Cancelling classes

jane ette started this discussion · 8/27/2013

Hello. I am bit new to this site and have a couple of questions. I have been poling for about 1/2 of a year altogether. I have my own pole and can practice at home. The studio I go to is pretty far away and I can only make it once a week. Lately, the classes keep getting cancelled because there aren't enough girls signed up. Is this pretty common with pole dance studios? Also, I am wondering if I could keep progressing at the same rate if I took the lessons on this site, or do most of you still go to see an instructor on a regular basis? I am not sure what else to do short of taking private lessons, but those are incredibly expensive and I wouldn't be able to afford too many of those. Any suggestions?

8 replies

PersianXcursian · 8/27/2013
The only time we cancel classes is if an instructor can't make it or no one shows up within the first 10 minutes. I prefer hands on instruction because there's someone there to tell you how you look and spot you but you can still learn from home as well. I've heard people who learn at home actually tend to progress faster because they work on exactly what they want to work on.
Rylonn · 8/28/2013
Yeah I agree that you can sometimes learn faster on your own, but at the same time, it can be hard to tell if you're using incorrect technique and such, without an experienced person spotting/critiquing/evaluating you
chemgoddess1 · 8/28/2013
A mix of both is really ideal but with chats and skype easily available now there is no reason you cannot learn on your own. One thing that classes do for me is push me. It is so easy to get lax when learning at home but in a studio I will press on because I took time to get to the studio and also pay for that time. There are also spotters readily available for those scary moves.
Veena · 8/28/2013
Jane ette, I'm sorry your classes keep canceling! The lessons here are perfect for home polers! I break them down really well and we have slow motion and picture in picture, pause, rewind etc. Everything is place in order so you work towards building the necessary strength needed for more advanced work. Even the stretches are place in a specific order. If you have questions about your form you can always post a video for myself and the other member to view. There is also the option of leaving a comment on a lesson for me if you have questions and I get back to you ASAP! Tons of people have use these lessons to learn at home. 🌸
calipolepixie · 8/28/2013
Definitely give Veena's lessons a try. They are the best lessons online. And the girls in the SV community are a great help & support system. I also second what Chem said about Skyping & group jams with other Veeners as being great way to get motivation & feedback as well.
jane ette · 8/28/2013
Thanks everyone!! I truly appreciate all of your responses!! I can definitely see the need for a good spotter. I always have my husband to help, but he doesn't always know how to spot me. I usually have to tell him, hold me "here" or hold me "there." LOL!! And, I also agree that I push myself more in class. For me, it has more to do with the fact that I am performing in front of somebody else and I push myself beyond what I would do at home. I am hoping that the classes will pick back up so that I can go, but in the meantime, I will have to give Veena's lessons a try :) Which package do you all recommend and where do I start? I am able to do some inversions like the inverted V, cupid, iguana, and inverted crucifix. I can't quite get the superman because it kills my inner thighs. But, that should give you an idea of what level I'm at. Thanks so much :)
Koidragon · 8/28/2013
I would suggest both, but if your school keep cancelling, that makes it difficult. I personally need classes because I am prone to using 'brute strength and willpower' to get myself into a difficult move/set of moves, but may not be engaging properly (and have done damage to myself because of this). Also having a spotter for some of the more scary moves, as Chem said, especially in the beginning, is very helpful. Mind you, learning on your own is also incredibly important for advancement - whether it be in open studio practice or on your own pole at home. And the lessons here are incredibly well structured. What you could do, is do the home lessons, then perhaps once a fortnight, go to a studio and have someone check your engagement and progress. Unfortunately it is difficult when a studio of any sort has to cancel classes due to lack of numbers - perhaps find out what their minimum is, and rope some friends into going? (easier said than done I know).
smokinangel · 8/29/2013
I know summers are often slow. I bet when fall rolls around class enrollment will pick back up again. Second the benefits to learning on your own, too. Helps you know what to ask about/look for in class!