[Angel1201]

Hey, I wanted to clarify something. I said in my last post I’ve made no $$ off being an instructor. This is why. I have a great paying primary job which puts me in a high tax bracket. The extra $$ I make being an instructor is not taxed as I am an independant contractor. Everything I make I try to spend out for work-related expenses to give me write offs and tax deductions. I’ve taken continuing ed. classes for my exercise certifications, I’ve travelled to earn them, I’ve purchased several poles, my "uniform", music, insurance, etc. So, yes I make $$, but I spend just as much to run my "business".

[Angel1201]

Hey JC, I figured you’d post the news all over SV!!! I’m so happy you’re happy and I’ll try my hardest to get down there for that Sat. date to meet with you and Sissy. Like I said, you guys are invited over to my place anytime for a pole jam if you can get up to Northern Baltimore. I have 4 poles!!!

Anyway, I might want to get in on that carpool down to the East Coast Comp so let me know the deets. I’d love to cheer on Jessalyn in person.

[Angel1201]

I’m still waiting too! I’m not sure when I placed the order but I’m pretty sure it was late July.

[Angel1201]

Sorry to be so negative, but you need to know the realities before you put all your cash up. I am very thankful my studio owner opened up because it allowed me to find my passion. But I am always concerned that she’s barely getting by. Luckily her husband has a good job. The reason I went on to get my certificates in pole, yoga, and group fitness was because I realized no one teaching in my studio had a clue including me! My pole instructor when I first started two years ago fell in front of me off the pole and broke her foot. She was being careless and was trying to show off. The sub that was hired knew less than I did so I offered to take over the class and was hired on the spot.

What I find interesting is that the owner never even comes in back to see what’s going on. She doesn’t dance or take classes. When I started there was no training and no mentoring for me or anyone else, but I did get a handout https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_exclaim.gif . There was no structure to the classes when I first was taking lessons. The teachers would stretch before warming up (a big no-no) and they only taught spins and tricks and would stop in between to talk. As a result no-one DANCED fluidly like it is supposed to be done. I had to go to other studios and I had to study exercise science and I paid for it all out of my own pocket in order to improve myself. I have made NO profit off of teaching. I have had injuries to my shoulder (very common with pole) plus lots of bruises, bangs, and exhaustion. I’ve had to see a physical therapist, chiropractor, and massage therapist for all the aches/pains. My fellow teacher regularly goes for accupunture and chiro work because of her physical issues. It’s crazy, but I do it for the love of the sport and for the camraderie I get with my students.

We are in an area (Baltimore) where Xpose fitness has the bulk of the market. They have four locations and as I mentioned, one recently went out of business. They charge $9 per class!! It get’s down to $7 or $8 if you buy classes in bulk. They rely solely on volume. If you are in an area where there is no competition I would recommend charging way more for classes. $30 or so. But remember, people won’t keep paying unless they have a quality instructor who knows how to organize a fitness class, properly teach moves, keep everyone safe, make everyone feel good and who has a great personality. There is so much to it. I’d also recommend selling t-shirt and booty shorts. You can turn a profit on those with little or no physical work. Parties are also profitable.

Go to polejunkies.com. They have a forum folder for instructors. There is a lot of info in it that might be of use to you.

Good luck to you and best wishes. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

[Angel1201]

I’ve been a pole dance instructor for over a year and a half. The place I work at is scraping by. A pole studio about 10 miles from here went out of business this past January (Xpose Fitness – Forest Hill location). Castleoutsiders studio has been threatened with closure several times. Starrgrrrl’s (this is her youtube username) studio the Bombshell Ballroom went out of business last year, and she is an enormously talented dancer! Anther girl on here was writing in the forum that her local studio went belly up. I would be very cautious. Pole dancing is great but I can’t tell you how many girls have come in to try it once and you NEVER see them again. They think it’s going to be easy but they have no idea. It’s like a fad, everyone wants to try it, but 1 out of 50 come back and get hooked and keep spending $$ in the studio.

