How to become a professional pole dancer
I want to be a performer!
If you have a hobby you love – in our case, the Aerial Silks, Pole Dancing or some other aerial art- and you have a profession which you hate perhaps you have thought of reevaluating your career. Converting your hobby into a profession requires hard work but with determination anything is possible.
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What are your Goals?
What is interesting is that everyone interprets the word “career” differently. For some, a career is to acquire a reputation or win a trophy. For some, a career is to develop their skills at such a high level whereas for others it is simply a means to an end. We need to set clear targets so as to be able to work in the right direction.
It’s a big decision! If you’re thinking of making a career change then don’t let your enthusiasm affect you. Make a list of the pros and cons of this change. This comparison will help you decide if the career change is a smart move for you.
Before starting your list, keep in mind these important factors:
Training
Each job requires some form of education whether formal or informal. Make sure you consider the educational requirements of your new career.
Benefits
Benefits such as health care, Social Insurance stamps and permits are necessary but many employers do not take this as a given. If you move onwards as a freelancer, then you may not be able to provide these benefits to yourself for quite a while. This certainly is included in the cons.
Personal Time
Learn about the requirements of your new work, and calculate the time staff will have. Does it require working weekends, nights, or only regular times during the day? It is important to make sure that you will have free time for yourself.
Financial benefits
Examine the financial benefits. Will you be getting paid a fixed salary, by the hour or with a commission? Do the math and see if there is a chance that you’ll be making less than you earn today.
Before you decide, you should know what your financial needs are.
A dose of realism
It doesn’t matter how good you are at what you do or whether your talent is natural. You have talent yes! But do not expect that this will wow others and provide you with a permanent job with good salary. Unfortunately, it does not work like that. Don’t be fooled by what is shown on the tv, that is to say, that with a little effort you will be triumphant. Even those who enjoy their two minutes of celebrity or success have spent a lot of time and energy before they were “discovered”.
Look at the Serious Side
Your dreams will never become true if you do not take your objectives seriously and you do not specify them.
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Unfortunately, this is a rule without an exception. Some say that people have the strength to achieve anything they put their minds to.
In our case, however, the mind is not enough. The body plays a very large role and requires constant effort to maintain its high levels. If you do not take action, then dreams will remain dreams. The Pole & Aerial stars spend a huge part of their time by focusing on the chosen profession. Although they have a life outside of the workouts, the everyday life of someone who is working towards a professional career in this industry revolves around dance routines, workouts, and rehearsals.
Semi-professional level
Semi-professional level means that you are at an advanced level but live from other income. There are many opportunities for work at this level if you look around you, but it is unlikely that good remuneration is paid (if at all). The truth is that even professionals do not have a guaranteed wage. To cover the financial gap, they will work in schools, provide private lessons, will take part in performances and may still have not paid all of their bills. It is rare for semi-professionals to be led to bigger and better opportunities.
Sometimes you may waste more time and money than you get in return.
So, you need to understand that the employment as a semi-professional is essentially for fun.
So let’s say that you’re an amateur or semi-professional and you want to go pro. Whether it be for an event, a television spot or a video clip you will need to compete with people who focus all of their energy in dance routines and workouts. If you have not devoted the same amount of energy then you have little chances of getting the job. An employer will recruit the best that can be found in skills and experience. However, the most important factor is the person who will be recruited is 100% dedicated to the occupation he/she has chosen.
Professional Level
If you want to get your skills up to the professional level, you must train at the professional level.
What does it mean to train at a professional level?
It can mean many things but generally:
- Daily workouts
- A constant effort in improving and maintaining your physical condition.
- Continuous assessment of where you are in relation to where you want to be
- Focused research on experiences which will assist you in improving what you have to offer as a performer (performances, seminars, training programs etc.)
Stuck between 2 careers
“Does this mean that we must give up our studies or our existing job?”
Nobody can answer this, only you. Everyone make their own choices in life. We often hear about successful options which were considered to be dangerous or stupid. Other times a selection can be just that: nonsense! We cannot guarantee that you will get. Even teachers may not be able to advise you. Only you can make this decision and you are the only person who can be held liable for the result.
We’d all like to turn our favorite hobby into a profession. In many cases, if you approach it from a business standpoint, it’s not impossible. But before you give up on your task to work professionally on Pole Dance Fitness or on Aerial Acrobatics, it is important to plan every move carefully so as not to cause any huge disruption in your life.
Positives
Earn money doing what you love
There is no better way to earn money by doing what you love. Especially, if you do not enjoy your day job, turning your hobby into a profession may be one of the simplest ways to add money to your bank account. Of course, this requires a lot of preparation but if you are passionate you can easily overcome the initial difficulties.
You are acquainted
Since it’s your hobby, you know already the pros and cons of the profession. Therefore, you don’t need to expend time doing research on the smallest detail. You can start making money right away!
Safety
Even if you are the most diligent worker, nobody can guarantee that you will not be fired. Making your hobby a profession will provide you with an additional revenue stream that will help you to achieve your financial goals. So, if anything happens with your day job you will be in an economic situation capable of providing help during these difficult moments.
Independence
You are the boss. You decide when and how you will work. There is no clock nor employer to justify yourself to.
Negatives
Your hobby will lose its charm
Having a hobby is a great way to relax and to recharge your batteries after a busy week. But, unfortunately, turning your hobby into a profession can affect the enjoyment of this hobby in the future. At the moment, your hobby is something fun that you can enjoy during the evenings or the weekend. However, once you convert your hobby into a business, expect stress-is an inescapable aspect of running a business. No matter the project, there will be ups and downs. And if the business side of your hobby adds stress to your life, your hobbies can lose their charm and become nothing more than another job.
It can be difficult to balance your professional and personal life
If you find that your hobby can be turned into a profession, you may well spend all your free time preparing the ground-especially if you’re very passionate about it.
If you like every second of this career, then you may become lost in it. You may even develop the habit of working day and night, and you will not be able to spend quality time with family, friends or yourself. Especially if you work full time and do this simultaneously then surely you will lose something along the way.
