I have been thinking more about what you said Pole Adventures and I am taking your advice . I am also taking Veenas advice about tracking my own progress . I feel a lot more comfortable now
Part of the problem I think Is the wide range of abilities in a beginner pole studio class.
I know everyone says pole is an individual journey and don’t compare but it’s human nature to compare . It’s a problem that pole studios have traditionally put on the learner.
By telling learners not to compare themselves to others as everyone is unique , studios have unintentionally disowned any responsibility to stratify class’s by ability with any level of objective accuracy .
Skiing does this well . Learner skiers are asked to do a run down a green hill before being assigned to a group . If you think you are black diamond ready but you can’t edge you are not going to be in the advanced class and if you are a rusty but rather advanced skier you are not going to be put in with those who are learning to keep their skis parallel right throughout the turn !
What results from this objective assessment are classes that are as well matched as they can be for ability levels . No mention is made of skiing being an individual journey and no reminder not to to compare … no need as that the instructors sorting helmet put everyone in an appropriate class to their ability level before the class started .
Pole may ultimately be more diverse than skiing but the fundamentals of any sport are what beginners need as they are the common stem from which diversity evolves
When a studio class is called ‘beginner’ one naturally assumes everyone is roughly equal but that’s not true at all in pole .
Some may nor be beginners ,some may have dance or gymnastics backgrounds and some may be quick learners . I am none of these !
So I stopped going to class and only learn online at home with my own pole and Veenas very well taught progressive program
That way it truly is an individual journey for me and I won’t be comparing myself to any one but myself
I think pole studios would do well to address this issue as they are losing a lot of business if they don’t cater to those who need a slower pace than a 25 year old ex gymnast . If the average woman or man is in their own home with a pole and a well taught online course , they can enjoy a really individual journey with the only comparison being with themselves
Pole studios could adopt strategies used by other sports .
Rather than asking students to self identify their level , a simple observed routine would be a much more accurate way to assign them to a suitable series
That way ‘ false ‘ beginners , rapid learners and ex gymnasts could be placed in higher level classes while people like me could be put with real raw beginners
Pole is a wonderful sport but studios needs to start teaching new comers in the same way other sports do … or it they risk losing a lot of students to better taught on line courses