The Pole Dancing Shop and BeSpun's Pole Show LA 2012

I am extremely excited to announce that Rita, Andrew and I will be attending the Pole Show LA on behalf of The Pole Dancing Shop in just under two weeks.  We will be taping interviews with some amazing pole stars and the videos will be uploaded to The Pole Dancing Shop's website.  

There is already a list of the headliners on The Pole Dancing Shop's website.  Keep an eye on this link for updates and videos!

http://www.thepoledancingshop.com/pole-show-la-2012/#.TxR1g_nZiSo

We are really excited and I will write more about our adventures when we return. 

Is anyone else planning to attend?  I'd love to meet up with some of my pole friends!

CHEATER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So it's no secret that I enjoy traveling around to other studios and checking out classes.  It doesn't mean I am not completely in love with Twirly Girls and Bel.  It just means I like making new friends.  It's also no secret that I do side work for a company called Social Sonar, which helps businesses with their social media needs.  I have a day job to pay the bills.  Helping pole dance studios (and other businesses) through Social Sonar is a passion of mine.  I enjoy writing and watching small businesses grow (and I feel like small businesses are going to help fix our broken economy someday).  Sure, it would be lovely to one day do it full time and completely immerse myself in the pole dance community.  But, for now, I am happy to do it in my spare time.  I don't make visits to other studios to sell services.  I feel like I am building relationships and making connections so that one day if they DO need a service like that, they know where to come.  And if they don't, I still want to visit their studio and try out new classes. 

Anyway, it sounds like some people are bothered that I'm checking out other studios.  I am up-front and honest with Bel when I go to other studios.  She isn't bothered by it, so I don't know why other people are.  I have no intention of leaving Twirly Girls -- it is my home and my family is there!  Maybe I am being naive in believing I can be a "pole dance ambassador" and bring people together.  But it makes me feel good to at least pretend that I am.  I realize that I am not going to like everyone and certainly, not everyone will like me.  But, for the most part, I get along with people and enjoy meeting new friends.  Plus, most of the studios I'm visiting are far enough away that they are not direct competition with Twirly Girls anyway.  If I went to a studio a mile down the street, then maybe people should be more concerned (or not...).

Anyway, Bel says she wanted to fashion Twirly Girls after One World Crossfit.  They built their business on the concept of creating a family so that you could to any Crossfit in the world and feel like you are at home.  I am trying to continue that with the pole world at large.  I realize there is a difference between the pro circuit and students at "regular ol'" pole dance/fitness studios.  Perhaps the competition circuit will always have a little more of an aggressive feel to it (as it should since it is a competition).  But there is no reason that us regular ol' pole girls can't get along, be friends and support each other.  I have met some amazing ladies during my travels.  For example:  Collette and Felicia from OC Pole Fitness.  Amy from BeSpun.  Christina, Pam, Ellen, Jessica, Amber and Tracey from Poletential.  Diana from Embody Fitness.  And the list goes on...

I think it's great that people love Bel enough to be concerned...but fear not!  I am a Twirly Girl through and through.  Even when I go to Poletential (which, at an hour's drive away, is the closest studio I've visited), Christina always greets us with, "We love when the Twirly Girls visit!!!"  Also, please don't be worried that Bel sold anyone out.  She didn't give me any names but just said that people were worried.  I hope this post puts everyone's minds at ease.  :-)

So what about the rest of you?  Do you try out other studios or do you stick close to home?  Nothing wrong with going either way on this one!

Pro Spotlight on Estee Zakar!

I am very excited to spotlight Estee Zakar today.  She will be performing at Poletential's Air Show next month, and I will be there front and center!  She is also on the current cover of Vertical Art and Fitness Magazine, for which I will soon be a contributing writer!  


What is your fitness background?

I have always enjoyed any type of physical activity. Taking and teaching fitness classes was a large part of my weekly routine. I always loved dance and gymnastics and participated on my high school and university dance teams.

What is your fitness routine (on and off the pole)? 

I get bored easily, there for I try to vary my workouts, it is also great for building and sustaining strength and flexibility.

I do everything from boot camp, cycling, yoga, kick boxing, and anything else I can get my hands on. I also teach 10-15 classes a week in addition to training private clients. My flexibility and conditioning classes are brutally intense and my advanced pole warm ups and conditioning are no walk in the park.

I try to get in 1 day of pole a week for myself to work on new tricks and strength training on the pole.

I travel constantly to teach workshops and perform worldwide. I will get some training sessions in before performances and guest appearances.

What kind of diet do you follow?

