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Coaching Plus Size Athletes
Hey Veenaers — here's an article I recently wrote about coaching plus size athletes. Enjoy.
Diav
Defining Plus Size
All forms of movement conjure up a variety of feelings about one’s body image, particularly for those with nontraditional body types. For plus size pole dancers, a heightened awareness of their physical differences can be bring about a conflicting mix of emotions, ranging from immense pride to debilitating anxiety.The term “plus size” generally describes women who wear a size 12 and up. Common synonyms for plus size include thick, big boned, full figured and big girl. “Curvy” has recently soared into popularity as the trendy new term for voluptuousness. Less endearing labels, such as fat or obese, have evolved to carry the same damnation as drug addict and convict. Although nothing could be farther from the truth too many people inside and outside the plus community, base their interactions with plus size dancers on asinine assumptions. The truths are:
Plus size pole dancers can be equally sexual as traditional dancers
Not every plus size person wants to lose weight, nor are they ashamed of their size
Weight alone doesn’t dictate a person’s fitness level
Plus size dancers can serve as powerful athletic role models
Struggles with weight often go far beyond poor eating habits
Examples of actual concerns of plus size dancers include:
Can I honestly do this at my size? Can the pole even support me?
Where can I find fun and properly fitting costumes?
I’m too heavy for anybody to spot me.
I want to try this, but I don’t want to be the biggest person in class.
How will I manage my large breasts in awkward poses?
I’d be such a better pole dancer if I was smaller.
I doubt anybody will take me seriously.
The best way to truly understand plus size dancers is through consistent communication. Rather than singling out specific people — which may be very insulting — invite the entire class or group of people to give you feedback about size diversity in your studio. Let those who want to speak privately come to you when they feel comfortable. Establish multiple pathways for feedback including e-mail, phone, anonymous online surveys and casual chats in person.
Instructor Diversity & Inclusive Lesson Plans
Plus size instructors. Non-traditional instructors send a vibrant message that movement doesn’t discriminate against size. Additionally, they shatter the isolation that non-traditional dancers often feel. Leaders have a duty to actively seek out, educate and hire diverse instructors.Varied lesson plans. Lesson plans should reflect that pole dancing is equal parts strength, balance and stage presence. Like everyone else, plus size dancers may struggle in one area but excel in another. Give them a platform to do so. Pointed toes, straight legs, and pronounced style are achievable for everyone in every class. Even the smallest sense of accomplishment will give a reason to come back. If you see something great, suggest they teach it to others!
After a challenging class, a fun way to destress is through dancing that highlights the the hips and butt, commonly referred to as “booty popping.” This is the perfect platform for bottom heavy dancers to take center stage — the more “junk in the trunk,” the more fun!
Modifications. Techniques that require lifting one’s own body weight, like climbing, may be very difficult for heavier dancers. Even as strength improves, it may still be awkward to correctly position larger limbs or full breasts. Therefore, instructors should be prepared to give custom modifications for everything. Helpful tips:
Use the wall and floor to provide extra support for conditioning exercises.
Prepare four to five levels of difficulty per technique.
Students should be encouraged to experience with different grips to learn what works best for their bodies.
Remind students that proper form can take weeks, months and or longer to master.
Be mindful not to let a student’s need for modifications lower your expectations for their abilities. Plus size dancers deserve to be challenged like everyone else. If students sense for even a moment that you don’t think they can be successful as others, their positivity quickly diminishes.
Balance. Balance and alignment are extraordinary tools for plus size dancers. When they learn how to work in tandem with their body weight, strength comes much faster. Forearm stands are the prime example of this; when the hips are aligned directly above the shoulders, lifting the legs comes naturally.
Elements of a Welcoming Studio
Larger sized merchandise. Looking like a pole dancer is very important to all your students. Ideally, branded merchandise should be available up to size 3X. If holding stock in too many sizes is not cost effective, owners should have a sample size of each item and place custom orders for special sizes on a monthly basis.Large towels. Gym towels are notoriously small and are very awkward to wrap around a larger body. To minimize embarrassment, keep a few clean bath sheets or beach towels available upon request.
Tightly secured equipment. Make sure all equipment is securely mounted so clients will feel comfortable letting it support their weight. A wobbly stage pole will limit what a dancer is capable of.
Pictures of diverse clients. Show off the studio’s diversity by visually promoting its clients, instructors and and athletes of all sizes and cultural backgrounds. Pictures throughout the studio add a very warm look and feel to the overall space.
Plus Size Dancewear and Lingerie Retailers
Lane Bryant
http://www.lanebryant.comForever 21 http://www.forever21.com/Product/Category.aspx?br=plus&category=promo_plus-sport
Old Navy’s Online Plus Size Collection
http://www.forever21.com/Product/Category.aspx?br=plus&category=promo_plus-sportHips and Curves
http://www.hipsandcurves.comTorrid
http://www.torrid.com/torrid/Intimates/Bras.jspCorset Story
http://www.corset-story.comRiver’s Edge
http://www.riversedgedancewear.com/womplussizda.htmle-Dancewear
http://www.e-dancewear.comBare Necessities
http://www.barenecessities.com/special.aspx?specialpage=BarePlus&exp=bp -
21 Replies
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This is WONDERFUL! This should be required reading for all teachers and pole studio owners.