You’re responsible for everything
You will be responsible for the administrative functions, advertising, sales, and customer support. Even if you love what you do, you may not be fond of certain tasks associated with your business.
Risk
You may not be able to make enough money to sustain yourself. Before you leave your job, make sure that you have studied the market and that there is a demand for what you want to provide. In addition, by having a legitimate company you are obliged to pay income taxes on any profit realized by your business. You are responsible for accurate record-keeping and payment of taxes. Before you take the leap check if you can find sufficient customers or students to be able to maintain the necessary income to cover your needs.
Can I have it all?
There are certainly people who can combine two careers at the same time. These people never sat and thought whether something like this was possible, they just did it.
My purpose is not to discourage you. Sometimes we must be harsh so as to motivate and the purpose of this article is to get the stubborn out of you! On the other hand, it can be exactly what you need to hear so as to realized that fiddling with the Pole Dance Fitness or Aerial Acrobatics is just for fun.
What do you do in your spare time?
Want to achieve the goal that you have set? Don’t miss a minute wondering about your chances of success. Instead, you can spend an hour of your day working on your dream. Every minute you waste wondering whether you can make it is a time that takes you further way from realizing your goals.
Knowing all of the above will assist you in making your decision.
There is nothing wrong with converting your hobby into a profession.
But you must ensure that you research the matter, as you would with any other business idea. Sometimes the best business ideas are not those which we had originally thought of, but arise from the development process. So start by conducting holistic research and see where this might lead you.I really hope that this article helped to clear things up a bit, if yes please share it so other people might find it valuable as well and remember always try to stay focused.
How to Become a Pole Dance Instructor: Complete Step-By-Step Guide (2022)
If you’re aspiring to become a pole dance instructor, by the end of this article, you’ll have the know-how. This article explores how to become a pole dance instructor, what it entails, including salaries, qualifications, and responsibilities. Without further ado, let’s jump right into it.
Table Of Contents
- Becoming a Pole Dance Instructor
- Prepare for certification & Course Costs
- Enrol For Instructor Training
- Do’s and Don’ts of a Pole Dance Instructor
- Benefits of Being a Pole Dance Instructor
- Final verdict
Becoming a Pole Dance Instructor
If you’re a pole dance enthusiast hoping to become a full-time professional pole dance instructor, prioritize getting a certification in the field.
You must also audition as a pole dance instructor in various studios after getting a certificate. Getting a job as a certified pole dance instructor will result in better-paying jobs than you would have access to as an uncertified one.
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The following section will point you toward becoming a professional pole dance instructor.
Prepare for certification & Course Costs
It’s essential to evaluate your financial position to see if you can fund the course. Most of these pole dance instructor courses are offered in three levels, i.e., beginner, advanced and intermediate.
Take an online course that requires you to record yourself and share your skill progress with your teachers. Alternatively, consider taking an in-person course at a training center.
Typically, a course can cost about $750 on average.
However, this price can vary significantly depending on several factors. Set aside at least $3,000 for a complete pole fitness instructor certification.
Some courses combine all three levels in one course. Such a combination tends to be more costly and takes several weeks or months to complete. Plus, they are usually conducted in a retreat-style in an exotic environment.
Enrol For Instructor Training
Ensure you’ve done thorough research on the best available instructor schools before enrolling. Remember, there aren’t organizations that certify pole instructor schools. So, you’ll have to pick one that suits your preferences, including the payable learning fee. Do your research on some of the master trainers in your area such as XPole Xpert fitness certified instructors.
Nowadays, most of these schools can certify you without ever leaving your home. All they require is demonstrations as tests. Alternatively, you can fly out of the country to take the course for a few weeks or months.
Some of your destinations may include;
● PoleandAerial Pole Instructor School
● PolePeople Pole Instructor School
● XPERT Pole Instructor School
● ElevatED Pole Instructor School
Audition for pole instructor jobs at fitness studios
After certification, the next step is auditioning for jobs at various pole dance studios. Pole dance is a niche-driven industry.
In applying for a job, be prepared to move to a different city unless you open your studio. That’s because even though pole dance instructors are high on demand, there are few studios in each city. ways of increasing your chances of getting hired include;
Visiting pole dance studios
Start by visiting local studios in your area and ask for available job openings. Since most studio owners are teachers, consider being upfront when hunting for a job. The studio owner might require you to audition by showing off your skills in front of students.
Note, you have to personally reach out to the studio owner because they’re the ones who know if they need instructors.
Another trick to getting in touch with the studio owner is signing up for a private class. That will give you a chance to introduce yourself.
Drop your CV in many studios
As you construct your CV, ensure incorporating your dance and fitness history. Choose the template that represents you professionally while pointing out your strengths.
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Importantly, you should have videos showcasing your skills as proof that you can teach pole dancing. Begin by sending your CV to as many studios as possible countrywide.
You can visit pole dance studio websites or other platforms with jobs openings. However, email them your CV if a studio doesn’t have a web page. With your CV circulating out there, you should get interview offers within a week or two.
Passing the auditions
After sending your CV in circulation, you must prepare adequately for the auditions. Remember, you might not be the only applicant, plus pole dance studios don’t do outright hiring.
You may be asked to audition in front of students or a group of teachers.
Alternatively, you may be required to teach students. These are meant to evaluate your teaching skills. If you impress the studio owner with your skills, they might hire you full-time on the spot.
Typically, auditions take about 2 hours, depending on class length. Note that as you audition, you’ll be assigned, beginner classes. It’s not a guarantee you’ll get the job after auditions. Teach your friends or practice in front of the mirror to boost your confidence. This is fundamental in increasing your chances of getting hired.
From Teacher Training To Teaching professionally
After getting hired, you’ll have the opportunity of teaching more than two groups of students, including private classes.
Pole dance classes typically consist of a less and manageable number of students than yoga. For example, while a yoga class will have about 30 students, pole dance classes consist of ⅓ or less that of yoga.
Few students give you an opportunity of providing individual attention.
