Victoria's Pole Sport Diary

 Well, here we are in a second lockdown and it's taken me a while to get around to feeling like blogging again. I'll write a separate post about the lockdown, as it's been a little overwhelming and deserves its own discussion. I wanted to share here my experience of online competitions, which I ended up testing out when the second lockdown hit, forcing me to close my classes at the end of October 2020. I think the initial trigger was the need for something positive to focus on; something that could still drive me forwards while I felt like I was being restrained.  I decided to use my PSO credit from the cancellation of the Manchester competition and got the last spot for PSO Scorpio. Unfortunately, I rushed the process a little and left myself little time to prepare. I found myself in a situation where I only had one opportunity to film my routine and I had not really explored the choreography and its limitations to a sufficient extent. As bad luck would have it, I also fel

Picking up from my last post, so much has happened in the past 4 weeks. My initiation classes took place successfully on 30th August and I enjoyed every minute. Almost all of the participants signed up for regular classes and my groups are now complete (with waiting list for the two beginners' classes!). Smiling faces after the first initiation class! On Monday, the first lessons took place, in a happy, relaxed and positive atmosphere. Everything I was hoping to create in this venture! With systems now in place for arrival of students, installation and storage of the poles, communication with the groups, general rules and Covid policy, I hope that things will continue to run smoothly. One thing I can say with confidence is that running this type of business is a lot more work than it may seem on the outside. I have created this ASBL from scratch by myself, developed the ideas, the website, promoted my activity, enrolled students, taken care of policies and insurance, managed the ac

 I haven't really had time to update this blog recently, as I've been pouring all of my time and effort into the creation of my pole sport school. On top of that have been holidays, family time, as well as teaching regular classes (3 evenings per week and the occasional private lesson). Perhaps this blog, created out of a need during lockdown, will become more occasional from now on. I will try to add more videos to the stocks, all the same :-). Finally finding a studio for my classes was a huge step, but only the start. Next, I began writing the status for the creation of my association (ASBL) and I created a website. A graphic designer friend kindly created an amazing logo for the studio and it all started falling into place.  Since the creation of the ASBL, I have been able to take out insurance and open a bank account. Of course, there were also the poles to buy! Now I'm just waiting for the last elements; bank card details, delivery of the last pole and confirmation of

I've been a little quiet these past few weeks. In fact, I've been working hard to find a suitable studio in which to launch my very own pole school! After a few visits that unfortunately were unsuccessful, as it so happened I heard of an availability in the right place at the right time. So from September, I will open classes in Schaerbeek, Brussels, 3 evenings a week. I have designed a schedule of levelled classes from beginner to advanced, as well as detailed programs. Choosing a name for the school was tough! A lot of pole schools are starting to use a pole move in the title. I wanted to go with something a bit crazy. "Rainbow Iguana" was in the running. But eventually, Momentum sounded neat and fits pole sports very well. Why my own school? Since I started to teach pole, I discovered a new dimension to my passion for this sport and art form. I love to teach, the only drawback being the late evenings, which I'm hoping I will get used to! Completing the

Since I started this blog during confinement, with the time that was freed up initally when I was ill, it seemed essential to me to write a proper post at this moment of deconfinement in Belgium. On Monday 8th June, I taught my first studio classes since early March! I'm pleased to say that it really was amazing to be back, taking in the exciting atmosphere of long-awaited reunions, not to mention having a full 3 metres of pole to train on, without nearby walls or a tiny stage to restrict me :-). The new hygiene rules will take some adjusting to, but it looks a lot more onerous on paper than it feels in reality. Really, these are common sense and I hope that many of these habits will be adopted long-term in pole classes. Back on a studio pole, at Brussels Art & Pole <3 My daughter also went back to school the same day and my husband is starting to venture into the office a few days a week, so there is quite a shift taking place. The following day, I was able to go b

This month, I have been focusing on developing my online classes, which have been very successful so far. The preparation is challenging, as there is a greater range of level amongst the students taking part than in studio classes. The students must be able to follow my instructions alone, without a partner or physical help, so breaking down moves and giving verbal instructions and demonstrations from multiple angles are key to an enjoyable class, rather than a frustrating one. Step by step instructions, with some tips for en easier entry! Working on choreography for a weekly class is one challenge that I’m pleased to have set for myself. I am gaining confidence in my ability to move, dance and create an artistic performance. Practising these routines adds an interesting variety to my training sessions, which have been getting quite long! In addition to preparing classes and working on choreography, during the past week I have been finding a little time to get back to