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How did you start poling?
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@Peachpop…great thread. Nice way to get to know each other. I like threads like this instead of ones that are matter of opnions that can get touchy and/or hurt feelings. 🙂
Three years ago I received a course catalog in the mail from a local adult school. Much to my surprise they had a 4 wk intro pole fitness class. I'd heard of pole fitness and really wanted to try for fun & short-term. I asked a friend to go and we were SO excited. Needless to say she never showed up, everytime the door would open I'd look to see if it was her, not 🙁 Anyway I stayed and after two weeks the instructor asked if anyone planned on continuing after the intro course, up flew my hand!!! I LOVED it I was 52 yrs old at the time and thought "what the heck am I doing!" But it was so much fun, Everytime instructor would show us what we were going to learn, I'd crack up and think "yeah RIGHT" But lo and behold I'd accomplish it.
After a month I bought my first Lyl Mynx pole, went to regular class and to open pole practice another day. Unfortunately after a few months of my beginning, the studio closed down and I thought "now what." I was so disappointed. I looked up videos on youtube and tried to learn with that. I found a studio 1-2 hours away and went to workshops when I could. FINALLY found studioveena and am in heaven 🙂 I have veena's lessons, bought a new TG xpole which has made a world of difference for me.
I attend a wonderful studio few hours away when I can; attend workshops which help to improve and/or learn something new, as well as meet other polers. I've taken workshops and a private with Amber Richards and a workshop with Shelly Lamb (2nd place USPDF Nov 2010). Now this makes it sound like I'm up there in pole skills, not really, but for me I've accomplished more than I ever dreamed of (like sm, NEVER thought it was possible)
I've always been active with some sort of fitness, this is the most difficult, yet rewarding and fun. This is the only workout that I look forward to practice at home. The strength developed is different than when I did powerflex at the gym with 5-8 lbs weights or 15 lb weight bar. My husband loves that it's great strength training for me having to lift and hold my own body weight. He's very involved with my pole venture which makes it more fun.
Thanks to all the veneers who make this journey fun and rewarding. Thanks to veena and webmaster for all their hard work and support.
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Those of you who have overcome and/or going through personal/health issues, you are wonderful and a great inspiration. Thank you for sharing so that we can send love and hugs to you! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_heart1.gif
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I was introduced to it because of a friend's bachelorette party…and all four of us were hooked. Only two of us have really followed it up, though, one having gone on to teach it, and then…myself 😛
I wanted to check it out because it seemed different. I was tired of trying so hard to get to the gym, or trying to get out to walk when I didn't want to. I wanted something I could do on my own time, in my own home, but also go out for lessons, and such. I wanted fitness, sexiness, and fun. Most importantly, fun.
My whole world of Pole expanded when I went on the internet…and so much more when I joined this site the first time!https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif
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🙂 Thanks guys for understanding where I was coming from and why I rambled on so much! To those people who've had to overcome ill health or are still battling diseases and injuries…. I am so humbled and in awe of you. So many completely healthy people dont believe that they can do this and wouldn't have the self-discipline or courage to pursue a challenging sport like this, and here you guys are, persisting and enjoying life no matter how much adversity you have to face…. its amazing! So inspiring…. keep believing in yourselves and make sure you remind yourself of hor brave and strong you are… You should be feeling so proud right now! 🙂 xoxoxo
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that was very sweet of you hookedonpole!!! this site thread is really what this site is about in my opinion. polers supporting each other. im glad i joined!!!
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I've been looking for pole dance for many years without finding how to get there. I had saw a girl (Tammy Morris) on a reality show and was amazed by the gymnastic side of stripper. But since i didn't know where to start it's only last year that i make the move. I was in one of thos depression mood again when i saw "pole art" on youtube. I just knew at this moment that i will have one pole…soon. Than i found SV and got all the information i need to choose my pole and that without studio i could learn with Veena lessons. I found a studio at almost 2h from me and went for a try, alone with 4 other girls. After an hour i was standing on the sidewalk with my new X-pole and a …huge smilehttps://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif.
We put it up in the living room/playroom the same night and it never went down for more than a hour. In 3 weeks my attitude had change so much, i got so much confidence. One year later i can tell you that i will never go back to the old me, i'm too happy with the me i discover. I turn myself into pole preacher, i want to show everybody all the great things pole can bring into people life and get girls around me to try. I'm now know as the girl with the pole and sometime forget that i'm still an exception.
