Continuing to widen our circle of amazing pole dancers...today's interview is with Amy Guion of Be Spun. I am especially excited to get this interview up since I am going down to Los Angeles this weekend and will be taking a class at Be Spun!
*****
What is your fitness background?
I grew up doing classical ballet and some classical modern techniques. I studied contortion and silks for about two years at Kinetic Theory Theatre and have been pole dancing for 4 1/2 years. I also have a degree in natural science from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. I studied anatomy, kinesiology, athletic training, etc.
What is your fitness routine (on and off the pole)?
I train pole about 5 days per week with 1 session per day and then supplement with additional sessions in choreography work, contortion, and strength training.
What kind of diet do you follow?
I try to eat organic and non-processed. It's not easy! I eat a lot of fresh veggies and fruits and try to get protein through meat, chicken, Greek yogurt, and protein shakes.
Which competition(s) do you like to do? Do you have any title(s)?
I have participated in 3 USPDF competitions. This past April I placed 2nd in the amateur nationals and received my pro card. I have also done Pole Art 2010 and the California Pole Dance Championship 2009 and coming up on September 25, the 2011 one as well.
I grew up doing classical ballet and some classical modern techniques. I studied contortion and silks for about two years at Kinetic Theory Theatre and have been pole dancing for 4 1/2 years. I also have a degree in natural science from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. I studied anatomy, kinesiology, athletic training, etc.
What is your fitness routine (on and off the pole)?
I train pole about 5 days per week with 1 session per day and then supplement with additional sessions in choreography work, contortion, and strength training.
What kind of diet do you follow?
I try to eat organic and non-processed. It's not easy! I eat a lot of fresh veggies and fruits and try to get protein through meat, chicken, Greek yogurt, and protein shakes.
Which competition(s) do you like to do? Do you have any title(s)?
I have participated in 3 USPDF competitions. This past April I placed 2nd in the amateur nationals and received my pro card. I have also done Pole Art 2010 and the California Pole Dance Championship 2009 and coming up on September 25, the 2011 one as well.
Where do you train? Do you have your own pole studio?
I train/instruct at/manage BeSpun in Los Angeles.
Do you have sponsors you'd like to acknowledge?
BeSpun, X-Pole, the Pole Dancing Shop, Kelly Maglia Couture, and Mighty Grip
What first interested you about pole dancing?
I grew up doing ballet which is incredibly structured. I loved that organic movement was encouraged in pole and appreciated the freedom. I also love the community that came along with pole. I've been able to travel and do so many things because of it.
I train/instruct at/manage BeSpun in Los Angeles.
Do you have sponsors you'd like to acknowledge?
BeSpun, X-Pole, the Pole Dancing Shop, Kelly Maglia Couture, and Mighty Grip
What first interested you about pole dancing?
I grew up doing ballet which is incredibly structured. I loved that organic movement was encouraged in pole and appreciated the freedom. I also love the community that came along with pole. I've been able to travel and do so many things because of it.
Do you have a preference? "pole fitness" or "pole dancing"
Pole dancing. We're using a pole. And we're dancing. That's pretty much exactly what we're doing. I think that the term "pole dancing" keeps it as an art and a sport, while the term "pole fitness" implies training in pole simply to keep in shape. In my experience, pole is a great way to keep in shape, but that's certainly not the main reason that I do it. I do pole because I loved dancing.
What do you think about the stripper vs. pole fitness debate?
I think it's lame. We should be accepting of all women, regardless of their profession. That goes for outside the pole world, too.
What is your favorite product to help you stick to the pole?
iTac for my body, Dry Hands or TiteGrip for hands.
How do you deal with the dry skin on pole days (and on off-pole days)?
I like the product Dew Point if I'm really dry and I have to pole dance. I also use a body scrub called LaLicious that has oil in it as long as it's the night before I'm pole dancing.
Where do you like to buy your pole clothes?
Bad Kitty has some great items (LOVE the scrunch butt shorts) and Mika Yoga Wear. Also love Kelly Maglia Couture for her amazing assortment of costumes. She lives like 3 blocks away from me so I'll walk over to her house and get to "shop" for my next performance costume. So fun!
Do you like to dance in heels or barefoot?
Barefoot. I think it's a ballet thing, but my toes are always pointed! And you can't always do that in shoes. Shoes are really heavy too, which makes the tricks harder. I am using boots in my next piece though, which will be an interesting departure for me.
What did you do before competing and/or opening your pole studio?
I was at university at Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles when I discovered pole. Leigh Ann Reilly of BeSpun offered me a full time job once I graduated, and I never looked back! No regrets there.
Pole dancing. We're using a pole. And we're dancing. That's pretty much exactly what we're doing. I think that the term "pole dancing" keeps it as an art and a sport, while the term "pole fitness" implies training in pole simply to keep in shape. In my experience, pole is a great way to keep in shape, but that's certainly not the main reason that I do it. I do pole because I loved dancing.
What do you think about the stripper vs. pole fitness debate?
I think it's lame. We should be accepting of all women, regardless of their profession. That goes for outside the pole world, too.
What is your favorite product to help you stick to the pole?
iTac for my body, Dry Hands or TiteGrip for hands.
How do you deal with the dry skin on pole days (and on off-pole days)?
I like the product Dew Point if I'm really dry and I have to pole dance. I also use a body scrub called LaLicious that has oil in it as long as it's the night before I'm pole dancing.
Where do you like to buy your pole clothes?
Bad Kitty has some great items (LOVE the scrunch butt shorts) and Mika Yoga Wear. Also love Kelly Maglia Couture for her amazing assortment of costumes. She lives like 3 blocks away from me so I'll walk over to her house and get to "shop" for my next performance costume. So fun!
Do you like to dance in heels or barefoot?
Barefoot. I think it's a ballet thing, but my toes are always pointed! And you can't always do that in shoes. Shoes are really heavy too, which makes the tricks harder. I am using boots in my next piece though, which will be an interesting departure for me.
What did you do before competing and/or opening your pole studio?
I was at university at Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles when I discovered pole. Leigh Ann Reilly of BeSpun offered me a full time job once I graduated, and I never looked back! No regrets there.
What is your favorite song to dance to (at this moment)?
Set Fire to the Rain by Adele. It really speaks to me about a recent experience in my life. I think a lot of girls can relate to the phrase "dance it out". It's really helping me get through my feelings about this particular event.
Do you have any other upcoming events/competitions you'd like people to know about?
I will be competing in the California Pole Dance Championship on September 25 and performing at Gravity First in Mexico at the end of October.
I'm also working on another stretching video for Bendability Fitness using the feedback from all the wonderful ladies that have contacted me about my first video. I've learned so much about the business and about the body since I did my first video set and I'm so grateful to have the guidance of fellow pole dancers to set the direction for my next project.
What else would you like people to know about you and/or your studio?
Come train with us at BeSpun! We love having visitors and seeing you all :)
Set Fire to the Rain by Adele. It really speaks to me about a recent experience in my life. I think a lot of girls can relate to the phrase "dance it out". It's really helping me get through my feelings about this particular event.
Do you have any other upcoming events/competitions you'd like people to know about?
I will be competing in the California Pole Dance Championship on September 25 and performing at Gravity First in Mexico at the end of October.
I'm also working on another stretching video for Bendability Fitness using the feedback from all the wonderful ladies that have contacted me about my first video. I've learned so much about the business and about the body since I did my first video set and I'm so grateful to have the guidance of fellow pole dancers to set the direction for my next project.
What else would you like people to know about you and/or your studio?
Come train with us at BeSpun! We love having visitors and seeing you all :)
*****
Living in L.A. we are so fortunate to have a pole studio like Be Spun where so many great dancers from all over the country have come to teach or to train - it is so inspiring and truly embraces the "community" spirit that is so abundant in our artistic sport. It makes me so proud to be a part of this community! I have had the opportunity to train frequently with Amy and she is not only an amazing performer but also an amazing instructor, even when I am at my grumpiest, lol. I am totally excited to see her perform her new piece on Sunday at CPDC and I hope that you have a great time training at Be Spun this weekend. I love this blog - congrats on all your fitness accomplishments, too! :)
ReplyDeleteI had so much fun at Be Spun. Amy was teaching right before my class (with Amber) so I did get to meet her. And I loved her routine on at CPDC!! Thank you for the compliments!! I am so happy that you are reading my blog! :-D
ReplyDeleteI get to meet Amy next week at my own studio! Super excited!
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