Do’s and Don’ts of a Pole Dance Instructor
Helping someone discover their skill set is fantastic, and if you aspire to explore it through becoming a pole dancer instructor, you should know a few dos and don’ts:
The dynamics of body movement
Since pole dancing involves muscles endurance and coordination, your student’s safety is practically on your hands. So, you must properly show them ideal body movements and muscle engagement that won’t harm them. Bear in mind also that not everyone is tuned to their body. So it’s your job to ensure they are adopting the proper techniques.
Ensure your students are familiar with terms related to pole dancing, such as ‘trapezius’. Additionally, ensure they understand what you’re saying. For example, “tighten your core as draw in your navel,” they have to know what comes after what. To ensure the students are following every instruction, consider moving around and see what each is doing.
If some of the students have trouble with some tricks, consider breaking the tricks into manageable parts. And if that’s not possible, show them a less advanced version of the trick.
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Your class will consist of fast and slow learners. As you help slow learners improve, also help the other group advance their skills. Studying anatomy, science, sports, and other relevant fields for proficiency is advisable.
Be welcoming
Having a welcoming face is essential for welcoming new and shy students to dance in front of others in a pair of shorts, especially if it’s their first time. Make them feel that the studio is stress and judgment-free zone.
They might not like how they look when they see themselves in the mirror, so it’s also your job to make them feel good about their body.
Ensure to wear an inviting smile while greeting your students. In addition, learn your students’ names so that they know you care about them.
Even if you’re stressed when coming to class, smile because most students come to distress after a long day’s work.
Deliver Safe & Effective Classes
As with any type of fitness class, it is important to ensure that your students are safe and effective in their pole dancing. Before launching into a lesson plan, be sure to do the following:
- Review the basic steps and safety guidelines for pole dancing. Make sure your students are familiar with the moves before you begin teaching more advanced steps.
- Demonstrate each move before having your students perform it. This will help ensure that they are doing it correctly and safely.
- Utilize a spotter whenever possible. This will help keep your students safe while they are learning new moves.
- Encourage your students to take breaks as needed and drink plenty of water throughout the class period.
Lighten the mood with jokes
Most students will focus on what you’re saying not to miss anything, which can make the mood in the room too serious.
Lightening up the room with some jokes can go a long way in engaging your students. Plus, it will make the learning process fun and enjoyable.
Throwing in a few jokes in your explanations is also advantageous as it makes it easy for the students to understand your instructions. \Also, it’s a trick to ensure your students leave your class while smiling. Your students will be eager to attend your class in the next session, especially after associating it with your sense of humor.
Warming up
Since pole dancing is practical, you must warm up effectively to get your muscles ready for the upcoming lesson with your students. Remember, warm-up exercises significantly energize the muscles and target specific body muscles. The warm-up exercises usually take 10 – 15 minutes.
Note, active stretching and dynamic body movements are ideal for warming up than passive stretching. It’s because passive stretching can significantly decrease your energy.
Ensure to make warmup plans beforehand.
To keep the warm-up exercises variable, try them out yourself.
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Don’t come to class unprepared
Showing up unprepared can significantly affect your career negatively. If it becomes a regular habit, you might start losing students; plus, it dampens your student spirit to learn. Always show up prepared, so your students are eager to learn something new.
Don’t exclude the music
Giving plain instructions can sometimes be boring to students. Remember to include music in your pole dance sessions. Music will lift your students’ spirit, and it’s also an essential motivator. Music also makes the pole dance routines enjoyable.
You must be cautious about the music to play. Playing music your students have heard a thousand times is bound to bore them. Choose music that most of your students are familiar with while maintaining relevance regarding the dance routines.
Don’t cut anyone out
Bear in mind that all your students want your attention.
Try helping everyone but don’t let one student use up all your time. You should know that no matter how many students you have, don’t shy away from helping them at the individual level regardless of their; sex, age, etc.
Don’t show off
Don’t show your students how good you are at pole dancing. After all, they’ve come to learn and not to watch you. As their instructor, you have to focus on giving them proper guidance. As you show them cool tricks, explain how to execute them in simple, understandable ways.
Benefits of Being a Pole Dance Instructor
As you grow your career as a pole dance instructor, the advantages will be countless if you play your cards right. Remember, to succeed in this industry, you have to put in more effort. Below are some of the major importance of being a pole dance instructor.
You get to enjoy what you love
If pole dancing is your passion, you’re in the right place. However, if you’re doing it for others, you should revise your career choices.
Plus, if you don’t love pole dancing, then you’ll be a lousy instructor. But If it’s your passion, you’ll benefit by keeping your body fit through physical exercises, among others.
Numerous job opportunities
Pole dancing is a fusion of physical fitness and dancing. 2015 is when pole fitness took off. However, there aren’t many pole fitness instructors since most stick to the music niche. And they can easily get jobs in schools or studios than pole fitness instructors.
Pole dancing is more popular because of its fusion. As your train tour students new dance skills, you’re also helping them keep fit. The good thing is that there are numerous job openings daily you can apply for with different wage offers.
Building a following
Once you become a reputable and reliable pole dance instructor, fame follows whether in your community or the internet.
There are many pole dance instructors with many followers on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, etc., who entertain their followers with their dance routines.
A significant advantage of having a huge following is getting high-paying clients who seek your training services.
Pole dance instructor salary
Pole dance instructor career is lucrative, and those in the industry are earning big. According to salary.com, the average salary of a pole dance instructor ranges between $50,000 and $54,000 per year. The salary weight also depends on the studio location and the number of classes you’re assigned.
Top earners’ salaries can go up to $56,000 annually. In addition, the wages of pole dance instructors in major towns can double that of those in small towns.
If you’re a beginner instructor, you’ll earn about 45% of a major instructor with two years of establishment. If you’re new to a studio paying experienced instructors $37 per hour, expect to be paid half.
The good thing is once you have a solid reputation and establishment based on your experience, you can earn up to $140 per hour for private pole dance classes. However, instructors with about 3 to 4 years of experience can also earn high wages ranging from $60-$100 per hour.
