New to the pole community

XxMissPrissxX started this discussion · 3/12/2012

Hi everyone! Ive beenbrowsing through these forums for a bit and you all seem like a very supportive bunch! Glad I found you all! I have been researching the artof pole fitness for a while now and I want to take classes so badly but I am overwhelmed with fear! Will i fall? Will I get hurt? What will the other girls think of me? I am so self consious at this point that I cant find it within myself to just go for it. There is a studio just up the road from me where i have recently moved and i keep saying its a sign to just go for it just do it. Standing at 5'2" im a little chubbier then id like to be (working on that with diet and excersise) and i feel like that is a huge part of why i wont break out of my shell so to speak. Ive also been very shy my whole life, even overly Shy to the point of social phobia. Does anyone have any suggestions to breaking out of this and building a little courage? I would just convince a freind to go withme by sadly they all live 7 states away :(

22 replies

poleclimber · 3/12/2012
The studio I go to has girls of ALL shapes and sizes! One of my fellow pole sisters is probably 5' 2" and close to 190. She is a great dancer! The studio is dimly lit, uses candles, etc to really help set the mood. Classes are progressive in nature, so we did not even attempt to go upside down for 4-5 months! We focus on working our core, buidling strength, and dancing! Once the tricks get riskier a mat is used, and the teacher spots you. I have NEVER felt unsafe. In the first level, most girls wore yoga pants, workout shorts, capri's that you work out in and tank tops. Now that I'm higher up, more girls do wear booty shorts and tank tops, but we are all so comftorable with ourselves and each other, it does't matter! Go for an intro class - most studios offer a one time class to try it out. You will regret not checking it out! Pole dancing is a BLAST! I go by myself, no friends would join me :(. I almost think that is better. You get a chance to just sit back, and be yourself. Let us know what you do!
Dancing Paws · 3/12/2012
I get nervous whenever I try something new, but I do it anyways! You just gotta tell yourself that you want to take a pole class, nobody is going to judge you in class, that it will be a lot of fun, and it will get you in shape!
XxMissPrissxX · 3/12/2012
Thanks girls! Poleclimber- really? 190? She muts be strong! Im closer to 155. I think the idea that someone may judge me is my biggest fear. Hearing that she is also on the heavier side and still dances with no judgement is very reassuring. The studio does do an intro class every week. Maybe next week ill be able to work up the courage and go. Ive donne so much research in the last few months that i feel like once i build up the courage i can reallywwrap my head(and body) around it. Sensual- you seem like your probably way more outgoing then i am! I do want to take a class, so bad. The only thing stopping me is my own brain : /
Veena · 3/12/2012
Hi, welcome to the site!!! 🥂Stepping out of your comfort zone is a good thing, I would go for it! A good studio will not have beginners inverting or doing high momentum spins with both feel off the floor. Instead they might focus on movement, strength training and basic pole concepts. So keep that in mind when you visit.
XxMissPrissxX · 3/12/2012
Thank u thank u studioveena! Your support is very appreciated!
Dottie Von Boone · 3/12/2012
Welcome! I really hope you consider jumping right in, at the studio I attend there are women of all shapes, sizes, and even some with physical handicaps! I am bite-size, as well, at 5'2. My current class, and the ones before that were all about building. One skill built upon another, it fit together very nicely like legos. lol Currently, we are working on getting strong on the pole. I really hope you do it! Good luck, and let us know your progress! We are all rooting for you <3
XxMissPrissxX · 3/12/2012
thanks Afrogeisha! The encouragement is really helping already. Im still scared but i think im going to just go do it next week! Now, lets hope i dont chicken out next week 😕
Dottie Von Boone · 3/12/2012
Most welcome! Just when you think you are about to chicken out, come back to the this post and read! Pull it up on your phone and READ when you walking in the door. We have your back!
Lyme Lyte · 3/12/2012
