Anyone Learning from Studioveena Exclusively?

A Christina · 2015-09-11T22:42:34+00:00

The author is considering learning pole dance exclusively through Studioveena due to cost and a preference for solo learning, but is facing some skepticism from experienced pole dancers. They asked fo

A Christina started this discussion · 9/11/2015

I simply cannot afford studio lessons anymore. Not only that, but I don't think my learning style permits me to get very much out of a class setting. I often find myself distracted by other people, constantly comparing my technique to others, feeling unsure of myself, etc. I am naturally a pretty introverted/shy person, so I generally learn new skills best when I'm alone...especially if it involves dancing around barely clothed. I have an in-home pole already, so...I figure why not? However, I have had pole "friends" who are pole instructors/veterans making me feel as though I HAVE to take in studio classes. They can be rather aloof about it, and act as though I am certain to injure myself if I try to learn at home without an instructor. Or like I'll never learn "properly." I love this website, and I honestly feel as though I learn faster from these simply, concise instructions than I do during my in studio pole classes. Plus, I feel like this website allows me to tailor what I learn to suit my own style. In my class we learn climbs and other great techniques for basic pole moves...but we also spend time during class learning lap dances, twerking, breast jiggling, etc...and honestly, the latter moves are just not my style. Any advice from ladies who learn exclusively from this great website? :) Oh, and when will the next sale be? I initially signed up for 60 days to see how I'd like it...but eventually I'm going for a full year. ^_^