But someday we poledancer will rule the worldhttps://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif
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I saw Sheila Kelley pole dance on Oprah and thought "that might be fun" as I was totally BORED with regular cardio and weight training (which I'd been doing for decades). I really didn't think I could ever do pole work, but ordered a Lil Mynx off the S Factor website and quickly became addicted! I got the S Factor and PoleKat Power DVD's as well as the Complete Idiot's Guide to Exotic and Pole Dancing and learned at home. It also took me back to my roots–I danced "exotically" in the mid-80's, but never did pole. Not many clubs had them back then and I was like "pht, I could NEVER do that" lol! I joined this site when the sample lesson was cradle spin and I GOT it, which I didn't from the other DVD's. I've been here ever since and at a local studio–Aradia–where I've learned SOOOOO much! I have to say this site has become the "pole star" in my life (that's for you, astronomy geeks)! LOVE this thread!!!
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when i was 18 i hung out at a stripclub in my hometown. thats when i first got interested in pole dancing but back then i was too shy and self concious to even try and dance on a pole. maybe a year later i was watching the Tyra show and she had felix cane do some moves on the pole. I was completely amazed!! i was like ' thats what i wanna do' i loved the artistic side of it and how much strength and fliexibility it takes. About 2 years ago when i moved to Montreal i saw there was a few pole dance classes around here, it took me almost a year to sign up for try out class. I finally did and im so glad i went. I totally fell in love with pole dancing. Sadly, im a poor student so i havent had the chance to go back for a class but im hoping that when i finish my studies i will be able to take classes and become more of a pole dancer.
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This is a fun topic. In 2009, I heard my sister-in-law did some filmwork for the USPDF. One day I clicked on the website and watched the USPDF 2009 Championship Highlights video that she did. I was really impressed by what I saw, it was much more athletic/gymnastic than I had imagined and it looked like a great way to get in shape. I had wondered if it were even possible to do that where I lived. When I did some searching , I found a studio and started taking lessons. I also learned that my sister in law was taking lessons too (but in New York). While my family seems to have accepted my new passion pretty well, it's extra fun that I get to share my successes with my sister-in-law and she understands exactly what I'm talking about (like what a big deal it was when I first climbed to the top of the pole…lol). I'm kind of jealous that she knows all the big name dancers (Jenyne, Alethea, Karol…), but I think that if I'm patient, I'll have the opportunity to interact with the larger pole community too.
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In 2008, I was with my ex in Arizona. I jokingly spoke of buying a stripper pole and dancing for (some special occasion.. I dunno lol) and youtube'd "pole dancing" as a joke. The first thing I saw was a picture of a girl named Tara Karina, the Vertical Ballerina. I was instantly intrigued, clicked… and I was completely AMAZED. I knew I wanted to really do this. She had links for StudioVeena in her descriptions… and here I am 😀 Got my pole Dec. 2010.
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I started when i was doing postgrad at uni – new country (sort of, I'm from NI and i moved to England) and didn't know anyone. Saw it as a chance to meet people and irritate my mother (love her to bits but it's so much fun winding her up https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif ). lost loads of weight doing intense core work, but didn't learn many tricks before had to have a wee op (nothing serious but they did have to cut thru my tummy https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_sad.gif) couldn't pole, then uni got so hectic i didnt have time. After that, i finished my course, moved home and wished i still had somewhere to dance!
about a year later one of my friends heard about a pole studio opening (only 2nd in the country i believe) and she asked me to start with her. Cant remember what happened, but she ended up not being able to go. I did, and except for a car accident (idiot R driver in a jeep drove into me in traffic- 3months off) and when work is busy, i've been obsessed!
it's fantastic and i try to talk EVERYONE i know into having a go – unfortunately with limited success…
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The inspiration was a combination of going to my first strip club and stumbling across Tara Karina on Youtube. Like ScarlettHoney said, I was also in awe of some of the strippers, and their grace with the pole. . .not to mention their bangin bodies!
In Tara Karina's profile, she mentioned that she started poling as therapy for her mental health issues. For most of college and a year or so after, I seemed to have health issue after health issue, on top of depression and anxiety. So I was looking for physical fitness that would keep me entertained and make me feel strong. I was sick of feeling weak and, well, sick!
