Pipsical of Polenastics Pole Fitness Studio

Meet the lovely Pipsical, an instructor at the UK pole fitness studio, Polenastics.

How did you get started taking pole dancing lessons?

I had always wondered if I would be any good at it, not the sexy bit, but the spinning bit, so had been looking for classes for a few years. The local strip club ran some but I never got the confidence or the obligatory “mate’” to come with me for them. I then found out that a friend had been going to classes at a local gym, so me and another friend thought we would go along so we could take the piss out of her (you did want honest answers, yes?).

How did you make the leap to opening your own studio and offering pole dancing classes? What was that like?

I first went to classes in Oct 06 (just before my 36th birthday) and, after almost two years of being a student, the dynamics of Emily’s classes changed due to demand and I ended up training as an instructor in order to work alongside Emily. Polenastics – then still called Emily’s Vertical Art – went from teaching just four hours a week to eleven hours a week, and more to come. We formed Emily’s Vertical Art at the beginning of last year and I qualified as an instructor (I was originally just student and marketing director for Emily) in November last year. Emily, my instructor, however, has been teaching pole since 2003. I had never thought about instructing, never thought I would be good enough, but once it was suggested, I could think of nothing else.

What is the first thing you teach students just starting to take pole dancing classes?

To have fun, and not take it too seriously. I know for a fact that it took me ages to get the courage to go to a class – you never know what to expect and most students still seem so nervous about it. I try to make sure they understand that they are really here just to have fun and get a bit fitter. There are no expectations. They can do as much or a little as they feel comfortable doing. To quote me, ”And if you come back again, that *points at a more advanced girl hanging off the pole by her right knee only* is what you will be learning next week.”

How do you take care of yourself, given all the pole dancing classes you teach?

I generally do pole for eleven hours a week, so that keeps me pretty fit. I have two dogs to walk and a teenage daughter to run around after, so, with the odd trip to the gym for swimming and powerpilates, and the odd 3k run for cancer charities, I am all fitnesssed out. I try to limit alcohol and, most recently, I avoid wheat, but otherwise, life is too short and I am not someone who is too strict on themselves. I love life, love food, and love pole.

Favorite makeup tip:

Urm … Benefit’s high beam for cheekbone sculpturing. For pole makeup, Rimmels Sunshimmer instant tan – looks great, and you can wear it and pole.

Barefoot, sneakers, or platform heels?

All of the above. I learn tricks barefoot or with my dance trainers on, then I try to relearn them with heels. Heels elongate my cute but stumpy legs, plus add at least another three pounds to each of my legs so each spin and trick is working your muscles harder (think sexy ankle weights). When you perform inverted tricks in heels, you have to aim at least six inches further with heels on, making the move harder again. Heels always look so much more feminine, work your calves, and just make you feel hotter.

Favorite grip enhancer:

I have two: Gorilla Grip for inner elbows and legs, and Dry Hands for hands for split grips and stuff. I am trying to get away from grips completely so am using my powerball as often as I can to build up arm, wrist, and hand muscles for better grip.

Pole dance move that made you proudest to learn:

All of them! Every single move, trick, and spin since I never expected to be able to do any of it. I have never done gymnastics before (well I was six the last time I was made to do a crab!), nor was I very fit previously, changing gear and drinking a pint was the limit of my exercise. I also believe that no moves are totally perfected as yet – they are all work in progress. Just because you nailed a move does not mean you move on and leave it. Once it’s nailed it’s time to work on linking it, extending it, combo-ing it, holding it for longer, making it more spinny, seeing what else you can add on to it.

Pole dance pet peeves:

Pole hoggers.

Non polers who give me, or my hubby that face when told that I teach pole fitness. That face that says that they think I must be a slut if I teach ladies to jiggle their baps and stroke their crotches to music. You know the face, the one eyebrow up in the air, the slight sneer of the mouth, the slow look up and down my entire body and the look over to my hubby or my daughter, generally followed by a guttural ‘hmmmmmmm!’ sound.

Favorite treatment for bruises and sore muscles:

Boasting … hahaha. I name all my bruises and enjoy their short, few days of life. If I get new bruises now, I am well proud! It means I used a new bit of my body, got a new move, or messed an old move up. Bruises are maps to learning now. For muscle aches I also totally recommend ibuprofen gel and a good old massage, from a loved one while on the sofa with a glass of Pimms ….

Who would you most like to have in the audience when you pole dance?

My students – the people I am hoping to inspire and drive forward in their poling, and my instructor, Emily.

Who is your hero or role model?

How many words am I allowed hehehe? I have a load for pole alone. First, Emily Hill, my instructor, mentor, friend and total inspiration. She is an AMAZING poler and the reason I wanted to get better and better – I wanted to impress her, make her proud. Pantera – top of my list – that lady is such a powerhouse. I was lucky enough to have a masterclass with her and BOY was she amazing! Tess Taylor totally rocks! I am a bit of a stalker for Tess, I think she is simply brilliant. Beautiful, strong, innovative, and totally down to earth. Leeann, too, just impresses me with every video she does. Badazzz and REDKE71… I could go on, so many polers now. When I first started in 2006, there was hardly anyone on YouTube. Now it seems everyone is sticking a poling vid on there and kicking pole arse.

What are your favorite words of encouragement?

“Woah, you nailed that!”
“Simply brilliant! Can you do it again?”
“I know you can do it! I betcha, this time it’s yours.”

Favorite pizza toppings:

Naaaaa, not really a pizza kinda gal. Fruit pavlova or Pimms perhaps?

Cupcakes or ice cream?

Neither. Green & Blacks 70%, if you are offering

Anything else you’d like to share:

Pole fitness is for anyone – any age, any size, any sex, and any weight. Going to that first class with Natasha to watch Fran make a fool of herself in “strippers class” is up there as one of the most life-changing decisions I have made so far. Fran didn’t strip; the class wasn’t full of skinny 18 yr olds in bikinis, crotch rubbing themselves; I didn’t stick out like an older, larger, unfit lady in a soup of blond stunners; and Fran didn’t make a fool of herself (as an ex-gymnast she is a total natural). Tash and I have been going ever since. If you are procrastinating about going along to a pole class, please don’t. You may be missing out on the one form of fitness you will become addicted to. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to go again, but at least you will know that you gave it a shot!

You can find Pipsical on Youtube as Maidmaryan, Facebook, and Twittter. Be sure to check out her writing on pole dance, and get the scoop on her classes at Polenastics!

Tags: Pole Dance, Pole Dancing

September 3, 2009 - Posted by PoleSkivvies 3 Comments
Filed under: Pole Dancing Instructors