For what -- working out?

We can't deny that some of the general public regards pole dancing as stripping.  Perhaps we will never change their minds.  Rather than focusing on those negative people that you can never make happy, we thought we'd talk about some of the more positive people who support our pole community.  Those who can embrace the fact that pole dancing can be sexy AND athletic.

At The Girl Spot, we have met so many amazing men and women from the pole industry. Whether in person or online, the pole dancing community does have lot of love to share.  Today we thought we would highlight two pole sisters who promote positivity  in the industry!

Tracee Kafer [link: http://www.traceekafer.com/] is a choreographer and instructor at Body & Pole and Sacred Studio in New York City. Tracee believes "pole dancing can create a deeper knowledge of self, of life’s experiences, and of the connections we have to one another. And every time I prepare a PoleOgraphy piece (Tracee's class at Body & Pole) for my students, I get so excited in anticipation of creating and experiencing movement with them. To see them give themselves over to a style or emotional experience, and gain confidence as pole dancers is wonderful. I get so inspired watching their interpretations of my movement, and seeing them grow in their acceptance of their bodies, and in their pole artistry. It helps me affirm my own growth and
acceptance of my body; strengths and weaknesses. Every time I walk in the door for class and see them return week after week, I am truly honored by their presence and dedication. I'm lucky to have them."

Jennifer from PoleSkivvies is also another positive influence in the pole industry.  Jennifer recently started the Make A Difference Award [link: http://poleskivvies.com/make-a-difference-award/], which is "designed to recognize the strength and compassion within the pole community.   It honors those who have made it a priority to give back, both within and outside the world of pole."

Jennifer wrote a great blog about why she is looking for people who not only influence the pole world, but also give back beyond the pole community.  You can read that post here:  http://poleskivvies.com/pole-dancing-clothing/2012/02/on-and-off-the-pole/.  We love this quote: "See, if there’s one thing I’ve loved about my pole journey, it’s been the amazing people it’s allowed me to meet.  I have friends all around the world that I never would have had, all because of our love for pole.  More than that, though, I have a community of people around me who keep motivating me to be better, to strive for my dreams, and to live my life to the
fullest."

So whether you are meeting dancers all over the world,  or you are just happy to have your pole family here in our studio, at The Girl Spot, we love supporting those who are a positive influence on our pole community.  We love and appreciate all of you!

Friday
April 20, 2012

For all students, no prior dance experience required

Chair Challenge / 6:00 PM – 7:30 pm

$45.00 / $85.00 for 2 classes

An amazing full-body workout !  Learn how to use a chair as your partner in an exciting, original dance routine that teaches
fabulous new dance skills and movement control.  Real “Burlesque Cabaret” styling combined with Rodney’s dramatic flair teaches all students to move with confidence as they project their star-quality and master choreography worthy of center stage.  Focus
on the strengthening the important muscles engaging the pelvis and core for a total body workout with results you can see and feel.  Warmup includes important Rodney’s techniques for moving with resistance.

Fabulous FAN-tasy class / 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm

$45.00 / $85.00 for 2 Classes

Bring out your coy, inner vixen and learn how to drive your audience wild with your eyes as you learn to flirt and seduce using 2 hand-held fans. In addition, as with all of Rodey's classes, special attention is paid to muscle strengthening, core engagement, postural awareness, and deep stretching and toning. A full-body workout that gives results!

Classes are designed for ALL women regardless of age, shape, or experience and
movements can be modified so that all students can learn with confidence!

FABULOUS music-playlists using all styles and genres of music with something
for every taste which adds to the mood of the class!

Comfortable "Burlesque Style" attire is optional. Here is your chance to dress the part.

Come see us at this event sponsored by Liquid Lunch, Shelton CT.   This fun evening is for Ladies only.  Meet local vendors, and watch as we flip and spin on our portable stage pole.   There will be a variety of vendors, entry into 3 raffles, live music,  and appetizers / beverages provided by Liquid Lunch.    Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door, and $15 for Shelton BOE members.   Purchase your tickets via Paypal at liquidlunchrestaurant.com.  Hope to see you there !

Pole dancing is a very personal journey.  No matter what your background in dance or fitness, adding a pole to the mix changes everything.  Even as you gain confidence on the pole, your dance partner may betray you.  Some days the air may be thicker and more moist, leaving even the most confident hands slipping from the pole.  Maybe your pole is directly under the heating or air conditioning vent, making the pole like satin.  Each and every day with your pole is a brand new experience.

