Pioneer of Pole: Anna Grundstrom

When I first started talking about interviewing pole dancers from around the globe, Shelly Lamb told me Anna Grundstrom was one of those I absolutely needed to catch up with.  We have finally touched bases, and so here she is:  Anna Grundstrom!!

 

When did you first start pole dancing and how did you get into it?

 

I started taking classes New York Pole Dancing back in 2007 and applied for an instructor position a few months later.

How do you feel pole dancing has changed since you started?

 

When I co-founded USPDF with Wendy Traskos, most interaction in the pole industry existed primarily on YouTube. To see all these pole dancers meet for the very first time at the inaugural US Pole Dance Championship in 2009, I recognized that change was happening.

 

Having watched hundreds of submission videos, I’ve seen a lot of technical and artistic growth throughout the years. New tricks, concepts and movement styles are being presented all the time and will hopefully continue. All art forms experience growth; stages of molding and shaping. Pole dancing is no exception.

 

My personal journey has focused on artistry, which was greatly inspired by my involvement with Brook Notary’s “Pulse Project” 2 years ago. It’s had a major influence on what pole dancing is to me. My individual style and approach to pole started to shift. My movement became more inspired by inner dialogue and telling a story versus just doing pole tricks. My body naturally responded to this new approach to pole dancing. And while this form of self-expression probably existed within me all along, it emerged as an “AHA!” moment while working on Pulse Project. Brook has been an amazing choreographer who has allowed me to organically grow into who I am as a dancer.

 

Who are other pole pioneers that you admire?

 

I don’t follow the industry as closely as I used to since leaving USPDF in 2011. But I greatly appreciate any pole dancer that takes the time to discover who they are as dancers and performers. I know from personal experience that the process can be both fun and frustrating. As artists, we go through this process of imitating, faking, failing, and ultimately daring to push ourselves out of our comfort zones until all that’s left is the real us.

 

What moves me most is witnessing a performer’s artistic drive and purpose: what is their intention or story? And what compels each movement choice? Dance is captivating when performed from that raw space; regardless of difficulty level.

 

Do you own a studio?  If not, where do you currently dance?

 

I don’t own a studio but I teach at New York Pole Dancing at a regular basis, and spend time doing my own personal practice around the corner from my house at Sacred Studio in Brooklyn, which is also the current home of the Pulse Project.

 

Tell us one thing about you that people might be surprised to hear about you.

 

I just got certified in Applied Positive Psychology (CAPP) at the New York Open Center this month.

 

What does 2013 hold for you?

 

I’m performing in a year- long underground series with the Pulse Project. Part 1, “Love & Guts” will be held at Sacred Studio in Brooklyn, May 30th - June 1st. I’m beyond excited! Please, check it out: http://thepulseproject.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/thePULSEproject

 

I’m teaching contemporary pole workshops that are focusing on improvisation, transitions, movement quality and other fun stuff.

 

I’m creating non-dance workshops that teach people simple tools to create more flow and positive emotions in their daily lives using CAPP.

 

I’m co-writing a textbook in positive psychology.

 

_________________

 

Anna Grundstrom

Pole Instructor/Coach, Pulse Project Dancer, CAPP practitioner

www.annagrundstrom.com

 

_________________

 

Check out my previous post about the beginning of the Pulse Project HERE.

Pioneer of Pole: PANTERA!

Pantera is definitey a friend to Twirly Girls.  She was also one of my first pole interviews.  After she kindly answered all my questions, I had a few more.  I tried to break out of the mold a little and start tailoring questions more to the individual.  Also, many interviewees listed Pantera as an inspiration and pioneer of making pole dancing what it is today.  Pantera has indulged me in my second request for an interview and for that, I will be forever grateful.

Catch up on previous Pantera posts here:

http://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2011/08/panteras-visit-to-twirly-girls.html

http://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2011/09/pro-spotlight-on-pantera.html

http://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2011/11/pantera-blacksmithnude.html

Now, here is Pantera, Pioneer of Pole!

You are one of the pioneers of bringing pole dance/fitness to the mainstream. According to your bio, you started as an exotic dancer in 1999. What made you decide to leave the clubs and start your journey of becoming the World's Most Famous Pole Dancer?

Let me say I've never left the clubs.  I perform at events in strip bars all the time.  If there is one thing I am not is ashamed of my past and where it has brought me today.  I firmly believe that knocking the exotic foundations or the people that made this art form so popular is the most ridiculous thing as many respectable pioneers who were or still are strippers.  To quote Jesus, "Let the person among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her."

All that being said when I won the national title there was nothing left for me in that world.  I loved the performance and I wanted to do more of it.  I wouldn't have been able to do it without some of my dearest friends and long time business partners.  As always its the people behind the scenes, the trainers, teachers and family who deserve the credit. I am just the face.

