Skip to main content

Beginner tutorials

Here is a complete set of beginner level tutorials, following the order that I teach in class. As a rule, you should work on one lesson per week, or three per two weeks if you have more time to train. It is important to take the time necessary to practise the moves with correct technique, and on both sides.

I have filmed these at home during lockdown and produced the tutorials on moviemaker, so the video quality is what it is ;-), but I wholeheartedly stand by the pedagogical quality of this course of lessons.

Before any training session, a good warm up is vital. You should include a pulse-raising activity, such as running on the spot, jumping jacks, squats, lunges, skipping,... Follow your pulse raiser by moving all the major joints: circle the head, shoulders, chest, hips, wrists, knees, ankles and also stretch the back. Engage the major muscle groups: you can go deeper in your squats and lunges and hold a plank. Stretches such as a runners lunge and downward facing dog are also good preparation, but keep them dynamic. For example, move between a downward dog and a plank; go to a runner's lunge, but then straighten the front leg, then back to lunge and keep going.

I have posted a warm up here (which also contains some conditioning exercises).

Lesson 1

Lesson 2


Lesson 3


Lesson 4

Lesson 5


Health and safety information:
While some safety instructions have been included in these tutorials, it is understood that any participant follows these videos at their own risk. Please ensure that you have been cleared by a medical professional to engage in such exercise and that you do not have any injuries that would prevent you from safely taking part. Don't try to advance too quickly through the tutorials. It is better to spend time acquiring and consolidating, which will also give your body a chance to respond and prepare you for the next level. I hope you enjoy your practice!


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

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...

Opening Momentum Pole Sport

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 ...