First off, a disclaimer: I've never gone to any other pole studios so I don't have any others to compare this one to. That being said...
I began taking classes here in September 2013. I'd seen a deal on LivingSocial and had always seen my cousin's posts about pole dancing and how much she loved it, so I thought I'd try it out. I purchased the intro 5-week series and followed the instructions for redemption, which said to email the studio. I heard back from Nikki, the owner, right away. She was very friendly, sent me information on class dates and what to expect, what to wear, etc. (She also mentioned that email is the best way to contact the studio. There isn't anyone there if class isn't scheduled, and if class is in session the ringer is turned off so as not to disturb it. Every time I've emailed the studio I've gotten a response within a day.)
I was a little nervous before my first class - I've never been much of a dancer. I even had a couple of glasses of wine before I went. When I got to the studio, I loved the environment. It's kept dimly lit and there are only 2 mirrors (which are mainly there to help the girls doing inversions work on their form). The instructors were super friendly - all of the girls there were, really. The girls leaving the class before mine were excited for us newbies and really supportive. After our warmup, the instructor told us what she'd be teaching us that night, and said after that we were going to dance. I literally thought, "Yeah, I'm not dancing." But surprisingly enough, I did! And even more surprising, I loved it! (Like I said, not much of a dancer.)
After the intro series, I signed up for the beginner series, and then the intermediate, and now I'm trying the inverting classes. Here's why:
1. The ambiance. Like I said, the studio is dimly lit and there are only a couple of mirrors. This really helps to not make girls feel self-conscious. I'm a bit of an introvert and was really nervous about dancing in front of others. The fact that the lights are low and there are other girls dancing at the same time really helped make me feel more comfortable!
2. The people. The instructors here are so friendly and supportive, and I've never seen them do or say anything that might make someone feel self-conscious, even when we're having a hard time learning that week's spin or inversion. They're always cheering us on and telling us how great we're doing, and when they give us pointers it's always positive. The other students are amazing too, giving each other pointers and cheering each other on. Everyone is so supportive; it's amazing. I love spending time at the studio.
3. The curriculum. I love how they have the classes set up. Nikki has talked about how pole is a progression, and I've noticed that the classes are set up that way. They teach the basics first and progress gradually from there. Before you know it, you'll be able to do things you never thought you'd be able to! I've been taking classes for about six months now and really feel like I've come such a long way since my first few weeks. The scheduling of the classes is also awesome. After my first series was over, the next class in the progression was offered on the same day at the same time, so I didn't have to worry about fitting it in my schedule. They've continued on like that, with the next class starting up the week after one ends.
In addition to the two instructed classes I take every week, I also take advantage of the weekly drop-in classes. I've been getting stronger and more flexible since I started coming here, and it's also helped boost my confidence. I've been trying to get my friends to come check it out, and those who have have gotten addicted too. I think that some of my friends are skeptical because think it's all about stripping. This might be true at some studios, but not here. There is a sexy aspect to be sure, but it's so much more than that! I recommend that everyone give it a try, it's a blast! This is the first time in years that I've found a workout that I've actually stuck with. I even look forward to going there, and often take classes back-to-back and just hang out at the studio all evening. Pole is something that anyone can do and everyone should try. read more