Pole Princess Competition in
July, it’s the 4th year of the comp and we’ve got international
entries this year for the first time! Tickets are flying out of the door for
that and I’m worried I may need to find a bigger venue!!! I’m also super
excited to have Anastasia and Evgeny at Northern Pole Dance in May. I’ve got a
few judging appointments book already this year as well as teaching Flexibility
masterclasses around the UK – its going to be a very busy year for me and for
Northern Pole Dance.
Find out more about the UK Pole Showcase here
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