[Kobajo84]

This is what I found from a search:

What states are requiring personal trainers to be certified?

As far as we know, no states currently require a license to practice personal training. Several are trying. -http://www.nbfe.org/faq/#13

http://www.nbfe.org/news/press_releases/stateLicensing_122008.cfm

Currently 3 states have proposed legislation for licensing of personal trainers. Personal trainers is such a broad terminology or umbrella term- I'm wondering if pole fitness instructor would fall under this category? 

This answers my question as to the currnent regulations on a state level.  Insurance must be setting the regulation standards for fitness facilities. 

[Kobajo84]

I was thinking as in physical/occupational therapy and sports medicine practice and the exercise sciences.  Currently there is some type of regulation in the fitness degree of exercise science- I don't know exactly what the regulations are but I know I can't teach certain fitness classes at my studio becaue I don't have a specific degree/approved group fitness certifications.  This could be an insurance thing, not really sure nor do I really care at this point.  It would be nice if there was an actual process assuring people get appropriate education for injury prevention.  Teaching is a serious responsibility.  I'm just saying that there are too many people out there teaching their students into injuries and don't know any better because of their lack of knowledge base.  I think there should be some type of process set in motion to assure facilities specific to pole have a more formal process for hiring instructors with the intent to teach pole dancing.  Most likely it is purely insurance as insurance companies have a tendency to regulate everything. 

[Kobajo84]

The certification I did required a lot of post training work which I found to be really helpful in assisting the learning process. I had 6 activities to complete on my own.  I really enjoyed the activities and submitted mine with videos in addition to using a picture and taking a test.  It gave me an opportunity to be creative and to get me thinking creatively in how I would utilize the training to benefit myself in my teaching and my students.  (I'm certified through Discoveries Dance).  I really enjoyed the curriculum- this was really important to me as a health care provider- the certification had a strong emphasis on injury prevention and anatomy of common pole injury areas.  I've had to teach students in the area that have acquired injuries from past experiences in pole and this training really opened my eyes to key elements that I feel are a must for instructors.  The overall training really put things into perspective for me which is why I have such a strong advocacy for certification programs for pole dancing.  I would like to see the State have a legal regulation on this matter just as they do for other areas of fitness.  I think that would take a long time for legislation to actually acknowledge pole as a fitness category and as a profession in the fitness industry.

[Kobajo84]

Start with Jamilla's Art of Pole series in conjunction with Veena's lessons.  Felix Cane's DVDs are a little advanced and are a great investment for later down the road when you're solid on Jamilla's DVDs.  Jamilla breaks things down from the very basic movements to essential and easy to do advanced moves.  Felix moves fast with little explanation for the beginner.  Her method of teaching is very much watch and do with emphasis on a more advanced learning style for pole. 

[Kobajo84]

I got a really inexpensive DIY travel hoop from Tru Hoops and decorated it myself.  Not sure how much hoop tubing is to make a travel hoop of your own but you might want to look into their selection if you're looking for a hoop you can break down with connectors.  It was fairly inexpensive to buy one of theirs. 

[Kobajo84]

My aunt and her family live in Colebrook, NH. I messaged her on her facebook asking about pole studios, although I highly doubt she would have a clue if there was even one in her city. LOL. I figured it'd be worth a shot.  It didn't look promising in my google search.  I do however want to check out The New England Center for Circus Arts for the aerial silks.  I'm considering their instructor training.  I emailed them inquiring about future dates as this weekend is their current fabric instructor training- too short of notice for me to make that one..LOL.  https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif

[Kobajo84]

I'm seeing a trend of pole studios requiring instructors be certified through certain certification programs.  This isn't anything different than any other fitness establishment having their trainers required to be certified.  I think it's a good idea to be certified.  It's a formalized education specific to pole dancing and the curriculum you're teaching others.  No matter how much experience you have, I think it's always important to enrich your knowledge base on a formal level.  It's not just a piece of paper.  It's a program you participate in and with many do the work that shows you understand the material that you learned in order to become certified.  I view certifications in the same aspect as I view my professional stance in the health care industry.  You wouldn't want someone practicing medicine without educational back ground, so why should someone teach movement classified as fitness without the essential knowledge base?  Experience is a great thing to have but when molded with education, it can be beneficial to both instructors and the students they are teaching. 

