Lessons I've Learned in 10 Years of Pole

2016 marks my 10th year pole dancing and my 7th teaching, and I thought I would share some lessons I’ve learned. This post is chock full of opinions and personal experiences, if you don’t agree that’s OK! I just want to share with you what has helped me.

Your presence in the community DOES matter.

You can be an incredible pole athlete, the best in the biz, but if your presence in the community is a negative one…you’re limiting yourself. As a studio owner myself, I would not hire a lady or gentleman who does not treat others with respect. If your Facebook is a series of negative rants or you have a reputation for saying mean or hurtful things about other polers I personally don’t want that type of energy around my students.

We’ve all said things that were negative, we’re human, but if you’re infamous for your drama you may be limiting your opportunities to teach and perform. Plus, at the end of the day, don’t we want to uplift each other? Don’t we want to show the outside world that this is a family that you WANT to be a part of?

There is no rush.

Your journey in pole is going to be a roller coaster. You’re going to nail things on your first day, then fail epically at others. Not only is pole incredible difficult, BUT WE’RE OLD DUDE (hear me out)! The majority of pole dancers are not perfectly flexible children with infinite strength and energy, most of us are normal 20-40 somethings with a creaky elbow and back that goes out once in a while. We are LIVED in; we have life experience, we have old injuries, we have bunions, we have that one hip that sounds like a snare drum, and that is what makes the things we do even more incredible.

Not only that. We have jobs, we have children, we have husbands and wives, and we have responsibilities that have to come right before our passions. Record yourself as a beginner! You may never show anyone that video, but you WILL appreciate watching your progress and realizing how far you have come. Take your time, relish in the fact that you’re off the couch killin’ it instead of comparing yourself to your heroes on Instagram.

Build a Family, not a financial institution.

Buttercup is half-way through its 5th year, and although that is not a super long time, it is enough to know we are safely out of the danger zone. The reason we have had continued success? In my opinion of course…

Our main goal for each class is to laugh and have a positive experience, regardless of whether you were fully successful regarding the material.

Life is way too short to worry about a knee hang…I want to create a space where every little negative thing you experienced today can melt away. Fitness and advanced pole dancing are 2nd only to laughing at back farts and joking about the cotton cannon (don’t ask, or do, it’s pretty hilarious).

When students want to be there, the money will come. You didn’t open a pole studio to be a millionaire.

Stand out instead of standing on the podium.

I want you to win competitions! I want you to become the best you can be! But I also want you to do you, and to be unique and memorable.

You don’t have to be the strongest or the most flexible! Be the slinkiest, have the most epic stage presence, or have an amazing concept! Technical points often win the grand prize, but passion may well win the audiences’ heart. If you don’t love what you’re doing, what’s the point?

You CAN be somebody in this community without a list of wins under your name.

Cheers to 10 Years, it has been a pleasure to be a member of this big sexy pole family.

Love,

Sarah Jade