Each class is a new chapter in your personal pole journey.  There is no reason to compare yourself to those around you because each person is on their very own journey.  Some already have backgrounds in gymnastics or dance.  One person has sweaty hands.  Another has overly dry skin, which also makes it difficult to stick to the pole.  People have injuries, old and new, to consider.  Some may be more flexible than others.  Therefore, trying to compete on an uneven playing field makes no sense, and doesn't earn you any extra Brownie points.

So when you come to class, leave the competitiveness at the door (well, keep enough of it to motivate yourself to do better, but not to the point of beating yourself up when you aren't able to keep up with your neighbor).  Learn to let go, enjoy yourself and just dance!

Come join us for a night of food, drinks and pole in honor of celebrating The Girl Spot’s 2 year anniversary!

The Girl Spot is hosting an open house event for the occasion. Invite your friends, family or significant other to see what it is we do here at The Girl Spot.  Light refreshments will be served as you mix and mingle with friends and newcomers.  There will be a brief demonstration performed by teachers and students performing chair dance and pole routines.

Date:  Saturday, March 10th, 2012

Time:  7:00-11:00 pm
Performance showcase at 8:00 and 9:30

Open to the public, 18 and over

These ladies are not only amazingly strong, they are ridiculously flexible.

Pole dancing causes us to gain all kinds of muscles we didn't used to have.  And if we aren't careful, we can lose flexibility.  We need to be flexible in our lower backs and hips for splits, and in our shoulders and upper backs for certain mounts.  There are many ways to "fake" flexibility in our dance moves.  However, it is important that we maintain or gain flexibility, especially as we start the advanced pole moves.

Yoga is a great way to gain flexibility.  There are many, many different styles of yoga (including, but not limited to, Ashtanga, Bikram, Power, Restorative, Yin).  You may want to try a few out before you decide which works best for you.  We offer Stretch Class at various times during the week here at The Girl Spot.  We encourage our students to try a class to round out their workouts.

Some people will turn to DVDs by the pros, or YouTube videos, to work on flexibility at home.  However, we suggest you at least start with an instructor so that you can understand proper body mechanics and positioning first.  Your pole dancing career will be quickly put on hold if you suffer an injury at home by over-stretching.

This Saturday,February 25th,  The Girl Spot is hosting a flexibility clinic with Chris Logic.  If you aren't sure where to get started, or you are ready to take it to the next level, give us a call to sign up!

First off, although people often say not to worry because "muscle weighs more than fat," the truth is that muscle just takes up less space than fat.  A pound of muscle and a pound of fat weigh the same, but a pound of muscle is smaller.  Therefore, if you are working out really hard, you may be gaining muscle and losing inches around your waist, but you might not see the scale move.  Make sure you are using more than the scale to measure your success.  Are your clothes looser?  Are you able to run faster or further?  You should be taking measurements and photos to help you gauge how much more toned your body might be.  You can also have your body fat measured.  You might want to ask your doctor for help with that.

Sadly, the second option is that often when people exercise more, they eat more.  Working out (especially doing those muscle-building exercises) makes us hungry!  But if you are not watching your caloric intake, you could be eating as much as you are burning during your work out -- thereby undoing any weight loss progress.  An "average-sized" (160 pound woman) may only burn 300 calories in an hour-long workout.  It is pretty easy to eat up -- no pun intended -- those extra calories (plus some) in a day.  If that same average-sized woman is supposed to eat 1,800 calories in a day, but starts eating 2,400 calories after working out, that would actually lead to a net gain of ten pounds at the end of a year.  That means you worked out every day, only went over your calorie budget by 100 calories per day and STILL gained weight.  How frustrating.

There are so many diet options out there.  Paleo diet.  Atkins.  South Beach.  Zone.  There are also healthy lifestyle programs like Weight Watchers.  Everyone needs to find the option that works for them.  Each person and their metabolism works differently.  So what works for your best friend might not work for you.

Here are a couple of things to get you started.  Most of us wander around thinking we know how much we should eat and exercise, but many of us have no idea.  Start by figuring out your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR).  You can use this online calculator:  [http://health.discovery.com/centers/heart/basal/basal.html]  This helps you estimate how many calories your body is burning each day.  Keep in mind that medications and health issues may be affecting your specific BMR, so this is just a tool to help you get started.  You might need to play around with your number to make it work for you.  If the BMR calculator tells you that you burn 1,800 calories per day and you are eating that but gaining weight, your body may need fewer calories.  Scooby's Workshop also offers a great calculator to help you figure out how many calories you should be eating:  [http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/]

So if you are unhappy with your weight loss efforts, maybe its the food and not the exercise that is standing in your way.  The most important thing you can do is find a program that works for you.  If you hate the food or you constantly feel like you are starving, you won't stick to it.  You may want to ask your doctor to help you find a program that is healthy and reasonable so you can be successful.

