I'm a DIYer of learning pole. There are no studios where I live, and I also can't afford the online lessons at this point in my life. Everything I've learned has been from YouTube, videos here and forum posts here.
I have mixed feelings about studios vs. self-taught, though, when one has the option of either or.
Pros of Self-taught: You can move at your own pace and pick which moves that you want to work on. You're in your own home and don't have to be self-conscious in front of a class (that would be a problem for me, but obviously not for everyone). You can pole as long as you want, whenever you want. It's also cheap - the only thing you really need to buy is the pole. 😜 And you get to learn your own style - some studios are geared more for fitness, others for the sexy angle, etc.
Cons of Self-taught: Not learning body mechanics (shoulders back and down is my nemesis 😈 ) or proper form for moves, which can result in injury. Also proper progression of moves - some moves look easier than they are and may lead someone to trying it before they're ready. And there's just the fun of having pole pals to share the adventure with. Oh, and some people are limited in their home pole space while a studio would probably have higher poles and more space around them.
Pros of Studios: Being shown how to do things instead of trying to figure them out for yourself. Warm-ups, cool-downs (both of which are often skipped easily if you're going solo), proper body mechanics are included and can reduce the risk of injury. Having scheduled classes and an itinerary of moves helps the student stay disciplined. And there are other people to keep you company (and spot you, lol), as well as access to what's hopefully a large pole space and crash mats, etc. Not to mention that you may learn more choreography and transitions than you would on your own.
Cons of Studios: Unfortunately, most of the bad things about going to a studio can be chalked up to the industry being not very uniform, regulated or monitored. At this point in time, anyone can open up a studio, it seems. Instructors don't have to be certified in anything, studios don't have to be equipped with "real" poles and good equipment, etc. I've heard a lot of horror stories about a studio opening and it being some run-down building with rough, painted poles and instructors that don't do anything but say "here's the move, now you try."
But even if the studio is top-notch, there is always still some drawbacks, I think. If you're a fast learner, you may be held back by being in a class. If you have self-esteem issues then dancing in front of other people may be stressful. Having the schedule of classes may be bothersome if you want to pole more often. And sometimes, just like with learning at school, having the formal setting and regimen might suck some of the fun out of it (but everyone's different).
Personally, I like being self-taught... at least to start with. I might go to a studio if there was one here someday just for the company and to expand a bit. I like having my own schedule and list of moves to work on, as well as being able to do it without an audience. I've also been blessed that I'm a quick learner and I've never had a serious injury and only one minor fall even though I never work with a spotter or use mats (yes I know I'm a horrible example). However, I've never even met another person that poles in person and it's kinda lonely. Plus it would be nice to have some direction whenever I hit a wall of what moves to tackle next, and I also suck with choreography and transitions. And my pole space is very cramped, too. So I could definitely gain something from going to a studio, but I wouldn't want to do it exclusively.
I do want to put in the good word for Studio Veena, though, for both the lessons and the forums. I don't have the lessons, but even the forums make it so much easier for people that are self-taught to get some feedback. 🙂
