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are there any start-from-scratch polers?
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I started about 5-6 years ago with no background or training whatsoever. Now I’m a regular performer and an instructor at one of the best studios in the Midwest and I get to train some incredible pole and aerial athletes. I still see myself as growing, but I can dance in a way that beings me happiness, I can teach in a way that gives others and myself fulfillment, and I have some of the best pole family anyone could ask for. And that’s a dream come true from where I started.
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I started almost three years ago with absolutely no dance background, strength training, no gymnastics, nothing. I’m still pretty inflexible, although I am working on that.
In my teen years I had a pretty bad shoulder injury, that still irritates me to this day because it hinders my shoulder flexibility. For instance, this move: http://instagram.com/p/nDaARgFSyi/ took me over a year to get, because I needed to build up that flexibility for that bottom arm. For months and months, I could only just hold my arms in that position.It took me over a year to even feel confident holding my weight in a handstand, and now I’m training to do them free-standing.
I’ve had to work hard for every single move, and pole has taught me a lot about patience, and given me a lot of self confidence in what my body can do. -
Me! I took a few dance/gymnastics classes in childhood, but that’s it. I started last June and by October I was teaching the intro class at my studio. I feel pole in my bones, no formal dance training required! Some of my favorite polers have zero training elsewhere – Aerial Amy, Dirdy Birdy, and of course Veena.
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Me! I did gymnastics as a kid & sports until I was about 15 but I am not flexible AT ALL and have no formal dance training. I started pole at 38 & am now 42. My journey has definitely been a tad slower & different than some one with a background in dance, gymnastics or weight training but that’s what I love about pole anyone can do it doesn’t matter if you have an athletic background or not!
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I have no dance or gymnastic background either. I was a tomboy right up
Until I was about 15 🙂 I’ve been poling just over two years now and I can guarantee you it can definitely be done. Don’t give up and DONT DARE compare yourself to others because that’s when you will start to think you should be able to do everything they can. Stick at it if you love it and you will be awesome 🙂 I’m so close to my splits aswell. And by the way, I joined a gymnastics club about 4/5 months ago so if you think you need extra help
With flexibility etc then join your local
Gymnasts. Most clubs do adult classes 🙂 it’s helped me with stretches and splits so much!! -
I have ZERO dance background and it shows, everything thing from the “pointed” toes to flexy legs and back. I started a year ago then took a 5month break and when I started I was 50lbd heavier than I am now and couldn’t think of inverting or doing split grip at all. Now I am working on inverting from a dead lift and can split grip with no problem. It just takes time…a lot of time 🙂
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I had no dance background at all and I left pole for a long period off time before I came back to it, I slowly built my strength up again and now I love it and I love the journey it has brought me on! You will love it too you just have to stick at it 🙂
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I as well had no prior dance experience (tap dance as a young kid) So awesome to be in awe of what we can do!!! Veena really makes this a nice space to learn pole safely and thoroughly, Thanks to that everyone can reach as far as they’d like, experience or not!! Happy Poling!
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You are not alone dear. I am 41 and started poling 8 months ago from total scatch. I never did any kind of sports in my life, never ever even dared trying handstands or elbows stands as a kid cause I was scared to death of anything where I could even just remotely get hurt. Mo strength. zero flexibility. BUT (or maybe just because of this!) I have always been fatally attracted to circus and acrobatics and secretly desired to overcome my deepest fears so last year I thought I would give pole dance a go. Well, I have been addicted to it since day 1 and I bought my pole after only a few weeks! I never miss a lesson and I practice at home every weekend. I still have a very long way to go but that’s the funniest part, it’s your own journey and it can only lead you to the most amazing side of yourself. So don’t you ever get discouraged and always turn to this great pole community for help and inspiration because nobody will be judging you here, just sharing your joy for your accomplishments and cheering you up when you feel discouraged… this is what I love the most about this place!
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A lot of polers don’t come from a dance/gymnastics background. Anyone can pole! I started at 38 & the last time I had a formal dance or gymnastics class prior to pole was when I was like 10. I was on the cheer squad & drill team during my teens but I was the non flexible one who always did the “fake” james brown splits, while everyone else did the real splits with ease. I am now 42, still poling & still not very flexible but I definitely have improved flexibility wise since I started 4 years ago that’s for sure.
You build strength as you learn pole but you can also do strength & conditioning exercises to help with strength to & you can become flexible with training & conditioning exercises.
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I started pole with absolutely no dance, gymnastic, or otherwise dance- and flexibility-related background. Really, I hadn’t done any physical fitness for about eight years. Furthermore, I have scoliosis, so my back and hamstrings can become very tight if I don’t do daily stretches. Since starting pole, I have so much more strength, especially upper body strength. I am also proud to say that I can now do the side splits, and am very close to attaining the front splits. I do pole strength/ conditioning every other day, with flexibility training in-between, so that’s probably why I’ve improved so rapidly. Everyone’s different, but so long as you’re not comparing yourself to anyone else, you’ll notice yourself improving.
Also, my fiance has confirmed that I am in better shape than he is. 🙂 Coming from someone who works out daily, runs during the summer, and used to play football, I’m quite tickled about that.
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I only danced a little when I was a child. I am now able to do a lot of things including an elbow stand. I get frustrated at times when tricks don’t work properly. All I can say is hang in there. It will get easier and the progress that you have already made is amazing 🙂
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I think “scratch” is relative when it comes to pole. I have always been very athletic and active. I love activities such as high impact aerobics, tennis, zumba, etc. when I was young, I did gymnastics. I can dance for hours without missing a beat and I could probably choke a horse with just my legs :). So pole should be a little easier for me. NOT! I think bc pole requires full body cooperation most folks come into pole with something they have to really take baby steps to achieve. Maybe it’s spinning, or climbing or inverting or simple flexibility.
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I DEFINITELY started from scratch. Zero experience in dance or any other sport. Literally haven’t danced to a single song in my life (not even at prom lol). Actually one of the reasons I started poling was bc I knew I’d suck at it and it was 100% outside my skill set. 🙂
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I started from scratch I had no strength at all I can dance though but that’s just comes natural. I only do pole and a bit of yoga and flex training after I’m on the pole. I have been poling for 3 years. I think I’ve realised the more I get on the pole even if it’s only for half an hour to and hour I find strength builds a lot quicker it’s something I’m trying to do more this summer so I can build strength for pole a bit better and lose a bit of weight too.
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