I'm dropping my classes at the Studio

Dayanara started this discussion · 6/17/2009

I have been taking classes since October 2008, at a local studio, but I got bored and now I'm dropping them, I got my own pole at home in March, and I have learned so many things on my own, I already know all the moves the level 8 people do, but I'm on paper only level 6, I have never hurt myself doing anything, I warm up properly and stretch, and never push it too hard when I'm tired. When a move is getting me frustrated, I move on to another and leave it for later, but even with all that, they won't move me to a higher level, 'cause well....I haven't been taught this and that. I understand their concern for their students, but seriously, one instructor told me today she can't move me to level 8 because they don't think learning online is the right thing to learn, so I am probably doing stuff wrong, they haven't even seen me doing the "stuff" they think I'm doing wrong, because we are not allowed to do anything that we haven't been taught in class. ugh....I don't know, maybe I'm just angry, but I'm getting bored of these classes, opinions and suggestions welcome.

8 replies

yogabeachbabe · 6/17/2009
What a frustrating situation. As a teacher, I totally understand keeping all the students safe, but it sounds more like a control issue than anything! I mean, maybe if they took the time to evaluate you privately & told you they thought you weren't learning properly...but they're not even bothering! This reminds me a bit of a very popular national studio who won't let their students progress until THEY deem them ready. Go with your instincts. It sounds like you made the right choice by leaving.
Charley · 6/17/2009
Before you drop see if you can get an evaluation. Let them know how close you are to dropping. They might be reading it as you are just too hip hoppity to move on and pole instructors deal with a lot of people who think they are ready to do things they aren't. I think if you really communicate with them and let them know you aren't the student who is just being a trick junkie but sincerely feel ready for something more challenging they'll listen. I never allow moves to be done in class that are not being taught - it's so unsafe and a lot of people are learning from youtube which means they have half of the move but not all of it. This is a big concern for me because I want everyone to be kick ass pole dancers but I also want people to be safe and smart about their body AND be pretty dancers. From a teaching standpoint I teach moves is a specific order because they either work together or something is easier and trains the body up for the next move. It's very important to me that my clients go through each step of each move and movement grouping - this will allow them to better understand how to combine the moves and how to fully perform, finish and dismount in several different ways - each move. Once that's mastered then it's a matter of making the new things flow into what they already know. I think that while they may have a set way of doing things they need to look outside the box and at least talk to you about the situation. There are a number of reasonable results to be had from communication. For example if they still feel you are not ready to move on they can always give you things to work on like routines, spin mode, additional exercises, etc. Talk to them and be honest about how bored you feel. Classes are so beneficial - having someone right there to correct you can be so crucial with certain movements.
Dayanara · 6/17/2009
Thank you both. Charly, I requested an evaluation but they said no, because they wouldn't be able to move me up anyways, apparently I HAVE to go thru the levels WITH THEM, they gave me the option of private lessons so I can work at my level, but they are too expensive, plus I like the group exercise, I totally understand why they wouldn't want people doing stuff that they haven't been taught in class and I respect that rule. I am very chicken when it comes to tricks lol, so if anything I would be the student who doesn't want to do something because it's too scary, but since I got my pole, I've had the time to practice stuff and advance, I pole 3 or 4 times a week now instead of once a week at the studio, so that's gotta help. I don't know, I'm just a little upset...I believe they're thinking more about their business and the money that comes in than their students' development. I will stick with them until the end of this level but I don't think I'll be signing up for the next. *sigh*
yogabeachbabe · 6/17/2009
I just read your latest post as well as Charley's. I have to say that I agree with Charley's viewpoint and completely respect her, but I will add that if SHE were your teacher, then you wouldn't feel so shut down and you might not be in this situation. I wish all teachers were like her--wanting her students to progress in a safe and supportive way. The studio is not listening to their students, and that will be a problem in the future as well as the present. Having said that, I'm totally with you on liking group exercise--I love the social interaction as well as the energy and camaraderie(sp?). Good luck.
Charley · 6/17/2009
I am really surprised they are sticking like that. If a student came to me and told me they'd like to progress further up the pole - I would certainly listen to what they have to say and evaluate them. It may or may not end in the result they'd like but I'd listen and see what they can do. I would do all that I could to come to a reasonable scenario where I am comfortable with teaching them and they are not bored. There are some studios that are sticklers for sticking with the program and no deviations - I personally think that pole lessons even in a group setting can still be personalized.
PoleDanceABCs · 6/17/2009
People need to think outside the box and I think it scares them. They rather stick to a formula and go with what they know. It will be a positive thing to do what feels right for you. 🙂
Neke · 6/17/2009
If you like the group lessons so much, are there any other studios you could go to who would be willing to at least evaluate you to see what level you should be at? I would definitely be ditching the one you're at if they won't even listen to you... could you save up for just one private lesson so they could teach you what you need to learn in order to catch up with the higher levels? Surely if they were the ones teaching you one on one they couldn't complain that you weren't doing it right? I'm sorry you've ended up in such a sucky situation 🙁
Veena · 6/18/2009
I'm sorry to hear your having trouble with your classes 🙁 You should always respect your instructors, its their job to keep you safe BUT you are paying them, and if the classes leave you board and unsatisfied then they should do something to accommodate you. If your not getting what you need out of the class maybe you could find a new studio, or do they have a different instructor you could work with? If you speak with them again about it, just be really nice, don't go in and accuse them of anything, just let them know you really enjoy the group classes, but be clear that is creating frustration for you. Let us know if they change their minds. 🌸