Pole expo 2014

sylvia27 started this discussion · 9/10/2014

How was everyone's pole expo 2014 experience? Does anybody feel some groups were a little clicky, not getting your money's worth for an hr workshop sharing a pole, or any thing else y'all experienced? 1. I felt like unless your somebody in the pole world, It felt clicky to me. Most pole professionals seemed the most clicky, also several pole studio groups only because I attend 2 different ones in different towns. I understand most go with a studio group, but some were just conceited or rude. 2. An hour workshop is not enough time to warm up and learn new tricks especially if you have to share a pole. I think a private would be more convenient. 3. The non pole workshops were full to capacity meaning their wasn't much room to move around or to be able to hear the pole professionals instructions and rooms had no mirrors or and rooms were hot. I guess this discussion is more about learning the what or what not to do for pole expo 2015. Better planning, etc.

6 replies

Princess Buttercup · 9/10/2014
Maybe it just depends on the classes, or the level. I took all stuff that I needed a ton of work on, so the instruction in an hour even with a shared pole was good for me because I was tired by the end of the hour. I am fairly new to pole though, so that's not a surprise. I also didn't experience a ton of clickyness, which makes me sad that you did. I talked to a ton of folks in my classes and everyone seemed pretty nice. I am a shooting instructor, and compared to some of the women in the shooting industry, it seemed a ton less clicky than I was expecting. The non pole rooms were small and packed. I did a handstand class that included elbowstands. because we were on office carpet, I still have nasty looking scabs on both my elbows from where I lost all the skin from the carpet. It would've been nice to have mirrors too. I agree that private lessons would be awesome. Especially if you are advanced and not getting enough from the group classes.
sylvia27 · 9/10/2014
I guess what I mean by clicky is that I'm usually a quiet person and wasn't really there with a group because my local studio had tees made for current students who planned on going. I didn't get one even though I had asked the owner for one. I felt like an outsider even with my local studio girls because of that. The studio I used to attend every sunday out of town to take pole classes had 4 of their students go together. Although they know me they were roomies and had their own plans. It sucks that some people are so fake and don't feel like socializing with others outside there clicks. Are we in high school? lol. Pole stars especially are the ones that hang out with each other not with students or fans unless you know people who know people. I know most groups representing their studios were usually together and there wasn't really too much socializing with many. I'm not saying everyone was like that. I did meet and talked to some students in workshops or whoever I was paired with on pole. I'm glad I had my hubby there for anything not pole related ;-). He did not participate in pole expo, but I might encourage him to next year.
Phoenix Hunter · 9/10/2014
I have friends who went and felt that it was very cliquish too. :(
azblanco · 9/10/2014
Sylvia- I didnt go this year, but I did attend Pole Expo 2013 and Pole Con 2012. I think its part of the nature of these events.. It's a very small community on the grand scale of other groups.. Everyone is in "show-off" or "catching up" mode. I went to an all girls high school. I didnt see it any worse than my high school experience, so maybe I'm use to that sort of thing. I like to blend into the crowd anyway, I'm definitely more of an observer. But, honestly I see what you're saying and I have DEFINITELY noticed it at both events. I usually keep this type of thing to myself because people seem to think it's a pessimistic view... I see it as how it is though. Try not to let it disappoint you too much, there are a lot of talented vajay's in one place.. And everyone comes from ALL walks of life. I see you're from the South like me, I think we as Southerners expect overly expressed friendly attitudes, so keep that in mind too. 😉
kesarini · 9/10/2014
This was not my experience at all. I didn't know anyone and found roommates through a friend. And they were all awfully nice people and I had a great time hanging out with them. Additionally I met some Studio Veena folks(hi pretties!) and that was a GREAT experience too. Same for some Instagram people. Infact it was so many cool people I feel I didn't have enough time to spend with everyone. I also thought the pole stars were all awfully nice when I talked to them. I think they hang out together because they know each other and are friends, I don't think it's because they don't want to hang with commoners. Agreed about non pole workshops being too full. And agreed about privates perhaps being more beneficial. Often I find people are just shy with strangers, especially if they are in a group they have no incentive to talk to one. But when I approached someone first I only felt love and warmth that I love this pole community for.
ORGANIC ANGEL · 9/11/2014
Man that stinks! It sounds like just the studio that may have left a sour taste in your mouth. I had the time of my life! All people in pole world were incredibly receptive to talk to. I only found one who was not very receptive-she seemed overwhelmed but not distant. She still took pics with us. I stayed with a friend I met through pole. I tailored the classes to what I needed. I did find one teacher didn't break things down. She would do a move then say do that lol. And would say "I don't know what this is called but..." But I still learned things there in that class. I seriously had a blast. Fawnia, Natasha wang, Jenyne butterfly, shimmy, alethea, everyone was super nice. I had met shimmy and alethea in past but I hung out with all of the pole stars at pole a Palooza and they only knew me because of facebook. I met veena ladies, had great food, just enjoyed the experience. My friend was very shy when seeing a pole star but I would walk up and tell them something I liked that I had seen them do or I squealed when I saw Marion Crampe and she did too because of my excitement over her and she squeezed my hand and took pics with me too. Sometimes you just have to come out of your shell. They are just like us too. They get shy. I did experience what u did at my former studio in Maryland. I always asked to go to workshops with the owner and she usually went with her studio girls. So I always made it a family thing instead. Don't let that keep u from pole! Omg Zoraya and Nic and her sister were amazing, Jamilla....omg I met everyone! I didn't have one bad experience(except for leaving my bank card at home!) but the expo itself was the best of my life.