Anyone tried IPDFA Instructor Courses???

Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace started this discussion · 2/24/2014

Hi, seriously considering paying $630USD for IPDFA Instructor Course (Beginner just to start off with) online. But they are hopeless at getting back to me about some of my questions and it's making me a bit nervous about paying so much money online when I'm not sure of the quality of the course and I can't even get in touch with them! ( have tried messaging their Facebook page and contacting them via their website - no reply). Does anyone have an experience with online instructor courses? This one is accredited by Australian Fitness Association so that's why I was thinking of it..... rrrr frustrating, i just want to get the qualification under my belt so that i can use it to teach and get insurance cover. Any advice would be really appreciated!!!!

11 replies

symonesal · 2/25/2014
I suggest doing the Vertical Dance qualification course.
sexycat · 2/25/2014
I'm very keen to do online training to increase my teacher skills further. Let me know if you decide to go ahead scarletthoney and I might join you. We could be study buddies in Australia if you like :)
Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace · 2/26/2014
Symonesal have you tried it already? They are just so expensive! Eekk...
symonesal · 2/26/2014
Yes I did do the Vertical Dance one but not the IPDFA. The Bertical Dance one is run by KT Coates from the UK. A huge driving force in the pole community. She is the one who started the push to get pole dancing into the Olympics.
Koidragon · 2/26/2014
Are you already teaching? I would suggest calling studios who have good reputations with their instructors and asking what they would suggest, or what they require from their instructors. Just a suggestion :)
Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace · 3/10/2014
Ok I think I'm going to enroll in the online Vertical Dance course today. It's approved by Fitness Australia which I think is a good sign. I am already teaching but there are no pole studios in my area so it would be difficult to train through them... I have a few pole dance instructor friends and as far as i can see they are usually trained by the studio from student into teacher, no professional course required. But I need a certification so that I can get full professional indemnity insurance cover. Blah... I'd be interested to know how any of you with your own studios (Veena?) got full insurance. Symonesal how long did it take you to complete the Vertical Dance course? I'd love to get it done in two months - do you think it's possible? What did you think of it? Have you done the next intermediate course? Sexycat I'd love to be your studybuddy that's a great idea! :)
symonesal · 3/11/2014
Well honestly I took the course about 7 or 8 years ago now. I did all 3 levels from beginner to advanced. I wasn't rushing through, just took my time steadily but if I remember correctly I think I finished all 3 levels somewhere between 6-9 months.
Baudelaire · 12/30/2014
Scarlett Honey, did you end up taking a course? I've been looking around to see what options there are in Australia, and finding one that would give me flexibility, rather than just learning through a studio. I liked that you could couple the Vertical Dance courses together to get a discount but it's a big commitment to online learning! Would love to know how you went :)
symonesal · 1/1/2015
Hi everyone, Since this last post I have taken the level 1,2,3 & 4 of the X-pert certification program & now I am even an X-pert instructor teaching the course to others in HK & other places tentatively booked for next year including New Zealand & Lebanon. This really is a great course for instructors & students who want to learn how to pole the correct & safe way. There is a huge emphasis on spotting & I also love the way the course gives variations of almost all moves for those who are either not strong enough yet or for those who find the move too simple.
Baudelaire · 1/1/2015
symonesal, doesn't seem to be an xpert training in Sydney any time soon :( how did it compare to the Vertical Dance training?
symonesal · 1/1/2015
You can always write to X-pert in the UK. They are always planning new courses in different locations all the time so if they know the is interest then they can look into possibly setting one up sooner. Although both courses were very good I found this one particularly good due to the spotting factor. Also remember that I took the Vertical Fance course back in 2007 so things in the pole industry have changed a lot since then. I don't how or even if the Vertical dance course has changed since I took it.