Pole Teacher Training

When I began teaching pole classes back in September 2019, I had a couple of teacher training sessions at one of the studios where I teach. This was valuable in giving me the confidence to plan my first sessions, but I decided that I also wanted to persue an official qualification to teach this sport (even though there is no obligation in Belgium).

I turned to Spin City Pole Fitness, a company that I knew and trusted from their Pole Bible and online presence. I chose to begin with the Pole Fitness Beginner's Level course, which took me 6 months to complete in total, allowing for flexibility during busy times and more intense study during quieter moments. Completing this training provided me the validity I was looking for, but also sparked a whole lot more! The more I learnt about effective warming up, for example, the more I sought to discover. I discussed with students of my classes who work in the medical domain, including physiotherapy, who were able to answer my questions, correct my technique, and recommend exercises. The course taught me effective ways of explaining and demonstrating moves, as well as ideas for combining them. It allowed me to view pole fitness as a sport of its own, in which I have chosen to develop my specialism.

Following my successful completion of the beginner's course, I wanted to continue to develop within the pole physiology domain. I took a second course in Anatomy and Physiology for Pole and Aerial Sports and have now begun two parallel courses in flexibility fr pole and aerial sports and conditioning for pole and aerial sports. These will be completed at a face to face weekend in September, which I am immensely looking forward to!

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Discovering the world of PSO

Not one to dwell too long on my disappointment (see my posts about IPSF and the decision to cancel/postpone the 2020 season), I felt the need to refocus my training efforts. I had already looked into the PSO (Pole Sports Organization) in the past, but hadn't wanted to add pressure to my IPSF preparation timeline with a second competition. The PSO exists mainly in the States and serves as a national competition, complete with a final. In Europe, it is also possible to take part in competitions, but each one is a stand-alone entity. Like the IPSF, there is an age category for me (over 40), which is an important consideration. There were a few competitions in Europe coming up: Lausanne in July, which I felt was a bit soon to be sure that it would be held. Then Lisbon in September and Manchester in October. I went for Manchester, as I know it is an easy journey from Brussels and I wanted to experience a competition in the UK. The next task in the application process is choosing a c...

First online class

I've arrived a little late at the party on this one :-). Many online live classes have already launched in the past few weeks, as well as a wealth of resources for learning pole from home. However, ill for the first two weeks of lockdown and recovering the third, I took a little more time to get there and I am grateful to my students for their patience! Yesterday, I got to teach my regular Sunday class, from my own living room! I thoroughly enjoyed reconnecting with this group and we had a lot of fun. The difficulties included finding the right distance away from my computer when demonstrating, to be in full view, but audible, as well as making sure the participants muted their mics to avoid background noice and echo. For next time, I want to try to find a setup using a better camera and I might use my Britney mic if necessary. Surprisingly though, the class went very smoothly. I gave explanations and demonstrations for each move or combo and then watched my screen as the girls t...

End of Confinement De-Brief (in brief :-))

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...

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