My Pole Dancing Diary!

So we had the 4th lesson last night. Usually we learn the last part of the routine in this lesson but because they feel that level 3 is a big step up from level 2 they like us to do the course again before progressing. She seemed to think we'd take it another 2 times after this but I don't feel I need to. I think once more will benefit me but twice would be holding me back a little. It might sound big headed but I'm not doing too badly. In fact I am really holding my own and am better than some of those who have already done level 3 before! I know I am not brilliant, there's a lot to learn but I don't see the point in doing it twice more when I know I will be ready to move on well before they have finished Maybe I'll talk to the teacher next week to see what she says. The next level 3 course has no choreography as its only 4 weeks so there will be no demo at the end... although she did mention a level 3/4 course so maybe she'll let me move onto that after it

Anyhoo back to last night. We did a lot of practice of things we had already learnt and the new move, the eagle. I think I'll have this one down ok by the end of the course too We learnt most of the choreography and saw the rest, it is going to look great by the time its finished!

Oooh I had a thought, maybe I can practice the routine at home and by the end of the 4 week course I'll have it all down and she'll let me move on?! We'll see

Maybe I'll have a bit of a practice tonight, My pole will have to come down tonight too, as we have a visitor coming on Thursday!

In lesson 3 we did a few spins and worked on the inverts we have been practicing from the start! Mine are coming along quite nicely, I just need to remember to keep my legs straight and keep my thighs squeezed on the pole!

The spins were a pole climb spin... climbing on the pole, flinging a leg around and spinning with both legs straight and against the pole, another was called the flying step... flinging one leg across the body and the around the pole, front leg straight and back bent, both parallel with the floor, and the last was a sunwheel going into lotus position... legs out front and back both, bent, parallel with the floor then the back one straightens and comes around the front so you end up sitting! I may have to post a few more pictures as my descriptions don't do it justice!

So next week we learn the last few moves of the routine, one is an invert called the eagle.... (jumping upside down with legs in a V shape parallel to the floor and holding like that) which I actually had a little go of last night and I seemed to do it ok! I was probably holding the pole all wrong but at least I know I can get myself in that position for however short a time it was! I am looking forward to trying it properly next week

My muscles are still aching from Monday nights lesson and I have some huge bruises from then too!

I guess that means I am having a good workout I must make sure I have a practice tomorrow after work too

So last night was the second lesson of this level.

We had some hard moves to do... we continued last weeks inverts, practicing them higher up the pole and with added bits on the end. We also did a move called an extension. We sat on the pole, brought both legs up straight with ankles crossed an leaned out so we were parallel with the floor. We will eventually do this with one hand! Eek! We did a spin, which I can't remember what its called now but it was basicaly swinging your whole body around the pole ending up in what we call the sunwheel position... legs parallel with the floor one in front, one behind, both bent elegantly! We also did more of the coreography, this week most of it was on the pole, something I haveb't had to do before!

It will be a great routine once its done We are dancing to Elvis's Fever at the moment

A couple of pics...

Can't remember what this one is called!

Swan Hold...

Lsat night was lesson one of level 3, which is the first level of intermidiate pole dancing!

We were told that many people don't manage to advance to level for until they have completed level 3 2 or even 3 times! I hope I can move on to level 4 at the end of this, I guess I will have to practice A lot!!

Anyway, the first move we did was an invert! It was sitting on the pole, left lefg straight, right leg bent over it and hanging backwards, upside down on the pole. We only did it close to the floor, as many people hadn't even sat on the pole before! It was something my friend taught me many months ago so I got the hang of it quite quickly, and by the end of the night I was able to do this move a little further up the pole I am hoping I will be able to get a picture of this to post, it looks great!!

We also did a move that will eventually see us doing a hand stand against the pole... we start by swinging out legs up towards the top of the pole and tucking our head in and sliding down. I was able to do this ok, again because my friend taught me something similar We did a spin called the bullet, where we are curled round the pole and some dancy moves. The teacher got us to do some sassy moves so hopefully the routine will look awesome once finished!!

I can't wait for lesson 2!!

I am still trying to video my routine, its just not working how I wanted it to! But now he is back from New York I may be able to sort it out

So last night was lesson six of the level 2 course.

Lessons 5 and 6 were just general practice sessions as we had learnt all of the routine by week 4.

It was good, this level I have really felt that I have had a good exercise session by the end!

Last night, lesson 6, was the last in level 2 We all did a performance at the end (indiviually!!) of the routine and got presented with a certificate once we'd finished

We ended by doing a couple of level 3 moves, one which will eventually lead to hanging upside down

I have booked my level 3 course already It starts on the 1st June

I am now officially no longer a beginner but a pole dancer of intermediate standard

In lesson 4 we learnt the last few moves of the routine! With more people back in the class this week we got the usual amount of time on the poles, as there were 3 groups. However the moves were quite hard I don't think I would have coped with any more time

We learnt one hold where we had legs in a triangle behind, hanging onto the pole with just hands, and there were 3 spins... well technically 2 but one spin changed into another which was quite hard!

We only have 2 lessons left then its onto level 3 and inverts

I want to practice this routine a bit but hopefully I'll manage to get it properly and maybe video it

Lesson three last night was a hard one! We sould have 3 people per pole... so nine in a session but there were only 5 of us last night meaning we all got extra goes!

We did some pole conditioning (strengthening exercises), push ups (eeek!), 2 spins , something called a pole over (leg hooked round the pole and the rest of your body leaning away) and some floor work.

It was a really good session and I felt I had a really good workout! This routine will look really good once finished I think!

Lesson 4 we learn the last of the moves I think, so hopefully it will all pull together over the next few weeks and look good

Ooh its been a while! I thought I should really write an update

So on 2nd April I had lesson one of my level 2 course. A few things were different to level on... I have a new teacher who is great, really friendly and seems to be quite a perfectionist! There are only 3 poles, with 9 in a class so its 3 to a pole! And the poles aren't spinny ones!

So in lesson one we learnt to climb the pole (both legs wrapped around the pole) stay on the pole without any hands, then slide down. The rest of the moves in lesson one were basically dance type steps... except the last one whcih was hanging onto the pole kicking each leg up, with both off the floor at one point. We also did quite a few strengthening exercises too. In my old class these were done right at the end but in lesson one the teacher incorporated it into the lesson so we were doing moves for the routine before and after! I found lesson one very very hard for some reason and felt a little out of my depth

We then had a weeks break for the Easter holidays!

Lesson 2 was last night and it was great! Our first move was another pole climb but this time our right legs were straight out front! And I was the only one who seemed to manage this first time and take my hands off Great! We learnt one spin called the chair spin... both hands on the pole pushing your body away from it so it's not touching, the rest of your body is in a seated position (not the greatest of explanations sorry). Other moves involved as s slide (arched back against the pole sliding down it) a shoulder slide (legs and feet away from the pole, one shoulder resting on the pole, the shoulder slides down until they reach the floor, the rest of the body follows!) Next was the goddess position... from the shooulder slide you're lying on the floor ... you cross your legs and push up so you're leaning on your arms. The rest were dance type moves which I have forgotten the names of!

It was great, and I really enjoyed it last night. I even got the original pole climb that I had trouble with last time