[Kobajo84]

All I found was the New England Center for Circus Arts in Vermont. 

[Kobajo84]

I'm wondering this too. I have family in Colebrook, NH and was planning a trip sometime soon up that way. Pole Bliss looked like a really nice studio but they're the ones that closed. 🙁

[Kobajo84]

90 Minute Pole Class

I do a head to toe warm up standing with a couple dynamic stretches then I take it to the floor for some floor work moves then we do specific conditioning exercises (I focus on shoulder conditioning with 2 lb weights or resistance bands).  The entire process usually takes about 15 minutes for the warm up and 5-10 minutes for the conditioning then we have an hour for the pole curriculum. 

90 Minute Aerial Silks Class

For my aerial classes my warm up begins with cardio (in the pole portion a lot of the cardio comes with the pole curriculum as we teach a routine).  After the initial cardio portion I do a head to toe warm up with dynamic stretches then I focus on aerial posture conditioning exercises. 

60 Minute Flexibility for Pole Class

This class begin with a sensual dance warm up with basic movement beginning with walking and progresses to basic transitions like forward bends, hip circles, etc. Depending on class size (sometimes I have more than 8 students and the studio only has 8 poles right now) if I have more students then poles, I incorporate an all floor work warm up. I try to use basic pole moves that incorporate dynamic stretches but are very sexy movements at the same time.  The sensual dance warmup lasts about 1 or 2 songs and I find the warmup to be sufficient in getting everyone ready for the deeper relaxing stretches which are the core of the class. 

[Kobajo84]

Pole changed my life in such a postive way.  (I actually wrote a blog about this in the past).  http://poleharmony.blogspot.com/2011/10/what-pole-dancing-has-taught-me-lesson.html

To summarize, pole dancing has changed my entire lifestyle.  The community as a whole has taught me an enormous amount of invaluable information that has formed the dancer and instructor I am today.  It's been a lot of work on my part full of hours of research and dance but overall it's been a journey that I feel has impacted my health in a huge way.  Pole dancing is more than just a hobby to me.  It's embodied a lifestyle of healthy choices I feel will benefit me in the long run for my health physically and mentally.  As a bonus, I get to share my passion for dance with others.  There is nothing better than seeing someone glowing because they learned something from me.  It's moments like those I'll forever cherish. 

[Kobajo84]

OMG all those bags are so cute!!! I love this topic! Here's mine in my recent blog post- you also get to see what I like to put in it too.. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif

http://poleharmony.blogspot.com/2012/01/pole-dancer-exposed-whats-in-my-bag.html

[Kobajo84]

There's lots going on downtown right now with the Super Bowl.  Our Burlesque girls from the stduio flash mobbed downtown with a Burlesque performance. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEhtHa_hf8g&feature=youtu.be

I would've gone down there to do some pole performances but I want nothing to do with the crowds, insane parking, and then on top of it have to lug around an xstage and set it up. Too much craziness for me.  I've stayed away from it all and just enjoyed everyone's pictures they've been posting online. 

[Kobajo84]

I didn't notice anything wrong with your feet.  It's a pet peeve of mine and I'm easily distracted by the feet when watching a performance and I was specifically watching yours and your points are beautiful.  The one thing that was distratcing to me was that it was rushed (nerves can do that to you) and your transitions from move to move were choppy.  The transitons should be seamless- slowing down in certain areas will help create a seamless flow.  This is just something you work on with time.  The routine was very lovely- it just needs to be slower to match the slow song. 

