NonFlexy started this discussion ·
I Hope I'm allowed to post this here, if not feel free to take it down. I was wondering if anyone has used both video lessons, and if so, which do you prefer/ what are the differences? Poleandaerial is already more expensive than studidoveena, so I'll probably go with this sites lessons, but wondering if anyone had experience!
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Lee lee ·
I have not used poleandaerial.com, but I did purchase SV lessons when there was a deal recently. I am loving what I am learning right now and I feel as though there is so much content that I may not have time to go through everything before my year is up (which is a bonus for me)! The breakdown is really good. I would suggest checking out the free lessons or even some of StudioVeena youtube videos to get an idea of how she teaches. For me, this isn't a substitute for actual studio lessons, but in addition to them because it gives me a little more detail than I sometimes get from my instructors.
Haven't heard of/tried PoleandArial.com either (although I just checked it out and HOLY SHIT) but I ha a 3 day free trial of SV and loved every second of it. The prices here are way reasonable and affordable (and I keep meaning to sign up but unfortunately that thought is always thrown by the wayside once bills come in) and I love how she breaks down not only what your "contact points" are in relation to the pole but also what muscles you're working out. I've been stretching for various reasons practically my whole life and I was shocked at how many basic moves I've been doing wrong this whole time. TL;DR - P&A seems cool, what with the featured instructors and whatnot but $249 for a year is waay too pricey for me and it doesn't seem to have as much of a 'community' feel as SV so, SV all the way, baby!
azblanco ·
I was waiting for this topic to pop up eventually. Cons: -Pole and Aerial pole lessons are very unorganized! I cancelled my membership. -On the costly side (over double compared to Veena) -No one posts videos for feedback, but you have the option to post -Forums, blog, and statuses are not really happening on their end -Not a good place for beginners to learn pole from home (this is MY opinion) Pros -Like StudioVeena lessons, the video backgrounds are clean -It was nice to watch videos from multiple 'pole stars' and to learn a little about lyra and silks the to see different teaching styles -Each instructor has their own warm up and flexibility routine to follow
azblanco ·
By unorganized- There lessons ARE NOT in order and its really frustrating when searching for moves
azblanco ·
Their**
azblanco ·
And I don't feel as comfortable and supported there
NonFlexy ·
Thanks for the feedback! I was getting sucked in by the "famousness" of their instructors, but gosh, I just don't think it's worth the price tag. Does studioveena have free trials often?
I agree that the 'community' aspect of this site is a HUGE postiive for me so I don't see myself giving it up anytime soon lol and yes I totally am intrigued by the "Pole Star" aspect of P&A but I'll probably try their free lessons thingy when I have the time and then get over it lolol. As for the free trials, I honestly just randomly came across her advertising it one day and asked her personally about it over on Facebook and she gave me a code. I vaguely remember seeing it advertised once or twice in the year I've been here but I don't frequent this site often (enough). You should ask her personally if there's any deals going on right now, she was super sweet and answered pretty promptly when I approached her!
Their selling factor is their lineup of pole celebrities. I would only consider getting a membership to learn their signature moves.
Amaranth ·
I recently did a free trial of P&A and would just like to add to the comments already here. P&A does have a good sorting system and you can search by discipline, instructor, language, level of skill... but once you've filtered down, there's no obvious progression laid out. That does make it difficult if you're new to pole, or even if you're more advanced but trying to work out what you need to do to build up to a specific move. Veena's lessons take you through a natural progression which is easy to follow and means you don't end up being frustrated by inadvertantly trying a move you're no where near ready for. I think someone mentioned the videos have clear backdrops so you can see what's happening - I actually didn't think the videos were brilliant quality, but it's possible I missed a setting. I'd also warn that any 'guest' tutors seem to have their own unique video set ups and they tend to be less professional with anything from poor studio lighting to low, echoey or even no sound. It's not a show-stopper but it's something to be aware of if you're expecting a complete set of professional videos. My biggest gripe with P&A was that the instruction varies dramatically depending on the move and the person teaching. Just because someone is a great performer, it doesn't make them a great teacher and unfortunately this does show in some of the videos which are no more than "Let's watch this performer do the move! And again in slow motion! Wasn't it beautiful?". There are only a couple of videos that I found to be this bad, but it is irritating when you're watching an 'instructional' video that doesn't really instruct. I can go to You Tube to watch the stars and try and break down the move myself if I really want to, and You Tube doesn't charge. I found it interesting that some of the instructors really seemed to struggle teaching the more basic spins but absolutely excelled when demonstrating the advanced moves and suddenly seemed to become much more articulate and detailed specifics where they hadn't before. I must say that once you get into the advanced and elite level videos, they are very clear and seem to give excellent tuition, so if you're at a stage in your dancing where you're ready for it then it would be more worthwhile to take a look. Having learnt everything I know to date through Veena (and trial and error...) I would say that aside from the cost, the detail of the instruction here is unparalleled. As with anything, if you're struggling to get a particular move then you may benefit from someone else's teaching as they are likely to point out something you haven't considered before or frame something in a way that just makes sense to you, but ultimately unless you've already learnt all the moves Veena has to teach or do want an alternative perspective on something, you're far better off with Veena's lessons than the P&A set - in my humble opinion. At the end of the day, the best way to find out is to trial both and see how you feel. P&A do a three day pass quite cheaply if you just wanted to have a look, and they do offer a set of free lessons to give you a feel for it too. I know Veena also has some free lessons and as others have mentioned, I'm sure she does offers on occasion. Good luck!
