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Friday, December 30, 2011

My Top Ten Pole Dancing Posts from 2011

I've been trying to choose my top ten blog posts (from my own blog) for 2011.  It was so hard because I talked to a lot of amazing people this year.  I had a hard time picking only ten so I decided to choose posts to represent different categories.

Pioneer of Pole

Without those who paved the way, the rest of us wouldn't be pole dancing right now!


Men on the Pole

I love my pole sisters but watching men on the pole is a bit fun as well!


Speaking of pole sisters...

Here's one for the curvy dancers!


The debate surrounding pole dancing and being sexy


Traveling


Making friends


Innovation


Natasha Wang



I feel like I had so many other awesome posts but if I had to cut it down to ten, these ten are pretty awesome.  Please feel free to search around for other posts that might be of interest to you.  Categories include Pro Spotlight, Studio Spotlight, Power of Pole, Men on the Pole, Poletry in Motion, Star Spotlight, and Pole Goals.

Here are my top ten most viewed posts:





2011 has been pretty awesome and I'm looking forward to 2012 being even more so!

Power of Pole - A Day of Giving the Gift of Pole

I want to thank Pole For A Cause and Pole Spin Magazine for giving me a wider audience for my request to get other pole studios involved in fundraising this year!  

http://poleforacause.com/2011/12/power/

Lovely Rita Fundraiser For National Kidney Foundation

Lovely Rita Fundraiser For National Kidney Foundation

On Sunday, April 22, 2012, Twirly Girls Pole Fitness will hold the third annual  Lovely Rita Fundraiser.  I wrote a blog about this fundraiser (and others), in a previous Pole For A Cause post, Fighting The Good Fight.  Rita, a student at Twirly Girls and close friend of mine, has been blessed with three kidney transplants.  It is important to Rita to support the NKF, so it is important to us as well.

Supporting charities in our pole community is an important topic.  We at Twirly Girls would like to ask pole studios all over the world to join us on April 22nd to raise money for a charity that is important to their studio.  There are many ways to raise money.  You can offer classes and workshops and donate any money raised.  You can have a student and instructor showcase or an open house with raffle and/or silent auction.  You would be surprised at how willing local businesses are to donate gift certificates or items if you are willing to advertise their donations to your studio members.

We have started a group on Facebook called Power of Pole – A Day of Giving the Gift of Pole, to help coordinate the event.  If your studio is interested in joining us, please join us on Facebook.  The most important thing to remember is that there is no pressure.  We are not keeping track or asking you to give money to us.  Find a cause close to your heart and donate directly to that charity.  It will be fun to report back on Facebook and celebrate all of the good that the Power of Pole can bring to our lives!

Written by Lory Myers. Photo by Liquidpulp Photography.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Pioneer of Pole: Sheila Kelley and S Factor

Sheila Kelley is one of the most famous pole pioneers.  She definitely makes pole more of a lifestyle than a workout.  If you have not been to an S Factor class, I suggest you try one!

My first-ever pole class was at S Factor in San Francisco about three years ago.  I was really impressed (and surprised) with how safe the studio made me feel.  It was kind of dark but warm and very inviting. I know you first got into pole dancing for a movie role and realized the increased fitness was an added benefit.  What made you decide that the sensuality of exotic dance was an important part of the workout?

Hi Lori, thanks for reaching out to me! I love talking about S, sharing my passion for elevating the feminine, which has become the passion of so many women, and every opportunity to "wake the S up" in the world.  It wasn’t the sensuality of traditional exotic dance that became a part of S Factor, it was the natural sensuality of a woman's body that I began to acknowledge in my own body.  The no make-up, hair undone, no frills, pure, organic S shape of our hips, butt, shoulders, wrists, the inside of a woman's elbow, everything top to bottom, right down to our baby toes.  Women are sexy!  Right out of the womb.  And that sensuality in the shape of our hips, also lives inside our hips.  We are circular natured and we are built to move naturally in a circular, sensual way.  It's enticing to men in an exotic dance environment because (well they are enticed by women whether we are moving or standing still!) we're exaggerating those S shapes.  But for women at S, we're just doing what comes naturally in the privacy of our S studios, and the sensuality of it is inherent.

I remember busting out a CRAZY hard core workout before we got anywhere near the pole.  How important do you feel it is to build a strong foundation before you stick ladies to the pole?  

I designed the S Factor Workout to cover every base of feminine fitness that I (and so many of my girlfriends) had tried for years to find in multiple forms of exercise.  We were taking Pilates for the ab work, yoga for long lean muscles and stretching and meditation, different kinds of dance, jogging, biking, hiking, treadmilling, weights, ahhhhhhhhhH!  It was too much and none of it worked.  I tried everything alone and in every conceivable combination and it just felt like this uphill battle that one could never catch up with, especially after having children.  When I built S Factor I wanted to create something "total body" that could be achieved in 2 hours once a week.  That's why S Factor's copyrighted sequence of circular fluid feminine movements is multi-directional and isometric.  You feel it in your entire body because a woman's entire body needs and craves movement in order to feel balanced.  It is designed to prep women to do polework too!  In Level 1 and 2 of the S Factor Original Series session women learn signature S Factor polework that builds their upper body and abdominal strength, which then prepares them for more advanced signature S Factor climbs and inversions as they progress to Levels 3 - 6 of their Erotic Creature Journey.

You were at the forefront of bringing pole to the every-day woman. How do you feel about it going mainstream?