Final verdict
The Pole dance instructor industry is lucrative since it is fast rising. As already mentioned earlier, you don’t need certification to be a fitness instructor.
However, certification is necessary if you want to become a professional. Before making any major decisions about your career choices, you must ensure it’s what you want to pursue. Once you’ve established its ideal for you, feel free to proceed with it career-wise.
Pole Dance - advice for professional dancers
Hello everyone, we already know what pole dance is, and perhaps many will want to practice Pole Dance professionally: participate in champions and competitions, train and move forward to the cherished victories . I have been doing Paul Dance for more than a year, there have been ups and downs, so I want to give you some tips that will help you avoid mistakes and make your path to success less thorny.
The right choice of dance school Pole Dance
In mastering the art of Pole Dance, the choice of school is of great importance.
What you need to pay attention to:
- Location of the school. It is very important for an athlete who has decided to professionally engage in dancing - the systematic and regular training. Therefore, choose a school that is close to where you live or work.
- Duration of classes. The time allotted for training should be sufficient for the qualitative study of all stages of the lesson. If you decide to seriously engage in Pole Dance, the training time should be at least 1.5-2 hours.
- Number of students in the group. It is very important that the coach could pay attention to each dancer, control the whole process - from the warm-up to the implementation of new Pole Dance elements and tricks. If you want to get the maximum effect from training, choose groups of no more than 8 people. Ideally, at least once a week, work out individually with a trainer.
- The training process - this should include warming up, stretching, muscle pumping, repetition and practice of familiar elements, as well as the study of new ones.
For those who have chosen the path of a professional Pole Dance athlete and wish not only to participate in competitions, but to win, I recommend taking additional classes in stretching, acrobatics and training for pumping and cardio loads. If possible, choose a school where such training takes place, then the training process will be built specifically for Pole Dance dancers.
How to avoid injury to a professional Pole Dancer
Those who decide not just to tone their bodies or surprise their friends or loved ones should be prepared for complex tricks that meet the requirements of the tournament and championship program. This means that the Pole Dancer is at risk of injury, to reduce it, it is enough to follow some simple rules:
- pay great attention to the warm-up - this will prepare the muscles and joints for stress;
- professional dancer Paul Dance has the most common hand injuries - when exercising in the gym, pay attention to exercises to strengthen the muscles of the wrist and shoulder girdle;
- Pole tricks put a lot of stress on your spine – developing and strengthening your back muscles will help you avoid injury.
Pole Dance Training and Performance Clothing
There are no special requirements for Pole Dance training clothing, shorts, tank top or top. This shape provides traction with the pylon. But still, for those who are professionally engaged in dancing, it is still better to purchase a Paul Dance suit: as a rule, it is made of non-slip knitwear, more functional and durable. I also advise you to purchase gloves, leggings and a bandage. Protection for the wrist, elbow, ankle, knee significantly reduces the risk of injury.
Performance clothing requirements are certainly much higher. It should not only be comfortable and beautiful, but also be able to reflect your stage image. Many athletes resort to the services of designers to perform in an original costume that is fully consistent with the idea of dance. Don't know a good designer or you can't afford their services? Sewing clothes for performances on your own - show your imagination, do not limit yourself, and you will get a unique image, an original costume that fully matches your preferences and character.
I made my costume for the first performance by myself: the fabric was bought in a specialized dance shop, the rhinestones, in order to save money, were ordered via the Internet. To decorate the costume, the flowers that I found in a chain store came in handy: together with the coach, we put them together in a composition - it turned out very beautiful and original.
Also, you can pick up clothes for performances in a specialized store, you can find contacts and reviews about stores in your city on the Internet.
Pole Dance training and performance shoes
Training and performance shoes are up to the athlete's preference. Exotic Pole Dance dancers often use platform or heeled shoes. Athletes in the style of Art Pole and Pole sport prefer to perform in ballet flats, Czech shoes or barefoot. Performance shoes should meet the requirements for sports shoes, as well as be comfortable and beautiful.
Nutrition for successful Pole Dance training
Professional dancers, both experienced and beginners, need to have a balanced and healthy diet.
Pole dancers are athletes, nutrition should provide energy, endurance. Many athletes add sports nutrition to their diet: as a rule, these are pre-workout complexes and complexes for joints, special supplements are also used, consisting of amino acids, vitamins, etc. It is important to understand that the lack of a balanced nutrition system will not allow you to fully and effectively train, and can also lead to metabolic disorders, and, as a result, to problems with being overweight.
Tips for a Pole Dancer to prepare for a competition
In order for an athlete to feel confident during the Pole Dance championship and not lose a positive attitude because he forgot his ballet shoes or took the wrong costume, you need to prepare for the competition in advance.
It is very important to arrange a dress rehearsal before performances - using a costume, musical accompaniment, make-up. My coach from the last run of the number arranged a whole show: friends, close acquaintances, guests became spectators - in general, the most objective and strict judges.
Get on board - this is a great way to prepare for the competition.
Very important: pay attention to the pylon where you will be performing — by running the number before the competition, you can check the speed of rotation, the condition of the pylon. It's great if you can wipe down the pylon before you go out - ask your teammates to help you with this.
To be fully prepared, prepare a list of necessary things, then you can not be distracted from the main thing:
- Clutch should be at the first place on your list. To avoid unnecessary misunderstandings behind the scenes, I advise you to sign it.
- Performance costume and shoes, accessories should be checked several times.
- When preparing for a competition, be sure to find out what media should be accompanied by music. Have a copy ready just in case.
- Thread and needle, duct tape - in case you notice that the strap has broken or the seam on the top has come apart.
Such cases were also in competitions. - Prepare a makeup case with the essentials so you can touch up your makeup if needed.
- It happens that you have to wait a very long time for your performance. It will not be superfluous to have a bottle of water and a light snack with you.
Well, the most important thing that you need for a successful performance is a positive attitude and faith in your victory. Remember: the main rival in the competition is your nerves. Personally, a warm-up helps me a lot: if you feel tension, direct this energy in a positive direction: warm up, do stretching exercises, this will only benefit you.