Oh MissPriss, just go for it! We all have our concerns/insecurities. I started when I was 45, and many on here started much older. Sure, it is hard watching younger women on here, but we will always compare ourself to others it is part of being a woman. Some will think "I wish I were younger" (me), some will think, "I wish I were thinner" (you), and the list can go on and on! You will do great at pole. We all can do it, just takes some of us longer, like me! Keep us posted, can't wait to see your first video!!!
XxMissPrissxX · 3/12/2012
afrogeisha,I will definitley do that. Lyme Lyte, Thank you so much for your support! Im getting excited!!
Lyme Lyte · 3/12/2012
You go girl! You will be rocken that pole in no time! :)
mackenzielovely · 3/12/2012
What I always say...at least you are better than most people who are pursuing nothing and settling for an unhealthy lifestyle. We are here for you girl! I'm a newbie too!
XxMissPrissxX · 3/12/2012
Thanks Mackenzie! I see ur from fl... i live in the Tampa bay area!
PixiLouBell · 3/12/2012
girl i am 5'2 125-130lbs! nothing wrong with not being the exact weight they say u shud b for ur siZe. if u r scared of being hurt you should def go to a studio or get a pole at home and get Veenas lessons! dont let ur insecurities hold u back from this awesome sport!!! u can do it!
PixiLouBell · 3/12/2012
wht i meant by the scared of being hurt thing is make sure u hav correct instructions dont jus get a pole an wing it like i have lol ;)
Lana Lee · 3/12/2012
I can totally relate MissPriss! I was WAY too scared to try pole dancing at first and I had wanted to try it with my best friend cause well, she's my best friend and I know she doesn't care how silly or whatever I look. Unfortunately for me, she lives in a total different city 8ish hours away! I told myself "It's now or never!" and went solo to a dance studio and took lessons. I met a lot of ladies all shapes and sizes and ethnicities. All the instructors were very encouraging and never once did they judge. They always wanted you to do your best, even if your best is alittle sloppy lol. I had a lot of fun and I built a lot of confidence and self acceptance since I started poling. Hopefully you will have the courage to do pole dancing at that studio right around the corner. Welcome and happy poling!
XxMissPrissxX · 3/13/2012
Thank you rixi and ewa! You all are very motivational! Thank you dfor or the support! Ewa i watched a few of your videos, love it!
poleclimber · 3/13/2012
I watied to commit to classes for different reasons than you, but one day I finally did just make the jump! SOOO glad I did, I will never look back! Cannot wait to hear about it :)
hookedonpole · 3/13/2012
MissPriss, WELCOME and I also hope you try the studio. I went to an intro class about 4 years ago alone. A friend was supposed to go but didn't show up. I was disappointed, but glad I went. I got "hooked" immediately then the studio closed down. I tried various ones in neighboring towns and ended up finding one that was 2 1/2 drive one way. I could only go once in a great while and missed having a studio close by. One of the things that saved me was finding this site and veena's lessons. A studio recently opened in my town and I am so excited. That you have a studio so close is great, many don't have the opportunity. Keep us posted :) I may be on the small side, but I started at 52 so have to work a lot harder, but each accomplishment is worth it.
XxMissPrissxX · 3/13/2012
you guys are all so great! Im excited and im going to give it everything i got to go next week!
LittleJem · 3/15/2012
Hi MissPriss! All I can say is: Go for it!! It'll be the best decision you ever made. I've only been poling for three months but it's already done so much for my confidence and self image, I can't even begin to tell you. It'll do exactly the same for you too, I'm sure of it. I shared a lot of your insecurities - at 5'3" and 143lb I felt really self conscious going to my first class, but girls there were every shape and size you can imagine, and do you know what? Every one of them looked damn sexy swinging around those poles! If its any incentive, I've actually lost 10lb since then, just through poling and having the will to look after myself a little more, which I would never have done if I hadn't gone to that class. Get yourself along to that intro class this week and I guarantee you'll never look back. Let us know how it goes!
XxMissPrissxX · 3/15/2012
Thank you Littegem!!! Im just gunna go for it! The studio has trials on Wednesdays. Im calling today to save my spot... no turning back after that! You guys are so great and so supportive. I cant thank you enough. Not having any friends around me, i feel like ive made a whole bunch of friends right here!! I will definitly letyou all know how it goes! Can't wait!!