It's like...I keep waiting to wake up.  It's really something.  I never imagined when I was teaching S Factor to women in my house back in 2001 that something like this could have such a tremendous affect on the world and history.  Nothing like S Factor existed on the planet.  And there we were, these extraordinary women and me, just celebrating our femininity and having fun.  To be an innovator of something brings with it a lot of responsibility.  I receive thousands of letters from all over the world from women who have tried "pole dance fitness."  Some I have to say have had a different experience than what S Factor is defined as.  While I love that there is a growing community of women exploring new ways to move their body, I wish I could be everywhere in the world at once with an actual S Factor studio on every corner because we do more than just dance on a pole.  And that "more" has become the impetus behind my Soulfully Sexy DVD Series and the Wake the S Up movement.  S = Feminine.  The idea of women having a culture of their own is what I hope will become mainstream, versus simply the act of pole dancing.

I have met many amazing dancers who have come from S Factor backgrounds: Natasha Wang, Claire Griffin Sterrett, Amy Kim, Sheena LaShay, and my own friend here in California, Jenny Gain.  I'm sure there are many, many more I'm missing.  How proud are you of your ladies being in the pole world limelight?

The women who currently teach S Factor at our studios are some of the most phenomenal women I have ever met in my life.  Our highly trained staff have inspired many women in the world.  S teachers do more than just guide women through the workout, or teach them pole tricks.  They dramatically change lives.  They are therapists, body whisperers, confidantes, nurturers, healers, they are in the limelight of each and every life they touch through the two hours they share once a week with women from all walks of life.  And I am proud to have them as sisters and friends.

Do you participate in pole competitions?  

I don't personally because the dark, rich chocolate fudge that is S Factor movement itself off the pole is what I aspire to journey deeper into.  However, S Factor is very proud of our S teachers Barbara Dial in New York and Jen Campo in Houston who have won major pole dance competitions due in part to the uniquely feminine nature of S Factor's signature style.

Recently, some of my pole dancing friends who are mothers have had issues with their children's friends making fun of their mom for being a "stripper."  Did you ever have to deal with that.  If so, how did you handle it?  If not, how would you advise someone to handle it?  

Hmmmm...this is the first I've ever heard of this happening.  I guess I would say that children tease other children about a whole slew of things that are untrue.  There really isn't anything that can be done about it, it's just kids.   I know that many S moms bring their daughters in to our Mother-Daughter classes and events and the little ones have a perfect understanding of the difference between S Factor movement and "pole dancing."

Men on the pole is a very hot topic right now.  S Factor is very famously a place for women only.  Do you foresee a change in that policy any time soon?  

There's been some confusion about this.  Actually S Factor is very open to teaching men.  I even taught Conan O'Brien (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPKzdwhRTyE).  And there's a note about it in the FAQ section of our website.  Due to the nature of the Erotic Creature Journey,  S Factor classes are not co-ed, but men may call their nearest studio and request a Private Lesson or Private Party.  I've taught S to a bunch of men (we have a few guys who work upstairs in the LA offices who have taken a class or two) and it's fun to see them find their feminine side.  They get a kick out of it and they really get it.  They get that it's no different than men basking in their masculinity on a golf course or basketball court.

What kind of "diet" do you follow?

Diet is an evil word and I don't do it.  I eat clean and healthfully, and I do S Factor!

Do you like to dance in shoes or barefoot?

I love, love, love my 6 and 7-inch stilettos.  They make me feel larger than life.  But some days a girl's just gotta go barefoot!

Is there anything else you'd like us to know about you, any upcoming events or S Factor?  

YES!  The S Factor Retreat is like...where do I begin?  Imagine a world completely ruled by women.  Imagine everything you see, hear, eat, sleep, breathe, say, do, feel, smell, experience...it's all been hand-selected to cultivate your feminine side.  You are surrounded by other women who are there for the same purpose and it's just a frickin' lovefest of what it means to be a woman, what we struggle with together and apart and how easy it is for us to elevate our minds, bodies, hearts and souls when we pull ourselves out of the every day stresses of life and retreat in every sense of the word, into our femininity.  We can be emotional, we can be sensual, we can be loud and wild and young and free, we have no responsibilities except to ourselves and our own desires and pleasures and needs.  We can play (and we do in luxurious outdoor locations and indoors at 5-star resorts!!), smile, laugh, dance and live authentically in our skin with no apology.  It's heaven.  It's bliss.  Women come from all over the globe and I personally teach the classes and seminars along with the best of the best S teachers from our studios across the U.S.  It's an awakening that's like jet fuel propelling women toward achieving their greatest desires and becoming more successful in all areas of their life.  I've also taught mini-retreats as part of Tony Robbins' Platinum Partners retreats and the philosophies go hand-in-hand.  This is for women who are ready to be reborn as superwomen.  We'll be in Miami this coming February!  We may be sold out by the time you read this but we're working on opening up more spots because the retreats are so popular.  We limit registration so that I can really spend a lot of one-on-one time with each woman and really give them an understanding of the mind, body, heart and soul of S Factor.  Miami in February will be our 4th retreat I have hosted!  Women can go to SFactor.com/Retreat and get all of the details.  I'm looking forward to meeting your readers and you Lori if you can come!

*****
I know Sheila is a busy lady and I really appreciate her participation in my blog.  S Factor has four locations in California, two in New York, one in Houston and one in Chicago.  Check out http://sfactor.com/ for more info!

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

May I Introduce Pole Artist, Timber Brown!

There's not much to say about how awesome it was to see Timber Brown perform... It is better you witness it yourself. Please make sure you check out all of the videos!

