I have been pole dancing for more than three years now, and I am at mid Advanced level. You see, every pole term is 8 weeks and we start off with Beginner, Intermediate 1-3, Advanced 1-3. I breezed through the initial Beginner to Intermediate 2 and then the levels got tougher, required more upper body strength and I had to clock in many more hours to have the strength to stay up the pole.
Before I put pole dancing on hold for a while, I was doing about 4 hours of pole dancing each week – 2 set classes (spin and static) and 2 casual classes (stretch, or strengthening of some sort). It was not enough, considering the fact that Advanced levels required so much strength and agility but because my body remembers the same set of tricks each time, it was conditioned to improve for the better. The real professional competitors (pole instructors) clock in at least 4 hours of workout each day like real athletes.
And then I left for Europe and the US with Josiah for 6 months for the Olympics, a holiday and to pursue a startup business idea. When we came back, I started running with the Nike Run Group in Melbourne twice a week to improve my endurance. Today after 2 weeks of no-running, a holiday in Malaysia in spite of the climb up Mount Kinabalu, my body seemed to forget how to do most tricks.
I have missed 8 months of pole work, so it would be 8 pole years altogether.
It was a bit demotivating today personally for myself in A3 class when girls were doing Pantera climbs (imagine pulling your body up to the top of the pole using only arm strength) and I had to simplify the moves to cater to my capabilities. My muscular and fit instructor, Hollie was very encouraging reminding me that it was my first official A3 class back in the studio. I went for two A2 classes in the past two weeks with Gracie, it wasn’t as daunting, but A3 seems to be a different level now altogether. In Pole Divas’ (my studio) Unleashed level, it is considered “Elite Category”.
I will give myself 2 weeks to regain its muscle memory, having the strength to get back on to the pole. I’ve sold my pole at home last year, so it means going to the studio more often. I am going to take it easy, not expect too much at this point otherwise I would risk an injury. But yes, I’m looking forward to a good pole year. Maybe some competitions ahead for fun?
