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CKR/CAR @ first pole class ever!
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Wait! What? I thought day 1 was supposed to be fonji prep???? https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif Doesn't everyone teach the fonji in intro? https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif
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I'm kidding about the fonji – ofcourse!
In seriousness I think beginners should begin with dance. I require beginners to take a dance/transition class that is multi-level because the advanced girls are required to keep working on their dance/flexibility/strength too.
In my class we work on ground spins then falling spins then lefted spins and work the floor, wall and work on feet and hands.
In my personal and humble opinion as a mailnly self taught dancer my progression was unsafe in the beginning – I am lucky I didn't seriously injure myself and I feel like even at the advanced level you should always be gaining strength and flexibility – the stronger and more flexible you are the more useful your trick time will be. I found through basic dance – high leg lifts, pirouettes, lifts and slides, floor work – and working on correctly executing the simple things my stength and flexibility doubled. So if this is true for someone who is advanced then how much more so for beginners who don't have technique yet, who will be prone to bruising and will have high fear factors – generally speaking.
Many studios feel "upside down" will keep students without thinking that SUCCESS will keep students around. No one wants to go any exercise class and feel "left in the dust" "unable to keep up" "scared" or "incapable." There is a line to be drawn between giving someone a great workout that challenges them but also makes them feel successful and pushing people way beyond their physical and metal limits.
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"Many studios feel "upside down" will keep students without thinking that SUCCESS will keep students around."
So true. This sport is made up of building blocks, IMO. There are so many moves that build directly on each other. Some you can learn in parallel, but it still helps to start with the easiest block. Then students are progressing and seeing success instead of just plateauing and struggling to master anything new. I think the best instructors are sometimes the ones who struggled the hardest to learn a trick.
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I have seen pole moves incorrectly taught, which I thought was dangerous so I left the class. Most of the teaching was also done without mats. The instructor is always injured and has not furthered her pole ability for a long time and yet attempts to teach advanced students moves she cannot do herself. I and a few others were expected to pay out for masterclasses elsewhere then give her our knowledge for free, for her to then make money from. I’ve also seen her teach inverts on 1st lesson without mats. Regardless of how strong someone is when they start I think they need to get used to the pole and the grip required to hold yourself safely. Another reason why I left was that I suffered an endless barrage of criticism and lack of support because I was making a lot of progress. I was told I was too fat, too tall, not flexible enough, not built right etc etc for moves I have actually been able to do since I left. I’m much happier in my new class!
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