I first saw you perform at the California Pole Dance Championship (here's a link to my video).  I couldn't believe how strong you were.  Okay, well you're a guy, so I *could* believe it but it was still so impressive to watch.  (I also reviewed your performance as "amazeballs" in my blog:  http://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2011/09/twirly-girls-at-california-pole-dance.html)

Wow, thank you so much. I was judging and performing at CPDC.  I enjoyed working with Anjel and X-Pole at the event. The performances were amazing and I had a front row seat!

When people comment on my strength I often tell them that it’s an optical illusion, explaining that it’s easier for me to lift or throw myself because I have little legs. :-) There is an exciting and hopeful look into the future of the pole community in your comment , “I couldn't believe how strong you were.  Okay, well you're a guy, so I *could.*” Exciting because in the future I see more organizations, equipment, and products being adapted and created to accommodate the distinctive physical attributes of each sex as well as accentuate the similarities we share as humans.

My performance at CPDC was one that I was a bit discontent with before it started. My heart was set on performing a routine that I was very excited about! Shortly before I went on stage I had to abort that performance and write down a few sequences while trying to find a good song. It came time to go on stage and I had not been able to memorize the order of my vocabulary. I brought the paper with my plan written on it and put it on the stage at the bottom of the pole. When I watch that video I can see me looking at it the whole time, Ugh. Overall it was nothing like what I had originally planned, but it went better than expected. I look back and wouldn’t have it any other way and I’m still very excited about when I will perform my original routine. 

What kind of fitness routine do you have to keep your body in shape like that?

Oh gosh, I don’t have a daily fitness plan at all which almost sounds terrible but it’s not because.....“for an extended time only, you can play on poles every day and have the body you have always wanted too!” HAHA! Really though, it is true.

Fitness is a wonderful consequence of pole activity. Pole as a form of fitness is not my primary motivation in my “work outs.” It just comes with it. I practice pole because I just love it! It feels good and I love doing it. I can go on and on but I just love everything about it. Unlike the common infomercial where a man claims “you can get fit and have a great time doing it with this apparatus...,” well in the case of pole that is 100% true

What kind of diet do you follow?

I LOVE food! I don’t follow a strict diet. I am more of a “damage control” eater versus a “prevention” eater. I eat what I need to eat at the time. I have to be true and good to myself and if that means eating Mexican food this week then it is what it is. 

Although my blog generally follows the adventures of female pole dancers, there has been a real interest lately in making the sport more fitness-oriented and less sexy.  More men are also getting involved and I am trying to include more aerial artists.  You are pretty unique in what you do.  What would you call your brand of aerial/acrobatic arts/pole dance?

I would call it “Anomaly,” a deviation from the common rule, type, arrangement, or form.

-------

You know, pole is many things to many different people. No one person, group, or organization can define what it is or should be except for themselves. There are some things that I am not opposed to, but just aren’t for me. I believe there is a time and a place for everything and that most things worth doing should be done decently and in order. One certainty is that regardless of what context pole may be being used, it is in any form, a form of fitness.

How did you get discovered?

I was 21 years old when an entertainment company viewed a video of me doing stunts and acrobatics. They asked me to be part of their productions. This was when I was first introduced to the pole. 

Tell us about Anomalia Entertainment.

“Anomalia” is the Italian word for Anomaly. I created this company a few years ago. The company provides specialty entertainment performances and rigging for events and productions world wide. As well as concept creation, and acrobatic vocabulary research.  In the future we hope to be a part of more events in the pole dancing community.

Have you competed in any pole/aerial events?  Do you hold any titles?

I participated in “Pole Dancing Universe International,” although I don’t remember it being named that at the time. I was awarded “pole athlete champion.” Below is the video link to that performance. Anomalia Entertainment was contracted to do the  rigging for the event which included a 14’x26’ anchored truss structure, two 14’ dance poles, and two 16’ specialty acrobatic poles.



Do you usually choreograph your routines or do you like to "free dance?"

I mostly choreograph my routines but it certainly depends on the situation. I am very particular about what I put out there. Especially when I am performing at a pole event. I could go on forever here on this... In the end, the performance is not for me. It’s for the audience. When I bow I want the audience and I, in unison, to feel that I have just given them a part of myself. Regardless if I am choreographing or dancing freely that is the goal.

Do you have a day job outside of performing?

Performing is my livelihood on both a physical and personal level. It’s very tricky sometimes but I love it. 

What do you do for down time?

I am usually up to some kind of ridiculous shenanigan but when I’m not I enjoy cooking, writing and watching TV. Some shows I like are Dexter, East Bound and Down, Family Guy, and the discovery channel. I imagine that soon I will be hiding in a bush throwing water balloons filled with ketchup at passing cars.





Is there anything else you'd like to share with everyone?

I have had strong inspiration lately in a couple of different areas. I really hope to be able to get some charity endeavors off the ground in the near future. My hope is that I will be able to raise money for specific charities through involvement in competitions, special performances, online pole skill tutorials and custom product sales just to name a few. I would like to reach out to anyone who is familiar with charity works, web development or just has helpful info that can be used to help bring attention to the work and get it off the ground.

People sometimes refer to me as a person who does Chinese poles, an aerialist or a pole dancer.... I ask that people to refer to me as a “pole artist.” Not because I am not any of the above things, but because I am all of them. In my work I strive to encompass a little bit of what all of those things means to me. 

I’d like to take the opportunity to say thank you to a few people out there who have been enablers in my life the last few years. Imagination Entertainment [also check out the show that Timber participates in: http://www.ilcirco.com/], Steve Gale [Four-Cubed Acrobatics or Radiant Productions], aerialist Alyssa McCraw, Natasha Wang [website], Kelly Yvonne and the girls at The Choreography House, the whole LA Pole community, Fawnia Dietrich and Pole Fitness Studio Las Vegas... All of you have been great influences or enablers to me and I appreciate you.