I don't really believe in dieting. My greatest joy is trying new foods from around the world and enjoying my favorite foods. Therefore, I workout hard so I don't have to restrict my diet. I also believe that our bodies crave things for a reason.

I eat every 2 hours, lots of protein, 3 big meals and lots of snacks. cupcakes and chocolate are my weakness.

Which competition(s) do you like to do?  Do you have any title(s)?

I am the 2010 Miss Trixter title holder from the National USPDF competition.

Where do you train?  Do you have your own pole studio?

I am currently in Denver, CO. I teach at Tease Studio and hold workshops at every other studio in Denver. I teach private sessions at my in home pole studio.

Do you have sponsors you'd like to acknowledge?

I am the X-Pole USA and X-Pole Mexico fitness model, representative. I am the brand director for Bad Kitty Pole Fit Apparel, I am also the model for their logo. I am sponsored by Mighty Grip, and the cover model for Vertical Art Pole Magazine. I was the US representative at the first Pole Convention 2010.

What first interested you about pole dancing?

My best friend dared me to take a class and I was instantly hooked!

Do you have a preference? "pole fitness" or "pole dancing"

It depends who is dancing, what their style is, what the theme of the performance is. Regardless of what we call it, we are all pole athletes!

What do you think about the stripper vs. pole fitness debate?

Some girls do not have a stripping background and started out in the fitness world. Others started their career on a stage. No matter what background we came from, we are building a community together and can learn a lot from each other.

People outside our industry may need to be educated on the subject. As soon as they see what we can do, they are usually instantly impressed.

What is your favorite product to help you stick to the pole?

I love what Mighty Grip does for the pole industry and I stand by them but I am always open to trying all the different agents.

How do you deal with the dry skin on pole days (and on off-pole days?)?

Aveeno lotion is my favorite. It is extremely dry in Colorado, therefor not enough lotion is as bad as too much lotion. I think almost any brand works fine as long as it is applied the night before and not the day of.


Where do you like to buy your pole clothes?

Bad Kitty pole fit provides all of my fitness apparel as well as most of my performance outfits.

Do you like to dance in heels or barefoot?

Barefoot usually due to many of the tricks I am performing. I also like the raw look. However, heels are always fun to break out now and then. Every girl loves feeling hot in her heels!

What did you do before competing and/or opening your pole studio?

I was an instructor at BeSpun. then performed at a venue where the X-Pole team picked me up and made me the face of their product and sponsored my to start competing nationally.

What is your favorite song to dance to (at this moment)?

Changes every day.

Do you have any other upcoming events/competitions you'd like people to know about?

Airshow at Poletential, Tease December showcase


What else would you like people to know about you and/or your studio?

I love teaching and pushing people to their limit. The best feeling is accomplishing a goal you never though you would be able to overcome. I am there to make sure that happens! I am a huge believer in this sport - I am stronger, more flexible and more balanced then ever before. Pole has giving me physical and emotional power, wellness and stability. I am so in love with the sport and the pole community. I can wait to partake in more pole events and inspire more pole athletes!

Poletry in Motion: BeSpun

Last weekend, Rita and I went down to Los Angeles for the California Pole Dance Championship.  Since I was going to be in town, I wanted to take classes from different studios.  So, we scheduled classes at BeSpun in Hollywood and OC Pole Fitness in Aliso Viejo.  While driving home, I told Rita I wanted to create a little "corner" of my blog for reviews of studios I try while I'm traveling.  Rita came up with "Poletry in Motion."  I LOVED it so here we go!!

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I first heard about BeSpun when I found videos of the owner, Leigh Ann on YouTube.   I was still new to the pole dancing industry, so I didn't realize that a lot of the pros were coming out of BeSpun.  The current US Pole Dance Champion, Natasha Wang, is from BeSpun.  Amy Guion, a recent interviewee in this very blog, and competitor in last weekend's CPDC, manages BeSpun.  Alethea Austin, who performed at Poletential's Air Show a few months ago, teaches at BeSpun.  Amber Richard, from Poletential in Redwood City, is going to school in Southern California and also teaches at BeSpun.  Anjel Dust, who put on the CPDC, teaches there too.  I am sure I am leaving out many other important pole dancers, but those are the names currently listed on their website that I recognize. 

Rita and I made reservations to take class with Amber Richard.  Our class was scheduled for 2 p.m.  The studio is located in a pretty interesting part of Hollywood.  We didn't have to park too far away but we definitely wouldn't have made the walk if it had been dark.  You walk into the back of the building -- through a chainlink fence and a large, heavy rolling door -- into an MMA gym.  It's a big building that smells of testosterone and sweat.  BeSpun is actually inside of the MMA gym, Legends.  Two girls were standing at the front desk.  I could see Alethea sitting behind a desk.  We chatted with the girls for a minute, then realized we were actually talking to THE Leigh Ann!  She was so sweet.  The receptionist checked us in and had us sign paperwork while we chatted with Leigh Ann.  Rita asked her about whether she was offering other aerial arts and Leigh Ann said that they wanted to focus on what they did well -- pole dancing.  They were shaping competition level athletes.  Fair enough.