Thank-you all so much for the kind words. We are so confiedent in the quality of our lessons that anyone who wants to try our full lineup of for FREE can enter the code GET3FREE in the promo code box at the bottom of your account page. Pole And Aerial will give you a 3 day trial for 14.95.
Former member ·
Bar none, StudioVeena puts the rest to shame. You won't find a more capable teacher plus this kind of supportive community anywhere else.
I love both sites. They can be compared to each other, I think. However I prioritize SV because of the community, so I only by a month at a time at PA when I want to substitute.
I've been suscribing to veena for years now. The community really makes it.
I would also suggest looking at response times to questions on lessons. We allow you to comment and ask questions. Veena responds as quickly as she possibly can.
I subscribe to a bunch of online lessons because I like having different ways to learn a move as well as as many different moves to learn. I also like picking up signature styles from various instructors. I haven't tried A&P yet but if you can only try one I would suggest Veena first because it will build a solid foundation in poling. So far I haven't come across an online studio that has the moves in order. As well, I've received sooo much help from the other Veena members on this site. It's also rare that you can find high quality like this for such an affordable price.
I have used SV and P&A and agree with a comment that was already mentioned. They're selling factor is the line up and their guest instructors. I think SV is hands down the best. The price is affordable, the lessons are very clear and the breakdown is awesome! P&A does not have the level of breakdown that SV does which makes the lessons alot harder especially if you are just starting out. The only thing they have over SV is that they have lyra and silks lessons, that was the main reason I purchased the lessons, however, the amount of videos available for the price is not very good in my opinion But they are new so maybe they will there will be improvements made!
I mean they *cant be compared :)
Kamikaze ·
Oops! She runs the Premier Pole studios in the US and she has online lessons at premierpoleonline.com I loooooove her lessons, she has an amazing teaching style & she uploads new lessons each week, there are always workshops, sexy flow routines, pole body, classic pole & she has heaps of awesome choreographed routines to learn. The lessons are set up in proper studio style lessons (as if you were doing a physical lesson with her). The lesson videos ate via Vimeo and are the highest quality I have seen. There is a kind, supportive community there on the forum also. I can't reccomend her lessons enough. They are $19.99 per month. Hope this helps :)
kasanya ·
I really like Rhiannan Nicole's online lessons, but she definitely hasn't been sticking to her weekly publishing schedule. They've been really, really sporadic (ie. she posted a bunch in August, then another batch a month ago, and only one since then). I've been contemplating cancelling my subscription with her and just signing back up for a month here and there to check what's new. I'm not familiar with PoleAndAerial.com, so I can't comment on those lessons. Veena's lessons are fantastic for learning individual pole tricks and transitions. She also provides really good stretching and strength training videos.
+1@Kasanya Rhiannan is a great instructor but they don't put out regular lessons. Also (not the end of the world but a peeve of mine) They wear dark clothes over a dark background. That being said I still have greatly benefited from their material.
Rose2011 ·
I have a membership to both, but will be cancelling Poleandaerial! I spend most of my time on SV site! I have only been using pole an aerial for warm up. It's too expensive to keep it for that. Pole in Ariel I do not feel is good for a beginner. Does not going to conditioning or very much on shoulder replacement. And as the others have said it's not organized very well Veena lessons are so much better organized and she break the lessons down better. She goes over the point of contact very well! I love her lesson.
Cherished, they do wear dark clothes, but their back ground is light..
ronia ·
One advantage of Pole and Aerial is that they also offer silks and lyra lessons which are rather hard to find elsewhere. But than again, you do not usually learn those things at home as they require special rigging and at least 5 meter high ceilings, so you still need to go to the studio for that. It's nice to have some other source of reference though.
@Steffie, Yes sorry, What I should've said was that I think the lighting is kind of dark and so for me the clothing blends with the background a little too much.