I am really excited to follow your career and look forward to the next time I get to see you perform!

Thank you so much and thank you for the opportunity to share. Happy Poling Everyone!



Two additional videos of Timber and Alyssa:






Friday, December 23, 2011

Men on the Pole: Bob Zamora

Another Man on the Pole!  Meet fellow-blogger and pole brother, Bob!

"Men on the Pole" has become a popular subject. How did you get interested in pole dancing?

A female friend of mine started taking pole classes from Lori Huett at TranZenDance LTD in Denver, CO and she was totally loving it. She mentioned that Lori had worked with men and I thought it sounded like a lot of fun.

What is your fitness background?

I have played ice hockey since I was 13 and I'm still playing. I’m also a Master Level Certified USA hockey coach. I’ve coach all levels from Beginner to High School. Ice hockey is in my blood.

 What is your fitness routine (on and off the pole)?

I take two classical ballet dance classes a week, one pole class with Lori Huett a week and just lately I’ve been working with Estee Zakar twice a month. During the summer months I drop one ballet class and play ice hockey on Wednesday nights. I used to weight train but pole pretty much replaced that part of my workout.

What kind of diet do you follow?

Pretty strict low-carb. Type-2 diabetes is huge in my family tree. My major weaknesses are Starbucks and red wine.

How do you describe your pole style?

My style is a combination of the pole moves we all know and love blended with classical ballet. My style has been heavily influenced by Amber Richard and Elena Gibson. I’m totally into the artistic side of the dance.

Which competition(s) do you like to do? Do you have any title(s)?

I have never been to a competition. I never really considered it. 

Where do you train? Do you have your own pole studio? Do you have a pole at home? 

The majority of my pole dance training is with Lori Huett at TranZenDance studio. I have two Platinum Stages brass poles at home. One is 50 mm and one is 45 mm. My Christmas present this year was the 45.

What is your favorite product to help you stick to the pole?

Dry-Hands has always been my favorite.

What is your favorite song to dance to (at this moment)?

Any Other Name by Thomas Newman from the American Beauty movie soundtrack.

Do you have any other upcoming events/competitions you'd like people to know about?

I’ll be dancing in the May 2012 TranZenDance Studio open house.

What else would you like people to know about you and/or your studio?


I never danced before I took my first pole class. I’m nearing the end of a 30-year career as a research meteorologist and had never been in touch with the artistic side of my brain. Lori Huett brought dance in to my world and I will be ever grateful that she has made a place in her studio for men.

*****

Please follow Bob's pole dancing adventures on his blog:  http://manwhopoledances.blogspot.com/

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Learning to Teach

Bel recently brought up the idea of me teaching a non-pole class.  She calls it Femme Fatale (a cardio burlesque type dance/exercise class).  At first I was STOKED.   What better way to "force" myself to do cardio than to be required to show up and teach it?!  We haven't talked details.  I don't know if it will be a one-time workshop or a regular class one day, two days, three days a week?  It's the holidays so we have some time to work that out.  But I thought, well I should jump on this.  I downloaded a bunch of music.  I wrote down the 8 counts in each song.  I had an app figured out the beats per minute.  I started thinking of routines in my head.  Of course, as a jazzerciser from way back in the day, I'm thinking of a combo of some cardio with a few strengthen moves in there is the best idea.  I bought a binder so I can type my routines out and bring them with me but I don't want to be staring at a binder the entire time. 

Then all of these questions started swirling in my little pea brain and I haven't been able to sleep.  Choreographing ONE four minute pole routine is hard.  How will I choreograph an entire hour of routines?  How will I remember it all?  I have been a gym student my entire life...can I switch to teacher mode and start giving cues ahead of time??  If this ends up being a regular class, how often should I change it up?  Should I wing some of it?  Should I choreograph every single minute?  Or should I break down a short routine and teach that for at least a few songs? 

How do all of you teachers do it??  Please help me sleep tonight!!!!  :-D

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Pioneer of Pole: StarrGrrrl!

Another awesome Shelly-referral is Aimee "StarrGrrrl" W.  She is a good friend of Pantera's and we love Pantera at Twirly Girls.  Any friend of Pantera's is a friend of ours!  Meet StarrGrrrl!

If my math is correct, you've been pole dancing since 1999.  That makes you a pioneer of pole dance!  I understand you worked as an exotic dancer in your early pole dancing years.  How do you feel that experience shaped you as an instructor later when you opened the Bombshell Ballroom?

I actually started dancing as an exotic dancer in Detroit in late 1998. I was fortunate to work with some amazingly beautiful, sensual dancers that treated their work as art even then, and I was so inspired by the atmosphere itself, and it really shaped my dance style. Transitioning from dancer to teacher was trickier. When I started teaching there wasn't this wealth of information and community that we are blessed to have now (Yay pole!!) so I only had what was in my personal little repertoire, and I had to teach myself to break down exactly what I was doing with my body in these movements, so I could convey that to my students. We have come so far, it's amazing. We have a great community, and we're always inspiring each other, brainstorming with each other, and teaching each other. The bar has been raised, and pole is taking off! We're really going to see this movement go in some amazing directions. (It has already!)

Who are other pole pioneers that you admire?

The first person I ever met from our community of pole dancers and athletes was Pantera. I had just kinda found the little tiny pole dancing community then, and she just so happened to live in Seattle, so we met up. She introduced me to the spinny pole that day (I had always used static poles), and I got pretty green in the face playing on it. She made me tea! Sweet girl! Her strength and discipline is amazing, and if you have never seen her perform live you MUST. She is incredible, and she is an awesome person as well. She has certainly taken pole places, and been a kickass supportive friend, so of course, she's one of my favorite pole rockstars.

