[Charley]

I LOVE hooping! Haven’t done really since June – I need to get back into it. I totally recommend Safire’s tutorials. She’s kinda the Veena of hooping https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

[Charley]

I’m so so sorry! I’ve been there before too. Just keep your head up. Your product speaks for itself.

[Charley]

I remember when I climbed with the soles of my feet – ick! there wasn’t anyone to tell me it was ugly!

I remember when I thought I was just soo advanced and awesome and it was all about the tricks (even though I secretly knew it wasn’t.)

I remember when I thought the handspring would NEVER happen for me – to add to that list, the iguana, the tg handspring, the aerial shouldermount, any drops, the knee hold and variations there of.

I remember when I danced likes this – feel free to point and laugh (I used an effect so no one would know its me lol.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLuklW81Qnk&feature=player_embedded

and here is me today
http://ver3.studioveena.com/lessons/view/5946

[Charley]

ok this is a quick cut out – can they change the name to "Charley’s Grrrip"

This is how much I love this stuff.

[Charley]

Hey Horsecrazy!

I recommend using Tite Grip a few hours before poling because it’s an antiperspirant – it really doesn’t provide grip as much as it prohibits sweating.

With the Grrrip I find that for me it last through an entire song. I also use the LOTION not the spray – the spray doesn’t work for me AT ALL. I will use the spray directly on my pole and that helps for performances and really cold dry days. The most common form of Grrrip as I understand it is the spray so that could be the problem – the lotion is Grrrip Plus – so extra grippy https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

Ultimately you have to find what works for you. I find Tite Grip a few hours before pole dancing and some Grrrip Lotion work great for me and I can get through a song or two. I also notice I’m not a terribly confident dancer and I think a lot of my sweating comes from fear – I’m still afraid of a lot of things that I can perform securely…maybe you’re the same?

[Charley]

I echo Amy’s sentiments 100%. I have been teaching now for 2.5 years and I have evolved so much as a teacher.

You have to want to teach and you can’t be frustrated when people are getting it. You have to be able to explain the same move 100 different ways. One person may interpret your first instruction perfectly while another is struggling and they need a deeper understanding or a different explanation.

You have to be able to look at someone and be able to troubleshoot what they are doing, be able to give them different ways of thinking about the movement. Even a simple body wave – which I say is the hardest moves I teach – might take someone a few lessons to do correctly and most importantly – feel good doing it. Teaching goes beyond explaining a move, demonstrating and reexplaining, it’s also getting people to understands the mechanics of the move, how to do it safely each and every time, how to think and not think at the same time, how to move and connect with music, how to feel good about themselves, how to appreciate their particular body and you have to be able to teach for everyone’s body.

You also need to know how to condition people for pole dancing. How to build strength to do things and you have to decided when they are ready to move to the next thing – you need to know variations of moves, be able to modify positions and spins for people.

I’m also a self taught dancer and I never thought I would teach. I got into teaching because I wanted to share pole dancing with other people so they could feel as empowered as I do. Once I really started thinking about teaching it was another 6 months before I actually started and I started with beginners and I only trained people in spins, transitions and floorwork – for a really long time. In this case a lot of students were ready for more advanced work but I wasn’t comfortable teaching those things until I studied further into spotting, yoga, pilates, exotic dance and aerial work. So the girls who wanted to stay and perfect things did, the girls who wanted more advanced work were given a studio to go to. I’ve only been teaching advanced work for the last year and by advanced I mean basic climbs, laybacks and inverts. I only mention this because a lot or self taught dancers have a rapid and uneven education with pole and tend to like to teach more advanced work sooner than they should. Coming from a self taught background you are probably a pole junkie who poles daily but most of your clients won’t – this is once a week to them…which means it could take them months to get a few basic spins down. Not only that but you need to really know what to look for before advancing students.

This year I got certified through Empowerment Through Exotic Dance and it’s the best thing I have ever done. The course reaffirmed my beliefs, techniques and that I was infact a skilled instructor but I also learned alot too. I added so many things to my syllabus and learned more teaching techniques.

Before I started teaching there was a ton of research that had to be done as I mentioned before. Warm ups, cool downs, how to maximize my time and stamina – because believe me you will get worn out teaching a ton of classes. I had to learn silly things like to use my voice effectively when in a class with lots of talking and music so I didn’t blow my throat.

Starting out I recommend teaching parties because once you draft up your syllabus you’ll be teaching the same things over and over again. You get better at pole dancing every time you do it – teaching is the same. Teaching parties gets you out there meeting a lot of different people and you are teaching at a very basic level. This will give you a good idea as to what students in a studio setting would be like. It will help you develop your teaching style, strategies and methods. Because it’s a one time thing you don’t need to worry about progression, making a big huge syllabus or the future – you can be in the moment with the person in front of you – which in a studio setting is the exact same thing – in the moment with the person in front of you.