Philip was born in Virginia and has been dancing practically since he was born.  He started training with Jazz Master Frank Hatchett in New York City at the ripe old age of 10.  At 14, he trained at the Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington D.C. and toured across America for three years performing as a soloist in The Nutcracker.  By 19, he had founded his own dance company.  He is certified to teach pilates and yoga is and an X-Pert certified pole instructor.  Just last year, he competed in the Masters Division of the American Pole Fitness Championships in New York.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/FVE_PnM-oAc

Now living in Boston, Massachusetts, we are lucky to have Philip stopping by on a tour of the U.S., while on his way to compete at the Aerial Pole Art Competition in Las Vegas.  Philip is known around the pole community for his edgy, naughty style (Did anyone see his Erotica performance at Polesque?!).  Philip will be Guest Instrucing at The Girl Spot.  Please check out the information below and contact us to sign up.  You don't want to miss this!

Date:   Wed Feb 1st

6:00 pm -- Pole 101  (Beginners)
This class has a fun and energetic warm up that includes dance movement essential for new pole dancers. After, there will be floor work, basic transitional movements one can when moving from one spin to the next, you will even learn your first invert on the pole. After we move to the pole for pole circuit, all the foundational exercises to build strength and progress quickly. Than all basic spins will be taught! This class will also focus on climbing techniques. Get ready to be sore.

7:30  pm -- Power and Inversions  (Intermediate)
This class has a fun and energetic warm up that includes dance movement essential for pole dancers. There is a heavy focus on butt and ab work.  After there are challenging pole circuit exercises that further strengthen your abilities on the pole, you must have foundational Pole 101 climbing skills for these exercises.The next part of class will start teaching accomplished pole 101 students how to progress to pole 102, inversions. Building from the floor up you will start learning how to be upside down.

Price :  $25.00 per class

Pole Basics students may use classes already purchased.  Students Level 1 and above may use classes already purchased, plus a $5.00 per class additional fee, or can pay for Feb 1st classes separately.

Certified Aradia Fitness Instructor

What:

2 Evenings of Heather's Specialty Instruction for you !

Jan 23rd 6:45 PM, Sexy Valentine Lap Dance    $15.00
This 60-minute class will get you ready for some Valentine fun with your sweety !   Ladies, please bring your heels, a man's button-down shirt, and a man's tie.

Jan 23rd 8:00 PM, Beginner Spins   $20.00 (can be deducted from prepaid classes)
60 minutes of pole fun, working on standard spins.

Jan 24th 6:45 PM,   Pole Spin Combos, Intermediate and above.    $20.00 (can be deducted from prepaid classes)
60 minutes of more intricate spin combinations.  Learn to put spins together that you've never thought of !

Jan 24th 8:00 PM, Pole Jam.  Come meet Dakota and play on the poles.  All levels welcome.

Let's be honest:  pole dancing hurts.  We bang our knees and ankles and get bruises.  We stretch our skin as we climb and get awesome raspberries.  Our muscles scream and shake.  If you thought you were signing up for a gentle yoga class, you joined the wrong sport.  Pole dancing requires us to use muscles that the average person may not have used before.  It requires you to strengthen your entire body -- starting with your core, moving to your upper body and ending with your lower body (which is usually the strongest muscle group and already somewhat in shape from carrying our bodies around).

Even if a class of beginners starts together, some students will generally advance faster than others.  Perhaps they already have a background in fitness or dance, which gives them the edge.  Or perhaps they are just lucky and take to pole dancing like a duck to water.  If you feel like you are in a class where other students are moving along faster than you, take note of what they might be doing differently.  Even the best pole dancer will meet some tricks or moves that don't agree with them.  But they keep trying until they succeed.  As mentioned before, some of these pole moves can be very painful.  Some of us grit our teeth and work through the pain until we nail the move.  Others stop at the first hint of feeling uncomfortable, then can't understand why they aren't improving.

Watching our neighbors can be a great motivator.  We can study their technique and skill.  Perhaps their moves are more liquid and we can try to emulate them to make our dance look smoother.  Or maybe they are strong and can flip upside down with almost no effort.  So, don't get frustrated when you see a better dancer or trickster.  Try to learn from them and you will improve your moves in the process!