21 replies

Catsanctuary177663 · 9/11/2015
I am solely a Veener. I'm going to be 49 in 2 weeks and feel perfectly safe learning here. I also video myself regularly to check my technique against the videos. IMHO I feel that everything is covered. I will probably take classes at a studio at some point to see if there is any benefit from it but I am perfectly satisfied right now. I used to work in clubs and was always injured. Now I know how to prevent that.
mystical · 9/12/2015
I am learning from here only, I would like to take a class some where eventually onnce I get more into intermediate.. I would suggest video taping yourself to see your progress or to see what you need to work on more. This is a great site and so many helpful people..
mystical · 9/12/2015
Home poling you can take your time with moves, try not to rush into move's, make safety your first priority..
Krabbette · 9/12/2015
I have never taken a pole dancing class in a studio. I am perfectly happy with learning from Studioveena exclusively. Everything is covered, everything is so thoroughly explained, the lessons are in progressive order, you can ask any questions that come up... I have never injured myself and also feel I am making good progress. I wouldn't worry. If you feel you can motivate yourself without someone around pushing you, go for it!
tinarn01 · 9/12/2015
I've never taken a class either...I pole from home and have learned everything from veenas site. I love it.. The lessons are progressive, its a great community for critique and support, and like you said, you're not stuck in a class working on something that really isn't your style.. I'm with you, I'm more about gaining strength and learning pole tricks than I am about the booty shaking (not that there's anything wrong w that).. And you can pole on your own schedule. Maybe if i was planning on competing or doing a show or something, it might be different..but I just do it because I love it..
vkissme · 9/12/2015
ME ME ME. I only did youtube from home and STUDIOVEENA ROCKS. she shows you proper tech. i have taken a classes for a week long and sometimes 1 or 2 in all my pole life but nothing beats learning at home unless you have access to a studio weekly . im too broke for that right now plus daycare issues.
grayeyes · 9/12/2015
I don't go to the studio either. I took three or four classes in a studio and haven't been back for at least a year and a half. I just use Veena's lessons and an occasional tutorial on YouTube. I think about trying the other studios in town but they aren't very close and I just never get around to it.
33barbwire · 9/13/2015
I love the term Veener, and I'm totally one, for several reasons. First, there's no longer a pole studio in my town (second, the instructor of the studio that used to be here - she...um...had professionality issues). Third, Veena is everything I need in an instructor and I've made more progress in the last month than I had in the last SIX months before subscribing. If you're waiting for a sale on the year-long subscriptions, I backtracked through all of her Instagram posts for the last year and counted the weeks between posts that advertised a sale. The longest she went during late 2014-2015 was about seven weeks, most sales were about every 4-5 weeks. There was a back to school sale recently, so it shouldn't be too long before the next one!
Lucca Valentine · 9/14/2015
I basically did, I've been to maybe 7 studio classes and half of those were beginner classes to introduce other people to pole ;) veena knows her stuff and is more thorough than any other instructor I've had. Training at home means you have time to really focus on conditioning before moving on to other tricks, whereas a lot of classes I went to kinda went into tricks often before students were ready. I went to one class where they taught split grip holds (and I mean HOLDS, long ones) in the same class as chair spins and sprained the crap out of my forearm doing so cuz I wasn't strong enough yet. Anyways! Veena is seriously the safest way to learn in my opinion, take lots of video of you can and then you can see if you have proper form, or submit videos here if you have questions or need help :) veena replies to almost every video asking for help, and so do lots of very knowledgeable members who may have experience the same road bumps!
Kellye Perkins · 9/14/2015
I have had a few in studio classes and see Veena's online learning as the safest and best. If you follow her program you will not get injured. She teaches all moves for all levels in order.
tiggertail · 9/15/2015
Had the chance to have a few workshops since i start but never took class. In fact my only teacher is Veena. I really like the way the teach each move and give good tips or way to get into a move. The lessons are worth every penny and the extra stuff is so much fun :)
kittyface · 9/23/2015
I take classes and don't have Veena's lessons, but I had some thoughts about this I wanted to share. Yes, there are downsides to learning on your own with online lessons - like not having a spot when you need one - but there's downsides to learning in studios as well, especially for people who are more shy or introverted. I've read a number of women here who have had horrible experiences in studios with hierarchical, "keep up or keep out" mentalities, women who have been injured from instructors pushing them too hard (inverts and shoulder mounts on the first day!), and women who just know they don't learn well in groups. I go to a decent pole studio that doesn't do these things, but there are still some things about my studio that wouldn't be for everyone. I've gotten new techniques I've wanted for ages only to hear someone yell at me to point my toes =P I have the kind of personality where I can laugh at that and brush it off, but I could see that hurting the confidence of someone more shy and introverted. I feel like some pole studios... well, are frankly really full of themselves, and they think learning from studios is the ONLY way. I'm sorry, but that's bull$&@#, especially with the amount you would be paying at a pole studio. I pay more for an hour lesson than I would for a month for unlimited lessons on StudioVeena! Why pay large amounts of money for something that just makes you feel self-conscious and doesn't even help you that much? Personally, I take lessons in a studio because I know they're beneficial to me for a number of reasons. I tend to be more extroverted and like the social aspect of studios, I don't have a viable camera or home pole right now so I know I'll miss some mistakes I'm making, I tend to be a bit more clumsy and confused anyways and it really helps me to have an instructor talk me through moves I don't understand. I'm not always aware of what my body is doing. That said, if you don't have the issues that I do, are more introverted, and have