“Divine is a home away from home. You can come into the studio after a long, difficult day and be able to unwind and let everything go.”
Miss June 2017: Erika
Occupation: Account Manager
Your motto or favorite quote: “People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse of you selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friend and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway. If you are honest and sincere, people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway. What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway. Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway. It was never between you and them anyway.”
How long have you been pole dancing at Divine? Three years this month!
Did you have any previous dance or fitness training before starting pole? Cardio and weights at the gym, along with some yoga.
What made you decide to take pole dancing classes? My friend found a Groupon on for an introduction workshop at Divine. I was interested in trying a new form of exercise and pole looked like a good workout that was fun at the same time. Although I was pretty intimidated as I have no dance background whatsoever, I decided to go for it and ended up falling in love!
Favorite class? (spins, inversions, or boudoir), and why? Boudoir! It can be whatever you choose to make it. You can incorporate as many climbs, spins and inversions as you want into it, or you can spend the entire time on the floor rolling around. Or it can be a combination of both. It is freeing and can be a great way to let go.
What is it that you LOVE about pole dancing at Divine? Divine is a home away from home. We have such a wonderful community of women who are always supportive and encouraging. You can come into the studio after a long, difficult day and be able to unwind and let everything go. It’s so much more than a place where you get a great workout.
Platforms or legwarmers? Both! I absolutely love legwarmers with their comfy coziness, plus my shins and knees greatly appreciate them. I am slowly learning to dance (as) gracefully (as possible) in platforms and the more that I dance in them, the more I love them.
What are you currently working on technically? I am working on perfecting my basic inversions and stringing them together on my left side and becoming friends with spin pole.
What are you working on artistically? Having more presence in the “mid-level” space in between standing and the floor.
What is your favorite move? Pirouette to Angel Spin! It’s just so fun to twirl around and around!
What is in your pole bag (ex: grip aid, journal, etc)? Water, protein bar, deodorant, grip aid, legwarmers, knee pads.
Do you have a favorite song to pole dance to? Say You Love Me – Jessie Ware
We LOVE music at Divine. What 3 songs would be featured on the soundtrack to YOUR life, and why?
1. My Wish by Rascal Flatts – Have hope, be resilient, find happiness, and remember that you are never alone in this journey of life.
2. Chicken Fried by Zac Brown Band – The little things and who you have in your life are the most important and what make it wonderful; not material objects or money. Be grateful for what you do have, especially your friends and family.
3. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper – A reminder to find the joy in life, let loose, and have fun!
Guilty pleasure: Rainboots and chocolate martinis.
Final Question:
Any inspirational advice you would like to share with new polers?
Never compare your journey to the journeys of those around you. If you do that, you miss out on the beauty and joy of your own path. Focus on appreciating how far you have come on your own journey and your own accomplishments – you will be amazed as to how far you have come when you have a chance to look back. Slow progress is still progress. And always, always, always try to find the joy! ☺
