[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

Over here in Australia exotic or sexy pole seems to be more popular than ever. I think maybe it’s a cultural thing… we are pretty unreserved when it comes to our bodies… but it could also be the influence of significant competitions and studios like Bobbi’s and Miss Pole Dance Australia, or Pole Dance Academy and their Dance Filthy comps etc. We do have the fitness/barefoot style too, with many studios teaching sans heels and purely contemporary competitions like APC popular too… For myself, my dancing style fluctuates but I have found technology like instagram to really globally connect pole dancers so that I’m influenced by what dancers are doing in Russia and Ukraine etc …. and their exotic pole style is really sexy, fluid and creative. I think sexy is alive and well in many pole dancers…. and I’m hoping it stays that way. I too find purely tricks based routines to background music super boring…. I reckon the killer combo is a bit of everything (tricks, strength, flexibility, contemporary and sexy, fluidity, creativity and floor work etc) 🙂

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

Wow… Yeah it was random but I thought it was pretty hot actually…. I kind of admire them for pushing the envelope a bit you know? Thought they were pretty well synchronised most of the time and it was nice how they mirrored each other while one was up the pole and the other was down. But yeah, nothing that memorable about the tricks themselves, just their signatures which is what you would expect (and those signature tricks ARE amazing of course, but well known). I hope people don’t give them a hard time just because they kissed. Male and female doubles partners might sometimes kiss as part of a routine and no one would consider that inappropriate. And it is kinda “rok’n’roll” to just get down n dirty and have some fun and not give a s%^t you know? Maybe that was the connection behind it…. *shrugs*

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

Ok I think I’m going to enroll in the online Vertical Dance course today. It’s approved by Fitness Australia which I think is a good sign. I am already teaching but there are no pole studios in my area so it would be difficult to train through them… I have a few pole dance instructor friends and as far as i can see they are usually trained by the studio from student into teacher, no professional course required. But I need a certification so that I can get full professional indemnity insurance cover. Blah… I’d be interested to know how any of you with your own studios (Veena?) got full insurance.

Symonesal how long did it take you to complete the Vertical Dance course? I’d love to get it done in two months – do you think it’s possible? What did you think of it? Have you done the next intermediate course? Sexycat I’d love to be your studybuddy that’s a great idea! 🙂

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

Great thread! I love thinking about the various styles of pole. I used to really be into the rock n roll/sexy side of pole. I always wore high heels and loved the dancey side of pole. (Well I trained at Bobbi’s so of course I danced like that :P) But now I’m more into the contemporary/interpretive/emotive side of pole, bare-feet and slower, sadder songs. One constant has been the artistic dance value…. I love the way pole looks and feels, the details and transitions and floor work. Big power moves do wow me and I love being able to do cool tricks, but I enjoy watching the dancer move more than the athlete.

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

I also feel like I use pole dance as a form of therapy or self-medication. It helps me vent my emotions and calm my nervous and it also reminds me of the beauty in the world, and how amazing it is to have a healthy body capable of such awesome mobility. Interestingly it’s often when I’m feeling intense emotions of sadness or anger that I dance my best. Almost like I have more to give when I’m feeling upset.

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

Symonesal have you tried it already? They are just so expensive! Eekk…

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

Hmmm I don’t like the idea of a strict dress code, however I do think it’s smart to be a little sensitive to how students feel about instructors dress. Some conservative students or beginners who are self-conscious of their bodies, might feel a little intimidated or embarrassed to be surrounded by women in skimpy/sexy outfits flaunting toned butts that they don’t yet have. I mean, it might highlight their own inadequacies for low-self-esteem people. However it also might inspire those beginners by showing them what they could one day have; confidence in wearing sassy lingerie or whatever. I remember really enjoying the cheeky sexiness of what Bobbi’s instructors would wear… cheeky butt (sometimes almost g-string/thong pants) with push up bras. That sexy look goes with the Bobbi’s image – their style of dance is also kind of showgirls so it create a fun and adventurous atmosphere. However it’s a studio that really pushed pole dance as a fitness and an exercise regime/workout, then perhaps yoga outfits/sports bras/short lyrca shorts would send that signal better. I think it depends on the studio’s values and interpretation of pole dance and also what kind of students they have. Tricky tricky. Interesting discussion!