Who are other pole pioneers that you admire?

I respect the other pioneers because of their success and contributions. I admire people for different reasons.

You have traveled the world, bringing the joy of pole dance to so many people.  Which country is your favorite and why?

That is too hard to answer. The world is a place full of tradition, heritage, customs and attractions and I have been fortunate to witness and be apart of so much of it.

From Pantera's Facebook fan page: https://www.facebook.com/PanterasPoleWorld

You have one DVD called Pole Tricks 101, but I heard that a second DVD was going to be released soon.  When will that DVD be released and what will it be called?

There will not be any additional DVDs. I am hoping to do an internet based library of moves, progressions and personal training. Although I love to travel I am getting older and I love being at home more and more. Living out of a suitcase is losing its luster.

Your tattoos are so amazing.  What is their meaning?

My tattoo's meaning is solely for myself. However, there is a note on my fan page with answers to many questions if you are curious.  [Note: see below for link and copy/paste from the fan page.]

Tell us one thing about you that people might be surprised to hear.

I'm amazingly prudish and shy. :) Not kidding

What does 2012 hold for you?

2012 hopefully holds the key to where I will put down some roots and a permanent pole.

Please visit Pantera's fan page on Facebook.  You can read her note about her tattoos here:

https://www.facebook.com/notes/pantera-blacksmith/full-body-tattooall-your-questions-answered/243618632327696

Full Body Tattoo...All Your Questions Answered

by Pantera Blacksmith on Tuesday, August 2, 2011 at 1:02pm 

Yes, they are REAL tattoos.

"My heaven's what did you do to your body?" is a question commonly asked by older ladies. I look down at myself and back at them and ask if this is a trick question.

100+ Hours. I decided that triple digits were impressive enough so I stopped keeping track.

I do not know how much it cost. I just pay the man and he makes me more beautiful.

There was no specific design or lay out. I go in, he draws something. I like it or I dont. He erases what I don't like and makes something else happen. Its tattooist designed, Pantera approved.

Tattoos are more painful in some spots than others. Yes, it hurt.

The artist is Jack Carter. He does not work in a shop so if you want him, you'll have to go through me. No retards please.

Jack is the only artist I've ever had. A bunch of my friends were getting work by him and I liked it. If it's not broke don't fix it. I guess you can say I got lucky.

The tattoo itself has meaning only to me. To you, its just a bunch of scribbley lines.

No I am not done.

Yes I am crazy.

No I do not plan to explain anything to the children I will not be having.

The only pattern I can wear without looking extremely busy is zebra.

On a daily basis people ask me all these questions at least once.

It was not done in one sitting.

The first piece was done around my left boobie over ten years ago.

The second piece around my right boobie.

My parents found out after I had already completed the front torso. My father now calls me the "Circus Lady."

I will be continuing to add onto this post as the tattoo continues to grow

If I happened to miss a question please feel free to ask :)

 
Thanks @Jack Cutter

Pioneer of Pole: KT Coates of Vertical Dance!

When I first started at Twirly Girls, Bel used to tell us about this amazing pole dancer from the UK named KT Coates.  In fact, one of the moves we do on the pole is called the "KT Coates."  I am really excited to include KT in my blog today and am even more excited to (hopefully) meet her at the Pole Convention in June!

How did you first find pole dancing?

I got a job as a show girl in one of the oldest burlesque shows in the world at the Raymond Review Bar in Soho. I got the job with no experience in pole, dance or fitness and it was on the off chance that I even went to the audition. I then started practicing on the poles there and we incorporated it into my show. I didn’t have a clue at first but I was young and fearless so I just threw myself into it and taught myself how to pole dance. Back then there was no YouTube or classes so I just found something I loved and ran with it.

I understand you helped X-Pole develop its product in the UK in 2004.  How did you get involved with that?

I met Clive at an expo. I was performing and he and Paul had the first prototypes. We got chatting and got on really well. By this time I wanted to open my own school. There were exotic dance schools but I wanted to take the pole out of the clubs and put it in the gyms and I explained this to him. He lent me his prototypes to test out and use in my classes. At this time the poles were nothing like they are today so there were a huge amount of redesign in the first few months and it’s still being changed today. I will say the DVD that I did for the pole makes me cringe, I wish I could go back and re-film it. 

You opened Vertical Dance and released DVDs in 2006, which makes you a Pioneer of Pole.  What made you decide to open your own studio?

I was good at pole, it became a passion and I saw others opening sexy dance schools and I wanted to take it away from that, as I just don’t see pole that way and it doesn’t make me feel that way. Opening a school was a natural progression for me and the best and most satisfying, but also frustrating thing I have ever done. We were the first company to do so many things such as have videos on the site, online training, teacher training, world record, the first amateur competition and showcase. We have a world record, which is on my toilet wall. Things have changed so much and I am just so proud to be a part of it.

