New class, who this?
Why trying a new class could be exactly what you need!
If you’re like me at the start of a new pole term, you jump online the minute bookings go live to get into your usual classes. I eagerly await the new timetable, set an alarm to remind myself when bookings open and jump into the mad scramble at 9am to book into my preferred time slots (no joke, classes at my studio book out faster than a Justin Timberlake concert). I book myself in for the full term and if I’ve missed out on my favourite classes, I add my name to the wait-list and listen to ‘Cry Me a River’ to ease the pain.
But how often do we stop (what, there’s no time for that, quick book in!) and think about trying something new the next term? I’m not talking about giving good ol’ elite class a go if you’re just a baby pole dancer, but what about trying a different style of dance? Or having a crack at the new workout class at the studio? Many of us are creatures of habit and comfort – we like to stick with our usual ‘pole nights’ and the classes we are familiar with or styles that we know we are good at. But think back to when you first tried a pole class – it was new and slightly terrifying, there were burns and bruises, but if you are reading this blog, I’d bet my Pleaser heels it was one of the best things you ever did. So why did you stop trying new classes?
Here are my top reasons why trying a new class will benefit you as a pole dancer or aerialist. Unlike a drunken one-night stand, I believe you will have zero regrets and won't need to reply to your newly added stretch class reminder with a ‘new phone, who dis?’ text.
Goodbye comfort zone!
If like me, you’re not a fan of change, trying something new ON PURPOSE seems crazy. Why? Why ruin a perfectly great routine? It's like ordering something new from the menu when you already know they have the best beef ragu. Why would you take the risk and possibly end up with the squid ink marinara? You know why – because that weird looking black pasta with the seafood could turn out to be your new favourite thing! Now you have two things that make you feel warm & fuzzy! See where I’m going with this?
Trying something outside of your comfort zone can get the nerves buzzing for many people. I get you! You might leave feeling like a total squid that has just jumped straight out of my marinara and never take that class again. OR you might have found yet another class that puts a smile on your dial, and discover in the process that you are more capable than you give yourself credit for. So go on, put on your aviators, be a Maverick and step into the danger zone (but safely of course!).
Brain power
Have you noticed how easily you pick up chorey when you have been taking the same pole dance class, with the same teacher, in the same style for over a year? You have learned their movements, their musicality and timing. It begins to feel very natural to you and you can start to focus on fine tuning your movement and facial expressions in each class. There is certainly nothing wrong with this, but like trying a trick on your opposite side (no wait, stay with me!) when you try a new style of dance class for example, the brain has to start ticking again. Your mind has to rethink how it can make those cool little nerve connections to make your body look smooth and sexy and less like Mr Bean at a disco. I used to have a dancing teacher who after showing us a new chunk of our routine, would tell us to go home and ‘let it marinate’. Give your brain some time to work it out, and usually in the next class there would be improvement.
Trying something new is a great way to keep the mind active and healthy. You might start off looking like a baby giraffe wearing sparkly heels in exotica, but over time you will improve and most importantly your mind will thank you for giving it something new to learn!
Cross train & discover a style you love!
Trying out a new class might unlock a talent you never realised you had! ‘But I’m an exotic pole dancer – I don’t do contemporary pole’ you yell at me through your phone, shuddering at the thought of barefoot dancing. Okay sure, but have you thought about how exquisite your legs twirls would look if you learned to control those lines in a contemporary class? Or how much you could translate the sexy feels if you learned how to ‘feeeeeel the music’ in contemporary (shouts every contemporary teacher ever). How about trying a legs and booty workout class Little Miss Exotic? Again, think of the how easily you would be able to control your leg movements with stronger legs. Plus you’re new peachy booty will look great in that exotic outfit! Maybe you’re a pole dancer who could dabble in aerials? Think about the grip strength you will build holding a hoop or silk! Or how some of your pole splits could translate to a new apparatus. Perhaps you will just appreciate the silky smooth pole after copping some serious silk burn in class!
Cross training apparatus’, dance styles or taking workout classes to help with strength, endurance and stamina are a great idea! You might find you really enjoy trying this new thing, and while it may not hit the stage anytime soon, it can be a lot of fun and still help you with your main jam!
