Pole Basics - Class 1

So now that the Pole Intro is done it's on to Pole Basics. The class we're in is LARGE, approx imately 16 people. All different ages and sizes, it’s a pretty varied class. Starts out much the same as the Intro with a warm-up and then we learn to crawl. Crawling is another alternative to the slow walk we learned in the Intro class - can't just strut your way up to the pole, I guess. On all fours, we dip back one hip and roll it forward dropping first one shoulder then the other nearly to the ground and complete the circle back to the other hip. Feels pretty awkward but somehow Danielle makes it look great and seem sexy. We can put our own spin on it, and with the wooden floors soon we're slipping and sliding across the room.

When the giggles subside we get to our poles, sharing this time due to the class size. This turns out to be a good thing, it actually helps you to pace yourself so you don't get dizzy. Danielle demonstrates the first move, breaks it down and we give it a whirl, literally. Hopefully with practice I'll look half as graceful and effortless as she makes it seem. It feels fun to really fall into the moves though, and I trust myself a little bit more this time that I'm not going to slide right off the pole and faceplant into the floor. It's funny, I always try with my right arm up first because I'm a righty and when I go to switch to left I get all confused not remembering how it's supposed to go. After awhile I get it and end up doing better on the left than on the right.

This particular class, I had trouble really understanding how my body was supposed to move and I had my share of bruises the next day to prove it. But once the lights went down and it came time to put the moves to a dance I felt a bit more comfortable and really nailed the last one. I'm really starting to enjoy this exercise (it really doesn't feel like exercise until the next day) and I almost wish I had a pole at home that I could practice on in between classes. I look at the fireman poles at the playground but I suppose it would be a bit...uh...inappropriate to practice there. So until next week....

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