We have a 16 pole -pole room and a non pole studio. Honestly the most business occurs in the studio where belly dancing, hip hop, chair dance, kick boxing, and yoga occur. I have my top level pole class Friday night and had ONE student who paid $12 for the class. My level one class had THREE people. No one showed up to the first chair dance class and that instructor took my pole class for free. I think only two showed up for her second chair class. Mon-Thurs night have better business, but when I was in there Tues night to teach yoga, I only had four students and there was only one girl in the pole room. Honestly I don’t know how the place survives.

When my studio first opened people tried it and refused to go back b/c the instructors had no idea what they were doing. We are still trying to win those people back with free classes now that the instructors are better. Some of the original instructors were strippers. They flaked and blew off their classes and didn’t last more than a month. They made way more cash in the strip clubs – why would they teach a pole class for a measly 20 bucks an hour?? None of the instructors now are former strippers. All of the instructors at our studio learned at our studio. It takes at least two years to get really good at dancing, so good luck finding talent. I have a pole position instructor certificate, a yoga fit certificate, and an ACE group fitness certificate. I also have a Master’s degree in Education. I’ve taught public school for 12 years. I know what I’m doing.

I would recommend as little overhead as possible and waiting until you get good enough to teach. Start out slow and build over time. Offer other gitness type classes and advertise a lot. Goo luck.

[Angel1201]

I recently learned about a new stretching method called active isolated flexibility/stretching. You can google it to learn about it, search it on youtube, or if you are in Netflix, they have a DVD rental. It’s pretty interesting, and the thinking is that if you do lengthy stretching (over 2 seconds) you cause the muscles to tighten. The technique was developed by physical therapists and is used by premier ballet dancers and athletes. Essentially you stretch the muscle 2 seconds while exhaling, and release the muscle quickly so it goes in the other direction. It’s hard to describe so here’s just one of many vids you can see on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWwu5x8jeKg

I know I get tight after stretching but if I use this method I feel pretty limber.

[Angel1201]

JK video review-

First off let me say that JK is fantastic and I’m so happy she has chosen to share her secrets in a DVD. I love the fact that she is older and she has worked the pole for 20 years with no sign of slowing down. This gives my 38 year old joints hope! LOL.

The DVD appears to be shot at a dark strip club and the lighting/audio isn’t the best. You can often see the cameraman (in a black hoodie) and a couple other dudes in the reflection of the mirror. You can also see the light tower that was used to brighten up the room in the reflection of the mirror. The background music in several sections is the blues. But the overlay music during the moves is more of a modern electronic music.

The movements are broken up in chapters and here they are:
Grips/Momentum, 1 handed flying spins, flying gazelle(also known as pretzle spin), the carousel (think upright spinning pencil), the ball drop(spinning down the pole in a fetal position) , spinning front splits, straddle split mount, cartwheel mount, shoulder mount, spinning superman(spinning V into superman pose with enough momentum to make you spin), the peter pan(inverted spinning thigh hold), spinning swan(a spinning layback), and the JK 1:46 (refers to a move at 1:46 in one of her youtube vids). There is also a bonus section with an interview, a performance, and a pole oddessy which is a slo-mo montage of her moves set to classical music.

This is a very advanced DVD. Each move starts off with what is necessary to be successful with the move. For example; ability to hold a tight mid-air ‘V’ with the legs, hip flexor stength, strong pole grip in rotation, standing splits, strong one-handed spin grip. Each moves is broken down and displayed several times, in both regular speed and slo-mo. There is also text that appears during the slo-mo that gives tips on what you should be doing with your body.

I’ve been poling just about 2 years and can already do some of these moves (shoulder & cartwheel mount). I was able to do some of the moves with her expanation when I practiced last night. So far though, Ive only tried the first few moves. The problem I have is that I can’t do full splits which you need to pull off at least 3 of these moves. So I would recommend this vid to people who can do splits, can easily do one handed spins, and have a very strong upper body and core, have no shoulder injuries, and have been inverting and practicing advanced moves for quite some time.