I am plus size in the breasts only (I do wear a size 12 but refuse to consider myself "plus" just because of that) and, though I try hard not to compare myself to the skinny-mini dancers I meet all the time, I can't help noticing that my body is just plain different from theirs. Not better or worse, but different. Like when I do a shoulder stand (lying on back with legs and hips up in the air), I have to be careful that my boobs don't creep up on my face and suffocate me! That difficulty might not even occur to someone with a smaller cup size.
Thanks so much for sharing, Diva.
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All wonderful advice! I would love for this to be posted as a blog so I can share it with everyone on FB!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif
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That would be terrific, Veena! Would you like me to do it or do you want those honors?
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Pankake, thank you so much! I'm glad you found it helpful. I wear 12 through 16 and have big ass boobs that get in the way for certain moves where I have to bring both elbows together right over the bust line (flag much?!?!). And last night I physically manuever my stomach around the pole to do a flat Jade.
The concept of a plus size dancer is very, very new for a lot of people, particularly the ones who've been very fit their entire lives. I just wrote this based on my experiences and what my friends have trouble with. Glad the word is spreading!
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This is great. Some of my pole friends are plus sized, and I think they are amazing. First of all for practical reasons… thinking about how strong they must be to pull themselves up into an inversion! What's my excuse? And one of my friends is an incredibly expressive and passionate dancer, and it would be a shame for her to never have an outlet for fear of being too large to take classes. I also like your point that not all women start pole dancing to lose weight. I think the excessive focus on weight loss as opposed to overall health in the fitness industry is a bit unhealthy.
I'm actually pretty average sized (6/8) but I am large busted and curvy. I struggle with body placement in certain moves as well. No amount of weight loss would change the shape of my pelvis. And there are moves where I can't get my arms into the correct position without having to push a boob out of the way first, like you said about flag.
I agree that it's great to see pole instructors who don't have typical "dancer" bodies. My very first pole instructor was a petite pear shaped girl, and my classes had people of all shapes and sizes – tall, short, tiny, plus sized. It made me feel like I was welcome despite not looking like a ballerina.
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No you go ahead and post Ill share it out 🙂
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@StudioVeena, here's the blog link: https://www.studioveena.com/blogs/view/Coaching_Plus_Size_Pole_Dancers_20130306115743
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Thank you for posting this. I’m a size 5-7 now, but used to be a solid 14-16. I’m still one of the bigger girls in my advanced class, and I know I’m months ahead of where they were when they were when they were pre-one year. But I still get what I call “big girl anxiety”. “I’ll never look that slim”,”if I was smaller I could do that” “I refuse to do that move because it makes me look fat,” etc. I get really let down and can’t perform as well as o could because I get caught up in how I look right then and there. Especially because the me in my head is not how I actually look. My instructor doesn’t understand because she is my size (but not my height) and the only thing she can say to me is, “you aren’t fat so I don’t know why you’re worried.” I’ll ask her to read this blog because I know she cares–she just doesn’t understand.
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I’m not an instructor (yet) but I think you provided some great advice. Thanks for sharing this!
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I can't thak you enough for posting this, I am a full figured older out of shape gal and I stuggle with body image but love pole dancing, I have issues with some body parts giggling or getting in my way of some moves, I have the worst time with a slow core that don't want to do some invert moves, or thick legs that don't want to wrap around the pole for things like pole sits or leg grips, and Boobs,,,don't get me started, lol, I have a awesome class and instuctor who has always made me feel welcome and has never judged me and always encourages me, It' nice to see more (plus size) woman get their swexy on.
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THANK YOUUUUU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is SO GOOD to see and read. I love the encouragement to have variation in the instructors. I can't tell you how many times I've dreaded a class because I knew I'd be the biggest girl there, and I'm not even considered "plus size" I've just got a little extra than most of the girls I meet. I've always wondered who was hiding out because they felt like I did. I wish they'd come dance too! <3!!!
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Awsome post! 🙂 thank you for bringing it up! I was wondering if i might copy it for my swedish blog? I thought that it was so beatifully written and covered so many important things that many people would benefit from reading it 🙂
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Thank you Prilladonna! I'd be honored if you posted this on your blog. That is so cool. All I ask is that you put up a link to my YouTube channel: youtube.com/RozTheDiva. You can reach me at roslyn.mays@gmail.com if you have questions. Thanks!!!!!
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Thank you for posting this. I have been looking for something sexy that would look nice for the more curvy. 🙂
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One of the things that struck me when I first started poling was that there were so many non-traditional dancer body types, both amongst the students and instructors. The first class I took to try out pole, the instructor was a larger woman who didn’t look particularly athletic. But she amazed me with the way she could effortlessly lift and hold her body in different positions. Maybe it’s just by chance, but in pretty much every school where I’ve taken classes in two countries, larger women were at least half of the class, so I never felt left out or daunted because of not having a typical dancer’s figure. (By the time I personally started pole, I had dropped from plus size to average by American standards, but I’m still rocking some seriously large thighs, a copious booty, and ack, so much cellulite!).
I have had two skinny teachers comment on how us ladies with larger thighs have much more solid seats, leg and knee holds, and if I’m anything to go by, that might just be true. Also, a pole buddy of mine who has skinny legs but a pronounced stomach is amazing at all the armpit/stomach holds, like Yogini, Teddy, and Rocketman. So maybe having a little more to work with can even have certain advantages, once we build up the strength to support it.
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