Which pioneers of pole do you admire?

There are so many people that have worked so hard over the last decade. We all have to thank Fawnia for being there at the start. I admire Mary Ellyn Weissman for promoting pole for the mature generation and raising health and safety standards. I think Bobbi from Bobbi's Studio has done so many great things for her style of pole. Ania from the IPDFA is one of the most diplomatic and profession people in pole, her competitions are fantastic. I admire every one that does pole, they are a pioneered in their own right, because without them it wouldn’t be here today! 

Do you have a trick that you consider your nemesis?

Anything with flexibility. I can barely touch my toes and my back is like a board, I can only forward fold. lol 

It feels like the pro/competition pole dancers are all going the route of contortion and extreme tricks.  Do you feel like something is lost from pole dancing when it is all tricks and no dance?

I not a fan of contortion, it’s not attractive. It’s not flowing and it’s not impressive. The best pole dancers are the ones that have the right amount of flow, flexibility, power, strength, musicality and dance ability. I call contortion type of dancers the ta-da performers, it’s very much like Chinese pole, you pull a move hold it for the applause, I do not find this easy on the eye at all. If a dancer spends his/her entire routine inverted on the pole busting trick after trick I am not impressed and I would mark this type of routine down. I think performers are growing and this will be a thing of the past. 

How do you feel about pole dancing going mainstream?

I have been very vocal about pole going mainstream and I do not see a future without it. If we want pole to carry on for generations to come then we need to make it professional, regulated and safe. Once this is done then we can open classes to children and then pole will be as acceptable as gymnastic. 

Tell us something we'd be surprised to hear about you.

I do not and never have owned X-Pole...Not sure why people think I do...LOL! 

What else are you looking forward to in 2012? 

We are looking forward to the IPSF World Pole Sports Championships in London which we are creating. It will be our first step to the Olympics and it is something that so many people have worked hard on and a dream that I cannot believe is actually becoming reality. I also cannot wait for to get over to the USA this year. I am in Chicago in May, at the LA Pole Convention in June and Vegas in September and NYC in October. I am also bring out a new DVD and an insurance package.

Pioneers of Pole: Bobbi's Pole Studio!

I recently started researching the History of Pole Dance to do a post for The Pole Dancing Shop.   While the history for the United States and Canada came up fairly easily, I was having a harder time finding out when pole dancing started moving mainstream in the rest of the world (maybe since I'm in the U.S., the Internet thought I didn't need to know about any other areas of the World?).  I then saw that Bobbi of Bobbi's Pole Studio was named United Pole Artist's Pro-Poler of the year.  I also saw an article from Australia about how Bobbi built her pole dancing empire.  So I started doing some research.  Of course, I'd heard the name before:  I had heard people say that Felix Cane had danced at Bobbi's Pole Studio.  And, of course Bobbi must be a Pioneer of Pole for Australia.  So I decided that it was time to just go to the source...

Today we have the co-owners of Bobbi's Pole Studio, Bobbi and Vanessa ("Ness"), with us [check out their profiles HERE].  Bobbi's was first opened in Sydney, Australia in 2004 (now with three locations in Australia, one in Malaysia and one in Singapore).

You are pioneers of bringing pole dance to the masses.  What made you decide to open your first studio?

Ness:  I met Bobbi learning pole dancing in a strip club (for non strippers) and we stayed in contact. A lot of the girls from the original Strip club classes new that we were doing some projects together (DVD, coffee table book) and kept asking when we would open a school. In 2004 we opened “Sydney Pole Dancing School” (with 2 poles) in a “massage” parlor in Pitt St. 

Eight weeks later with over a 100 students we moved to a new studio in Castlereagh St. and renamed it Bobbi’s Pole Studio (just in case we ever have another studio somewhere else, yeah right!)

In 2005 Miss Pole Dance Australia was born and Bobbi’s sister Kim opened a studio in Perth. Bobbi’s Babes started to handle all the bookings we were getting for Pole Dancers and Miss Pole Dance Australia just got bigger and bigger.

In 2010 we opened Bobbi’s Pole Studio Malaysia and Bobbi’s Pole Studio Singapore.

How did you choose Singapore and Malaysia as additional locations?

It was the people more than the countries, Linna and Jasmine (Singapore) and Maple (Malaysia) came over for a few weeks for private lessons with Bobbi and their ability and personalities just made it a good match to join the Bobbi's family

How do you feel about pole dancing going mainstream?

It's great that it's finally being accepted for what it is, 8 years ago we were having a lot of attitude from the press/sponsors of competitions, etc. But I kind of miss the "undergroundness" of it, I guess. It was exciting to be around when it was still surprising people.

What was your background in both pole dance and other classical forms of dance?

Ness:  Bobbi's trained extensively in many forms of dance, I'm more the business side of the business.

