Pole Dancing – Your Way

No two pole dancers are alike. Given the same music, the same pole, even identical costumes, each dancer will create a dance absolutely unique to her. Even better, given free rein, that unique style will shine through even stronger.

But how do you find that personal style in your own dancing? How can you bring that individual pizazz to your own work on the pole?

Try Spinny and Static Poles

From the very first class, newbie pole dancers are usually presented with only one kind of pole to practice on. Most often, that’s a static pole, but some classes prefer teaching on spinny right from the start. Both types of poles are great, but they tend to create a different type of movement, and if you train on only one, you never get the chance to see if the other type is a better fit for you.

What to do?
Many poles come with a static and spinny option. Ask your instructor if any of the poles in your studio have that option, and if you can try dancing on both. If your studio doesn’t have any with this option, you can get a pole of your own that does.

If you’re used to static poles, be sure to condition yourself properly before switching to spinny, and make sure you are using correct grip and posture. Pole dancing on spinny takes more strength.

If you’re used to spinny poles, you may find you need to alter your grip. Static poles require a hand hold that allows you to grip while still letting your hand move around the pole.

Try Different Styles of Dance

Pole dancing isn’t just what you learn in class, it’s also what you bring to class. Whether you studied gymnastics as a kid or took hip-hop in college, it is all there inside of you, waiting to be brought to life when you pole.

There are also a lot of different varieties of pole dance. Some studios are very focused on learning aerial moves, while others emphasize the transitions and flow; the level of sexiness in the style will also vary considerably from place to place.

What to do?

• Sign up for a class in ballet, hip-hop, or any other style that intrigues you.
• Go to a pole workshop taught by an instructor you haven’t studied with before.
• Hang out at a salsa club – and come early in case they offer a free lesson!

The more you try, the more you learn, and the more you have to incorporate into your style. You may be surprised to find that you prefer a different style than you thought you would!

Give Yourself Freedom to Explore

Sometimes we are our own worst enemy. We can be so sure of how things are that we can’t let ourselves see how things might be. We can be so convinced we can’t look sexy that we don’t even try – even when, secretly, we really want to. Or, we may have it in our heads that we are too old or too uncoordinated to push ourselves where we most want to go. These attitudes can hold us back when nothing else would.

What to do?

• Tell yourself every day that you can change direction any time you choose.
• Talk to your instructor about routines and exercises to help you achieve your goal.
• Ask your classmates and friends for encouragement.

Sometimes when we hold ourselves back, it can be because of underlying issues and fears. If that’s your situation, seeing a counselor may be the best thing you could do for your pole dancing.

Dance Your Workouts

Finding your own style takes time, not only to learn the moves and transitions, but to figure out how to make it all come together as dance. Drilling a move will help you gain strength and practicing combinations will help you gain coordination, but to take all that and form it into a dance requires an extra push.

What to do?

• Put on music and let yourself dance – without thinking what moves you “should” be doing.
• Dance without stopping – all the way through an entire song.
• Use only two or three moves in a song, so you learn to emphasize feeling and expression.

Pole workouts need to include time to practice dancing, in addition to practicing moves. Dancing is more than the sum of its parts, and it takes practice to bring it all together. Get in the habit of emphasizing dancing during your workouts, and your pole dancing will quickly reach a new level.

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