I’m fortunate to live in the tri-state area with relatively good access to a variety of pole fitness studios. One of my goals with Poles & Places is to take a pole fitness class whenever I travel. Included in this goal is sampling some local options.
However, having a “home” studio is like your hometown bar where everyone knows your name (and the pole tricks on your lengthy “want to try” list).
Recently, I had the pleasure of visiting Body & Pole in Manhattan. On a Friday afternoon, I registered for a level 3 pole class with Rommel O’choa, a professional dancer.
Body & Pole, located in midtown, was an easy trek. The studio space, excuse me, spaces, were like a downtown loft. The space consisted of a pole room with 7 poles, a room for aerials, hoop and silks, and rooms for stretching. Perusing their website, I learned they offer seasonal workshops with different instructors on a range of topics such as ring conditioning, using multiple apparatuses, and filming techniques (I would love to learn better camera angles!).
Since it was early afternoon on a weekday, only five people were present for class. We started with a dynamic warm-up and some stretching requiring the knee to be on the floor (I recommend getting a mat unless your knees can take it!)
After warmups, we learned a low flow spin combination. It was chair spin to dip spin to Juliet. Next, we played with some tricks on static. Now, let me tell you, it’s only been a few weeks since I landed my first Ayesha. Now, I’m on my way to an elbow-grip Ayesha from a caterpillar, OMG!
Personally, the biggest challenge I face is my mental game. At this stage in my life, it will take a longer time to come back from an injury. And, if you haven’t been following any of my journey, I discovered pole after a very serious injury. Therefore, I’m a reluctant daredevil. Is there even such a thing?
Watching the other students in class successfully perform this trick was intimidating. It can can be easy to get discouraged. However, I think it’s important to remember that everyone’s pole journey is different and it’s helpful to keep some perspective: If you are currently poling, you are way ahead of anyone who has never even tried it. If you can spin, talk the lingo, do a trick and teach someone else, you’re more accomplished than most people who have not even walked through the door.
Lastly, it was time for some twisty moves on spin. We learned some type of split (I cannot recall the name, similar to a matrix split) and then we did a step-up where the body twists and you could go into a tulip. The final moments of the class were open to freestyle all the different moves we had learned.
I definitely enjoyed this class and plan to try some other classes at Body & Pole. In fact, I’m signed up for another class next week! I’ll be sure to provide some updates.
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