As someone with ADD, I always struggled with keeping a consistent workout routine. Sometimes I could hyperfocus and achieve the goals I had in mind. However, once I achieved them, I lost all interest. I thought I loved weight lifting at the gym, but I noticed after I reached my goal weight I slowly started to slack off until it was no longer a part of my routine. I realized it wasn’t the process I loved; it was only the results. I needed to find a physical activity that kept me excited and interested.
The beauty of pole dancing is no practice is ever the same. It is always changing. There are new moves to learn, different combinations to try, and a variety of instructors with different teaching styles. It has the perfect balance between guided instruction and flexibility. I also have the ability to expand on combinations if I want to challenge myself further. The room for growth and creativity is unlimited, providing the perfect environment to keep me intrigued.
Creativity is what feeds my soul, and pole dancing allows me to tap into that creative space. The student showcase is one major event for us to put our ideas into reality and show off our growth. However, that isn’t necessarily the only chance to be creative. I find myself during practice choreographing short routines. I enjoy listening to different songs and envisioning different combinations that I could pair to them. The product of my creative visions brings a sense of pride and joy.
The mental and emotional aspects of aerial dance have had a major positive impact on my life, but I can’t leave out the physical benefits either. Pole dancing targets all your muscles. It is a full body workout, that doesn’t necessarily feel like work. Even when I am challenging myself, it comes with an exciting drive to succeed. A competition with myself to try something new, and when I achieve what I never thought I could do, the sense of accomplishment is pure bliss.
Most people talk about their prime being when they were younger, but for me, my prime is now. This is the strongest and most fit I have ever been. I have learned to have faith in my body, to trust it, to feel safe in it, and to see what it is capable of. Each year in pole there is an evolution of self, where I am further connected to my being, walking my path in confidence.