“Before coming to Divine I had become jaded and very judgemental towards my own movement. There is something about free form boudoir mixed with the lack or mirrors that takes away any feeling of “am I doing this “right.” This really gives me the freedom to just enjoy how the movement feels in my body.”
Miss April 2018: Ashland
Occupation: Dentist
Your motto or favorite quote: Be a thermostat not a thermometer.
How long have you been pole dancing at Divine? I had taken pole before joining Divine. I took a about a year off but I have been at Divine for about 1.6 years.
Did you have any previous dance or fitness training before starting pole? I danced when I was little through highschool stopped in college and began taking pole to get back in dance for fitness after grad school. I found it difficult to find dance classes as an adult WOMAN that were for hobbyist and not professional dancers. Then if found pole.
What made you decide to take pole dancing classes? In 2012 I was in Atlanta and a friend wanted to take a pole class for her birthday. The studio had up advertisements for a pole show the same weekend. I went to the class and the show. I was not only amazed by what my body could do in just a one hour class( i.e a fireman spin which was amazing to me at the time). The next day at the show i was inspired by the women of all shapes and sizes showing their athleticism and their unapologetic sensuality on the pole. I was hooked. I signed up immediately and never looked back.
Favorite class? (spins, inversions, or boudoir), and why? My favorite changes by the day inversions for physical growth boudoir for mental/ spiritual growth. Spins if I’m feeling wacky.
What is it that you LOVE about pole dancing at Divine? I love the freedom that comes with boudoir dance. I had taken choreographed dance classes for years both on and off the pole. Before coming to Divine I had become jaded and very judgemental towards my own movement. There is something about free form boudoir mixed with the lack or mirrors that takes away any feeling of “am I doing this “right.” This really gives me the freedom to just enjoy how the movement feels in my body.
Platforms or legwarmers? Both at the same time. I am an all or nothing person and very indecisive. I either like booty shorts and bare feet or have are all of the coverage.
What are you currently working on technically? Cleaning my aerial invert
What are you working on artistically? POINTING MY TOES
What is your favorite move? Chair spin it really lets you know immediately how your grip is for the dance. Sometimes I go to step into the spin and I’m like today’s a one handed chair day and I will have lots of pole in today’s dance. Other times I go into my chair and slide straight to the ground … my next thought is maybe this is a roll on the floor sort of dance today.
What is in your pole bag (ex: grip aid, journal, etc)? Journal, dry hands, extra bra, shorts, leg warmers, water bottle and shoes.
Do you have a favorite song to pole dance to? My favorite song to dance to is instructors choice. My indecisive spirit and history of choreographed dance form a perfect storm of anxiety around picking a song. I enjoy not knowing what is about to play so I don’t try to come up with a 8 count in my head to my song choice (which I would immediately judge as not good enough) and want to switch my song.
We LOVE music at Divine. What 3 songs would be featured on the soundtrack to YOUR life?
1). Sam Cooke Change Gone Come
2). Adele Hometown Glory
3). Green Day Good Riddance
Guilty pleasure: Napping
Final Question:
Any inspirational advice you would like to share with new polers? Don’t take pole it too seriously. You should always try your best and whatever YOUR BEST was for the day IS enough. There is always next week. If you have a bad dance or did not get the move you were working on dont stress or get discouraged. Come back and try again.