[Kobajo84]

@ Sparrow- I'm totally getting ideas about rigging a harness up around our hips…I can sit at the top of the pole and when you go up, I'll grab the tie around your waist and hold you up.  I think it's doable on our poles.  https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

[Kobajo84]

Ok this one is not easy…sparrow, I need you to spot me. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif

[Kobajo84]

Flexibility is different.  It depends on the intesity you are putting into your flexibility.  I trained every day for 5 months on my flexibility but I did things very different from what you would typically think of doing when stretching.  I never forced my muscles nor did I stretch to any pain or resistance.  I slowly let my muscles loosen up on their own through barely stretching in the beginning to my 5 month mark where my body was limber enough where I was at my desired level of flexibility.  I experienced soreness when I first started but after a week I was no longer sore.  You can injure your muscles and cause damage from over stretching.  In contortionism, I believe they train to achieve an increased flexibility that is eased into.  It's a slow process- as was my experience.  It took a lot of dedication and discipline on my part.  I completely agree with giving your body a rest day.  I've noticed a depletion in energy with my muscles if I've tried to practice consecutive days and in the end it isn't very productive when I'm working on strength moves.  Over working a tired mucle can also lead to injuries.

[Kobajo84]

@Brumby- yes. Check out RikiL's pics- she has an awesome one that shows this move perfectly. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif

[Kobajo84]

@shebangs- A lot of times when Veena has something new on the site she will post a message in the newsfeed on facebook.  If you're a member of facebook you might want to "like" StudioVeena.  That's another great way to stay up to date in case you don't get the email newsletters.  If there's specific moves you'd like help with, you can always private message Veena and put in a request for those moves in lessons.  There are also a lot of ladies that offer online skype private lessons as well.  I don't want to go around and advertise who on this site in order to respect Studio Veena and their business but you can almost always find the people I'm referring to by googling online skype pole lessons or searching something very similar.

[Kobajo84]

I think they're calling the "Remi Extreme" the Remi Bridge now.  https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

[Kobajo84]

There has been a change in the way breast augmentation procedures are being done which enables the patient to have a faster recovery allowing them to resume activities sooner.  I'm not particularly sure of the specifics regarding surgical technique but I would make sure she clearly states to her doctor what her intentions post operatively are so she/he is fully aware of the type of activity she'll be partaking in.  I would think if she got to her 4 week mark and felt too much discomfort, it would be a judgement on her part to maintain light to moderate activity and follow up wih her doctor.

[Kobajo84]

LiveOnce Beginner DVD has a long routine on it, Art of Pole's Routine Series is good, and BeSpun's Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced are all a routine broken down into 5 sections you can mix and match up for a routine that is always changing. 

[Kobajo84]

After reading Charley's response I also wanted to add too- anytime I travel, I visit studios at my destination and I always contact the studio and take their beginner level classes.  https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif It's amazing all the different ways a beginner level class can be taught and all the variety of moves you will learn. 

[Kobajo84]

I started out on my own and before becoming involved with a studio, my dancing was very choppy- in fact, I wouldn't even call it dancing.  Once I experienced the studio atmosphere, my dancing began to evolve.  A lot of the things I learned were input from other ladies at the studio- which really helped me shape the style and type of dancer I wanted to become.  I also was exposed to many opportunities that led me to learn from some of the top competitors in the U.S..  Without the studio in my life, I'd have missed out on so much personal growth.  I teach so I come from a different perspective on this but I can say that as a student who didn't have a studio there to guide me in the beginning as opposed to now having four in one city to choose from- take advantage of the resources you have before you.  You will benefit from every aspect of exposure whether it's a Yoga, Pilates, Ballet, or any other form of dance outside of pole.  Everything ties into one and really adds character development- not to mention the social aspect of being around others you share a commonality/passion with.  The community and resources here on this site are also amazing too.  You can take what you learn from here and build upon it- the lessons and the friendships with fellow members.  I'm very grateful for this site having introduced me to so many amazing dancers in my own local area as well as throughout the country and internationally.  It's such a fun experience to meet everyone in person at events- which takes the experience to a whole new level and another learning opportunity.  https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_heart1.gif

[Kobajo84]

@divapolegoddess- I wanted the post back up in the most recent topics. I had a hard time finding it so I thought I'd bump* it back up.  I didn't have anything else to add to the discussion which is why I didn't post anything.