Natasha Williams???

chemgoddess1 started this discussion · 10/16/2012

So a girl at a studio I play at bought these 2 books put out by Natasha Williams. I have never heard of this person or these books prior to this (which is odd if you know me). I was just wondering if anyone had any thoughts about these? One is called Pole Tricks Handbook http://www.bodymind.co.za/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage-ask.tpl&product_id=176&category_id=6&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=16 And the other is Pole Position 101: http://www.bodymind.co.za/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=9&flypage=flypage-ask.tpl&product_id=101&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=64 Anyone??

15 replies

chumpchkin · 10/16/2012
I think she's a master teacher (and maybe champion?) in South Africa. I poked around her site, but it's a little bit difficult to navigate.
chemgoddess1 · 10/16/2012
Yeah, there is not a whole lot of information about *her*.
hrhlaura · 10/18/2012
Natasha is considered to be the founder of Pole Dancing in South Africa and is the pioneer of the pole studios concept. She is also an international pole judge. Lovely lady and awesome to work with.
bodymind · 10/18/2012
That's me:) You can go through my website www.BodyMind.co.za or can look up www.MissPoleDance.co.za to see the annual competition I organize, coming up on 20 October this year. It's great you found my book, it's a very useful manual
bodymind · 10/18/2012
That's me:) You can go through my website www.BodyMind.co.za or can look up www.MissPoleDance.co.za to see the annual competition I organize, coming up on 20 October this year. It's great you found my book, it's a very useful manual
PippiParnasse · 10/28/2012
The pole and circus worlds are big enough that we all don't know each other/haven't heard of each other. I caught a lot of flack from some people when I moved to a new area because they "hadn't heard of me" because I didn't have an online presence before that (I didn't need it). Truthfully, I hadn't heard of them either. This experience makes me really want to give people the benefit of the doubt and judge a tree by its fruit. People outside our usual circles are most likely to have a fresh, unique take on things. Also, as a writer, I can say that people who write books (articles blogs etc) are not usually the people at the top of the industry. They are writers who have some level of expertise in what they're writing about.
chemgoddess1 · 10/28/2012
Generally Pippi tghose who would put out a book that is for instructional purposes is going to geth their name out there one way or another. Would you spend money on an instruction book without researching the person yourself? THIS is the reason that I posted here; there are people from all over. My question was no different than people asking for feedback on different products.
PippiParnasse · 10/28/2012
Right, I mean I'd be more interested in feedback about the product than the inventor. Incidentally, I've been asked to write books and make training videos before. And a part of me hesitates because even though I know the people who do know me and have worked with me would be excited about it, I just know others would do the "who the hell is this person" thing, and I don't want to go through that.
chemgoddess1 · 10/28/2012
But at the same time I have been in pole long enought to remember when there were really really really bad videos going up on youtube all the time of pole "instruction" (and there are still a ton out there currently). I am very interested in learning about her also, her background, what other types of dance/fiteness she has trained in, etc. It is quite easy to find information about you Pippi (not sure if it is recent or has been out for a while) but there still is not a lot about her. I keep seeing this title of "world famous" and "master trainer" but I cannot find any of her background. @bodymind, I do not mean this in a "bashing" type manner; I am just trying to find out more about you. You obviously have made a name for yourself in South Africa and have done a lot to positively promote pole dance.
PippiParnasse · 10/28/2012
Haha well if you're advertising yourself as "world famous" then yeah, people better have heard of you... I've been poling for 9 years so I know where you're coming from. And no, you would not have been able to find much info about me online before my previous relocation. I didn't have a need before then for an online presence. But I also never claimed to be famous or a master at anything. That's what we in journalism would label "self-described..." But I still say judge Natasha's work on its own merit. If it's really awesome and helpful, I don't care how famous she is. :)
Mary Ellyn · 10/28/2012
Chemmie...you offer legitimate questions...and by asking for references, asking around online or researching online hopefully you can find answers. I know Natasha because of my work globally but if not everyone knows you, then the only way to validate one's "advanced" skills is by providing references and experience. I had someone contact me once looking for work as an instructor or to train myself and my instructors, making claims about their skills - yet when I politely inquired for references because I hadn't heard of this instructor and couldn't research anything online, because quite put out by my very polite and realistic question...."where else have you taught" If we just welcome people into our studios or purchase online instructions or other resources without any knowledge of who they are and what their skill levesl are, we can wind up with people who don't know what they are doing and cannot deliver what we need - or worse, teach unsafely or maybe even have criminal records, etc. We advocate "responsible poling" encouraging students to not just jump in and start learning pole without being properly educated in safety and technique in some way so why would we use resources without validating them first. I'm certain Natasha is professional enough not to be insulted that you are researching her! :)
bodymind · 10/29/2012
Hey ladies, I see there have been a lot of questions about me. I think I should put a lot more information about myself on my website, I just have seen so many people blowing their own trumpet about how great they are, and when you see them they are smoke and mirrors. I have been an exotic dancer since 1989. Inbetween that I studied psychology and metaphysics. Fast forward to 2004. I started teaching pole dancing, and was the first person in South Africa to teach. I have taught the following studio owners in SA: Julie Swart (winner of Pole Champs 2011), Juanita Fouche (winner of Miss Pole Dance SA and Pole Champs x2), Venessa Clack (finalist in World Pole Sport, London 2012). I have been doing pole since 1998, and teaching pole for 8 years. I am an excellent teacher, and my main concern is safety and correct execution. It took me years to master some moves, that I can teach to someone in one lesson. I hate it when people call themselves professional and they don't know what they are doing. I don't fall in that league. I know what I am doing, and I know what I am teaching. I have taught many students (over 3000) and taught many pole instructors. My courses are accredited with REPSSA (Register of Exercise Professionals of SA). I have also done Group Fitness training, not because I needed it, but because I want people to know that I have the training. When I started teaching there were no courses. There was no one to learn from, I had to do it on my own. I went from starting with my own studio, to growing pole in South Africa. I am passionate about what I do. I have seen a lot of so-called teachers who have decided that they 'don't need any training'. I am hoping to make a difference and let people know that pole can be dangerous, have long lasting injuries, and a bad teacher can have a very damaging effect to the reputation of pole. We all know how learning something wrong the first time creates a bad habit, and can cause long-term injury. I have heard shocking accounts of teachers teaching, without even showing students what to do. I was Head Judge at the IPC in Hong Kong this year, as well as Judge as World Pole Sport in London. My studio was nominated as 2nd best in the world in 2009. Ania Przeplasko from the IPDFA can also give you more information about me. The reason I never entered any competittions is because mine was the only one since 2006. It's not possible to enter my own compettion, and so I've become the organiser. The PFASA has started their own competittion this year, but I am in a different space. My focus is not on becoming the next pole champion, but rather ensuring that my students do. As it so happens my own student did win Miss Pole SA last week:) I hope this answers your questions. And anyone needing any help with inspiration, moves or flow is welcome to ask me anytime:)
chemgoddess1 · 10/29/2012
Thank you thank you thank you for coming on here and introducing yourself and giving us (me) some background.
Mary Ellyn · 10/29/2012
That's nice of you to give some background on yourself Natasha! Thank you! It's very professional of you not to be insulted just because someone asks for your credentials!
PippiParnasse · 10/29/2012
Amen to that!