Who are other pole pioneers that you admire?

Pantera and Fawnia Dietrich are the originals.

The new school of pioneers are Felix Cane, Alethea Austin and Jenyne Butterfly.

My favorite Bobbi's-taught pro competitor is Felix Cane.  Who are other famous Bobbi's dancers?

Allegra, Cleo. Maple from Malaysia and Sparx are famous in their own right with pole dancing part of that famousness but probably Allegra and Cleo.

How did Miss Pole Dance Australia come about?

A guy from the Netherlands contacted us to put on the Australian chapter of his Miss Pole Dance competition and we agreed. We had a  rocky relationship with him and we didn't end up being part of his larger competition but Miss Pole Dance Australia was born and we never looked
back

Tell us one thing about each of you you that people might be surprised to hear.

One thing that people might be surprised to hear? That's hard...I'm a bit
obsessed with survival skills (Ness) and Bobbi speaks fluent Japanese.

What does 2012 hold for each of you and Bobbi's Pole Studio?

The revamp of the Old and The Flexible on Bobbi TV, possibly another Inner Showgirl competition.

Thank you both so much for participating in my blog.  In my wildest dreams, I will get to make a trip over to Australia to take a class with you someday!  Much love to you both!

Pioneer of Pole: Annemarie Davies!

I have been so tickled to have some of the most amazing pioneers of pole dance respond to my request for an interview.  Here is another one of our girls who has helped blaze the trails!  This is Annemarie Davies of United Pole Artists!

You have been pole dancing since 2002, which makes you a pioneer of the industry!  How do you feel about pole dancing going mainstream? 

Pole dancing going mainstream is a blessing and a bit of a curse.  Because it is mainstream, there is debate over whether or not we should censor ourselves.  Originally, I began pole dancing because I was stripping, and the erotic side of pole dancing was a big reason why I loved it so much.  However, I did feel unappreciated in the clubs, and have felt so much more love from an audience performing in mainstream settings.  The road here has been a wonderful, arduous one.  Loving every minute of it, but fighting my way through it.

Who are other pole pioneers that you admire?   

I admire Fawnia Dietrich, Bobbi from Australia for always staying true to who they are.   I also admire J.K. Aloia for being super amazing, staying out of the scene because for her it's just about pole and nothing else.

You won Entertainer of the Year at the Spearmint Rhino.  When did you decide to leave the club and start teaching in a studio?

I knew that I wanted to leave the year that I won, which was in late 2005, crowned for '06.  There was no way I could lose, in my head, because it was the only way I could exit.  I did my tour, and ended in December of '06 and tried to quit.  After a few weeks, I realized I was broke, with no experience in anything but "dancing", so I went back, but to a different club.  That's where I met my now boyfriend, fell in love, and 6 months later, mid 2007, I quit cold turkey and had to find an alternative.  That's when I found X-Polesititons and Jumbo's Clown Room, then later, Evolve.  :)

How did the idea for United Pole Artists come about?

After we produced Pole Star Invitational in 2008, I got really depressed because I knew we wouldn't be doing again, and so much work went into it.  There was a feeling that I had to do something, I just was unsure of what.  The thought of a website came to mind, with no real idea of what I do or how I would do it.  That developed over time.  The idea came because all I do is think about pole dancing, so I figured a site where I could talk about it all the time would be a good start.

You also perform at Jumbo's Clown Room and teach at Evolve Dance Studio in Southern California.  How do you feel your background in exotic dancing has enhanced your ability to perform and teach your students?

Because I was able to dance fully nude in front of people, I gained a confidence with my dancing, and felt like I could do just about anything in front of anyone.  From being in several different types of situations on stage, there is a sense of comfort and control that I have when I'm up there, and that translates over when I'm teaching.  I never feel frustrated, angry, scared or intimidated, and I believe that helps when I'm in a room with 8-20 other women who all have their own opinions and ideas.  :)

Tell us one thing about you that people might be surprised to hear.

I often get nervous when performing a choreographed routine!  Terribly nervous.  Sweaty palms, butterflies in my tummy and a lot of pacing back and forth. 

What does 2012 hold for you?

Already, there is a difference with this year.  This will be the year that determines a lot of things for me and for United Pole Artists, which is my number one focus in life, besides my boyfriend and my family.  I want to live this year as if the world is going to end as predicted.  There will be no holding back, there will be an endless amount of work, and every opportunity to celebrate will be had!

Thank you for being part of my blog.  I look forward to seeing you soon!

Thank you so much for asking me these questions!  I will see you in Los Angeles for the Pole Show!    

unitedpoleartists.com
poledancelife.com

My Top Ten Pole Dancing Posts from 2011

I've been trying to choose my top ten blog posts (from my own blog) for 2011.  It was so hard because I talked to a lot of amazing people this year.  I had a hard time picking only ten so I decided to choose posts to represent different categories.