I highly recommend getting into a certification program because being self taught you’ll need to learn how to teach and who knows in some cases how to do some basic moves too. I’m still finding beginner things and still learning basic things. LOL! Just this summer I learned a new variation of the fireman I knew about but couldn’t for the life of me perform https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

I don’t want to discourage you but its very important not to get frustrated with people and it’s very important to know how to deal with all types of bodies and personalities. Like Amy said – you have to LOVE teaching.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do and let us know.

[Charley]

I am so super stoked!!!!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

I’m totally auditioning for this comp!!!!

[Charley]

I would recommend SV before I would suggest a DVD simply because the lessons are updated consistently and you get more for your money.

I have Vertical Dance 1&2 which are both great, Fawnia’s pole work dvd which is okay but it kind of covers a lot and in today’s pole world it’s really disjointed – however this is a great collectible DVD to have. I also have Fawnia’s advanced DVD which is pretty good. I have Pantera’s Pole Tricks 101 which is also good but these are older DVD’s that don’t go into as much depth as newer DVD’s on the market. Pantera’s DVD is pretty advanced too.

I have heard GREAT things about Leigh Ann’s DVD’s and they kind of let you in on Be Spun Signature style. Live Once was also recommended to me by Amber Richard. Art of Pole is a great series but I’ve only seen Vol.1-2. What I did see was great – hse breaks everything down thoroughly and even gives you mini sequences – much like Leigh Ann’s DVD’s.

If you are a fan of any of the above dancers it’s good to get their DVD’s because they do give insight into their methods and styles of pole work. I still think most bang for your buck is the SV lessons. It’s good to learn from a lot of different people, but if for now you just want something that will teach you how to get started, getting warmed up, stretches, strength building, pole moves and routines…SV is your best bet and works within most people’s budgets.

[Charley]

It depends on their experience and comfort level.

Have they ever been inverted before? How long have the been pole dancing?

I don’t start with handstands because I think they are too tricky. My intermediates start with climbing and upright poses – once they are solid with a few upright poses we move to basic lay backs.

Most of my students are pretty good at climbing, pole sitting and performing basic poses like the plank (hand on top) wrist seat, pole sit variations before we go into inverting. Unless there is a specific reason a student cannot perform a basic x knee that is their first invert. From that point we start talking about tucking the chin into the breast bone for safety and exiting slowly sliding down on to shoulders. From there I like to get them to work on stamina and being comfortable combining the moves they are taught.

When we do finally move to the invert, they work from the floor for a few weeks before we work from standing. We also do some conditioning exercises and lifts too. But basically none of my students get to their invert until at minimum 16 weeks. Some don’t start for 6 months.

[Charley]

https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif Too funny. I don’t take my pole down for anyone. Maybe she’ll take a spin on it and love it.

[Charley]

https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif I love it!!!!!!!!

But how are you going to dance on it? https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_scratch.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

[Charley]

I HAVE to meet you this time Kira!!!!! Whether or not I get accepted into the competition (have yet to make a video I think is good enough.) I am so TOTALLY doing a private with you!!!!!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

[Charley]

@ Rena – lol, I totally forgot about the air mattress https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

@Mini – yup I feel your pain. I am considering entering but at the same time questioning whether or not I feel like I am good enough – there can only be 6. I got to get my polejo back. It’s definitely a nothing to lose situation, if you’ve paid your membership fee you can enter everything.

They also changed the criteria too, now they are giving competitors compulsory moves/spins that have to be in the compulsory so I am going to wait to see if I can actually do all the compulsory moves https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

[Charley]

Hey Rena – I am probably going to go, a friend of mine totally wants to go. Maybe we can room together again.

[Charley]

Our very own Veena https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

Karol Helms
Alethea Austin
Zoraya Judd
Maia Soto
Rebecca Butcher
Sarah Cretul
Katie Coates
Sally Ann Giles
Alesia V. (no idea how to spell her last name)
Allegera
Alena Downs
Amber Richard
Shadow
Oona
Elizabeth Marchenko
Jamilla DeVille
Fawnia Monday
Estee Zakar – face of X-pole US
Tara Karina
Leigh Ann Orsi
Josiah Grant
David Owen
Wendy Traskos
Dominic Lacasse
Elena Gibson
Remi Martin
Erik Vonstruckenberg (sp?)

I know there are more but these are people I can think of and have a ton yt hits.

[Charley]

Craigslist is good.

Having a business FB is good too (a fan page or group or both)

Get a mailing list of interested people and put out a monthly newsletter

Groupon – okay, groupon is GREAT however you do have to be ready for the influx of business you may get. Our company just did groupon and we sold a TON so we had to be ready to have classes for everyone so they can start now. We had to have in advance a schedule of classes for our groupons to take so they can start immediately. I have some girls ADDICTED to groupon who train with us and one of them bought a boot camp special elsewhere and they told her they had sold too many groupons and wouldn’t be able to put her in a class right away – which made her really upset, so if you do that – plan ahead.

Go to local businesses that cater towards women and offer to leave flyers and take their too. Try – hair salons, spa’s, lingerie shops, local strip clubs, maybe some retails stores too.

Get a youtube if you don’t already have one and make sure your flyers supply the link for fb, yt, twitter, etc.

