I hope I’m not one of these "bad beginners"…… https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_pale.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_confused.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_silent.gif

I noticed some girls climbing with the soles of their feet and wondered why they do it because it looks awful and awkward. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_scratch.gif It must be harder to learn climbing moves if you start out all wrong… they have to eventually shift their legs/feet anyways.

The whole pointy toe rule goes for most dance forms so there is little excuse. My toes on my right foot can’t bend because of surgery but not everyone has that excuse. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_razz.gif I know that sometimes I forget to point because I’m soooo occupied with hand placement or something else but it is bad. The sooner you do something the quicker it becomes a habit.

My peeve is seeing people walk as if they were walking on the street because walking heel-to-toe does not look graceful. In many dance forms you are told to dance on the balls of your feet because it makes it easier to turn and do quick movements. And being on the balls of your feet doesn’t mean you have to be all the way on your toes or pretend to wear a pair of invisible platforms but just lift the heels of the ground.

I think a lot of the issues you see with beginners is that they pick up a pole, watch pole dancers on the net, and then try to replicate the moves without any guidance or knowledge of the basics. If they lack dance classes in their area all they need is to pick up a good DVD set or take on-line classes. I know videos don’t replace teacher time but it is better than watching a Felix vid and thinking, "Oh I can do that… I’ll try it right now." (BTW I got my Art of Pole set in and I’m so loving it! I was getting sick of Vertical Dance.)