JK is a master of momentum. Her skill is superior and this video lets you in on all her secrets. This vid is definitely worth purchasing, just make sure you are advanced enough to handle it! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_surprised.gif

[Angel1201]

YOu can order from her website. She ships airmail. The bonus is the currency exchange. The video costs $40 Australian but that come to about $33 US. I find that her style of dance is pretty difficult on a 50 mm pole. You have to have a super solid grip to pull off some of those moves esp. b/c you are spinning. She works on a 38mm brass which isn’t manufactured by any US pole dealers.

[Angel1201]

What airport is closest?

[Angel1201]

I def agree, there should be categories. There were so many great dancers in that NY competion. I used to take lessons from one of them – Jessalyn Medairy at Xpose Fitness in Maryland. I can do a lot of the stuff she does but the difference is the WAY you do the moves. How you hold yourself, your lines, your energy, your showmanship, your creativity, your speed, your flexibilty, your precision. It takes people years to get that good!! Most of the best pole dancers have childhood gymnastics, ballet, tap, etc under their belt. Sometimes I feel like they are on par with olympic contestants. The fitness level is through the roof!! It would be nice to have a contest for average, middle of the road girls like me!

[Angel1201]

Hi Charlotte! I recently just got a 45 after being on a 50 for over a year. I have to say I love it! I find it’s harder to get a full grip on the 50 so I don’t always feel safe on a 50 in more advanced moves. I also have a 38mm but it’s homemade and not sold on the market. They use 38mm in Australia mostly. I think the 45 is a good middle ground. Not too big, not too small, just right!!

[Angel1201]

You need two As. http://www.markstaar.com/product/2-POLISHED-BRASS-DANCE-POLE-KIT.html

They are cheap, but I wouldn’t recommend them b/c they don’t look very secure. It looks like there is a rubber stopper holding the grip to the floor or ceiling and the mount looks pretty flimsy. IMHO, your best bet is the Xpole. VERY secure and the best quality material I’ve seen. Plus you get a spinner option with it.

[Angel1201]

Wow! I’m really irritated to hear that a place like this opened up. People are going to get hurt and turned off to pole dancing. It puts a bad name to pole dancing.

[Angel1201]

That letter was PERFECT!!! Great job! We pole dancers have a long battle to acceptance!

[Angel1201]

Roxy, I did the pole position fitness at a studio in Long Island, New York. I flew there and stayed overnight at a local hotel. I wrote it all off as a business expence since I am considered an independent contractor. Sharon Polsky flies to L.I. several times a year to offer the training. I think she’ll do a training at a location of your choice if you have enough people.

As an aside, we didn’t learn new tricks. We learned the 5 foundation movements for most spins. For example, one of them is ‘inside planted foot’ foundation movement where you keep the inside foot stable and swing with the outside leg to execute moves such as fireman or pinwheel. Another is ‘blind hand grab’ movements where you grab the pole behind you to execute moves like the noodle. It’s a very safe way to learn, very fitness based rather than dance/artistic based. I think it is great for the general public and it’s a great way to promote pole dance to the average woman. Any one can participate, even the very out of shape.

This class gave me a lot of material that I use. My classes are structured, safe, and fun. I’m building people’s skills and strength so they can pick up spins easier. I even use the principles for teaching inverts and advanced tricks. It’s a heck of a lot better than the way I was taught. I was just asked, do you know the "X" move? Ok, let’s do that now. There were no transitions, no filler, no way to move from X to X. There was no beginning, middle or end to the class. The teachers used to stretch right at the beginning without even warming up first. And looking back, I was probably damaging my shoulder joint using incorrect hand placement on the pole.

[Angel1201]

I agree with Veena. $3000 is WAY too expensive!!! I have my ACE group fitness cert. which allows me to teach any form of group exercise and I recently received a "pole position fitness" certification http://www.polepositionfitness.com/ppfteachertraining.html and the cost was only about $300. The person who developed it is Sharon Polsky and she knows her sh*t!!! She’s been in the fitness industry for years. I learned a lot via this course and I bring it into my classes all the time. I think the most important things I learned had to do with protecting your joints (esp. shoulder) and breaking down spins so that EVERYONE can do them. I get a lot of women in my beginner classes without the strength they need to execute a spin and even they can participate in the whole class. I learned about piecing together choreography.