Each new championship, each new dance will add to your self-confidence, practical experience of a professional Pole Dance athlete. Over time, you yourself will be able to suggest how to prepare for competitions, choose shoes, a suit and much more. In the meantime, I hope you find my tips helpful. I plan to return to this topic, and we will discuss all the points in more detail.
I wish you all victories and see you on the pages of my blog!
How to start pole dancing
Irina Malchukova
opened a half-dance studio
Author's profile
I taught half-dance for six years, five of which I ran my own pole dance studio.
To do this, I completed two special courses and participated in several master classes, my productions won prizes in regional competitions more than once.
I'll tell you how to start practicing for a beginner, what to buy, why half-dance can replace fitness and how to choose the right pole dancing studio.
What is half dance
Half dance is a pole dance that combines elements of choreography, gymnastics and acrobatics. In fact, this is a general concept. Now there are several directions that differ from each other: Exotic Pole Dance, Pole Art and Pole Sport. I will tell about them further.
Pylon, or pole, a polished metal tube for grasping with hands and clutching with legs or other parts of the body.
Its diameter can be 40, 42 and 44 mm.
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Usually made of stainless steel, this ensures a smooth glide and at the same time a good grip on the skin. Pole dancers don't like it when a pole is called a pole.
There are static poles - about tricks that are performed on such a pole, they say "in static", and also rotating ones - dancers say "in dynamics". In what follows, I will use these concepts.
Most often, poles in professional studios have two modes at once. Due to simple manipulation, "dynamics" turns into "statics". In competition, dancers must be able to do tricks on both static and rotating pylons.
These are poles, or pylons - such were in my studio. I twisted the pylon from dynamics to static with the help of a key. Photographer: Vyacheslav RuchkinThey fix the pylons in different ways:
- Spacing between floor and ceiling.
- With one fixed fixing to the floor or ceiling only.
- Two fixed fasteners at once. This option is the most reliable.
One fixed mount in studios is also acceptable. If the pole is installed only at a distance in a dance school, I do not recommend doing complex tricks there or spinning strongly.
There are also portable pylons - these are structures that can be transported with you or quickly assembled on site. Usually they are used for performances, since it is not safe for students to study on them in a constant stream.
Pylon supports that are fixed to the floor and ceiling. Source: Pilonexpert Portable pylon. Source: thepole.euElements of are called tricks that are done on a pole. There are several levels of the pylon where they are performed:
- Upper - acrobatic stunts are performed here at a height of more than two meters above the floor.
- Medium - perform rotations, plastic or dynamic elements at a height of 1-1.
5 meters above the floor. - The lower one is the stalls. Usually this is plastic or acrobatics, which is performed both with and without a pylon.
In 2021, pole sport was officially recognized in Russia. This means that the Ministry of Sports of the Russian Federation will coordinate all the rules by which half-dance competitions are held, there will be sports categories for participants, judges will have to undergo certification, and half-dance federations will have to be accredited.
Order of the Ministry of Sports of the Russian Federation, in which half-dance was included in the register of sports
Dance schools offer half-dance classes not as a sports discipline, but as exercises for stretching, working out the muscles of the legs and arms.
| These are elements on the pylon, or tricks |
Half-dance directions
Pole Sport or Fitness In this direction, most of the time is devoted to trick and power elements on the pylon.
There are about 70% of tricks in the performance, and 30% of the choreographic or parterre part. To simplify, half-sport is similar to gymnastics.
Competitions are often held in this direction. Mandatory elements are defined for them - those that a dancer must be able to do and show at the competition. Each element is evaluated by points: they look at the purity of execution, clarity of lines and other criteria. Sometimes there are restrictions on touching the floor during a performance.
Pole-sport is most similar to artistic gymnasticsPole dance directions
Exotic Pole Dance This is a dance direction where the emphasis is on choreography, plasticity and musicality. Exotic is danced in special shoes - strips, they have a high platform and heels. This is the most feminine direction. If compared with others, we can say that exotic is strip plastic with a pylon, where there is a trick part.
Important: in exotic pol-dance one does not completely undress. You can take off some item of clothing in the room - gloves, a neckerchief, ears from your head. But it is forbidden to expose the genitals or breasts.
This is what special shoes for exotics look like - strips. Photographer: Sergey PatrushevExotic pole dance is also divided into several types.
Exotic Flow features smooth and slow movements. The ratio of tricks and choreography is about 20/80. It does not require complex elements, but acrobatic stunts are more like dance accents. The main thing in this type of dance is the choreography at the pylon and the parterre technique at the very bottom.
Smooth slow dancing exotic flowExotic Hard - more energetic and sharp dance. The ratio of trick and choreographic parts is 70/30.
The main thing here is the ability to perform acrobatic elements on the pole in strips.
The image and idea of the dance are also important.
Old School is the most sensual and feminine direction. The ratio of tricks and choreography is 40/60.
Particular attention is paid to musicality, dance elements, and tricks are chosen as smooth as possible.
Sensual old school directionPole dance direction
Pole ArtThis is a harmonious combination of power elements and choreography, that is, 50% dances, 50% tricks. Artistry and presentation are important here. For example, sometimes they dance a modern stage dance, only with a pylon. At pol-art competitions, revealing and defiant clothing, sexual movements are prohibited.
The main difference between half-art and exotic is that it is not a seductive dance that shows sensuality and femininity.
Half-art is danced not in strips, but barefoot or in special shoes, the clothes are strict, not sexy, there are no playful movements or coquetry with the audience. If in exotic the task is to seduce the viewer, then in half-art it is to tell a story, show the emotions and experiences of the hero.
All directions of half-dance are intertwined with each other. It will not be possible to dance exotic or art without tricks, so the basic elements of half-sport will have to be mastered. At the same time, staging a half-sport number will not do without choreography.
I recommend combining two directions: trick part and dance part.
Pole art is reminiscent of stage dancingBenefits of pole dance
Pole dance seems to be easy because the dancers' movements are light. In fact, you need endurance, flexibility, coordination.