Also be sure to network with local dance academies that teach adult dance classes too – ofcourse you’ll want to be sure to promote them as well.

Also check http://www.livingsocial.com too.

Hope that helps!

[Charley]

Any one else notice that the emblem that poledanceinstructor.com is using is the same as Veenas??

Interesting, doing a little research and found out this site was created yesterday.

[Charley]

It’s up to you Flexx but I would say that your experience and other certs speak for themselves. I wouldn’t hesitate to take a course with someone who has the amount of years pole dancing you do – that alone would make me feel comfortable. Your fitness certs also tell me you know what you’re doing.

[Charley]

I agree it seems very sketchy to me.

When my students ask me about my certification I tell them I had to read, study, pass a written exam and pass a practical. Not sure I’d like saying "Well…I sent in $80 and they called 5 of my friends who said I’m awesome and sent me a certificate." https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

I guess it depends on what you want a cert for. If you just want something to hang on the wall that says you are certified to teach pole dance then this gets you that for very little.

I also think there are very good pole dance instructors out there that are not certified. I wanted to get certified so that I would be seen as credible by my coworkers. I wanted something that proved I knew what I was talking about and on top of that I learned more and added to my knowledge.

I would LOVE, freaking LOVE to do climb and spin (mostly just to see how I hang in the 7 day intensives) I think I could learn a lot from climb and spin.

[Charley]

I am certified with Empowerment Through Exotic Dance which is an AFAA recognized certification – I forget how many CEU’s its worth but it’s a lot – like 9 or something.

I decided to get a pole dance cert because I have little to no interest in doing group fitness certs mostly because I have no interest in fitness period. ETED’s certification offered an indepth program on warming up, cooling down, spotting and came with DVD’s of moves (many I hadn’t seen before.) ETED’s course also teaches you how to teach multi-level classes without running around like a mad woman because everyone is doing something different. I really liked the program a lot and I got a lot out of it. This certification covers a lot of what you would get with group fitness.

You will probably already know a lot this stuff already so the basic level will be a breeze – it really wasn’t super difficult for me to pass either. The intermediate level is great and this is where they get into multi-level classes, structures.

Also this certification comes with business help. If you go with ETED they will help your sort out everything on the financial and business end – this has been sooooo helpful to me. There have been times where I am calling them daily with questions and issues.

I cannot wait for the advanced level program to come out. This is an extremely thorough program – I really cannot think of anything that could be added.

[Charley]

Yes some woods are softer than others I suppose and take more damage from heels dropping on them and ofcourse the scuff marks.

I wouldn’t want to take classes at a studio that wouldn’t let me play in heels either. I think damage to floors is part and parcel of owning a studio and owners should research long and hard about what they install. They need to think about the damage the floors might take. The floors should be the most expensive thought out installation – next to poles ofcourse.

[Charley]

I’m a big fan of multiples https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_surprised.gif

I had 6 poles, recently sold 2. I totally plan to put atleast 2 in my basement and I am shopping around for a new pole right now.

I have:
original x-pole 50mm
x-pert 45mm
original PS super pole 50mm
Star Stand Alone

I only have chrome and stainless steel – I don’t like tg or brass personally but that totally personal opinion.

If you have the space to atleast have 2 poles set up – that is ideal.

X-stage is awesome but do consider if you’ll use it a lot – it’s not cheap. I’d start with inside poles and work my way out. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif

[Charley]

You are so not alone! I have very sweaty hands too. It was a major point of frustration for a very long time.

The good news is there are things you can do about it.

One of the best methods is just washing your hands with a harsh dish liquid – dawn dish liquid works great!

You can also use anti perspirants. Tite Grip is a product you can apply a couple of hours before you pole dance and it will help control sweating. There is also No Sweat – which I like but again that’s been most effective if applied a couple of hours before poling. There is Grrrip – my current favorite which is much like dry hands but also allows for you to spin, it doesn’t give you super grip but it keeps your hands dry enough to get through a routine.

I had the pole cleaners apply Grrrip directly to the poles at USPDF ECR and I applied tite grip several times before my performances and it worked out pretty good for me.

Some people use just plain old rubbing alcohol and find that is enough for them.

Gloves are good – I have the Mighty Grip gloves because I had tried other types and nothing really came close to the gloves that are made for pole dancing. You DO need to apply some kind of anti perspirant under them so they don’t slip though.

As far as being dependent on products…in any sport there are things you need to perform your best. Football players wear grippy gloves so they can better catch and hold the ball. Gymnasts use chalk and aerialists use rosin or firm grip. So, I personally don’t buy into the "don’t use grip aids" thoughts. If you sweat, use anti perspirant, if you’re dry then you need to use something that will soften your hands up enough to grip the pole.

I hope this is helpful. All of the aids I have listed and use are under $10. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_flower.gif

[Charley]

We really need a pole dancer charity for used shoes and clothing we aren’t wearing anymore https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

[Charley]

I’m also one of the weird ones that doesn’t like TG or Brass.

You are probably overgripping because you are coming from a 50 and the new finish will effect grip too. Give it some more time.