Training for workshops...?

Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace started this discussion · 8/28/2012

Hi y'all :) Im going to a Marion Crampe workshop in Canberra, Australia in November (same weekend as Australian Capital Pole Championships! It's gunna be awesome!). I'm kind of nervous... I want to be able to make the most of her instruction by being able to do everything and anything she teaches us... So I feel like I need to train so that I am in my best shape for the workshop, plus there are some holes in my pole skills/moves I need to fill (this is a hazard of training yourself at home and not having a studio nearby). Does anyone else ever feel like this? And how do you go about it? I wish I knew what she was going to teach us so I could prepare... I mean, if a lot of her tricks depend on Ayshas with hand grip, then yikes, because I can barely do one! But she is renowned for her flexi back moves and since I am pretty flexi too I am more confident I can learn those kind of tricks... Anyway, has anyone taken a workshop with her before? Or have any similar stories/experiences in "training for training"? :P I know it sounds a bit silly but.... I would hate to not be advanced enough to participate in everything! It's a pretty unique experience since she's normally in Europe! :) xox

17 replies

Cherished · 8/28/2012
I've never had a workshop with her but here is a video of her giving a tutorial on the Janeiro http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeRUIburcmo&feature=channel&list=UL (It might give you an idea of her teaching style and might be included in the workshop)
Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace · 8/28/2012
Cool thanks! :)
emotioncatcher · 8/28/2012
one of my friends has been to a workshop with her. she explains much more details than in the tutorial ;) you will have a lot fun with her and learn a lot! she teached the janeiro and no handed jade in this one. and I think no handstand tricks... and normally they have alternatives if someone isn´t ready for a trick, so don´t worry ;)
SashaMae · 8/28/2012
Scarlett- I'm in the same boat. I have an advanced workshop in less than a month with Jamilla and I'm wondering the same things. Though I have my handgrip Ayshas, I'm more worried about the flexibility (I have an okay left split after a LONG warm up...) So I just assume get in a well rounded bunch of practices and you'll be fine. And I almost forgot who I was talking to...you dance at a pro level Scarlett. You have nothing to worry about. And as Emotion said, if by chance you don't nail a thing or two, they have alternatives! Just have fun. I've heard she is a sweatheart so don't fret!! You'll have a blast! ;)
azblanco · 8/28/2012
I made the huge mistake of taking a workshop with Marion Crampe at the pole convention. I should have known better because it was way too advanced for me... but considering I have watched your videos and see your strength- you will be fine ;) I am still glad I went so I could actually watch- thank god I was not the only one who couldnt do much. She taught the marion amber. She also taught this really cool tricks that I half away did- i cannot remember the name and I cannot find it for the life of me on youtube. The workshop was 90mins... 45mins of it was just warm up and stretch and she works you out! Which was really nice for me. She is super funny and helpful. Enjoy
polergirl · 8/28/2012
I trained like a maniac before my workshop/private with Jamilla last year. There's a fine line between training just enough and overtraining, though--and I almost crossed that line.
SashaMae · 8/28/2012
Poler-you are going to be there, right? Are there going to be a lot of people in the workshop? Since it's less than a month away I'm not sure how intense my training will be but I at least need to work on my splits because I read we will be doing split work...
polergirl · 8/28/2012
Yep, I'll be there with my un-bendy splits. I am 4-5 inches away so unless I make big leaps in the next two weeks, my split work will be non-split-work work. I'm in Pole Essence and the Advanced workshops. Hooray, I am looking forward to meeting you!!! 🥂
SashaMae · 8/28/2012
Yeah my right split is about the same. Non-split-work work haha! I am in Advanced Pole Technique. Soo looking forward to meeting you too!!🌸
Veena · 8/28/2012
I think the goal of a workshop should be to learn from a different instructor, we all have different methods of teaching so it's great to see things from a different point of view. I don't think dancers should knock themselves out trying to be "good" enough to take a workshop. Make sure you read the workshop description so you know if your in the right level. I would think whom ever is teaching the workshop should be able to come up with other possibilities if the first option presented isn't possible for someone. Please keep in mind too that not every trick is not right for everyone. ❤️
Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace · 8/28/2012