Pioneer of Pole

Without those who paved the way, the rest of us wouldn't be pole dancing right now!

http://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2011/12/pioneer-of-pole-fawnia-dietrich.html

http://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2011/09/pro-spotlight-on-pantera.html

Men on the Pole

I love my pole sisters but watching men on the pole is a bit fun as well!

http://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2011/12/may-i-introduce-pole-artist-timber.html

Speaking of pole sisters...

Here's one for the curvy dancers!

http://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2011/12/defending-my-pole-sister.html

The debate surrounding pole dancing and being sexy

http://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2011/11/to-be-sexy-or-not-to-be-sexythat-is.html

Traveling

http://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2011/09/twirly-girls-at-california-pole-dance.html

Making friends

http://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2011/12/poletentials-second-air-show.html

Innovation

http://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2011/12/pulse-project.html

Natasha Wang

http://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2011/09/pro-spotlight-on-natasha-wang.html

http://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2011/12/body-image.html

I feel like I had so many other awesome posts but if I had to cut it down to ten, these ten are pretty awesome.  Please feel free to search around for other posts that might be of interest to you.  Categories include Pro Spotlight, Studio Spotlight, Power of Pole, Men on the Pole, Poletry in Motion, Star Spotlight, and Pole Goals.

Here are my top ten most viewed posts:

http://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2011/10/pro-spotlight-on-felix-cane.html

http://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2011/06/history-of-pole-dancing.html

http://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2011/10/can-you-be-fat-and-fit.html

http://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2011/03/rest-in-peace-tyler-orsow.html

http://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2011/12/poletentials-second-air-show.html

2011 has been pretty awesome and I'm looking forward to 2012 being even more so!

*Day 22 of 30 day blogging challenge*

Pioneer of Pole: Sheila Kelley and S Factor

Sheila Kelley is one of the most famous pole pioneers.  She definitely makes pole more of a lifestyle than a workout.  If you have not been to an S Factor class, I suggest you try one!

My first-ever pole class was at S Factor in San Francisco about three years ago.  I was really impressed (and surprised) with how safe the studio made me feel.  It was kind of dark but warm and very inviting. I know you first got into pole dancing for a movie role and realized the increased fitness was an added benefit.  What made you decide that the sensuality of exotic dance was an important part of the workout?

Hi Lori, thanks for reaching out to me! I love talking about S, sharing my passion for elevating the feminine, which has become the passion of so many women, and every opportunity to "wake the S up" in the world.  It wasn’t the sensuality of traditional exotic dance that became a part of S Factor, it was the natural sensuality of a woman's body that I began to acknowledge in my own body.  The no make-up, hair undone, no frills, pure, organic S shape of our hips, butt, shoulders, wrists, the inside of a woman's elbow, everything top to bottom, right down to our baby toes.  Women are sexy!  Right out of the womb.  And that sensuality in the shape of our hips, also lives inside our hips.  We are circular natured and we are built to move naturally in a circular, sensual way.  It's enticing to men in an exotic dance environment because (well they are enticed by women whether we are moving or standing still!) we're exaggerating those S shapes.  But for women at S, we're just doing what comes naturally in the privacy of our S studios, and the sensuality of it is inherent.

I remember busting out a CRAZY hard core workout before we got anywhere near the pole.  How important do you feel it is to build a strong foundation before you stick ladies to the pole?  

I designed the S Factor Workout to cover every base of feminine fitness that I (and so many of my girlfriends) had tried for years to find in multiple forms of exercise.  We were taking Pilates for the ab work, yoga for long lean muscles and stretching and meditation, different kinds of dance, jogging, biking, hiking, treadmilling, weights, ahhhhhhhhhH!  It was too much and none of it worked.  I tried everything alone and in every conceivable combination and it just felt like this uphill battle that one could never catch up with, especially after having children.  When I built S Factor I wanted to create something "total body" that could be achieved in 2 hours once a week.  That's why S Factor's copyrighted sequence of circular fluid feminine movements is multi-directional and isometric.  You feel it in your entire body because a woman's entire body needs and craves movement in order to feel balanced.  It is designed to prep women to do polework too!  In Level 1 and 2 of the S Factor Original Series session women learn signature S Factor polework that builds their upper body and abdominal strength, which then prepares them for more advanced signature S Factor climbs and inversions as they progress to Levels 3 - 6 of their Erotic Creature Journey.

You were at the forefront of bringing pole to the every-day woman. How do you feel about it going mainstream?