Another one of my favorite pioneers is Alena Downs. She started the Pole Junkies forum, which was one of the first of it's kind, and I loved playing there! She's fearless, and never been afraid to put herself out there. She has done amazing things in building up what Pole Junkies is today, and when she started the Pole Junkies Pole Camp, I think it was the first (or at least one of the first) kind of even that brought dancers from all over the place together for a weekend intensive of classes, and tons of other pole fun. Now she has several studio's in Canada! Go PJ's!

And of course, my favorite YouTube rockstar to go competitive, Karol Helms. She was one of the first girls I met on YouTube, and her musical tastes and mine were so similar, we were always commenting on each others videos. I love her style, she's so bendy, and graceful and damn STRONG!

All three of these women brought pole out of the club scene, and told the world... "Hey, this is ART. This is Strength, this is grace, and this is to be respected."

You now teach at the Brassy Butterfly in Portland, Oregon.  Is the pole dancing scene different on the West Coast than it was in Detroit?


Sadly, when the pole community started to develop in Detroit I was already gone. When I was in Michigan, the pole scene for me was the club scene itself. I have met and communicated with many of the Detroit girls though, and they are great girls, who do great things for the midwest scene. A couple of years ago we were lucky enough to get Detroit native Ozzypoles to transplant here in the Portland area, and she's starting to organize showcases in Portland (Queen's of the Pole: Rock the 90's was the first one). We've got studio's a plenty out here, and we have a large industry (club) scene as well so we have a lot of events going on. When Pantera was in Seattle she organized the first showcase events that I know of as well (Hysteria, and Delerium at Noc Noc) I performed in the first Queens of the Pole event, as well as one of the Hysteria events, and one of the Delerium events in Seattle where I did a pole set, and a short Lyra set. There are video's from all three events on my YouTube channel.

I know your son is only six and has probably grown up knowing that pole dancing is perfectly normal.  Have you had to deal with mothers of other children judging you for your career choice?  I have had some friends with children deal with judgmental people lately so I'm always looking for witty retorts.  :-)

Yes, my son views pole dancing as completely normal, and he plays on the pole in my living room more than I do. He's actually quite coordinated and strong. It's impressive. I haven't really had to deal too much with any judgmental mothers, or perhaps I just don't bother to notice the judgments. I don't do anything inappropriate in front of my child, and I don't consider my dance to be inappropriate either. My child will grow up with an open mind, or at least the option to have that open mindedness, that some other children may not have due to biases in their parents. I also hope that my lifestyle gives him a good sense of body confidence, and an interest in art, dance, music, and athletics. I'd rather teach my child to love art than to be hateful or judging in any form.

Tell us one thing about you that people might be surprised to hear.

I think I have said this before, but it's a big part of who I am... I LOVE motorcycles, and I LOVE quads. I'm a tomboy, and I like to play in the dirt and sand. I'm also big on video games. I have a Wii, Xbox 360, PS3, and two computers. Does that make me a nerd?

What does 2012 hold for you?

Hopefully with 2012 comes some big changes. I'm in college, I just finished my second year. I'm transitioning now out of my prerequisite classes, and getting ready to shift gears and get ready for the nursing program. This consumes a good majority of my time. However, I'm trying to keep myself in shape, still teaching pole classes, and performing in February in the next Queens of the Pole event, and I'd like to make it to the pole convention as well since it's on my side of the world this year!

******

If it means anything to you, Aimee, I LOVE NERDS!  Please catch up with StarrGrrrl on FACEBOOK or YOUTUBE.

Men on the Pole: Tavon "Jungle Cat" Hargett

Men in Pole Dance has been a hugely popular subject lately.  Recently, Shelly Lamb asked me if I had talked to Jungle Cat about being in my blog.  I had Twittered him but hadn't followed up.  The very next day, Jungle Cat messaged me!  I was so excited...and it was such random timing.  In case you haven't met him, meet Tavon "Jungle Cat" Hargett!!


"Men on the Pole" has become a popular subject.  How did you get interested in pole dancing? 

It's actually a strange story about how I got into pole dancing.  I'm going to attempt to make it short.  I've tried various types of workout equipment, TV gimmicks, and gym memberships over the years in order to get in shape.  Needless to say I never got the results I wanted.  I could never stay interested in anything consistently enough to feel any effects.  One piece of equipment that I used the longest was called a Fluidity Bar (Portable ballet bar that you can fold up and put under your bed).  I really loved it but wasn't getting a challenging enough workout from it.  So one day just out of the blue I had a strange thought in my head. 

  
"What kind of workout would I get if this horizontal bar was vertical?" 

At that particular time, I wasn't even sure there was even any such thing.  In my head, I could only conjure up images of people doing crazy flips and wild stunts on the parallel bars in the Olympics; which of course, someone as out of shape and scrawny as me, would never ever be able to learn to do; especially on my budget.  But the Librarian in me likes to do research so I opened up a Google search engine and typed in 'Vertical Dance Bar'.  The very first link at the top was www.verticaldance.com.  I clicked on the website and the first thing I saw were photos of the world class instructor KT Coates in plain workout gear and leg warmers performing incredible feats of deft defying gravity!  I was in awe.  I scrolled down further and saw a huge heading that read, "What's the Difference?" and underneath were two photos side by side.  One photo was someone doing gymnastics and the other photo was someone doing an aerial pole move.  Underneath the photos was the subtitle, "None as far as we are concerned!!"  And I couldn't have agreed with them more.