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

I’ve had workshops with some amazing “polefessionals” like Alethea and Marlo Fisken and Marion Crampe. Look I don’t regret the money I spent, it was such a thrill to meet them in person and just share the pole space with them, I think half of the joy of it is just socialising with your pole idols, you know? But I’ve noticed that the tricks I learn from them I very rarely practice once i get home. It’s weird. I’m thrilled to learn the moves when I’m in the workshop, but then i forget to train them at home so i forget how to do them after that…. pretty annoying, but it’s my own fault I suppose. So I am much more circumspect when choosing workshops to attend now. I really have to work out if what they’re going to teach I couldn’t teach myself (let’s face it, so much is available online with videos etc).

Regarding prices, I think travelling pole instructors are justified in charging a lot for their workshops. If I had spent a small fortune on air fares and accommodation and visas, I would want to be earning enough money from the workshops to pay for my expenses and then still turn a profit. If it’s their main source of income, then no i don’t think it should be about the students only, it has to support the instructor first of all, or there won’t be any workshops made available in the future.

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

Great challenge! I’m gunna work on Bird of Paradise and my blasted ayesha/static V with all grips (cup/true/whatever). Maybe Carlie’s devil elbow spin too…. I’ll see how masochistic I’m feeling 😛

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

It has become ESSENTIAL that I master my twisty grip/cup grip ayesha/static v. I’ve had my elbow grip forever but for some reason resting all my weight on my hands while upside down FREAKS me out. I CAN do it, for a second, but I just avoid practicing it, and thus have never been able to do it reliably. It’s getting ridiculous. I’ve been poling for 5 yrs, I can do other moves of the same advanced level, I’ve just to ally skipped training these, which is starting to be a problem – so many cool new moves like the MarionAmber/Iron Maiden and deadliest require the ayesha. 🙁 rrrr. Other than that, I want to start competing again… I kind of set myself the challenge of entering MPDA… but now that its actually this year, it’s seeming more and more unattainable…. Will see…. :S 🙂

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

Ok thanks for the advice ladies. I already have a brass pole so I want to try something different, to challenge and strenthen my grip. Oooo decisions….

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

Brooke Candy – Dum  – I'm in it 🙂 She's an LA rapper who was in London and needed some pole dancers. We filmed at Metropolis strip club in Bethnal Green, spent HOURE in hair and make up, then hours on the pole. Of course they only ended up using tiny snippets of us. It was me and my friend Millie Robson (the pole dance photographer). Was a really fun experience. 

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

Why should it matter if you've made money from dancing before? It doesn't mean you've had more training, or more experience. There are many strippers who don't ANY pole tricks! It just means you were paid to dance. Whether that dancer has a high level of skill or whether she is not so good depends on the dancer's natural ability and work ethic, not on how much money she's earnt. If we discriminated against dancers who had previous professions that help them with their pole dancing, then most of the world's elite pole dancers would not be allowed to compete in Pole Art, World Pole Sports, etc. Some of them have trained and been employed as gymnasts, acrobats, ballerinas, fitness instructors, etc. Some of them have won medals at the olympics for gods sake! Some of them have had years working as dancers in clubs. WHO CARES!!?? Pole dancing should be appreciated and judged for what it is, an athletic, acrobatic, sexy, artistic dance form. Any studio, person or institution who believes that certain dancers should not be allowed to compete because of their personal lives (employment or training history) really needs to stop being so narrow-minded and prejudiced. 

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

I think a studio can help you when learning the basics as a beginner and be great for socialising, motivating and supporting you, but like you I also prefer to train on my own. I get the most out of my pole dancing when I have the space and privacy to relax and really feel the music. I think learning solo is much better for developing your own unique style too! Often studios can create very repetitive and formulaic, stylised dancing that might not be true to who you are. So go for it! Don't feel worried about it! 

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

I think a studio can help you when learning the basics as a beginner and be great for socialising, motivating and supporting you, but like you I also prefer to train on my own. I get the most out of my pole dancing when I have the space and privacy to relax and really feel the music. I think learning solo is much better for developing your own unique style too! Often studios can create very repetitive and formulaic, stylised dancing that might not be true to who you are. So go for it! Don't feel worried about it! 

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

I think intensity matters more than the amount of time you do it for. If you train on the pole fast and furiously and really push yourself until your muscles are sore and you are out of breath, that will get you faster results than if you train with a lot of breaks and with minimal effort. 