Leigh Ann told us to go through the pink door and watch the end of the class before ours (which was being taught by Amy).  Amber happened to walk by and we quickly said hello and then Rita and I walked to the pole room.  There were a few guys on the mats grappling.  The place definitely smelled like sweaty man (not necessarily a bad thing).  I saw the pink door and opened it.  The room seemed so small and a couple of girls turned around to look at us.  I thought I was interrupting and quickly closed the door.  We waited until Amber came back and she told us to follow her.  

It was like falling through the tree into Wonderland.  We walked into a completely different environment.  The pink door opened into a small room, which seemed to be like a warm up area.  But when you turned to the right, there was this extremely long room with tall ceilings and a bunch of poles.  There were couches set up to sit on, a fire place and cool brick walls.  There was a huge X-Pole sign on the wall.  The lights were all red.  It was no longer an MMA room.  It was a pole dancing studio.  

The class was much more advanced than Rita and I -- we call ourselves Bel's special needs class.  Yes, we've been dancing for almost two years.  But we have injuries and issues and we think maybe Bel doesn't want to push us too hard so we've spent a lot of time not advancing in pole.  I think we both walked away from BeSpun wanting to fix that.  We are ready to get strong and start really dancing!  

We started with a great warm-up and stretch, almost yoga-style, including some sit-ups.  Amber is a great teacher.  She describes a move, demonstrates it, then comes around to make sure everyone is doing it properly.  Rita and I went to the very end of the room so we could muddle through without getting in the way.  Amber checked on us several times.  We ended class with a free dance.  I took a few things away from the class:  First, I want to start warming up better.  Second, I learned how to climb prettier (and busted out a new move!!!).  Third, Amber (and I would assume BeSpun) absolutely believes that you should learn each move on both the right and left sides.  I currently only use my dominant hand (right) and only do moves one way.  So we spent a lot of time doing basic moves on our non-dominant side. That was pretty cool.

BeSpun was nothing like Twirly Girls.  Not to say they weren't friendly -- everyone was amazing and so nice to us.  But in class, they were very serious.  There was very little interaction between students.  They worked hard from the second they arrived until class was over.  The studio is definitely a place for people to train and become pro competitors.  Still, we had a great experience there and liked seeing how other studios worked.  Amber is an excellent teacher and she dances so beautifully.  I especially like that she is so tall (so many dancers are these tiny little things).  She's got these beautiful muscular and long legs.  Her abs look great.  She said she's been doing a lot of plyometrics, so maybe she can teach a class for us at Twirly Girls when she comes back for a visit!

So anyway, that is my first Poletry in Motion review, which will be my personal opinion of the studios I visit.  BeSpun in Hollywood is definitely a place you should check out if you're in the Southern California area.  Other than being a little star struck when you see famous instructors and dancers, their classes are well-taught and structured.  I am hoping to make more trips down to So Cal for Social Sonar and other pole events.  I am looking forward to taking another class from Amber and checking out other studios!

Oh yeah, before I go...when we left, Rita and I hit up the bathroom, which is really a big locker room/shower area for both men and women.  There were some lockers and one said, "E. Balfour."  I love the actor, Eric Balfour.  I was like, could he possibly train here??  I whipped out my cute little smart phone and typed in "Eric Balfour and Legends."  He does in fact train there (and may actually be a co-owner or investor), so I rubbed my body all over his locker (sorry, Mr. Balfour!!).  :-D  When I got home, I told Rob about it and he said that when he watched a recent episode of Haven, Eric's character did a martial arts type of move and Rob thought he pulled it off well for someone who supposedly wasn't trained in martial arts.  But now we know that he IS actually trained in martial arts.  Totally random piece of information...and gave me a good giggle because Eric Balfour is hot and I totally molested his locker!

 Amy Guion

 Rita twirling

 My new move...I'm not touching the floor!!!

Amber Richard

Eric Balfour's locker -- yes, I am a stalker

Today's spotlight is on Amy Guion of Be Spun!

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.

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.

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.

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 :)

*****

I'm really looking forward to seeing Amy perform at the California Pole Dance Championship on Sunday!  Good luck to Amy and all of the other competitors and performers.  Hopefully they will allow us to video so I can come back with lots of great footage!