Azblanco - Oh I hope she teaches the marion amber this time too, I would love to know how to do it! I've never attempted it before, it just looks so impressive! :P Thanks for the feedback girls and Veena :)
azblanco · 8/28/2012
Scarlett- Even though I cannot physically perform the trick, I still remember exactly how she taught it. It stuck with me- she broke it down great! The good thing about the workshop that I did was that it was all levels- but I still found it too little too advanced for me. She incorporated a good amount of stretching too and watching her method of teaching was worth it for me :)
Trixie Kicks · 8/28/2012
I love doing workshops to try new things, see what others are doing and pick up pointers on what I'm capable of. Even if you can't do everything, the instructor should be able to help you with something at your level. I took a recent workshop with Alethea and while other girls were working on the Allegra to Batwing, she gave me great tips on my inside leg hang and then I was able to do the Allegra. Have an idea of what you want to work on. I went to 3 workshop at the Midwest Pole Comp and the first thing each instructor asked was what did we want to work on. Aerial Amy posted a great blog about workshops and how to get the most out of them. One thing she mentioned was look at what your instructor is known for and ask for things based on that. In Alethea's workshop, when someone asked to work on something that she did not do, her reply was, "what do you want to work on that I do?" She clarified that she might not know all the tricks and tips if it's something she does not do all the time. Also, take notes. Write down tips for when you do start to work on these things.
azblanco · 8/28/2012
Great advice Trixie! Thats exactly what I dis for my private with Alethea at the convention and she was absoultely amazing!!! I told her I was a beginner and she said No problem, that means we get to work on supermans ;)! I went in there with a list of the stretches off her dvds and I wanted to make sure I was doing them right. We went through all of the ones I wrote down and she checked my form for everything. She also helped me with shoulder rolls, and I realized I was doing them wrong. They way she broke it down was amazing! I would absolutely love to take another lesson with her again sometime. :) I think that is why I enjoyed the lesson so much is because I went in there prepared on the things that I wanted to work on and what she is known for :)
dancing in the gray · 8/28/2012
I have a hard time with the idea of training for a workshop...mainly because from my experience, our "intermediate" is a lot different than the pro's definition. I have taken workshops that were more above my skill level than I thought. But all of the instructors (Aerial Amy, Karol, Alethea, Estee, and AnneMarie Davies) were able to give me a starting point. Even if I was no where near being able to get into the position, they gave me conditioning tips to make myself an overall better poler. My workshops have all been small, with 12 people or less, so I've been lucky to have one on one time with them. If you talk to them, tell them what you are having trouble with, they can usually watch you once and offer some grewt simple tips that make things so much easier. And worst case scenario, you take home some great conditioning tips while keeping in mind what and how they taught particular moves.
Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace · 8/29/2012
azblanco - I am SO jealous that you had a private with Alethea! SHe is my favourite pole dancer ever! I had a workshop with her in Sydney two years ago when she came out to perform at Miss Pole Dance Australia - she was awesome. I remember being worried I wouldn't be advanced enough for her class but she actually taught us alot of stuff off the pole - floorwork, bakward shoulder rolls, body rolls, flexibility etc. It was great, and she gave us time to ask questions. Plus I love how instructors will play their music - it makes it so much more authentic because we are used to hearing their music on their youtube videos etc... ANyway I am glad you feel like you got a lot out of your private with her - that must have cost a bit! So it's definitely worth being prepared... Good tip! :)
stoneycook · 8/29/2012
Hey you're attending, the real reason why you're excited and that sounds great to me. Personally I don't feel it serves us well, getting all worked up over being ultra prepared in order to take any workshop. The important thing aspect for me is to be totally present in the moment, with all the skills I have and ready to soak in what the teacher has to offer. Just experiencing the instructor in person, whom I find interesting, is one of the great joys of taking any workshop or even more deliciously, a private. Sure it's important to grasp what's going to be covered, understand and be able to openly communicate why you really want to attend, plus assess what needs and skills might help you get the most out of the workshop. Yet heck, you are taking a class from somebody you most likely really admire so, enjoy the time with them and the road leading up to it.