To get a cardio workout while poling, I like to freestyle to a song, have a few minutes break, then dance to another, and so on, until im really buggered or too sweaty to do any more (usually 4-6 songs). You have to constantly be moving and dancing, no quitting mid-song! You can do a mix of floorwork and on the pole tricks, but you have to keep moving from start to finish. I find this always gets my heart pumping and makes me feel like I've really pushed my endurance by the end. Plus, you get to film videos of you dancing at the same time that you can later upload onto veena or just watch to learn from! 🙂 Good luck xox

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

Yeah as Veena said, a lot of people struggle with Bridge due to stiffness in shoulders and upper back. Some good exercises for stretch that area is standing about a foot from a wall, then arching your back to rest your chest, neck and chin against wall with your arms stretching straight up towards the ceiling. It gives me a nice stretching feeling in my arm pits, pecs and upper back.

Otherwise, for strength, I recommend handstands for building control and confidence in your arms. Make sure you are pushing up and away from the floor. Don't let your shoulders sink into your arms. Try and make them as long and extended as possible. I think a lot of people in Bridges don't straighten their arms fully and extend through their shoulders and chest, which means instead of using your chest and back muscles, all your weight is pressing down on your bent arms, which is really hard to maintain. (If you think about doing push-ups, its always when arms are bent that the muscles have to work the hardest. When they are straight it's easier because shoulders and back are also doing part of the work.) 

 

So those are my two tips: Improve flexibility in upper back and shoulders with regular stretches AND build strength and control by practicing pushing up and away from the floor, through straight arms. 

 

There is a great youtube channel WeFly by Tracee Kafer  that is currently doing a monthly challenge on backbends (featuring Rebecca Star) called "GetBent" and they have some great tips and stretches for bridges. Check it out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=eJQvYKFFNO0

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

Oh this sounds like what  I generally do when freestyling, although not thinking at all about lines or angles or extension (ie the esthetics of the body) and rather just being completely relaxed in the present feeling of your own physicality and the music…. that will require some concentration/or lack there of 😛 I love this!!!!!!!!! 

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

Rainbow marchenko and dead lifts. A lot of stretching and strength training is in order! 😛

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

From personal experience I've found that I have more energy and healthier skin when I take a daily multi-vitamin. I also take cod-liver tablets and pro-biotics daily. Many people don't consume enough protein through their diet but I don't know enough about protein shakes to recommend them. 

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

I think the idea of doing tricks on our weaker side would be really helpful and beneficial, but also really frustrating lol.

I've found dancing blindfolded to be so much fun and really helpful for getting in tune with the music. 

How about something that would challenge our strength and creativity? Should we choose one or two of our favourite tricks and try to do them over and over, but with interesting transitions and variations, so that the whole routine is still interesting? I find myself often deliberately avoiding doing the same trick twice in a routine for fear of making it boring or repetitive, but I think that sometimes busting out a move 5 times in a row or something can make a statement and be impressive. Especially if it requires a lot of strength or skill ….I really like this idea! My sister came up with it! haha

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

I will definitely be visiting Paris to train in those studios! Thanks for the suggestions Sunshine Diva… I just don't know how I'm going to get through 2 months travelling south east asia without pole! Arrghhh… If anyone else has awesome studios to recommend to me in India, Vietnam, Burma (haha slim chance I know :P), America or Europe, please let me know! 🙂 xo

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

Marlo Fisken is my latest pole idol! Adore her lines, flexibility, unique combos and artistic musicality…. Have you see her performance at Gravity this year? Stunning! 

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

And I'd just like to say in response to those many people who believe that the "industry" is unsavoury… What is so undignified about exploiting your body for income? We do it with our brains, we do it with our fitness (gym instructors etc), we do it with our appearances (models), so why can't we do it with our sensuality? I just think that society has had major hang-ups and repression regarding sexuality and the naked body and that in my personal experience there is nothing degrading or undignified about it. In fact, strippers are the ones with the power (over men). Also, the industry is not a den of iniquity filled with desperate and ruthless people. The women I worked with had university degrees, full time jobs, they were mothers, they had travelled the world. Strong, independent, feminist, educated, intelligent women can use their body to make money. There is nothing paradoxical about it.

[Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace]

I have and so obviously I would. I just want to say that stripping is not as glorious as some may think. Yes it's getting payed to pole (awesome) but it soon feels just like any other job, and the income is not reliable so it can be quite stressful. I often forget about my time dancing in a gentleman's club for a living, it seems so removed from my life now. Pole dancing to me now is about personal achievement and physical challenge, fitness, emotional expression and just enjoyment. Stripping was mostly about cash. Sometimes it was exhilirating, fun, interesting and educational, and I guess it has informed my style and confidence now, but really, it was just a job, a very hard and exhausting job. I think anyone who is strong in their sense of self, has healthy self-esteem and doesn't feel any shame or guilt attached to making money from your body could do it.