Calorie consumption calculator for half-dance classes
One session actually replaces a circuit training, where exercises for different muscle groups are repeated several times - the same number of calories can be spent.
In addition, pole exercises train the skill of controlling the whole body. You need to be able to keep yourself on your hands, on your feet, to maintain balance in static. Different muscles work, over time the body becomes toned. Due to twists on a rotating pylon, the vestibular apparatus is trained.
Abs and back. Many tricks must be done statically. For example, handstands. In this case, all the stabilizing muscles are involved, the press and back work, the ligaments are strengthened, strong core muscles are formed.
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Upper body. Use your hands to climb the pylon and hold your own weight. Shoulders, biceps and triceps, pectoralis major and other chest muscles, upper back work.
Lower body also works. For example, there are hangings on the legs - if you do not strain your leg muscles, you can fall off the pylon.
Body weight must be maintained with the help of the muscles of the thigh and calves, gluteal muscles. Some entry-level twists work the upper thighs, glutes, and lower back at the same time.
Stretch - there are beautiful elements for which you need a stretch of the legs and a flexible back. I recommend attending stretching classes separately. If this is not possible, performing tricks on the pylon will eventually develop plasticity anyway.
In addition, tricks must be constantly practiced - this requires stamina.
I will also note: many people gain self-confidence, because each mastered trick is a small victory.
Who suits half-dance
The most difficult thing is to decide to come to the first class. Popular newbie fears:
- I can't do it;
- everyone already knows how, but I don't know anything;
- I don't have enough strength, I won't lift myself onto the pylon;
- I don't have the ear to dance;
- I am overweight;
- everyone has splits, but I don't have a stretch.
In fact, everything is not so difficult. You can start from scratch without any preparation.
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Even if a person was a professional athlete or dancer, he too may fail at the first training session. And this is absolutely normal, because pole exercises are a special load: the work of the whole body, coordination, grip due to the skin.
Usually students are divided into groups of beginners and those who have been studying for a long time. This is done for convenience: everyone works out the same tricks, can see each other's mistakes or direct a neighbor on the pylon in the right direction. Beginners can safely join groups of beginners: they are not far behind in the program and will quickly catch up with their level.
I note that the pole is an amazing thing: at the very first training, a person understands whether it is him or not. In six years, I have never met a person who quit half-dance after three, five, ten classes.
Usually a student lights up and stays for a long time, or realizes that he is interested in another sport, and is no longer interested in half-dance.
Development is gradual. First you start to hold on to the pylon, then you know how to spin and climb it correctly, and then a whole world of tricks and combinations opens up. I want to do and try everything, capture it in a photo or show it in a dance number. I would say that the excitement turns on: can I do it. It moves forward, so classes are rarely abandoned.
But half-dance is hard. You have to work on yourself, laziness, fears and pain. Sometimes you have to work out the same element twenty, thirty, forty times - this can get boring and exhausting. You really need to catch fire and be hardy - without this, nothing will work. Sometimes you have to wait a long time for results - both in tricks and in terms of physical form.
Dance studios often hold open lessons or give the first lesson for free. It is better to use this opportunity to try half-dance and understand whether you like it or not.
How is the half-dance class
Warm-up. At the beginning of each class, regardless of direction, 10-15 minutes - warm-up from head to toe.
If the student is late, he warms up on his own or is not allowed to the lesson. Without warming up the muscles, you can get injured - this part of the workout is mandatory. In semi-sports, attention is paid to the joints, and in exotics, they can include light basic dance elements: various waves, hip and chest rotations.
Main part. After the warm-up, the main part comes: in exotic or art, they learn the movements and the connections between them or repeat what they learned earlier. As a rule, it takes from three to six lessons to practice the dance, and from two to four, depending on the complexity, to practice the dance.
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In semi-sports, the lesson is different: the trainer explains and shows the trick that needs to be mastered and done.
Up to two people can practice on one pylon. If more, the students are already uncomfortable: they will not have time to fix the element.
Periodically repeat old tricks or spins. This shows progress well: you can compare how the element was done before and how it is done now. If the student already knows several tricks, the coach comes up with combinations - when you go from one element to another.
Learning goes from simple to complex. For example, at first there will be simple elements like a “barrel” - they are needed so that the student gets used to the grip with his hands and steps over the fear that he will fall from the pole.
At the first lesson, it seems that you are not holding on and constantly slipping, this is normal. Then the hands get used to it, stop sweating, there is strength in the muscles and self-confidence.
For half-sports, there is an example program for students to learn tricks. Of course, everyone goes at their own pace, but after a month or two you need to be able to do the simplest grips, for example, hanging on the far and near leg, on the elbows.
Every studio must have safety mats: you learn to perform complex tricks only with them. But beginners are also offered to take a mat so as not to get injured.
There is always alcohol or vodka and a rag in the studio - this is necessary to degrease the pylons, otherwise there will be no adhesion. Students can also use talcum powder or powder that dries their hands or feet so that they do not slip on the pole and do not roll off it. There are also other means for this, such as magnesia.
I don't recommend using talcum powder or anything else, otherwise your hands and feet won't get used to the grip - it's better to learn how to hold on right away without traction aids. Moreover, it is forbidden to use them at half-dance competitions.
Cooldown may vary between dance studios. Usually, after the dance part of the exotic, there is a slight stretch, and in half-dance they finish off the muscles: they pump the press, sometimes with a pylon, do push-ups, stand in the plank.
How are performances and pole dance competitions
Reporting concerts. Each studio holds reporting concerts, in which everyone can participate. Coaches prepare group numbers - not only dance, but also stunts, as well as solo performances when a person performs alone.
As a rule, they start preparing for the reporter in advance - several months in advance. Sometimes concerts are held not in the studio, but in a cafe, restaurant, or even in the Palace of Culture. These are bright events in the life of students - their relatives and friends come to support them, and the dancers receive applause and a sense of the stage.
Reporting concert of my former studio. Photographer: Sergey PatrushevCompetitions. They are held in all directions of half-dance.
