To Pay or not to Pay for Pole Dancing or Aerial Acrobatics lessons? We are all aware of the sayings: “Money makes the world go round”, “No money no honey”, “It’s all about the money” (or P Diddy’s more gangsta version “It’s all about the Benjamins”) or even the infamous “SHOOOOOOOOOWWWWW MEEEEEEEEEE THEEEEEEEEEEE MONEEEEEEEEEEY”. We are all aware that going out on a first date involves getting dolled up and dollared up. Vacation costs money, getting to work costs money, almost everything in this world costs money – So why is it that many of us believe that Pole Dancing or Aerial Acrobatics is cheap or should be cheap.
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We are all more than willing to rush to the stores to grab any brand name provided it’s on 50% sale but when it comes to Pole Dancing we stinged out.
Granted shopping is a one-time thing (or so we tell ourselves) but if you want to be good at something you have to invest. Investing time following the steps of Rocky or anyone else who uttered the phrase “no pain no gain” is one thing, investing money is another. Both are necessary.
The Melting Pot of Pole Dancing
With minor exceptions of performers who can literally fly from one pole to another using just their nose and ears as a grip most of us will probably never be natural freaks of nature (at least when it comes down to pole). Natural talent is great and can get you far down the yellow brick road but If you want to defeat the evil witch you’ll have to know how to wear and use those ruby slippers.
Pole dancing may require unnatural strength and inhuman coordination to be successful in the various number of tricks listed in the Pole Dance textbooks, but being able to complete a trick does not mean your journey ends there.
Just as other sports have supplementary or preparatory classes so does Pole Dancing. Flex, Stretch, Conditioning, Dance Routines are some of the many courses available to assist you and improve your performance in the sport.
Next time you scoff at someone with a full program or someone who runs in and out of Pole Studios more often that running in and out of the lavatories after beer bonging think of their dedication and their logic. Pole Dancing, for those who want the whole experience, cannot be limited to a class or two, it’s a holistic sport and it should be treated as such.
[bctt tweet=”Pole Dancing it’s a holistic sport and it should be treated as such.” username=”verticalwise”]
Therefore, plan your Program and know that some of these classes may be necessary or at least useful.
We All Gotta Accessorize
Would you go to the beach without a swimsuit, would you go to work without a tie, would you go out with your furry fluffy friends to the park without sweat pants? Then why would you go to a pole/aerial/stretch etc. class without the proper outfit?
Pole Dancing is not a sport where you are fully clothed – Pole Dancing is a sport where your bits and pieces can come out and say hello just because. This is why there are specially designed outfits for this purpose – to help you train, to help you look good and most of all to help you be safe. As much as you may prefer your own outfits, are functional for many reasons and should be preferred.
Again, I can hear what you are saying – that pole outfits are expensive, and you are half right there. It’s only logical that with the inclusion of a new market supply and demand principles would hike up the prices of Pole Dancing outfits – however, this is last year’s news. There is a plethora of online sites who cater to the tall, short, geek, sleek, hot and the rest of the lot.
Strutting your Stuff on the Catwalk
Many of you will have participated in a Show (either for your dance school or professionally). It should be noted that you are going to be on stage, being judged, by many weird persons. This would not be the place to cut down on costs. You must feel and look the part or else all the hard work you’ve put in may not be appreciated if you aren’t in a role. Just as you would at a night out look after hair, makeup, outfits shoes etc (often times sparing no expense) the same should apply in this case, and even more so if you are part of a team.
Teamwork and being part of a team is a matter not to be taken lightly. As in most cases majority rules. There is the occasional exception where a team is so close that one your opinion will be heard and respected. Generally speaking, when you are part of a team you cannot drag the others down, it’s not lady like it’s not polite and it certainly isn’t sportsmanlike. Remember in most cases it’s an attitude thing and not a money thing but in either case, you won’t be able to participate in a group show wearing just “your underwear backwards”.
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Putting in the Time
Every time a training or a seminar comes into town think twice about whether or not you’d rather go to the bar, pub, cafe. The purpose of training and workshops are to ensure that you are taught, by experienced professionals all the tricks, tips, hints etc. (the list goes on) which you may not have had the chance to learn in your Pole Dance lifetime.
Such seminars can give you an advantage and regardless how much you think it’s being overcharged, they are the ones with the knowledge which you need to gain. Besides there are seminars for all pockets and wallets – pick one which suits you.
Expectation
[bctt tweet=”No sport is for free” username=”verticalwise”]
No sport is for free and it is understandable that with the current situation being able to go to one class is an achievement. We all make our choices and our sacrifices. You have every right not to invest time or energy or money. However:
- Those that do are not to be laughed at or to be characterized accordingly.
- You cannot expect to be splitting, spinning and inverting with the same ease as others who have put in the time (and ergo the money).
- Neither can you have the same expectations as other who live and breathe pole or aerial.
Pole Dance and Aerial Acrobatics should be compared to other sports such as ballet or horse-riding to put things in perspective. The fact that most instructors may be lenient or chilled back does not mean that the principles of an organized sport should not be maintained here as well.
And don’t forget “the alternatives are out there” (Just ask Mulder and Scully).
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