Photo by The Image Cella of Bendy Kate
Reignite the spark
If you are a competitive pole dancer, or have just been doing pole or aerials for a long time you might find you begin to lose your pole-jo. It could be that you are repeating a level yet again or have been training the same comp routine now for 2 months. If you find yourself stuck in a rut, booking into a class you haven’t tried before can be one of the best ways to get yourself back in the zone! The brain will start ticking and it can be a lot of fun watching yourself roll around in a floorwork class as you try to take the flop out of fish flop! You can focus on something new, without the pressure of it having to look amazing or be perfect - it’s just for a laugh. Why not jump into a beginner dance class, where the moves might already be familiar to you but you can just hair flick it out dancing to a banger tune! Trying a new class can be one of the best ways to get yourself motivated again, bring back your smile and it’s a fantastic way to get the creative juices flowing!
New teacher, new perspective
Our regular pole teachers are magical beings. They are patient, know our weaknesses, unleash our strengths, stop us from falling on our sweaty tooshes, and will always show us again when we know full well, we weren’t paying attention to begin with. They are the dazzling rocks we lean on (literally!) and we wouldn’t have them any other way! Yet sometimes taking a new class with a new teacher can help you more than you think. They might be able to shine a new light on a trick you have been struggling with and explain it in a different way where it ‘clicks’ for you. Perhaps they have signature moves you can learn and add to your basket of stage skills! Taking a new class with a new teacher shouldn’t be something to feel guilty about. It’s like going to Starbucks and asking for a tea, when they aren’t known for or specialise in tea. The same thing applies with pole or aerial instructors. They might be able to give you little sips of tea, but what they’re really great at is coffee. If you want tea, finding someone who can serve it up only makes sense! So the next time your studio or one nearby offers workshops or a masterclass with an instructor, take the opportunity to drink from their cup and put your name down on that list!
Highlight strengths, practice weaknesses
If you have been doing pole or aerials for a long time you have probably worked out which things you excel at and the things that need a little bit more TLC. If you are new to this glittering world, firstly WELCOME WE LOVE HAVING YOU HERE!! But also, you may still be wrapping your head around a fireman spin and that’s okay! Regardless of which group you fall into, taking a new class is a great way to test your boundaries and find out where the holes in the fence might be. I myself know that acro is definitely not my strong point. I will happily shoulder mount and tumble my way up and down the pole, hanging off one limb at a time, but make me attempt a handstand – no way sister! However, jumping into a class where you know you will have plenty to learn is not a terrible idea! What that’s saying, ‘if you’re the smartest in the room, you’re in the wrong room’. While you might flop and stumble all over the place, it is a skill you can practice and grow. It can only get better and improve right?! And at the end of the class, you can leave knowing what things you need to work on, what achievements might have surprised you, plus you will be forever grateful for the things you can already ace!
Image by @monascomics
The new kid
One of the scary things about taking a new class can be meeting the new students in that class. If they are regulars, chances are they will already know each other. It can be super intimidating! But one of the best things about the pole and aerials world is how accepting our community is. Personally, I can’t help but talk to the people near my pole, especially when we are all struggling with that same part of the chorey (it’s really hard right – it’s not just me?), or we are literally 8 inches away from stiletto-ing each other in floorwork! You might meet some amazing people who are in other levels at your studio that you perhaps wouldn’t have met otherwise. How great is that! There might be pole dancers from other studios that you haven’t met before and next minute, BAM new pole buddy to train with! Being open to trying a new class, opens yourself up to connecting with some incredible new people! Plus you can always drag your pole bestie along to help ease the nerves, and you could both meet DOUBLE the people. How cool is that?!
Nourish the pole soul
Taking a new class can be scary and the idea might make your heart start doing triple fonjis. But you have nothing to lose and so much to gain by doing so. Pole and aerials I’m sure have already started to open your eyes to just how much you are capable of, so why stop there? Why not continue seeking out things that make you happy and keep your mind and body strong! And if you fail miserably, step back, have a laugh and at least you can say you had a crack and you know where your strengths lie. Just like you need balance in all areas of your life, explore balance in all areas of your pole life. Feed your soul with a new style of dance, awaken muscles you never knew existed in a workout class, and spark the mind with a new skill to learn.
Trying a new pole or aerial class can help you to avoid over-training and injury from repeating the same things over and over, but importantly it will help mould you into a well-rounded poler. You might not showcase your questionable acro skills or twerking on the stage anytime soon, but it could be the exact thing you need to give your busy brain some time to breathe. Trying a new class is an incredible way to meet new people, learn from different teachers and continue connecting with your pole world.
So next time you’re booking in for the regular classes, take a second and see if there’s another class you might want to try, and add some spark to your pole soul that week.
Photo by Jealous by Nature of Carlie Hunter
Leave a comment below & tell me why you love trying new classes!