I taught for over a year without any certification. Honestly, no one at my studio including the boss cares that I took it upon myself to get certified. Students never ask. However I think it comes across in my style of teaching and I personally feel better knowing I am certified. Let me know if you have any questions!

[Angel1201]

Being out of college, married, and working for a small company, I have found that one of the greatest benefits of poling is friendship. I didn’t meet many cool, sexy, confident, smart, fun, or interesting women before pole. I certainly didn’t make many new girlfriends at the gym! Now coming onto this site, and going to my local dance studio, I find my life blessed with a sisterhood I never had before. Who knew that such a controversial form of dance could bring so many women together?? Pole dance has been a gift in so many ways. I am more fit and confident AND a lot less lonely. Thank you Veena and all you other great girls on this site. Keep rocking the pole!!!

[Angel1201]

I have a platinum stages permanent pole in my basement which has a cement floor. My husband used the screws that came with the pole but went to home depot to get anchors made for cement. He used a regular power drill to drill the hole. He didn’t use anchors in the ceiling. My ceiling has wood joists covered with drywall. Hope this helps! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

[Angel1201]

I was pretty mad b/c I just bought a new chrome 45mm Xpole 4 days ago. Now I see this pole on sale for $40 less. AND, it’s being pushed by a girl who was in a polygamous relationship with a perverted OLD fart???? Who respects this girl?? She can’t even really pole dance!! It makes NO sense. Anyway, I called to complain and they said that it is NOT the same quality as the X-pole (although the advert would lead you to believe otherwise) plus it doesn’t spin. So I’m OK with it being cheaper, but I definitely have an issue with her promoting pole dance. UGGGGG!

[Angel1201]

The pin isn’t brass, so that’s not the issue. The pin is pretty short and I think with a lot of movement, it just works itself out. I posted the vid of me busting my butt. I fall at the end, so you can see the work I did leading up to the pin’s exit. I wasn’t doing anything crazy, in fact I was taking it easy b/c I have a shoulder/neck issues right now.

[Angel1201]

Alena, I have a question. I have a P.S. permanent brass spinner. How can I get the pin to stay in when I want it stationary? It has come out several times during practice and I have fallen down but luckily I wans’t seriously hurt. The pin in pushed in all the way and still somehow works itself out. I’m really afraid this is going to get dangerous.

[Angel1201]

I just flew off my platinum stages pole tonight right onto the floor on my back because the pin came out. For those of you who don’t know, you put a pin in the base which stops it from spinning and makes the pole static. Thank god I didn’t get hurt. I have video of it and was thinking of putting it up for shits and giggles. My husband thinks it’s hysterical. Incident aside, this has been happening lately with my pole. The studio where I teach also has the platinum stages and on certain poles, the pins will come out randomly. We joke that those poles have a spinning destiny, but it’s all fun ’til someone gets hurt.

[Angel1201]

I’ve been poling for 2 years come this August. I had trouble with the transitions & sexy stuff to put in between spins too. I used to take ‘chair dance’ classes at my local studio where I really learned the hip rolls and sexy/slinky moves. I also got videos like Lady Morrighan’s exotic dance workout that helped me feel comfortable moving in a sensual way. I remember feeling pretty lost and looking back, I think that it took me over a year to feel comfortable ‘dancing’ in between spins. Even now, I still think I stink at it because I get self conscious and I’ve never been a showy or sexy type of person. Plus I never had dance lessons as a kid. But don’t despair, it comes in time all you need is the desire to improve and practice. You’ll get it! I promise. The neat thing about transitions is that every woman moves differently and develops her own style. Just keep dancing (like no one is watching)!!

[Angel1201]

I’d love to see ballet videos. I actually just ordered a ‘centerwork’ ballet dvd off of netflix for my next movie b/c I thought it’d help with pirouettes and such. Arm/hand posture & movement would be great to see too.

[Angel1201]

http://www.giganticmirrors.com

They advertise lower prices in my local pennysaver than on their website. 72×100 is supposed to be $165 US dollars. 48×100 is supposed to be $125. I contacted them to order and hopefully they will honor the price listed in the paper and not tell me they sold out of the cheaper ones. I’ll let you know when I talk to them tomorrow.