Skip to main content

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!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Leaning into lockdown extension

The announcement came on Wednesday afternoon; lockdown until 3rd May. And after that? We will find out next Wednesday. I'm a bit late in offering online classes. I think that there was more enthusiasm to follow these in the initial weeks of lockdown, when everything was feeling a bit more novel and everyone was figuring out how they wanted to live their confinement experience. Now, 5 weeks in, a routine has set in, with less spontaneity and increasing disappointment. Unfortunately, I took a few weeks to catch up, being ill at the start, and so here I am with my ideas and enthusiasm! I hesitated before planning these classes. Maybe we would have our normal classes again in a couple of weeks anyway. Was the hassle worth it? What if people didn't sign up? How would I take that? With all these big names and top-level pole dancers offering online classes, what can I offer of interest? Weighing up the options, I felt it was worth a try. My philosophy is to try to see an opportuni...
Post a Comment
Read more

IPSF

In early 2019, I discovered the IPSF. This was a huge event in my pole journey, and one that has helped me to focus and develop my own practice. The IPSF is a highly structured organisation (which suits me down to the ground :-)), that has already encouraged federations to be opened in 30-40 countries worldwide. Their aim is to bring Pole Sports to the Olympics, and it is not an empty goal; they are actively working towards this aim and taking the appropriate steps, one by one. Pole Sports within the International Pole Sports Federation, adheres to a 150-page code of points, for which I have already passed an exam to attest to my knowledge. Competition participants must demonstrate strength, flexibility and the ability to perform spins on both the static and spinning pole. The rules provide a structure to preparing for a competiton and an important point of reference; on the other hand the realisation of a competition routine can be tricky when trying to adhere to all the rules! This...
Post a Comment
Read more

Instagram Challenges & Confinement Motivation

During this confinement, the pole community has benefitted from its strong online presence. Even if we cannot go to class, we have not lost contact with our pole friends, nor have we stopped supporting and motivating one another. For me, the pole community is like none other; I have honestly never in my life encountered such an inclusive and supportive network, which is not at all impersonalised by its immensity. We have been spoilt for choice of lockdown challenges on Instagram; a great source of motivation to warm up and get on the pole at home, even when lethargy sets in or, as in my case, you need to rebuild your strength following illness. I have been following the Brussels Art & Pole #bxlartpolechallenge, which I will also contribute to next week. Every two days, on-pole and off-pole figures on a given theme are suggested, that you can reproduce, modify or incorporate in a short combo or choreography. Here are some of my participation efforts: "chair", "str...
Post a Comment
Read more