But I have to admit; at first I was highly intimidated. I thought, "Oh my God!  She must be from a circus or be some kind of acrobat or something.  I'll never be able to do that!"  Thinking back it was only something simple like a butterfly but to people not knowing what in the world it is, it leaves you with your jaw dropping.  Now I find it quite hysterical when people in the audience gasp and scream at the simplest things you can do in your sleep; excluding pole dancers. Nothing hardly impresses them anymore. haha  But I digress...I had never seen pole dancing before and I was immediately struck with the athleticism, beauty, and skill of what I saw and as I continued to peruse the site I became more and more convinced that pole fitness was something that I had to at least try.  And when I found that I could get a fully portable pole in my own apartment that was affordable, it sealed the deal.

Two years later and now I'm performing, competing, judging competitions, giving workshops, teaching private lessons, and small group instruction at Pole Pressure in Washington, DC. 

What is your fitness background?

Other than trying to learn all the hottest and latest dance moves from music videos in front of my dresser drawer mirror in my youth and practicing yoga and Pilates at home on occasion, I’m never had any prior formal dance classes before pole dancing and unfortunately I was never good at any form of sports. I grew up in the sticks of North Carolina so there weren’t that many options I had available to me in an area that rural. I always wanted to get into diving and gymnastics but my school did not offer either of those extracurricular programs.
 
What is your fitness routine (on and off the pole)?

I wish I could say that I did.

What kind of diet do you follow?
 
If by special diet you mean "no diet at all" then yes! Otherwise, I pretty much eat whatever I want. I do try to make healthy choices more often than not but I am not above eating a whole medium pizza or a whole cheesecake at one time. I don't do it that often but occasionally I like to chomp on bacon cheeseburgers and fried chicken, but I'm a very moderate and temperate person. I always have been. So if I eat a burger for lunch, then 9 times out of 10, I will only have a salad for dinner. But I may have a piece of cake after the salad. Hey I'm human! :-P

 
How do you describe your pole style?

There are different sides and emotions that make up The Jungle Cat.

There is The Kitten. Kitten is the child-like and playful side of me. He's the jokester of the bunch. So he prefers silly funny songs and does comedy routines. Then there is Siamese. Siamese comes out on the rare occasions when I'm actually concerned about being very critical and technical about how I look. Siamese focuses very heavenly on pointed toes and full extensions. He likes slow and fluid type pieces such as performances to classical music. There's Lap Cat. Lap Cat is my softer, sensitive side. He's the old school hopeless romantic of the bunch. He likes love songs and soft sappy ballads. Opposite him is The Bengal Tiger. Bengal Tiger goes hard, rough, and exciting with dangerous and often very painful tricks. Cheetah goes fast and furious with quick tricks, transitions, and very fast spins. Jaguar is the sensual one of the gang. He doesn't come out that much because he's a little shy, but starting to explore him more and more. The most dominant one is The Lion. The Lion is the spiritual one. He’s the king of the jungle. With a quiet reserve and wisdom beyond his years, he keeps all the others in check. All of these pieces together make up the Jungle Cat.
 
Which competition(s) do you like to do? Do you have any title(s)? 
 
Well I prefer the competitions where I don’t have to send in the moves I’m going to do ahead of time. I’m more of a freestyle pole dancer and trying to memorize moves for a routine drives me crazy and starts to feel too much like work. Then it stops being fun. I’m not the competitive type and I really only compete to get the opportunity to perform. 
 
So far I've competed in both East Meets West 2010 Pole Events which were Polarity:Trixpert Category and Tri-Pole Challenge: Bi-Poler Category; the American Pole Fitness Championships 2010& 2011, Polesque2011, a few other small time local spins and tricks battles, and will be competing in the upcoming National Aerial Pole Art Championships 2012 in Las Vegas in February. However; I wouldn't necessarily say that I compete per say. Technically they are officially sponsored competitions but I'm really not a competitive person by nature at all. Winning a competition is the furthest thing from my mind. So I just do it for the experience of it. I do it for the love of performing, expressing myself through pole, and getting to meet all the other beautiful members of the pole community from various parts of the world. I'd much rather perform than compete because, at this point in my life, unfortunately I don't really have the time and energy needed to fully dedicate myself to rehearsing consistently and putting together routines and choreography for judging. That's probably just an excuse. Actually, I'm just to easily distracted by PS3 video games and too busy lounging around being a couch potato watching DVDs from Netflix after work. (HAHA) The truth is that I'm not a conditioned athlete, a contortionist, or anything like that. I don't even lift weight lifts. I'm really just an average Joe boring Librarian who just likes to express different emotions via pole or get a good fitness workout while listening to various types of music whenever I feel up to it. I wasn't in any kind of shape other than doing yoga at home before starting pole fitness and I have no formal dance training so it is quite an honor and shock that an amateur like me, who can't even do a split and can barely touch his toes, would be on the same stage with people like Zoraya Judd, David Owen, Bad Azz, Takeila Fox, Marlo, Amber Richard, Skittles, Fiyastarta, Flying Laura, Phoenix Kazree, and Felix Cane. It’s a very humbling experience and I’m so grateful for the opportunities.

Where do you train? Do you have your own pole studio?

I’m affiliated with Pole Pressure of Washington, DC in the United States. Jessalynn Mediary is the owner of the studio. She is a world renowned master pole instructor and performer, and she is solely responsible for putting together the largest and most popular annual pole event, the International Exotic Dance and Pole Fitness Convention.

Do you have sponsors you'd like to acknowledge?
 
