Student to Student Tips
I’d like to preface this blog by fangirling over everyone at the photo shoot recently – they all did SO amazing! Such beauty, such grace! Yet again, everyone’s so kind and encouraging cheering each other on, oohing and aahing over poses nailed by Wisconsin Goddesses; I sure didn’t think my afternoon would turn around so positively and quickly – just goes to show what a wonder pole dancing does for my mental health. Next time, however, I’ll have to calm my nerves just a bit more and definitely grip-up ALL OVER. Which leads me into my main theme: lessons and things I’ve learned about pole dancing. As previously mentioned, grip-up! Hands, elbow/knee pits and inner thighs are main points of contact so you want those babies gripping that pole – much like that first bottle of beer after your work week is over. JK, you’ll definitely break that bottle! Recommended forms of grip aid are the following: Dry Hands, Lupit Grip Pad, iTac, Grip RX and Dew Point Pole Grip Spray. You’re going to hurt and you’re going to use your whole body to workout. I’d recommend not stopping when you’re sensitive in areas because that’s only going to help desensitize you quicker (but never ever push yourself too far!). Work on your cardio, upper body strength & flexibility and embrace your calloused, strong hands. Also, if sensitive skin is a real issue with you, talk to your instructors first, but there are pole gloves or ankle protectors/grippy leggings. Knee pads are a thing too! Pole clothes are SO fun to shop for but definitely don’t be afraid of the booty shorts. A lot of moves need more skin and you don’t want to be sliding off the pole. Tank tops are best, but avoid anything with vinyl/sticky graphics or wording as I found those stick to the pole and do not help with moves. I have seen sticky leggings but haven’t used them. Have fun and work hard! I love Instagram and TikTok for pole inspiration. Most importantly: 1. BREATHE. 2. Point your damn toes! 3. And know you got this!See ya in the studio, oh fierce one 🖤
Forever Pole Sisters!
Having friends around to support each other is definitely one of the best feelings in the world. Whether it be you know each other since you were kids, before, or after high school. Even if you knew each other for months. No matter the length of the relationship, strong friendships are worth keeping around. That’s how I feel about the friendships I have made at Aerial Dance! There are two ladies in particular I can think of, they were with my sister and I since the beginning. Unfortunately one does not go to the studio anymore due to a wonderful career change. The other one just goes to the Green Bay studio, but we see her every once in a while. We have been through it all together. From dancing our beginner routine to the song Pony by Genuine, to writing and dancing our first showcase together! All the way to advanced 1 pole! I’ve never been so proud of each and every one’s journey. Though we don’t see one of the four at the studio, we do continue to catch up every once in awhile. Obviously our lives outside of the studio tend to get busy, but we try to find time to meet up. Whether it’s celebrating our pole anniversary or just catching up. When we reached our first pole anniversary we decided to take a class together, and then decided to go out for dinner and drinks. Any aerial related event that happened in the area you bet we were there! One of our favorite events was when we went to that Paranormal Cirque show that was in Green Bay, talk about an awesome show! Every once in awhile meet up at a coffee shop or grab dinner, whatever it was we always had a great time. Earlier this year we celebrated out two year pole anniversary! Crazy to think it’s been that long but our relationship is still as strong as ever. For our second year we decided to go out for sushi and who wouldn’t like that? Got to talking and found out that one of them recently got engaged! We were all excited for the her and of course knowing us, we had to throw a pole party! When we got into planning we picked a date and theme. We went with the burlesque theme and it was perfect. Even better when we found out who the instructor was! We got Instructor Amanda, she was our very first instructor when we started back in beginner. That made the night very special and even took us back to the beginner Pony routine, so we could all dance that routine together for the last time. Who knows maybe it might not be, but it was a lot of fun to revisit that. We even tried to revisit out first show case routine, that didn’t go so well because we never really got a full video of that unfortunately, but it was funny to see us even try to remember it! I feel really lucky to have these ladies in my life. I actually just recently saw them and it was nice to catch up. We may not talk or see each other every single day, but when we all get together it’s like time hasn’t even gone by. I think it’s very special that we all still continue this pole sisterhood bond. I’m sure we are not the only ones who have the group of girls they started day one with and keep in contact. It’s also always nice to see all the women who go to the studio, from new to familiar faces! The overall environment is the best place to make great friendships.
Top Ten Reasons I Love Aerial Dance Pole Exercise
1. It’s POLE DANCING people! – like, come on, it is so fun! 2. It’s more than pole dancing; it’s community & strength building – girl. you’re going to get so strong. The studio also helps support other small businesses in the community – you know those cute little shorts on the wall to purchase? They go through a local seamstress to make them – double points! 3. The instructors – each one is so unique and can offer something new, or different, to the table. They are funny and sweet and badass. 4. The classes – there are workshops (twerking, holiday themed dances, chair dance, etc), varieties of yoga, abs & asses, flexibility, and so on. Something for everyone. 5. The sisterhood – every time I am at a practice there are girls that have just met and doing nothing but helping each other out. They see someone struggling with a certain move and give them some solid advice that probably helped them previously and as soon as that other girl nails it, you bet she’s her biggest cheerleader. 6. It’s about being smart and sexy – you guys. They do a monthly book club! As a book nerd, I seriously adore this – beauty and brains baby! 7. It’s about self-discovery – oh honey, yes YOU CAN. You will find out just how strong you are and how much stronger you can be. Plus, you’re, like, really brave going upside down and climbing to the top. Oh, and yes, you do look great in those booty shorts 😉 8. It’s about the students – we all just want to see you grow! Plus, there are great get-togethers and free photo shoots offered <3 9. You can play on all the things – hoops, silks & poles, oh my! 10. It’s my playground/mental health – like I mentioned earlier, its super fun but it also has become my ‘happy place’, I don’t think of anything but pole when I am in the studio, and I love that.