I also loved dance and yoga, and pole seemed to strangely combine the two forms. So I stalked Youtube for about a year, and eventually started stalking StudioVeena. I received my first pole in December 2010, enrolled for Veena's lessons in January, and haven't looked back since! I feel healthy and strong. . .I cannot remember the last time I even had a cold! It may not be the pole dancing, but I am sure it is only benefitting my body and well-being.
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I got married and found out my "husband" and I had too much in common… we both liked MEN. Needless to say, that relationship ended quickly. However, Ben and Jerry had become my best friends and I had gained a substantial amount of weight that needed to come off.
I tried pilates, yoga, zumba, spinning… having never stepped foot in a gym, I found that I didn't like to workout or sweat. Then I saw an add for a Pole Teaser class and gave it a try. I was hooked at first spin!
That was back in 2007. I lost over 25 lbs, gained back self confidence, found abs I never knew I had, and I am completely addicted to pole. I don't even mind sweating when I "workout" https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif
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I don't think i ever really knew what "pole dancing" was until around 2006 when i entered university… i was watching a spanish music video which showed some bikini dancers grinding the pole and one of them did a Cross Ankle Release… i was fascinated due to my attraction to anything gymnastics-related, but i also remember feeling jealous cause i thought i would never have the opportunity to try that (i thought it was something only strippers would have access to)… , then i youtubed "pole dancing" and came across 2 videos… 1 of a girl doing only simple spins as well as this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xa-UEd6CrbQ …. and i thought I WANNA PLAY ON THAT… but i didn't think i ever could so i pushed it to the back of my mind and never thought about it again…
until a couple years ago my mom randomly called me one day and said she's enrolling for a pole dance class at Aradia uptown studio in toronto (she's ALWAYS looking for new things to try- dance classes, etc), and asked whether i want to join. I said yes without a moment of hesitation (I had never heard of pole studios before), and she was actually shocked & pleasantly surprised… and she still mentions to this day how ironic it was that i said yes to POLE DANCING when i NEVER took up her other offers for dance classes (i was always shy to go cause i had never danced in my life…) before the day of the 1st class i youtubed pole dancing again and spent the whole day watching Tara Karina's videos in amazement and knew this was something i would stick to. So we went to Aradia 4-5 times and i fell in love with it since the moment i set foot in the studio, even though i was surprised that i couldn't do ANYTHING on the pole. the classes were super fun but i couldn't learn fast enough without having a pole to practice on at home, and since my mom didn't have time to go anymore, i finally ordered my xpole and crossed my fingers that my dad would approve, and he did 🙂 best investment i ever made in my life 🙂
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I guess I could blame my interest on the garage sale across the street where I bought a pole for $5 – but truthfully, my interest goes way back, I guess. In the early '70s I danced for a few weeks at a friend's club – no poles back then, laughed all the way to the bank, but just hated the environment.
I stupidly confessed this story to my teenage daughter, and eventually SHE became the girl on the pole 🙁 -which combined with her mental illness, has pretty much ruined her life.. BUT she was quite an athlete. She once poled down a square rusty Martin birdhouse pole in our front acreage totally skinning up her legs! But it looked GREAT!
So, now back to me…. For me, this attempt birthed at the garage sale was a joke… just a desire to do a 'pole dance' for the boyfriend. But now, it's something quite different. I don't know what I was thinking – You know.. I figured I'd do a couple dances and wa la – magically be on the pole. HA!
It has become, most likely, the challenge of my lifetime. I have in recent years overcome degenerative disc, carpal tunel, Realllllly bad Knee (actually left hospital to avoid surgery of replacement!), Fibromyalgia, AND getting rid of 55 lbs. I have never been a 'jock'.. never really been in good, worked out, 'ripped' shape. Now is the time. (and yes… I actually have and use a mobility scooter for big walking trips like the mall or flea market! LOL)
I have learned so much about diet and health (ex-massage therapist) due to personal interest and education over several decades. This is just the most likely place to go after becoming so much 'better' due to the weight loss, and better diet.
I may be closer to death then ever before.. (age.. lol) but I'm "goin' out with a bang"!!
After my first week, and blowing my muscles out really bad by doing the wrong exercises (oops) I actually DO feel better, even this early into it. Squats are not as deep as a normal persons, but I don't have to hold the rail going up my three steps to the kitchen, already! And that.. means the world to me. ( I'm planning on the muscle building around my knee making a huge difference by supporting it better.)
I'm gonna make it.. and I'm glad to have found this site and all of you! 🙂
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