I don’t have any sponsors who have officially picked me up yet, *sad face*, but for the most part they have all been extremely nice to me. If I had to acknowledge anyone specific it would be X-Pole and Tinu Ola, the organizer of American Pole Fitness Association and the American Pole Fitness Championships. Ty from X-Pole is always extremely nice to me. He’s a very cool and down to earth guy and even though he’s not my official sponsor or anything, he sent me a free pole after I performed at the International Exotic Dance and Pole Fitness Convention in 2011. He didn’t have to do that. He just offered it. I was so thankful because I really needed a new pole. I was so humbled by his generosity that after talking to him I hid in the bathroom and shed a few tears. Tinu Ola on the other hand doesn’t cut me any slack. From the moment I first met her she was hard on me and didn’t cut me any slack. She’s a very smart, classy, and elegant business women but she’s always very strong and tough. She let’s me have it when I need it and she’s not above fussing me out when I need to get on the ball. She’s like family and I love her dearly!
 
But mostly my biggest sponsor is my family at Pole Pressure and YouTube supporters. [Check out Jungle Cat's YouTube page HERE.] Other instructors and students are always pushing me and helping me out by offering to share their hotel rooms with me when I compete out of town, critiquing my practice routines, and helping me with my wardrobe. My YouTube supporters send me kind and encouraging words and take up for me when I get negative comments on my videos. Without them I wouldn’t be where I am today. I owe everything to them.

What is your favorite product to help you stick to the pole?
 
I love Dry Hands; it’s just that it leaves a white residue all over my body and doesn’t photograph very well. My two favorite products are this white powder grip called Control Grip and a moisturizing spray that still gives you grip called Dew Point. It’s a necessity for people of color but works well on other skin types too! :-)
 
What did you do before competing and/or opening your pole studio? 
 
I think this question means what did I do regarding pole before I got recognized as good enough to get accepted into competitions? Basically for the first 9 months of my pole fitness journey I was really on my own. I could not for the life of me find a pole studio that allowed males. So basically I was simply limited to trying to figure things out on my own by watching other pole dancers YouTube videos.
 
By the grace of God, one of my pole friends I have made acquaintances with online referred me to her friend who (at that time) was about to open a new pole studio and open it to men as well. So I emailed her and introduced myself. She invited me to come into the studio the week before the grand opening and we just hung out and poled in the studio together. We immediately hit it off! That young lady is Jessalynn Medairy, the owner of the studio I’m currently employed at as an instructor. She took me under her wing and trained me like I was family. She gave me a chance when no other studio would and she put her trust in me and allowed me to teach classes. I’m extremely grateful to her for giving me this chance that exploded into more than I could ever imagine.

What is your favorite song to dance to (at this moment)?

Very interesting question! Right now I’m actually in love with Adele’s “Set Fire to the Rain” (Moto Blanco Club Remix). The bass beat just drives me to shake my booty! I’m pretty sure I’ll be posting a YouTube video of me grooving to it on the pole very soon! HAHA

Do you have any other upcoming events/competitions you'd like people to know about?


At this time the only things I’m aware of that I will be participating in is the Miss/Mr. Pole Pressure Competition, the DMV Tri-State Competition, the National Aerial Pole Championships 2012, and I’ve also been invited to do another solo performance at the International Exotic Dance and Pole Fitness Convention 2012.

What else would you like people to know about you and/or your studio?
 
I'm mostly inspired by spiritual, gospel, and uplifting music and I love to express those feelings through spiritual pole art. I'm not deeply religious in the sense that I go to church every single Sunday. But I do read all types of spiritual literature daily including, the Bible, the Koran, the Bhagavad Gita, Daily Bread, etc. Where ever I find truth and love. I also pray, meditate, and practice self hypnosis every single day. I try my best to live by Krishna's and Christ's teachings because at their root they hold the ultimate truth. I'm also currently 7 years celibate. I do listen to secular music but I listen to gospel music the majority of the time.

Pole dance to me is art. Gospel and spiritual music also to me is art. So it only felt natural for me to put the two together but I can understand how it is perceived as controversial. As far as pole dancing goes for me personally, I would love to be an entertainer but unfortunately I don't know how to purposely entertain; if that makes any sense. You see, good entertainers actually study the art of entertaining and work to actually perfect that craft. Be it painting, singing, acting, dancing, or what have you. I study pole dance and I do extensive research about the best stretching techniques or what not, but I can't honestly say I work on the craft of entertaining. I just do it because it's fun, it's some kind of exercise that gets results, it helps me to relieve stress, and express emotions. So no I don't always point my toes, and I don't always follow through with my body extensions. I don't shop around for fancy costumes and now how to put on elaborate face paint. I'd like to one day. I think it would be fun. But I don't really have a creative eye for putting together clothes and things like that. Maybe someone will offer to help me one day because I could use it! HAHA But if not then that's okay too.
 
I just know what it's like to have the weight of the world on your shoulders and deal with all the issues that affect every single one of us. Financial problems, relationship problems, family problems, poor economy, physical and mental illnesses, being abused by society and carrying that with you for the rest of your life, etc.
 
What helps me get through life with a positive outlook is the basic truths behind gospel and spiritual music. It very hard to convey those feelings in words sometimes and a way that I can express those emotions are through pole dance. So that is my main inspiration. Either to express thankfulness to the Creator, to re-energize and encourage myself when I'm feeling weak emotionally and mentally, or to encourage and uplift others. It's also nice to be doing an activity that your loved ones are proud of. It's a good feeling to have your friends and family pass around your YouTube videos and say, "Look, this is my son, daughter, brother, sister, cousin, mom, dad, boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, wife, aunt, uncle, friend." It really means a lot to someone who's constantly struggled in the past to fit in and just be accepted for being you.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Pioneer of Pole: Fawnia Dietrich

For all of us little, itty, bitty baby pole dancers, mainstream pole dancing most likely wouldn't exist without this woman. She was the first person to open a pole dance studio -- she called it exotic dance school. I am so honored that she has agreed to be part of my blog. This is Fawnia Dietrich!

