This blog blossomed in 2010 to chronicle my adventures in pole dance after weight loss surgery. Although I am pole dancing less these days, I still hike and do yoga. I sometimes still have to remind myself that the size of my body doesn't dictate my worth. I believe living a life full of gratitude and joy helps lead to a true mind, body and spirit connection. You have the power to manifest your best life!
The Jenyne Butterfly issue of Vertical was released recently. I wanted to link to the articles I wrote. :-)
POLE SHOW LA 2012 AT BE SPUN STUDIO by Lori Myers Photography by ALLOY IMAGES
If the world ends in 2012, many can die happy after witnessing the performances at BeSpun’s third annual Pole Show LA, which was held on January 28, 2012. Even a few technical issues could not spoil the excitement of the hundreds of pole fans who crammed into BeSpun and Legends MMA gym for the event. The show was sponsored by X-Pole, The Pole Dancing Shop, Mighty Grip, Dew Point and Pole Expo Las Vegas.
I also wrote a piece about Pole Expo in Las Vegas in September 2012. I didn't find a link on the website, so I guess you'll just have to buy the magazine! ;-)
Here's a sneak peak...
September 6-9, 2012, pole fans from all over the world
gathered at The Palms in Las Vegas for a weekend of workshops, seminars and
shopping at vendor booths.The weekend
was topped off by the Pole Classic Competition and Showcase.
Pole Expo was created by Fawnia Dietrich, owner of Pole
Fitness Studio in Las Vegas.Fawnia was
the first to open a pole dance school in 1994 and is one of the pioneers of bringing
pole dance to a mainstream audience.It
is fitting that she has now created this event for us to celebrate all that is
pole dance.
In September, I got a call from Collette Kakuk, owner of OC Pole Fitness, and manager of the amazing Felix Cane. She recently started a website called www.PoleAndAerial.com, a site that produces instructional videos for pole and aerial enthusiasts. She very kindly hooked me up with a free membership so that I could take advantage of all areas of their website and provide a review to all of you, my loyal blog readers! I was very excited to watch ALL of the videos for my review. Then the job-situation happened. The day I got back from Pole Expo in Las Vegas, my former boss told me I should start looking for a new job. I found a new job quickly but am now commuting into San Francisco every day. It has left me very tired and with a lot less time for fun and exercise. I have spent some time on the site (and know Bel from Twirly Girls has spent a lot of time there herself), so I feel comfortable still giving you a review of my findings.
PoleAndAerial.com offers instruction from some of the top pro pole dancers around the world: Felix Cane, Jenyne Butterfly, Marlo Fisken, Mai Sato, Brandon Pereyda, and Erika Labansat. This month, they are featuring videos from guest instructor, Michelle Stanek, USPDF's most recent champion.
I love that the videos are broken down between various levels of difficulty: beginning, intermediate, advanced and extreme. I also love that they offer the same tricks taught by various instructors and even offer instruction in Spanish. It is good to watch the various techniques, since each instructor has their own way of teaching. The video genres are also broken down into pole, hoop, silks, floor work, strength and flexibility. There are sub-genres that can help you further pinpoint what you are looking for.
The terminology used is associated with the terms defined by the PFA (Pole Fitness Association). While I don't have a problem with their terms, I recognize that there are so many different terms used around the world for the same moves. I would be nice to see more "aka's" included when you search videos for a certain move.
I would also love to see a series of modified moves for those of us who may not be strong enough to do certain moves, may be taller or curvier than the average pro instructor, or may be recovering from injuries or dealing with chronic pain or health problems (for example, those with high blood pressure might not be able to invert but would love to have a lot of spins and twirls to work on). I would love to see a larger pole dancer demonstrate how someone maybe with a little more in the chest area can place their hand or arm on the pole in certain moves. I know for myself, I can't always reach across my chest for a move such as chair. I have to reach higher or lower because my boobs are just too big.
I am not the biggest advocate of learning pole dance at home alone, especially once you get into the more advanced moves. However, if there are no studios near you, I believe PoleAndAerial.com will provide you with safe and proper instruction. Please read and watch their safety precautions.
If you are a studio owner, I think having a subscription can help you take your classes to the next level. If you have a laptop or iPad at your studio, you can choose a move, watch it performed by multiple pros, and then teach it to your class. I don't think studio owners should think of a website like this as competition, but should use it as part of their lesson plan, to complement their class. Everyone learns differently, so being able to watch the moves performed by multiple people can help it "click" in someone's brain. Also, as a beginning pole instructor, who may be able to talk someone through a move (and spot them flawlessly), since I cannot perform the advanced tricks, I feel like PoleAndAerial.com is a tool for me to help the more advanced students not be bored in my class.
If you haven't checked out PoleAndAerial.com, please visit their website. You can view their free videos HERE. A 30-day pass is $29.95, or your can purchase a year for $249 (barely $21 per month -- and hey, if you're a studio, is a business expense and tax write-off!). I look forward to continuing to use PoleAndAerial.com to help myself and my students learn the newest pole moves in the safest manner possible. Thanks again, Collette, for allowing me to check out your site and provide this review to my blog fans!
...there are a whole bunch of pole dancers out there who just...pole dance??!
They don't know who Felix Cane, Jenyne Butterfly or Alethea Austin are. They don't Facebook stalk every pole celebrity in the world, post about their successes and failures, and share photos of every bruise earned. They aren't on Studio Veena chatting and watching videos. They aren't searching YouTube for the newest videos from the pros. They don't read Aerial Amy's blog every day. They just...go to class and dance.
Over the weekend, I went to the Pacific Pole Championships in Los Angeles. I found a spot in the front row to take notes, photos and videos (I will do a more in-depth blog about the competition very soon). I sat next to a lady who was very excited to be there and was taking notes about songs she wanted to dance to in the future.
We chatted between routines (many dancers didn't realize that the quiet time between routines were for judges to finish scoring). I said something about the amazing Felix Cane. Blank stare. Jenyne Butterfly? Nothing. Alethea Austin? Nope.
Wow.
I really am a Pole Geek!
Hey there's nothing wrong with either of us. I was just happy to be in a room filled with people who have a passion for pole dancing.
I am working on some great posts, but have been super busy with my real day job. Until then, I sign off as a Pole Geek and proud of it!
In January, Lorita Productions attended Pole Show LA on behalf of The Pole Dancing Shop. I wanted to post interview and performance videos in one place, so here we go!
The show started with “The Honey Fall Girls”, which was choreographed by Leigh Ann Reilly (owner of BeSpun) and included five BeSpun dancers: Andrewa Britz, Kate Chanthanakaew, Emma Danoff, Yvonne Huffman-Lutz and Cash Roses. Their costumes, designed by Kelly Maglia, were adorable. They also featured Glitter Heels, which are made by BeSpun instructor, Tiffany Hayden.
Ariel Jacobs:
The first headliner was Prana, who is from Paris, France. She has been pole dancing since 2008 and teaches at Pole Dance Paris. Her routine was very wild cat-like. She is so strong and beautiful to watch.
Interview with Prana:
Alice Hodge:
Unfortunately, this video was blocked due to copyright issues with the song.
BeSpun’s manager, Amy Guion was next in a piece called “A Long time ago, in a desert far, far away.” It started with contortionist Fiona Luna and Amy’s partner David Garcia. The pole portion was set to the Christina Aguilera song, Genie in a Bottle. It was a really cute routine and really showcased Amy’s flexibility.
Interview with Amy Guion:
Lena Lockerby:
Zoraya Judd was the second headliner. If you have not seen Zoraya perform, you really need to watch her. She is an outstanding performer. From her hair and make-up to her routine. She took it to the next level when her husband Nic joined her on stage to hand over a python snake. She finished her routine on the pole with a snake wrapped around her neck.
D'Lorian "Bad Azz" Fox:
Interview with Bad Azz:
The next piece was called Gemini 3000 and included BeSpun dancers Sergia Louise Anderson, Tami Brandel, Jennifer Jim and Lacy McGarry. One of the highlights was when all four performers were spinning on one pole.
Interview with Jennifer Kim:
Becca Armijo:
Flying Laura Martin absolutely rocked the show. She pulled out an amazing and completely unexpected hip hop routine with backup dancers, Marta Karwowska and Isabella Konald. Flying Laura is another performer that you must see in person if you can. She is such a powerhouse.
Jess Leah:
Leigh Ann Reilly was next with “In the Night.” It included BeSpun dancers Alex Catalano, Pamela Morency and Angela Relucio. Leigh Ann started the performance on a motorcycle and later rocked a shoulder stand on it.
Interview with Leigh Ann Reilly:
Estee Zakar started her performance in a really cool cat mask. She is so strong and her routine was really fun to watch. She does some kind of Iron-X round about that is hard to explain but amazing to watch.
Amber Richard:
Interview with Amber Richard:
Steven Retchless was next. His routine was ballet-based and so beautiful. Sadly, the sound was still out, although it gave us an opportunity to enjoy his movement.
Interview with Steven Retchless:
Kelly Maglia:
The next routine, “Ligature”, was based on Amy Guion’s third-place 2011 California Pole Dance Championship routine. It involved four dancers: Paula Cavajal, Christine Fields, Tracey Mueller and Lisa Wilhoit. It included dominatrix inspired costumes and red ropes, from which the dancers could hang from the poles.
Breezelle Fox:
Natasha Wang based the character in her routine on a spider that conquers the pole. Natasha is definitely the sweetheart of pole dancing and we always love watching her performances. With the sound still not working properly, it did allow the crowd to truly take in her movements.
Interview with Natasha Wang:
Margarita Evans:
[need video]
“Wonderland” was an Alice-in-Wonderland inspire routine danced by Audra Bennett, Lindsey Kimura, Sienna Spalding and Adrienne Strauss. Sienna also wrote and performed the music for the piece and created the art in the background. It was a really fun routine. Happily, the speakers started working again about half way through their performance.
Interview with Lindsey X-Pole:
Interview with Sienna Spalding:
Interview with Adrienne Strauss:
Jennifer Strand:
Amber Kittle amazed us all by starting her routine on the ceiling in a 20-foot death lay. Her performance was so fast and athletic. She had some designs on her body highlighted with a black light, but you didn’t notice them because she moved so quickly. This girl requires a sturdy pole that connects to the ceiling to do her impressive walk on the ceiling. No wonder she was not able to compete in 2011′s California Pole Dance Championship on X-Stages!
Interview with Amber Kittle:
Tiffany Hayden:
Interview with Tiffany Hayden:
Karol Helms and Alethea Austin teamed up for “Education.” Alethea was almost unrecognizable at first in a black wig. Their school girl-themed doubles routine rocked the house and included backup dancers Andrea Britz, Ariel Jacobs, Valarie Miller, Lana Sales, Melissa Schrader and Jennifer Vigil.
Dana Davidson:
Jenyne Butterfly closed the show. She is such a sweetheart and is always the crowd favorite. She claimed earlier in the night that she had not been on the pole much in the previous two months, but you couldn’t tell by the performance she gave. She has definitely earned the title of “Pole Queen!”
Bonus videos:
Nadia Sharif (recent winner of National Aerial Pole Artist Championship), who wasn't able to perform at Pole Show LA (she explains here):