In semi-sport, you need to show combinations of tricks that are included in the mandatory program. They must be performed on two pylons: static and rotating. There must be a dance part, but it rather fills in the gaps between the tricks.
Participants usually qualify for local city competitions or video selection. Competitions are easy to find: you can simply google or search for groups of competitions in social networks. The coaches themselves also follow the latest information and invite students to participate. Anyone can apply for the competition.
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There are several categories: beginners, intermediate level, pros, children, duets, group performances. Well-known coaches and dancers are invited to the jury. All participants receive certificates or diplomas for participation, and the winners receive medals and prizes.
In exotic there is no obligatory condition to dance with two poles, the dancer can choose the pole mode independently. But you can only perform in strips - the jury evaluates how well the dancer knows how to use shoes. There are also categories here, and sometimes participants are divided into areas: old school, flow and hard.
As part of the competition, invited jury members often give master classes and hold demonstration performances.
Preparation for the competition takes at least three months. With pole-sports, the most difficult thing is to wait until the pole-dance organization hosting the competition releases a list of required elements, and then choose the required number of them. Each element is worth a certain point. Therefore, the dancer collects the maximum number of points from the elements that he can do.
In addition, you must perform all the tricks according to the requirements: hold out for a specific number of seconds, enter and exit the element correctly, observe lines or corners. If the participant fell, did not get the trick right the first time, slightly slipped from the desired position along the pylon, or did not hold out for the required number of seconds, he receives a penalty.
The jury also evaluates the choreography, artistry, image, presentation.
For example, you can’t sing along during a performance or look at the floor. If something went wrong and the participant left the stage during the performance, his candidacy is removed.
Competitors in semi-sports have strict appearance requirements: a swimsuit or shorts must be of a specific length, hair must be tied up, make-up is not bright. If a participant has underwear visible, he receives a fine for this.
Such stringent requirements are due to the fact that half-sport federations have been fighting for a long time to be included in the list of Olympic sports - and in 2021 it happened.
Exotic competition rules are not so strict, preparation for them is easier. But even here there are requirements: to do a certain number of tricks in conjunction, to follow the rhythm of the music, to include choreography and acrobatics in the stalls.
What you need to practice pole dance
Patience. The main thing is the desire and understanding that everything will not work out right away.
Any coach also once slid down from a pole, could not climb a pylon and was afraid to hang on one leg upside down.
Clothing. For training, you need to take short shorts, a top or T-shirt, socks for warm-up and cool-down. Tricks in semi-sports are performed barefoot, and in exotics - in special shoes.
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The more revealing the clothes, the better: you need a good grip on the pole, which comes at the expense of the skin.
Shoes. Exotics need shoes - strips. It is not necessary to buy them right away, but you need to bring at least high heels with you. Sometimes in studios they are not allowed to dance in ordinary sandals, as they scratch the parquet. Or they ask you to seal the heel with adhesive tape - this can be found out in advance when signing up for classes.
Strips vary in height: from one, which has a heel height of 15 cm, platforms - 5 cm, to five, which has a heel height of 25 cm, platforms - 15 cm.
There are sandals, boots and even over the knee boots.
Beginners should start with ones. In the classes, you will not only have to learn how to stand and move on them, but also work out the elements on the bevels, that is, on the tips of the platform.
Knee pads. They are needed for exotic. There are many elements that must be performed while kneeling at the pylon. There are also tricks with jumping on your knees - here knee pads help soften the blows.
Bruise remedies. It is better to take care of possible bruises in advance - they can be in the most unexpected places. But this is temporary - as a rule, after two or three months, bruising is no longer a concern. Even at first, calluses may appear on the hands due to practicing the grip. Later, the skin will get used to it, and this problem will go away.
For accelerated healing of bruises, you can use ointments with heparin, and for the treatment of corns - a moisturizer and cream with urea in the composition.
Who shouldn't do half-dance
Half-dance should not be practiced by people with severe chronic diseases, in particular, diseases of the heart, lungs, nervous system, kidneys, diabetes mellitus. That is, for those for whom any intense physical activity and leg injuries can be dangerous.
When to consult a doctor before training - Mayo Clinic
In addition, classes may be contraindicated for people who have diseases of the spine and joints when they should not be overloaded, or severe skin diseases that can interfere with pole training or be aggravated by friction.
This sport is also not suitable for pregnant women, as during the performance of tricks you can fall or hit your stomach.
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In other situations, everything is decided individually.
I have low blood pressure and problems with the vestibular apparatus, but I have been doing pole sports for six years. In any case, you first need to consult a doctor, explain what the loads will be, so that he gives permission for classes. Usually, studios do not require a doctor's certificate, but I recommend that you insure yourself and take care of your health on your own.
Safety precautions for half-dance classes
Half-dance classes are classified as traumatic, so safety precautions must be observed. Each studio introduces the student to the signature requirements.
Leather. On the day of class, you can not use cream, lotion or body oil, go to the solarium or sunbathe - in this case, suntan creams or sunscreens are also applied. Any substances on the skin impair grip on the pole and increase the risk of slipping off the pole.
5 frequent injuries during solo sports
Jewelry. They must be left at home - they will interfere.
For safety reasons, the coach must ask to remove all rings, earrings, beads, chains, bracelets, sharp hairpins and piercings.
Hair. For half-sports, it is better to collect hair, as it will interfere, and can also get tangled behind the pole.
For example, at one performance, my student's hair got caught in the bottom of the pole. Since she was twisting upside down, her hair was wound and caught. She was not injured, but she had to hang upside down while we pulled her hair out.
But on exotics, hair is usually left loose, because it is used for dancing: they twist or wave their heads, playfully throw their hair back with their hands.
Food. The last meal should be approximately two hours before training. Otherwise, twists on the pylon can make you feel sick.
Behavior in class. You can start training only after a warm-up, perform elements on mats and with a trainer's insurance. You can’t jump off the pylon, if it’s not provided for by the trick, it’s unacceptable to relax the holding muscles - you can slide off the pylon, dropping onto your shoulders or forearms.