It's like...I keep waiting to wake up.  It's really something.  I never imagined when I was teaching S Factor to women in my house back in 2001 that something like this could have such a tremendous affect on the world and history.  Nothing like S Factor existed on the planet.  And there we were, these extraordinary women and me, just celebrating our femininity and having fun.  To be an innovator of something brings with it a lot of responsibility.  I receive thousands of letters from all over the world from women who have tried "pole dance fitness."  Some I have to say have had a different experience than what S Factor is defined as.  While I love that there is a growing community of women exploring new ways to move their body, I wish I could be everywhere in the world at once with an actual S Factor studio on every corner because we do more than just dance on a pole.  And that "more" has become the impetus behind my Soulfully Sexy DVD Series and the Wake the S Up movement.  S = Feminine.  The idea of women having a culture of their own is what I hope will become mainstream, versus simply the act of pole dancing.

I have met many amazing dancers who have come from S Factor backgrounds: Natasha Wang, Claire Griffin Sterrett, Amy Kim, Sheena LaShay, and my own friend here in California, Jenny Gain.  I'm sure there are many, many more I'm missing.  How proud are you of your ladies being in the pole world limelight?

The women who currently teach S Factor at our studios are some of the most phenomenal women I have ever met in my life.  Our highly trained staff have inspired many women in the world.  S teachers do more than just guide women through the workout, or teach them pole tricks.  They dramatically change lives.  They are therapists, body whisperers, confidantes, nurturers, healers, they are in the limelight of each and every life they touch through the two hours they share once a week with women from all walks of life.  And I am proud to have them as sisters and friends.

Do you participate in pole competitions?  

I don't personally because the dark, rich chocolate fudge that is S Factor movement itself off the pole is what I aspire to journey deeper into.  However, S Factor is very proud of our S teachers Barbara Dial in New York and Jen Campo in Houston who have won major pole dance competitions due in part to the uniquely feminine nature of S Factor's signature style.

Recently, some of my pole dancing friends who are mothers have had issues with their children's friends making fun of their mom for being a "stripper."  Did you ever have to deal with that.  If so, how did you handle it?  If not, how would you advise someone to handle it?  

Hmmmm...this is the first I've ever heard of this happening.  I guess I would say that children tease other children about a whole slew of things that are untrue.  There really isn't anything that can be done about it, it's just kids.   I know that many S moms bring their daughters in to our Mother-Daughter classes and events and the little ones have a perfect understanding of the difference between S Factor movement and "pole dancing."

Men on the pole is a very hot topic right now.  S Factor is very famously a place for women only.  Do you foresee a change in that policy any time soon?  

There's been some confusion about this.  Actually S Factor is very open to teaching men.  I even taught Conan O'Brien (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPKzdwhRTyE).  And there's a note about it in the FAQ section of our website.  Due to the nature of the Erotic Creature Journey,  S Factor classes are not co-ed, but men may call their nearest studio and request a Private Lesson or Private Party.  I've taught S to a bunch of men (we have a few guys who work upstairs in the LA offices who have taken a class or two) and it's fun to see them find their feminine side.  They get a kick out of it and they really get it.  They get that it's no different than men basking in their masculinity on a golf course or basketball court.

What kind of "diet" do you follow?

Diet is an evil word and I don't do it.  I eat clean and healthfully, and I do S Factor!

Do you like to dance in shoes or barefoot?

I love, love, love my 6 and 7-inch stilettos.  They make me feel larger than life.  But some days a girl's just gotta go barefoot!

Is there anything else you'd like us to know about you, any upcoming events or S Factor?  

YES!  The S Factor Retreat is like...where do I begin?  Imagine a world completely ruled by women.  Imagine everything you see, hear, eat, sleep, breathe, say, do, feel, smell, experience...it's all been hand-selected to cultivate your feminine side.  You are surrounded by other women who are there for the same purpose and it's just a frickin' lovefest of what it means to be a woman, what we struggle with together and apart and how easy it is for us to elevate our minds, bodies, hearts and souls when we pull ourselves out of the every day stresses of life and retreat in every sense of the word, into our femininity.  We can be emotional, we can be sensual, we can be loud and wild and young and free, we have no responsibilities except to ourselves and our own desires and pleasures and needs.  We can play (and we do in luxurious outdoor locations and indoors at 5-star resorts!!), smile, laugh, dance and live authentically in our skin with no apology.  It's heaven.  It's bliss.  Women come from all over the globe and I personally teach the classes and seminars along with the best of the best S teachers from our studios across the U.S.  It's an awakening that's like jet fuel propelling women toward achieving their greatest desires and becoming more successful in all areas of their life.  I've also taught mini-retreats as part of Tony Robbins' Platinum Partners retreats and the philosophies go hand-in-hand.  This is for women who are ready to be reborn as superwomen.  We'll be in Miami this coming February!  We may be sold out by the time you read this but we're working on opening up more spots because the retreats are so popular.  We limit registration so that I can really spend a lot of one-on-one time with each woman and really give them an understanding of the mind, body, heart and soul of S Factor.  Miami in February will be our 4th retreat I have hosted!  Women can go to SFactor.com/Retreat and get all of the details.  I'm looking forward to meeting your readers and you Lori if you can come!

