Whats it like learning to pole by yourself?

yolliya started this discussion · 7/18/2014

Ive only been attending classes for 4 months, and while initially i absolutely loved it, now my motivation to attend is rapidly declining. Its so frustrating, because i love pole but im not as excited for classes as i was before. I was thinking about learning at home to save some money and more importantly have the freedom to dance and do whichever moves i feel like doing.. but i feel like on some moves i might not get it because theres a vital piece of information about my form that i've missed, or im doing something thats dangerous for my body. I plan on learning off youtube and of course this site, but im not sure about how safe it will be without an instructor picking out flaws in my form and such. Aaaand, i dont know which moves to start learning first, and how to find them. My instructor uses different names for every move (eg when i mention words like scorpio, cartwheel, chopper that ive seen on this site, she doesnt understand me) so i dont really know what everythings called. Also she uses different methods to get into a lot of moves and classes get kind of repetitive because we're always doing a lot of handstands and inverts from the ground. Has anyone had more success with learning by yourself with youtube and veena rather than learning at a studio?

13 replies

redrabbitheart2078 · 7/18/2014
I am new to pole and learning at home. I went to a class but found that the instructor was expecting me to invert on my first every pole day!!! My fiance spots me to make sure I am doing the moves correctly and I have a friend who is a bit better at pole than me so she comes round to help too. I found it so much easier to learn at home. I was paying £5 for an hour lesson every week but not getting one on one tuition. At home I watch and rewatch videos to see how the moves are done BEFORE even touching the pole. I make masses of notes and warm up really well before hand. Having mirrors in the room helps but if this is not possible get someone to take pictures of you so you can 1. see your progression and 2. make sure you are doing the moves right. I also have really bad body confidence. I have had an eating disorder for over 10 years (recovering now) but I found it so hard to pole in front of other people. I was also conscious of how much I sweated or if I needed extra grip or if I was not strong enough. I can train in my own time, in my pants :) and no one has to judge me. I have also found the moves have different names but if you do a lot of internet research you will work out what is what. I love this site but am new to it, but I would really recommend watching dirdybirdy on youtube. She starts her vids right from basics. Hope this helps :) keep posting :) xx
yolliya · 7/18/2014
omg ive been watching dirdybirdy for years! Ive seen her tutorials and i really like them but the amount of moves she has tutorials for is limited :( do you know any other tutorial channels perhaps? thanks for replying!
redrabbitheart2078 · 7/18/2014
If you search for onthepole - but they are a bit rubbish for posting new vids. The old vids are really good. I learn to flatline using that :) What sort of moves are you looking to do? Spins or holds?
yolliya · 7/18/2014
Thanks! im looking to learn basically anything and everything (if thats even possible) so all spins and holds! I want to be able to freestyle with both graceful, simple spins, floorwork and holds :) Also has anyone tried out 2 studios? Are they pretty much the same? I might think about trying out another studio before i attempt to learn by myself..
tiggertail · 7/18/2014
I started poling 4 years ago and only had 1 try out class and a few workshop. Yes you do can learn at home and Veena's lesson are awesome (and in the order you should learn them) Be careful with YT as I saw many girls with goods intentions showing really bad things. If you learn at home you have to be careful not to over practice or do crazy tricks without knowing properly how to do it. Yep I once fell right on my face because I had forgot the basic safety rules. Since you might be alone when practicing learn the safe way to fall, because it's gonna happen at some point. Having a spotter is good and keep some moves for when you have one around until it feel safe and control. Make sure that your pole space is safe, I put those big puzzle foam mat on the floor almost everytime even after all those years. Having a crash mat is a good idea too even if it's one you made with old sofa cushions. Don't just use the mirror, use video as much as you can to have a good view of how you do your moves. Don't hesitate to share them here, SV members are really supportives and will be more than happy to share tips with you. Maybe you could even pole jam on Skype or in the chat with webcam. And if at any point a move feels wrong stop it until someone help you with it. When I first start I pulled a muscle under my rib cage and was stupid enough to keep going for weeks no matter how painful it was. Seems that I wasn't strong enough to do a real invert and I was kicking in it which force me to stop for a few weeks. Mostly, and that is good for people who learn by themself as much as the one who goes to class. Enjoy your journey, there's no rush on how fast we should learn and get a moves, it should all be about having fun :)
redrabbitheart2078 · 7/18/2014
I agree with Tiggertail. With time, practise and patience you will be doing all the moves. Just keep posting and everyone will help you with the moves :)
Anzia · 7/18/2014