You were the first pioneer who helped bring pole dance/fitness to the mainstream. You opened your exotic dance school after starting to dance in 1994 and you were the first to release pole dance DVDs. I have seen the power of pole dancing change the lives of so many women. How does that make you feel?

I feel so great! Every day I am over joyed knowing that the world is seeing and feeling my vision of what pole dancing is really about. When I worked as a stripper in 94 - 96 it wasn’t about me taking off my clothes and many of the costumers agreed. In Canada we performed on stage only, especially in 94 and 95 (before lap dancing became more popular), and men would approach me after my show and compliment my theatrics, and athleticism on the pole. Pole dancing and exotic dancing made me feel power and in complete control of my life. Many people are born again Christians, while I was a born again dancer.

How do you feel pole dancing has changed since then?

Since the mid 90’s when it was mainly strippers who had access to a pole and danced, pole dancing is now being viewed as a way workout, a way to heel, a way to empower. Today it’s a way of life and I know many women who, when they travel, have to find a studio in that area to train it; “get their fix.”

Who are other pole pioneers that you admire?

We are all pioneers in pole dancing as you can bet “pole fitness” will be around for thousands of years thanks to all of our efforts. We are the first generation and we should all be very proud.

You now own Pole Fitness Studio in Las Vegas. When did you move from Canada?

I moved to Las Vegas, NV in 2005 and I am really happy here. I love meeting all the amazing women (and men) from around the globe who make it to Vegas at least once in their life time, many of whom have owned my instructional DVDs (or VHS tapes).

How did the Pole Expo come about?

I have participated in 15+ trade shows myself being a fitness model and writer for BodyBuilding.com and several other health related businesses I have a vision of how an expo would really bring everyone together and take our fast growing community to the next level.

I feel that our industry would benefit and grow from an event that is focused on bringing product suppliers and manufactures face to face with the athletes who use them, and offer seminars and workshops by our Pole Stars and experienced leaders all in the same room. There will also be pole dancing and floor work workshops, a male pole dancing competition and a Pole Star and group showcase. Pole Expo, is where history is made and the future is born, all in fabulous Las Vegas! http://www.PoleExpo.com

Tell us one thing about you that people might be surprised to hear.

Well I wear glasses (when I read) and I belonged to the Mormon church until I was 15, at which point I moved away from home and started a life of my own.

What does 2012 hold for you?

In 2012 I will be home more compared to 2011.

March 18th and 19th I am offering my advanced pole dance instructor certification, levels 5 and 6 in Vegas.
March 20th – 25th Visiting my family in Victoria, BC Canada.
April 15th – 18th I am offering my basic pole dance instructor certification, levels 1 – 4 in Vegas.
June 20th – 21st Attending Pole Convention in Los Angeles.
August 24th – 26th Judging, teaching and performing at The Great Midwest Pole Dance Competition and Convention in IL.
Sept 1st & 2nd I will be judging, teaching and performing at Miss Pole Dance Canada.
Sept 6th – 8th I am hosting Pole Expo in Las Vegas!
Sept 9th – 11th Offering my basic pole dance instructor certification, levels 1 – 4 in Vegas.
Oct 1st Judging the World Pole Dance Competition – City and Country TBD
Nov 4th – 11th Dance Wicked for a Week in Jamaica, offering workshops and performing. Join us!

Thank you so much for being part of my blog. I hope to meet you at the Pole Expo in September!

Yes, see you in September Lori. I can’t wait to meet you too!
Thank you so much for the interview.
*****

Please visit Fawnia online or in person:

http://www.poleexpo.com/

http://www.polefitnessstudio.com/

Monday, December 19, 2011

Project 365: Days 176-188

Day 176
Wednesday, December 7

Taste of Finnochio's holiday show.



Day 177
Thursday, December 8



Day 178
Friday, December 9



Day 179
Saturday, December 10

Molly and Jake



Day 180
Sunday, December 11



Day 181
Monday, December 12

A hawk trying to carry away a dead pigeon



Day 182
Tuesday, December 13



Day 183
Wednesday, December 14



Day 184
Thursday, December 15

What cat likes wheat thins?!



Day 185
Friday, December 16





Day 186
Saturday, December 17

Preparing for Half Iguana Mount



Day 187
Sunday, December 18



Day 188
Monday, December 19

New Pole Goals

I haven't hit my other pole goals really, but I have two new ones to add!

Here is my last post about pole goals:

http://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2011/12/all-pole-goals-updated.html

Lying Lady

Here is a picture of Lo doing it and then here is my attempt.  This will be part of my cross-ankle release goal. 



Half Iguana Mount

The Iguana Walk is the amazing move that Jenyne Butterfly does where she looks like she's walking down the pole.  The girls who took Natasha Wang's advanced workshop said they were learning the Half Iguana, where one hand is holding on to the pole and the other is in handstand position.  I have been trying to kick into the handstand and haven't been able to yet.  I did it from a headstand, but it isn't really the same.  But now I have the "feeling" down so I am going to keep trying until I can essentially do a one-armed handstand!

Video of Iguana Mount:



Video of Iguana Walk:



Pictures of me kicking around: