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Simple routine for a beginner party
I am having a passion party this weekend and I thought it would be great to have my pole up since I have some friends who are interested in it. What would be a simple routine that I could let the brave ones try? I am thinking fan kicks, simple fireman, but what else? hip rolls or dips? I am not so good with flow, any help?
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12 Replies
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Some people who are new to pole are really apprehensive about taking their feet off the ground (both at the same time). Not all, but some. I've seen enough beginners in drop in classes at the studio to know that some just won't get it. Many won't have the strength to do a proper fan kick. In our pole fit classes, fan kicks are a common exercise and I'm surprised by the number that struggle with it, even ones that look fit.
I don't want to seem like a downer, but a "simple" beginner routine might just be things on the ground, like hip rolls, maybe a "step around" spin when one foot can stay on the ground to help them feel more secure. If they do well, offer the fireman. The ones with strength could even do more. I just wouldn't go in expecting everyone to be able to catch on to "easy" stuff like the fireman and fan kicks. If they fail on their first attempts, they may be too embarrased to try again. It takes guts to get out there in front of people. Stick to easy things. Like really really easy, to let them get a feel and get comfortable while you gauge their abilities.
You might just want to show them a few things as examples and give them all 30 seconds of fame to do whatever they want. Hook your leg around the pole and do some hip roles, do a sexy walk, ballroom dip, hip rolls, hair flips, booty bouncing, etc. Most will probably just grind on the pole, but it releases that nervous tension and gives them a good first experience.
I think that it would likely be well-received but you want them to succeed and give them no reason to think "I can't do that" or have them try, fail, and ruin their first experience. Set them up to do well, give them some free reign, push them out of their comfort zone, but don't challenge them too much at first. At least, that's what I would do.
Disclaimer: I've never taught any class or hosted any pole party. I'm just speaking from what I've seen of some beginner classes and any-level drop in classes. Some of these classes go extraordinarily well and the instructor adjusts accordingly, but some are kept very very basic.
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Ditto above. I do not show anything but 'grounded' moves–not even a fireman spin–in my intro to pole classes. 'KISS' is my motto! I show floor moves, wall moves, pole moves such as the body wave, step around turn, pirouette, squat, etc…then we put it all together for a fast song and a slow song. Fan kicks would be too advanced to show too, IMO… utilize the floor and wall, too.
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HyperHorsegirl, when I began reading your posting to this, it sounded to me as you were speaking negatively about the girls who are not able to OR do not feel comfortable about taking their feet from the ground. I felt a little bad because that is the problem I have been having but the studio that I am attending is going too fast for me where I do not know the proper hand placement, so it is extremely difficult to do the majority of beginner moves. Although having this issue, I still tried my best but I can say that even the easy moves were hurting my hands. Since It seemed like I was the only person struggling out of 8 people, I felt horrible about myself. With having a love for the pole, I still want to continue my learning but do not want to be embarrassed as it takes time to learn this art and some people catch on quicker than others. I know that I need to strengthen my upper body which may be the main reason for my failure. I don't want someone else to read a part of your post and stop reading thinking the entire posting is negative which is what I almost did. Once I read about 3/4 of the post, I realized that you are actually giving suggestions as a way for the girls attending the pole party to feel sexy and uplifted no matter how much they are able to do. Attending a pole party should be fun and exciting and everyone should have a good time. I think that you offered a fantastic suggestion to GMwifey.
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@sparrow – what does KISS stand for? All I can come up with is keep it super simple…I’m curious!
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@Youngs7 – Thank you. It was never my intention to sound as if I was putting other girls down. I was one of them too at one point! I get compliments on my spins now, but I was at Open Pole practically every time the studio had it in order to work on it. I struggled so bad at first and still do when it comes to strength matters and new things. Pole does not come easy for me either. I just would not give up, so I kept working and practicing. Once, I practiced so much, I rubbed a quarter-sized chunk of skin off of my wrist (which I know now is indicative of bad form). I know what it means to struggle to get things.
At my studio, we have classes that are supposed to be for girls with at least two months experience. Inevitably, a girl who has never touched the pole before will sign up without reading the class description or requirements. I always feel bad for her because, although she gets to see some amazing things that the experienced students are learning, there's no way she can keep up with that class. The instructor will either dumb down the whole class or spend extra time with her teaching, but no one wins in that situation. There have been times where those girls never come back.
I just don't want to see something like that happen at a party that is supposed to be fun.
(I've always heard that KISS stands for Keep it Simple, Stupid.)
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maybe you could try out some routine like dirtybirdy's one? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68L43L1i6cw&feature=related
From what I found out the easiest move is back hook, so you can start with it 😉
and I do not find fan kick a ' begginer' move (a move for the first poling time), I tried fan kick after 3 months of poling or something and was literally scared to do it! (I am stil not good at it week later 😉 ) even though I am able to do other spin and poses, but I guess it depends on a person. But still, I think back hook is the easiest, then fireman
good luck 🙂
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Just my two cents.. I host pole parties and generally speaking, the party atmosphere is a lot different than the class atmosphere.. it's really more about having fun than getting the moves right. The great majority of the girls don't seem to feel too pressured, they're just there to have a good time with their friends, learn some fun stuff, get silly. 🙂 I like doing the parties for that reason! Whatever you come up with they'll love it.
That said, I tend to adjust the routine depending on the comfort/skill level of the girls… some flail at the idea of spinning and are scared to even take their feet off the ground and much prefer the transition-y stuff, while some are a little stronger/more athletic or more daring and want to learn a bunch of spins. If I have a mixed group I'll create a little routine with the spins added but give an alternate move for those who don't feel comfortable spinning (ie: side spin to the floor or just sliding down to the floor with the back on the pole, fireman spin or "hula hooping" around the pole, etc).
Anyway, as for basic spins, generally some of the easier ones for beginners are the half/dip spin, the fireman, martini, side spin, and the back hook. For transitions, the basic pole walk (with additions.. hair flips, hip dips, swivels, etc), sexy squats/sits are good, basic floor work (including crawling, the money shot, pinwheel legs, sexy push up), peekarounds (where you hold the pole, bend down, look behind you.. lots of ways to do these!), body rolls, simple pirouettes…
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Thank you ladies. This is why I came here to ask for advice. I will stick to simple things, I know that there will be at least a couple ladies who will be much more adventurous. I just suck at hip rolls, maybe they wont notice.
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They won’t! Nonpolers will be impressed with anything you do, trust me! Lol.
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They won’t! Nonpolers will be impressed with anything you do, trust me! Lol.
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KISS- Keep It Simple Stupid!
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Your ? has been answered, but I like 'Keep It Super Simple'!
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