the self-knowledge that you learn better on your own than in a studio... like you said, why not take lessons at home? You'll have a lot more fun and learn a lot faster that way. I do understand the concerns that your "friends" might have, like you not having a spot when you need one or missing any mistakes you might make without an instructor pointing them out, but those issues can be mitigated with the right steps (like filming yourself and comparing it to the lesson video, posting it here and asking for advice, using a mirror when you need one). It sounds like you know yourself well and know what you're doing, so their aloofness really isn't fair. Oh, and about being taught sexual moves in class - I empathize completely. I would feel unbearably awkward in that situation, since that's not my style at all and I hate feeling like I'm being made to participate in it. These days I mostly take acro classes so it doesn't really come up, but you're not alone in being uncomfortable with that. tl;dr - you know what you're doing, so keep doing your thing :)
poleisnewtome · 9/23/2015
I go to a wonderful studio with a knowledgeable and caring instructor whose priority is first and foremost for the safety and comfort of her students. However, she also encourages her students to break out of their mental blocks and attempt things that she knows are within their strength-level. I think encouragement is so important otherwise those who are held back by fear would never try something knew. For me, Veena's lessons are a supplement for what I learn at the studio and for this, are an invaluable resource. Personally, I would not be comfortable learning solely online because I do not feel safe without a spotter. Also, I tend to be a procrastinator, so if left to my own devices, I would not be as consistent with practicing solely at home.
Kellye Perkins · 9/23/2015
I don't feel I need a spotter as Veena teaches moves from the floor first. Then gradually you build the strength and flexibility required to perform the move. You know when you are ready to try it on the pole without fear of falling. I have not been impressed with the pole studio near me and feel much safer following Veena's syllabus of instruction.
mystical · 9/23/2015
I agree with kellyeperkins, everyone can use a crash mat also, a spotter isn't always going to be able to catch you, a crash mat will break your fall.
Veena · 9/23/2015
I'm loving all the replies! Studioveena was created differently than other tutorial sites or pole related websites out there, we were the first to offer more than a forum. We wanted a community and studio, it's a custom site and it's truly like no other! My goal was to be a virtual studio. 💻📱With all of my lessons placed in a progressive order, offering 30 day programs and related lessons to help you understand what is needed to work up to a particular move, it makes learning online very user friendly. I'm also very available to answer question posted to lessons. So my reply is yes, you CAN and many HAVE learned only from the lessons here. Some have even gone on to open studios or have started to post their own tutorials after learning here. I'd say over the years it's become a great resource for teachers and students looking to remember what they've learned in a phyical class and a great place to learn different methods from what may be taught in class. Class students will be able to progress faster as well because they can practice more than once a week! Spotters are an important part of progressing past certain levels, they're also great from a mental aspect as Poleisnewtome mentioned to help you feel secure....spotters should not be used to push or move someone up onto the pole, if the student cannot get into the position themselves, they're not yet ready for that move. I talk more about the spotter in the Veena Method training course. https://www.studioveena.com/methods/letter
rebeccafemm · 9/23/2015
At the moment I am in a very remote area for the next half a year. I have a pole at home but had not been motivated to get started again, just recovering from health problems and a massive weight gain which killed my motivation and confidence. I happened upon this site and joined within days. Having the 30-day programmes to work with, plus the database of lessons allowing you to work with any weaknesses you might have, just allows me to make a commitment to myself in a systematic and progressive way. Before the health issues I was a pretty fit Pilates instructor, and I find myself very "at home" with the detailed way that Veena teaches. When I move I know I will have a handful of studios close to me, one of which I will probably join if I can find one that suits me, but until then I am feeling more enthusiastic than I have in a long time about getting back into shape.
TexasBeachDancer · 9/24/2015
I started a year ago on my own with a pole in my house using you tube tutorials Then I found StudioVeena! I LOVE the way lessons are taught. Master one move before moving to the next etc. Starting from the floor and working up. I've never had formal lessonsand have been able to progress way past where I everthought I would be able tothanks to Veena. Never stop believing in what your body can do with practice, persistance and patence at any age! I am very much a solo learner so this method is perfect for me!
michaelaarghh · 9/24/2015
Once you start getting into advanced moves, there are some I wouldn't try without a spotter. A good spotter should definitely be able to catch you, or at the very least manipulate you so you land safely. I have always attended a studio, but I did have lessons on here as a supplement, and I thought they were great. Sometimes it helps to have things explained in a different way - for instance, when I was learning Ayesha, I just could not get it. I watched Veena's lesson one day at home while practicing and she said something like "Now, do this to try and find your balance" and it was like a light bulb went off in my head and I realised I need to balance in the move! (I mean, obviously, but we all have those light bulb moments haha) The lessons on here are great - whether you're already at a studio or not :)
honolulusushi53412 · 9/27/2015
I learn from studios, Dvds, and would like to learn using Studioveena. I think some moves were better done in the studio and am thankful for that. Also was motivated by seeing closely how moves are suppose to look. Yet l have learned some difficult moves at home with no one to spot me. The jade split and shoulder mount. So you need to know your strengths, and stop when tired. I have had way more injuries from studios then on my own. So it seems that either way has pros and cons.
Veena · 9/27/2015
Honolulushushi, We have a sale going on this week so now's a great time to purchase! https://www.studioveena.com/user_registrations/fall2015