It’s not enough to study yourself on video, you also have to know what to look for. Here are three red flags to watch for in your pole dance videos.

1. Glum facial expressions.

Sometimes the way we feel isn’t the way we look – especially when we’re dancing. Thinking intently about the moves and choreography can alter our expressions. Weirder still, expressions that look sexy up close, can look angry or sullen from a distance or on video. Best to make sure your facial expressions are in line with your feelings (and if not, this can help!).

2. Stops and starts in between moves.

If there’s one thing that I’m always telling my dance students, it’s that transitions aren’t the space between dancing, they ARE the dancing. If you catch yourself pausing in between moves, it’s time to get to work on transitions.

3. Halfhearted movements.

If you’re reaching with your arm, be sure you’re really reaching with your arm. That means you aren’t just throwing your arm in that direction, but are really giving it your all. Same with any other pose or accent – give it your all or don’t do it. Anything less won’t look right (which you’ll be able to see in an instant on video).

Of course, just because you see a red flag or two (or three) in your pole videos doesn’t mean all is lost. There’s still a lot you can do to improve your pole dancing – and now you’ll know exactly where to begin!

Have you ever looked at yourself on video and thought you looked sad or angry, even if that wasn’t at all what you were feeling? Have you ever found yourself on video looking like you were thinking about the moves? Or stopping and starting in between them?