For the past year I have really been focusing on my pole dancing, training & teaching. I have had some life changing opportunities and have met some amazing people. Let me tell you more about it......

When you step in, there’s no return.....

Where did it all start? Well, Facebook I guess? An event popped up inviting me to a .... Pole Jam?  What's a Pole Jam I thought?!!!!

 

A few words you may need to know before we get too deep..

'Polers' - A collective term for a group of pole enthusiasts/ dancers/ gymnasts/ fitness fanatics that use a vertical pole.

'Poling' - An abbreviation of the words 'Pole' & 'Dancing' - eg "I am going 'Poling' later."

'Pole Jam' -  A pole playground if you will, where 'Polers' practise/ experiment/ play/ challenge themselves on a vertical pole.  Pole Jams are unsupervised, unstructured & a time to develop your skills in an encouraging environment. Usually held by an instructor and at the venue where they usually teach. It gives instructors & students a chance to exchange ideas, moves, transitions and tricks... Its where us instructors play! J

 

Oh ..... We're Jammin'

KT Coates of Vertical Dance held the first Pole Jam I ever went to back in April 09. She had taught me for my Vertical Dance Qualification the previous year so I trusted her and knew she would look after me. The truth was.... There are no rules at a Pole Jam. Polers go to learn from each other and I met some amazing people just on that first Jam! It opened my eyes massively and I was rather surprised (and star struck) to see some faces from YouTube! WOW! J

Since then I have been to Pole Jams held by:

PoleLove

Polenastics ( formerly Emily's Vertical Art )

Spin City

Berkshire Alternative Dance

Pole Fun Swindon

Pole Passion - Taylors Retreat

I have met so many awesome Polers along the way - Too many to mention and could never do EVERYONE justice but you know who you are and I love you all J

 

Pole Unity & UKAPP

In 2009 'I Would Rather Be Pole Dancing' had its first taste of shows & competitions.

Pole Unity is a show that KT Coates of Vertical Dance created. It is a collaboration of schools in the country bringing everyone together in a non competitive environment and creating a showcase of the countries talents. Hosted by KT & Anna the night was both entertaining & educational. To keep updated of Pole Unity 2010 Show  Click Here.

 A group from 'I Would Rather Be Pole Dancing' headed up to watch the talent... WOW an amazing night!!!

 

UKAPP was created by Stacey Pope & Kat Williamson of PoleLove & is the UK's Amateur Pole Performer Competition. The UKAPP competitions are held across the UK and to see when and where they are held Click Here. It is aimed at students who have not been paid for their talent and gives them a chance to compete or even just experience what it's like to be in a competition with like minded and talented individuals. A group of us went to the St Albans Heat & to the Finals in Reading. The standard was high & there were some amazing guest performers.

 

Performing at the Spin City Christmas Showcase

During 2009 I helped Kate Johnstone of Spin City behind the scenes as a pole cleaner for one of their shows. Kate kindly asked me to come back at Christmas and perform in their Christmas Showcase, I felt honoured to have been asked. This was my first ever Pole Performance in front of an audience, an ACTUAL audience! Scary as hell! I am amazed that I actually performed, as backstage whilst putting on my make-up, I could NOT stop my legs shaking! My routine was to 'Be Somebody' by Kings of Leon.

An awesome experience! Thank You Kate!

 

Workshops

At the end of 2009 I decided to take the plunge and try a workshop. I had seen a Performer called Jessalyn Medairy at Pole Unity in June and thought she was amazing! The opportunity to do a workshop came up and I had a great time learning, floorwork, some advanced spins and tricks. I shared a pole with Carly Wilford of Make Me Fabulous & Lou Coburn of Polenastics. Both were encouraging, funny and sexy on the pole!

 

After that I was bitten and booked on to an all day Master Class with Deb Riley Of British Pole Academy! I'd seen Debs Pole Journey on YouTube and was in awe of her strength & determination. When Debs says ALL Day Master Class she means ALL day...... 8 HOURS!!! It was brilliant! I tried Aerial Hoop for the first time which I LOVED & met a lady called Bex aka. Triplex Bex of Trixters Pole Fitness who is as strong as an OX! I also spent some quality time with Faye aka Spinderella who is equally as talented on the pole, Pippa Caeser of Polenastics & Emily Smith Of Pole Fun were also on hand to provide endless motivation and inspiration! An amazing day!

 

 

 

Doing your bit for charity

I'll be honest. I can't run to save my life. I will never do a marathon nor do I ever want to. A marathon is a long ol' way! Training my body to endure that much pain, dedicating that much time just running? I have no interest in it ("That running looks great on you darling!" ...not me!)

 A Pole-a-thon however.... Now we're talking! So when Polenastics asked us to help out for their Pole-a-thon for Sport Relief.... Well, a couple of us had to represent and get involved didn't we? Held in Lloyds Bar, Milton Keynes we headed over to be tagged in on the pole action. J My girls made me very proud, showing some brilliant technique and so much courage to get up on the pole. I however had misplaced my brain and forgot everything when I was up there! Stage Fright, but brilliant to be part of such an amazing night!

 

Photo shoot for iPhone App

The end of March 2010 bought the opportunity to be photographed by Adam Jay of 1st Image Studios, London. AJ has created an application for iphone that teaches you how to pole dance. I was lucky enough to work with Mari of Sugar Pole Fitness, Carly of Make Me Fabulous, Spinderella & Jenni of South Pole Akademy. An eventful day and pictures soon to be released after the app goes live.

 

Judging 'Routine for the Nation'

In May I was part of the judging panel for Routine for the Nation Competition in Plymouth. The competition was set up by the National Synchronised Pole Dance Squad ( of which I am a part of ) Otherwise known as NSPDS.

Studio 22 based in Taunton won R4N and we will soon be rolling out there winning routine. To see there winning routine visit the NSPDS You Tube Channel  

Click Here

 

I had a fab time judging ( although a lot of responsibility!) and enjoyed a workshop with Karen Chaundy of BodyBarre whilst I was in Plymouth. I even have the bruises to prove it :)

 The NSPDS are doing great things.... Check out their website to find out more.

 

 

Workshops & Jams for 2010

2010 brings more workshops....the scariest of which is with Pantera Blacksmith, famously known for her DVD, 101 Pole Tricks. Yep that's right... she's teaching little ol' me! Eeeeeek! So exciting!

Also in the diary I have Jams & Photoshoots with Polenastics and Berkshire Alternative Dance Studio. Also a cheeky re-shoot for the iPhone App - Have you got it yet? Visit iTunes if you want me on your phone teaching you pole :) Well that takes me up to the end of June so after that who knows? Whatever the Pole World has in store I will embrace with both arms & no doubt let you know what happens!

 

 

Until then Feel free to follow me on Twitter to see when the next available courses are, or if you just fancy seeing what's happening in my world J

Thank You for reading J

 

Pearcey Poo xxx