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I know Sheila is a busy lady and I really appreciate her participation in my blog.  S Factor has four locations in California, two in New York, one in Houston and one in Chicago.  Check out http://sfactor.com/ for more info!

Pioneer of Pole: StarrGrrrl!

Another awesome Shelly-referral is Aimee "StarrGrrrl" W.  She is a good friend of Pantera's and we love Pantera at Twirly Girls.  Any friend of Pantera's is a friend of ours!  Meet StarrGrrrl!

If my math is correct, you've been pole dancing since 1999.  That makes you a pioneer of pole dance!  I understand you worked as an exotic dancer in your early pole dancing years.  How do you feel that experience shaped you as an instructor later when you opened the Bombshell Ballroom?

I actually started dancing as an exotic dancer in Detroit in late 1998. I was fortunate to work with some amazingly beautiful, sensual dancers that treated their work as art even then, and I was so inspired by the atmosphere itself, and it really shaped my dance style. Transitioning from dancer to teacher was trickier. When I started teaching there wasn't this wealth of information and community that we are blessed to have now (Yay pole!!) so I only had what was in my personal little repertoire, and I had to teach myself to break down exactly what I was doing with my body in these movements, so I could convey that to my students. We have come so far, it's amazing. We have a great community, and we're always inspiring each other, brainstorming with each other, and teaching each other. The bar has been raised, and pole is taking off! We're really going to see this movement go in some amazing directions. (It has already!)

Who are other pole pioneers that you admire?

The first person I ever met from our community of pole dancers and athletes was Pantera. I had just kinda found the little tiny pole dancing community then, and she just so happened to live in Seattle, so we met up. She introduced me to the spinny pole that day (I had always used static poles), and I got pretty green in the face playing on it. She made me tea! Sweet girl! Her strength and discipline is amazing, and if you have never seen her perform live you MUST. She is incredible, and she is an awesome person as well. She has certainly taken pole places, and been a kickass supportive friend, so of course, she's one of my favorite pole rockstars.

Another one of my favorite pioneers is Alena Downs. She started the Pole Junkies forum, which was one of the first of it's kind, and I loved playing there! She's fearless, and never been afraid to put herself out there. She has done amazing things in building up what Pole Junkies is today, and when she started the Pole Junkies Pole Camp, I think it was the first (or at least one of the first) kind of even that brought dancers from all over the place together for a weekend intensive of classes, and tons of other pole fun. Now she has several studio's in Canada! Go PJ's!

And of course, my favorite YouTube rockstar to go competitive, Karol Helms. She was one of the first girls I met on YouTube, and her musical tastes and mine were so similar, we were always commenting on each others videos. I love her style, she's so bendy, and graceful and damn STRONG!

All three of these women brought pole out of the club scene, and told the world... "Hey, this is ART. This is Strength, this is grace, and this is to be respected."

You now teach at the Brassy Butterfly in Portland, Oregon.  Is the pole dancing scene different on the West Coast than it was in Detroit?

Sadly, when the pole community started to develop in Detroit I was already gone. When I was in Michigan, the pole scene for me was the club scene itself. I have met and communicated with many of the Detroit girls though, and they are great girls, who do great things for the midwest scene. A couple of years ago we were lucky enough to get Detroit native Ozzypoles to transplant here in the Portland area, and she's starting to organize showcases in Portland (Queen's of the Pole: Rock the 90's was the first one). We've got studio's a plenty out here, and we have a large industry (club) scene as well so we have a lot of events going on. When Pantera was in Seattle she organized the first showcase events that I know of as well (Hysteria, and Delerium at Noc Noc) I performed in the first Queens of the Pole event, as well as one of the Hysteria events, and one of the Delerium events in Seattle where I did a pole set, and a short Lyra set. There are video's from all three events on my YouTube channel.

I know your son is only six and has probably grown up knowing that pole dancing is perfectly normal.  Have you had to deal with mothers of other children judging you for your career choice?  I have had some friends with children deal with judgmental people lately so I'm always looking for witty retorts.  :-)

Yes, my son views pole dancing as completely normal, and he plays on the pole in my living room more than I do. He's actually quite coordinated and strong. It's impressive. I haven't really had to deal too much with any judgmental mothers, or perhaps I just don't bother to notice the judgments. I don't do anything inappropriate in front of my child, and I don't consider my dance to be inappropriate either. My child will grow up with an open mind, or at least the option to have that open mindedness, that some other children may not have due to biases in their parents. I also hope that my lifestyle gives him a good sense of body confidence, and an interest in art, dance, music, and athletics. I'd rather teach my child to love art than to be hateful or judging in any form.

