Pole Class: Day Fifteen

Last night we finished the routine we started last Wednesday with some floor work and more twirls. I definitely like this routine since we incorporated head tossing (love that!), climbs, fun floor work and a new twirl (Piping spin).

I actually did something last night that I never do...stay for Stretch & Flex resistance stretching. For 1/2 hour we were stretching to get into the splits. It was my first class, so I wasn't about to do anything crazy.

What was kind of funny is that a student kept asking Ellen to show her how to do the Shoulder Mount, and Ellen kept telling her not to try it. And lo and be hold, the student did it! The power of determination and the right mind set people.

After stretch and flex I quickly put on a costume and asked Ellen take a body shot picture of me. It's not really flattering, but that's probably because I was also very uncomfortable. Haha. Thank you Ellen!!

Pole Class: Day Ten

I just wanted to start off with a shout out to Poletential. I absolutely love this studio and it has definitely changed my life. The group of lovely ladies that instruct at Poletential are amazing and super supportive. There are so many amazing opportunities here...you get a chance to meet professional dancers in workshops, train to dance professionally, and meet people who have the same exact interests as you.

Last night was my 10th drop-in class and I'm more than excited to renew the 10-pack. I have definitely gone really far from Day One when I was in awe of the advanced girls climbing the poles the ceiling of our warehouse sized studio. Another 10-pack is definitely going to improve my skills even more. Every additional class I go to pushes me closer to get my own pole and closer to the studio. Now I really want to represent the studio with Poletential merchandise, which everyone has except for me!!

So last night's Sultry Class was taught by Ellen Lovelace and I swear it's the perfect class to get you in the mood to perform. Without this class I wouldn't know what to do with all the tricks I've been learning. Last night we built on top of last week's class to finish off the dance with some floor work and a climb. You wouldn't think that you would get sore from it, but I when I woke up this morning my rib cage and lower back were feeling pretty tight.

Ellen is perfect at instructing Sultry. I remember my first class with her last week when she was applauding us for our stripper status performance. A room full of strippers! Yea baby. I really can't wait to learn another choreographed dance. Her dances flow so smoothly and really showcase the performer's body to the fullest.

There was one last thing I wanted to mention about last night that has gotten me really excited. I decided to break in my new red Tony Shoes platforms in Sultry Pole because I didn't want to do anything extreme and prevent twisting an ankle. Without even putting the shoes on and trying them out I had a foreboding feeling about climbing in them, and Ellen confirmed my fear. But everyone agreed that they were damn sexy. But the shoes proved me wrong! In addition to being super comfortable (leather feels sooo much better than plastic) they gave super climbing powers! I was up the pole so fast that I even surprised myself! I want to say that it was because I have improved in my climbing abilities but I have to give credit to the leather that gave me grip to climb up the pole. Last night was the highest I ever climbed the pole and it wasn't too difficult at all. In addition to my newfound climbing power, these shoes make it so easy for me to drag the tips of my shoes along the floor as I do laps around the pole.

These are my first pair of Tony Shoes and so far I'm really happy with them. They do make me look stumpy because they're not clear on the bottom. I was actually voicing out my desire to have a white pair aloud in class last night and Ellen told me that white is the (slutiest?...can't remember now) color in terms of stripper shoes. Haha! I had no idea. I figured clear, neon, red, blinking or goldfish heels were more stripper-esque than white. I bet the white ones would get super dirty fast though. I would have to save them for private one-on-one performances ;)

Pole Class: Day Seven

I'm on a mission! And it's to take as many pole classes I can in a week! Tonight I tried out Ellen's Sultry Pole taught on Tuesday nights at Poletential Studios. I've heard really great things about it from my friend that introduced me to this studio. It's a lot different from the other class in that you really focus on learning a choreographed dance versus learning new tricks. I'm actually glad that I started with Total Pole to learn the tricks first so I could concentrate on learning the dance versus trying to master a move throughout the entire class. That would be a waste of time.

So lets see if I can remember all the steps...

Step 1: We started out with 3 body waves. Gripping the pole with your left hand and your right foot placed slightly in front of your left foot you dip your body forward and then backward. Don't forget to use that free right hand to move up and down your body!

Step 2: The position you are in with your left hand on the pole and right foot forward sets you up for a rockett kick. After finishing your last body wave, bring your free right arm over to grip the pole on top of your left arm (which should be slightly angled). All the weight should be placed on the tip of your right foot so that your left foot can kick out towards the left. Your right leg should fan out and then end up hooked onto the pole. At this point your right foot shoot be hooked around the pole (griping the pole with right hand) and your left foot should be firmly on the ground.

Step 3: In this position, use your left arm to slowly reach out backwards...leaning back with your arm. Wrap your arm around your head and lean back forward. Pivot your left foot so that your booty is on display and then lean down to touch your toes, making sure your left hand slowly moves down your leg. Flip your hair up and then slowly rise, chest first.

Step 4: Once you're upright again with your right leg still hooked at the knee around the pole, you will go into a circular back hook. Grip the pole with both hands, and then swing the leg hooked around the pole out backwards. With this momentum, your left leg should hook the pole and you spin around about once and land on your RIGHT foot.

Step 5: The Tango Dip. Move your hands down the pole so that the right hand is above and your left hand is below. Lift your left leg up in the air and lean back. Place your left foot back down and stand up.

Step 6: My memory is starting to fail but I THINK that we do some foot kicks? With your left hand on the pole, step forward with your left foot, clench your thighs and kick your right foot up and spin the other direction. You do this 3 times.

Step 7: Afterward you walk around the pole until your right foot is pointing at 9 0'clock. Your right hand is going to be high up on the pole. Step with your left foot over and in front of your right foot, then squish your tush and right foot past your left foot so that you're facing outward with both your feet facing outward too.

Step 8: With your right hand still gripped high up on the pole, shift your weight onto the right foot and lift your left foot up backwards toward the pole and pose. You can even gently rest the bottom of the left shoe on the pole for the pose.

Step 9: Place your left foot back down, and place your left hand behind the pole and grip. From this position you do a heartbeate. You have to lift yourself up and bend your knees so that your toes touch. It helps if you arch your back away from the pole. Your booty and back of the head can touch the pole. Hold the position.

Step 10: Once your down, walk around the pole...at some point you're going to do a toe/foot slide and switch positions. This move is called the Brass Knuckle because you grip both hands on the pole in the same direction so the knuckles line up. Pull your arms out so that they are straight. Then place the side of your right foot flat on the ground and slide it in front of the pole and to the left. Once your right foot is far enough you can step on it and swing your booty and rotate yourself so that you're facing the other direction.

Step 11: Look at the bottom of your shoe for gum pose.

Step 12: Basic stag twirl. Land on the floor. Then the floor work begins...

Phew!!!