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.
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 back to the gym and oh, how that hurt! The weekend brought my first social event; an evening with a small group of friends, who came over to help me eat a mountain of sushi that I spent the afternoon making. These girls were (socially distantly) there for me when I was ill, despite confinement being tough on each of them, and it meant everything to me. We sat out in the garden until almost midnight catching up and didn't see the hours passing!
It seems like a good moment to look back over the confinement, how it's changed my outlook, what it's changed in my life and how I will adapt now to the deconfinement. It's been quite a rollercoaster, I think for everyone. At first, I wondered how I would adapt to staying home and all of the restrictions in place, but then that became my reference of comfort and safety. Staying home, for me, meant finally getting that family time I always craved. Spending 3 months in a bubble with my husband and daughter was the best thing that has happened to our relationship and I never want to go back to the crazy times beforehand where it was a miracle if we could find even a free afternoon together.
But wait, what has this got to do with pole dance? :-) :-), ok I'm getting there ;-)
Entering confinement, I was still working (as a schoolteacher) as well as giving pole classes in the evening. I was due to quit my job to focus on pole teaching and training, with important competitions to prepare for in the coming months. Getting ill and then seeing my employment end while I had no pole classes to prepare, then finally seeing my competitions cancelled, provoked a fair amount of worry and soul-searching. I tried to stay positive, signing up for another competition, which was subsequently cancelled, and taking time to gradually rebuild my strength on the pole, finding motivation in Instagram challenges and making videos for the pole studios where I teach. A few weeks in, I felt strong enough to teach again and tentatively set up some online classes, which happily have been successful and a major focal point of confinement for me.
Preparing and teaching online classes has enriched my skill set as a pole teacher. I have taught multi-level classes, preparing interesting elements that are adaptable to different experience levels. I have had to explain moves and transitions in much more detail than when face to face, demonstrating from different angles, emphasising contact points and going over extra security points. The ambiance in class has been very positive, students happy to see one another and to practise their beloved sport, and I have enjoyed being able to create these shared moments, as well as the technical class content. Deciding to offer a choreography class was a bold decision for me, but an important one for my expressive development. I have experiemented different styles and am feeling more confident creating and teaching dance content.
The cancellation of competitions forced me to change my training focus and my plans for the year. Training became more about trying new elements, rather than practising routine sequences. Some pre-existing injuries and weaknesses unfortunately caused me some pain and I have had to be careful at times. I hope that I am gradually managing these joint-related issues, but it will be a case of long-term maintenance and caution if I want to continue training and improving at this level. Other projects, such as setting up my own classes, which were ear-marked for 2021, are now coming to the forefront. Hopefully, I will be able to organise something before September!
I think the overall message is that confinement has thrown obstacles in our paths and everyone has had their own experiences, especially difficult for many. But I feel like I am coming out of it with a healthier lifestyle and a positive outlook. Here's hoping that the second half of the year will be easier on us all!
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 back to the gym and oh, how that hurt! The weekend brought my first social event; an evening with a small group of friends, who came over to help me eat a mountain of sushi that I spent the afternoon making. These girls were (socially distantly) there for me when I was ill, despite confinement being tough on each of them, and it meant everything to me. We sat out in the garden until almost midnight catching up and didn't see the hours passing!
It seems like a good moment to look back over the confinement, how it's changed my outlook, what it's changed in my life and how I will adapt now to the deconfinement. It's been quite a rollercoaster, I think for everyone. At first, I wondered how I would adapt to staying home and all of the restrictions in place, but then that became my reference of comfort and safety. Staying home, for me, meant finally getting that family time I always craved. Spending 3 months in a bubble with my husband and daughter was the best thing that has happened to our relationship and I never want to go back to the crazy times beforehand where it was a miracle if we could find even a free afternoon together.
But wait, what has this got to do with pole dance? :-) :-), ok I'm getting there ;-)
Entering confinement, I was still working (as a schoolteacher) as well as giving pole classes in the evening. I was due to quit my job to focus on pole teaching and training, with important competitions to prepare for in the coming months. Getting ill and then seeing my employment end while I had no pole classes to prepare, then finally seeing my competitions cancelled, provoked a fair amount of worry and soul-searching. I tried to stay positive, signing up for another competition, which was subsequently cancelled, and taking time to gradually rebuild my strength on the pole, finding motivation in Instagram challenges and making videos for the pole studios where I teach. A few weeks in, I felt strong enough to teach again and tentatively set up some online classes, which happily have been successful and a major focal point of confinement for me.
Preparing and teaching online classes has enriched my skill set as a pole teacher. I have taught multi-level classes, preparing interesting elements that are adaptable to different experience levels. I have had to explain moves and transitions in much more detail than when face to face, demonstrating from different angles, emphasising contact points and going over extra security points. The ambiance in class has been very positive, students happy to see one another and to practise their beloved sport, and I have enjoyed being able to create these shared moments, as well as the technical class content. Deciding to offer a choreography class was a bold decision for me, but an important one for my expressive development. I have experiemented different styles and am feeling more confident creating and teaching dance content.
Intermediate level online class combo (see here for more class videos)
Trying new things! Here's the moment I first filmed a new trick, the forearm butterfly :-)
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