Tell us one thing about you that people might be surprised to hear.

I think I have said this before, but it's a big part of who I am... I LOVE motorcycles, and I LOVE quads. I'm a tomboy, and I like to play in the dirt and sand. I'm also big on video games. I have a Wii, Xbox 360, PS3, and two computers. Does that make me a nerd?

What does 2012 hold for you?

Hopefully with 2012 comes some big changes. I'm in college, I just finished my second year. I'm transitioning now out of my prerequisite classes, and getting ready to shift gears and get ready for the nursing program. This consumes a good majority of my time. However, I'm trying to keep myself in shape, still teaching pole classes, and performing in February in the next Queens of the Pole event, and I'd like to make it to the pole convention as well since it's on my side of the world this year!

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If it means anything to you, Aimee, I LOVE NERDS!  Please catch up with StarrGrrrl on FACEBOOK or YOUTUBE.

Pioneer of Pole: Fawnia Dietrich

For all of us little, itty, bitty baby pole dancers, mainstream pole dancing most likely wouldn't exist without this woman. She was the first person to open a pole dance studio -- she called it exotic dance school. I am so honored that she has agreed to be part of my blog. This is Fawnia Dietrich!

You were the first pioneer who helped bring pole dance/fitness to the mainstream. You opened your exotic dance school after starting to dance in 1994 and you were the first to release pole dance DVDs. I have seen the power of pole dancing change the lives of so many women. How does that make you feel?

I feel so great! Every day I am over joyed knowing that the world is seeing and feeling my vision of what pole dancing is really about. When I worked as a stripper in 94 - 96 it wasn’t about me taking off my clothes and many of the costumers agreed. In Canada we performed on stage only, especially in 94 and 95 (before lap dancing became more popular), and men would approach me after my show and compliment my theatrics, and athleticism on the pole. Pole dancing and exotic dancing made me feel power and in complete control of my life. Many people are born again Christians, while I was a born again dancer.

How do you feel pole dancing has changed since then?

Since the mid 90’s when it was mainly strippers who had access to a pole and danced, pole dancing is now being viewed as a way workout, a way to heel, a way to empower. Today it’s a way of life and I know many women who, when they travel, have to find a studio in that area to train it; “get their fix.”

Who are other pole pioneers that you admire?

We are all pioneers in pole dancing as you can bet “pole fitness” will be around for thousands of years thanks to all of our efforts. We are the first generation and we should all be very proud.

You now own Pole Fitness Studio in Las Vegas. When did you move from Canada?

I moved to Las Vegas, NV in 2005 and I am really happy here. I love meeting all the amazing women (and men) from around the globe who make it to Vegas at least once in their life time, many of whom have owned my instructional DVDs (or VHS tapes).

How did the Pole Expo come about?

I have participated in 15+ trade shows myself being a fitness model and writer for BodyBuilding.com and several other health related businesses I have a vision of how an expo would really bring everyone together and take our fast growing community to the next level.

I feel that our industry would benefit and grow from an event that is focused on bringing product suppliers and manufactures face to face with the athletes who use them, and offer seminars and workshops by our Pole Stars and experienced leaders all in the same room. There will also be pole dancing and floor work workshops, a male pole dancing competition and a Pole Star and group showcase. Pole Expo, is where history is made and the future is born, all in fabulous Las Vegas! http://www.PoleExpo.com

Tell us one thing about you that people might be surprised to hear.

Well I wear glasses (when I read) and I belonged to the Mormon church until I was 15, at which point I moved away from home and started a life of my own.

What does 2012 hold for you?

In 2012 I will be home more compared to 2011.

March 18th and 19th I am offering my advanced pole dance instructor certification, levels 5 and 6 in Vegas.
March 20th – 25th Visiting my family in Victoria, BC Canada.
April 15th – 18th I am offering my basic pole dance instructor certification, levels 1 – 4 in Vegas.
June 20th – 21st Attending Pole Convention in Los Angeles.
August 24th – 26th Judging, teaching and performing at The Great Midwest Pole Dance Competition and Convention in IL.
Sept 1st & 2nd I will be judging, teaching and performing at Miss Pole Dance Canada.
Sept 6th – 8th I am hosting Pole Expo in Las Vegas!
Sept 9th – 11th Offering my basic pole dance instructor certification, levels 1 – 4 in Vegas.
Oct 1st Judging the World Pole Dance Competition – City and Country TBD
Nov 4th – 11th Dance Wicked for a Week in Jamaica, offering workshops and performing. Join us!

Thank you so much for being part of my blog. I hope to meet you at the Pole Expo in September!

Yes, see you in September Lori. I can’t wait to meet you too!
Thank you so much for the interview.

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Please visit Fawnia online or in person:

http://www.poleexpo.com/

http://www.polefitnessstudio.com/