When performing tricks, it is important to keep a distance between yourself and other participants. In exotic classes, you need to work out the trick first with bare feet, and only then in strips.
What kind of injuries can you get during pole dance
Pole dance requires attention and concentration. There were cases when the dancers spun strongly, flew off the pylon and got a fracture. Sometimes equipment failed: it was not installed securely enough or poorly secured.
The most common and minor injuries that you can get in class are bruises or abrasions from hooks and hangs. At the beginning of training, until the skin is used to it, they will occur much more often. I have sensitive skin, so even after a few years, bruising periodically appeared.
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There is a high load on the joints and ligaments during the classes. For example, when performing some elements, the arms should be straight - in fact, the emphasis is on the wrist.
If this causes discomfort, wristbands or elastic bandages can be used.
Six years later, I had a problem with the wrist of my left supporting hand - I always focused on it for racks and other elements.
It is very important to control your feelings: there should be no pain. If something hurts after completing the element, you need to rest. If the situation persists, you should consult a doctor.
And if a sprain or other minor injury occurs during the session, the training must be temporarily stopped. Until the body recovers, loading on the pylon is prohibited.
To avoid a fracture, it is important to follow safety precautions. The main thing is to never do tricks without mats and not let go of your arms and legs if the clutch has not happened. When it is clear that you are not holding on to the pole upside down, you need to tilt your head to your chest and slide down the pole to the floor on your shoulders. You should never tilt your head back to your back, so as not to fall in this position and injure your neck.
How to choose a pole dance school and coach
Equipment. It is necessary to check if there are mats, and ask how the poles are fixed, what company the pylons are installed. The highest quality ones are from Pole4You. Your health and life depend on it.
Teacher training. It is important whether the studio coaches have certificates confirming the right to teach half-dance. Otherwise, they may not properly apply the load, causing injury.
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It is necessary that the trainer learn the methods of teaching half-dance, go through theory and practice, pass tests and exams. Training cannot be less than 96 hours, because otherwise you cannot master the program.
Certificates are issued by half-dance studios with titled teachers and extensive experience. Typically, such organizations belong to a pol-dance federation or represent it themselves.
Competitions. It is important what competitions teachers and students of the studio take part in and how often: if the school is active in the outside world, then it will be more interesting to study there.
Number of students per pylon. There should not be too many students in groups - a maximum of two people per pylon. Otherwise, there will be no time to practice tricks.
First conversation with the trainer. The teacher needs to know about the physical condition, diseases and contraindications. You must be told what you can and cannot do in class, and you must sign an agreement with the safety rules.
Communication with the trainer. It depends on him what mood the student is in, how he progresses, what results he achieves. You should be comfortable with the coach. If this is not the case, you need to change the coach, otherwise effective training will not work.
Coach qualification.
He must have completed half-dance courses. It is also worth asking about experience: how many years he has been teaching, what successes his students have. It is good if in the past the coach was involved in professional sports or dancing, usually in this case the quality of teaching is higher.
It is also important how clearly the coach explains the technique of performing tricks and how he monitors safety: does he insure each student, does he require the use of a mat.
How much does pole dance cost?
Regular lessons. Usually dance studios offer several subscriptions to choose from: 8, 12, 16 group lessons. It makes no sense to go to training less than twice a week, that is, you need at least eight classes a month.
To practice semi-sports, you will need to spend money on a uniform and a subscription. Exotic half-dance requires a lot of money: you will also have to buy special shoes and knee pads. Then you will only need to pay for a subscription to the studio and change clothes and shoes as they wear out.
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Half-sport classes in the first month cost from 6500 R
| Subscription for 8 lessons | 2500-5000 R |
| Shape: top and shorts | 3500 R |
| Socks | 500 R |
Subscription for 8 lessons
2500-5000 Р
Form: top and shorts
3500 R
Socks
500 R
Semi-exotic classes in the first month cost from 13 000 R
| Strips | 5000 R |
| Subscription for 8 lessons | 2500-5000 R |
| Shape: top and shorts | 3500 R |
| Knee pads | 2000 R |
Strips
5000 R
Subscription for 8 lessons
2500-5000 R
Uniform: top and shorts
3500 R
Knee pads
2000 R
Participation in competition costs - 90 For example, the participation fee starts from 1000 R.
You also need to sew or buy a special suit - this is at least 3000 R. New strips for competitions are usually not bought. The dancer gets used to those in which he trains, in new ones there is a higher risk of falling.
You also need to pay for individual lessons with a trainer to work out the number and rent the studio hall for independent training - they are needed to consolidate the result.
A personal lesson with a trainer costs an average of 1500 R, but its price can reach up to 3000 R. The number of lessons depends on the competitions themselves, the level of training, the complexity of the number. The minimum number of trainings for setting a number is four. Renting a studio for self-training will cost about 5,000 R for 10 times.
Preparing for a pole dance competition will cost about 15,000 R
| 4 personal sessions with a trainer | 6000 Р |
| Room rental for 10 self-study | 5000 R |
| Special suit | 3000 R |
| Participation fee | 1000 Р |
4 Personal classes with a coach
6000 R
Hall rental for 10 independent classes
5000 R
Special costume
9000 3000 3000 RBason for participation
1000 R
Remember
- Pole dance is a pole dance that combines elements of choreography, gymnastics and acrobatics.
- All directions of half-dance are intertwined with each other. You can't dance without tricks or choreography.
- One session actually replaces a circuit training, where exercises for different muscle groups are repeated several times - the same number of calories can be spent. In addition, classes on the pole train the skill of controlling the whole body.
- You can practice from scratch without any preparation. Usually, students are divided into groups of beginners and those who have been studying for a long time.
- At the beginning of each workout, a mandatory warm-up, and after it - stretching or exercises without a pole.
- To start doing semi-sports, you only need a uniform, and for exotic you also need special shoes and knee pads.
- Training is contraindicated for people with severe chronic diseases and pregnant women.
- Pole dance is classified as a traumatic sport, so it is important to follow the safety precautions that you should be introduced to in the studio.