Hi Amy, I have both perspectives because I attend two different studios (soon to become three, I hope!). I also have Veena's lessons on here which IMO are essential for anyone wanting structured progression with an emphasis on good form, correct technique and safety - but I'm preaching to the converted there :) I watch the relevant Veena lesson anytime we learn a move in class, but would absolutely be comfortable using them without classes too. Another good resource is Aerial Amy's blog which has tips and videos for various moves at different levels. I think if you like the social aspects of a class, it's worth trying another studio as they are all so different and it can be such good fun with a group around you, but with Veena's lessons, a crash mat and - ideally - a spotter for new moves, you'd be fine at home. Finally, never be afraid to refuse to try something, or ask for a modification, in class. For example, one studio got us to do one handed spins way too soon for me. Like you, I'm quite safety minded, so I just said I didn't feel I had the strength yet and I kept doing my spins two handed for about a month after that. I can now do one handed on my dominant side but still have to go two handed on my non-dominant side. I'll get there, but my point is that if something causes you concern, listen to yourself and insist that the studio takes your concern seriously. If they're any good, they will do :)
Pretty Pixie · 7/18/2014
I am an at home poler, and I've learned so much from Veena's lessons alone, it's incredible! I also check out YT and various places on the internet, but I find that SV is the best place for pole dancing instruction, support, encouragement, community, and help there is available. Like previously stated Veena's lessons, a crash mat, and a video device are all you really need to get your foundation started correctly and become the dancer you've dreamed about. Good luck on your journey!
Veena · 7/18/2014
When you learn on studioveena, you don't have to feel like you're learning alone :) You will always have the support of the members and under every lesson you can ask me questions and I'll get back to you ASAP with help. I do my best to break down everything so it's very easy to follow. You get close ups of hand placements and slow motion multiple views and you can watch them on your iPad or phone. Also unlike YT everything is always placed in order and every move builds on the next. There are AKA names for each move in the descriptions. If you are working towards say, a Butterfly, you will find "related" lessons listed below the main Butterfly lesson, the related lessons below are not random, but rather lessons you should work on to build up to the lesson shown in the main player. So, if you wanna know what other things should I work on to be able to do the Butterfly, just look below and you'll see.
AllysonKendal · 7/18/2014
I go to the pole studio 1x per week and have Veenas lessons. Best of both worlds. Veenas lessons are so well organized and so helpful. I love having them at home... But I also love my studio instructor. And feel like I need her to keep me motivated. If I done have that hour a week I could easily see me just shutting the door to the pole room and all my progress just slipping away. That hour ever week keeps me motivated and energized to pole throughout the week. She also challenges me more that I would challenge myself.. And I need that. I so need Veenas lessons because I feel like I need those tips and tricks at home when I practice. Sometimes I'll just watch a lesson or two when I'm not even poling and just try and absorb it. That can also help if my motivation is low.
WebJunk · 7/18/2014
I tried an instructor a few years ago which helped with some things I never noticed myself. Videoing myself would have helped with that. But she had one way of doing things for everyone that did not always work for me. What I like most about doing it at home with Veena's lessons is safety. There are instructors (see recent discussion) and many Youtube videos that could get you hurt. Nothing more important than safety IMO. Everything is broken down to small details (better than the DVD's I own) in each lesson and I rewind numerous times. With an instructor I would have to have them keep repeating themselves. And I ignore most names of moves. Its the move itself that is important and not the name. I also take a somewhat backwards approach to keep motivated. I see people post videos and see a move that I want to do. After yelling "OOH, OOH, OOH, How do I do that!" I then refer to the lessons on here immediately for that particular move. Would not like having to wait until the next scheduled class or appointment. Where the move is in the list or category (Beg., Int. or advanced.) gives me an idea of difficulty for myself. But its really the community of people here that keep me motivated and all things in perspective. If you have a problem or question about a lesson just ask. You have not only Veena herself but also many, many excellent people who have been through the same problem. Unlike many (even non-pole) discussion/message forums on other websites, I never have seen a post where someone was anything but supportive when a person was asking a question.
yolliya · 7/18/2014
thanks for all your replies, everyone!! i think i'll try another studio, then move onto learning at home :) thanks again! so helpful :)
DRS74 · 7/19/2014
I started at a studio and loved it. Then the studio changed instructors. The new instructor was a male and with my self confidence issues i wasn't comfortable any more. So now i learn on here. I love the progression thru the lessons. Good luck!