"Divine is a studio like no other (in the world). Despite the “skin-on-pole” pain, and my “what-am-doing-wrong?” whining, I have ALWAYS left class feeling like a part of something very special. We are a family! A true, and honest FORCE."
Miss January 2019: Jen
Occupation: Registered Nurse – Public Health and Women’s Health Care.
Your motto or favorite quote: “If you don’t like what you are getting, change what you are doing.”
How long have you been pole dancing at Divine? Since 2011 or 2012, with a few “out of state” absences here and there.
Did you have any previous dance or fitness training before starting pole? Survived hours and hours of ballet training. Performed with a modern dance company (about 100 years ago!)
What made you decide to take pole dancing classes? I remembered an episode on the Oprah Winfrey show, and one sleepless night I found this photo of a ballet dancer in point shoes and a tutu, upside down on the pole…and started sobbing. I knew I had to have it!
Favorite class? (spins, inversions, or boudoir), and why? ALL of the above. Divine is a studio like no other (in the world). Despite the “skin-on-pole” pain, and my “what-am-doing-wrong?” whining, I have ALWAYS left class feeling like a part of something very special. We are a family! A true, and honest FORCE. I am not sure if this is what Jen and Angi had in mind when they said “hey, let’s start a studio”, but here we all are loving and supporting one another on and off the pole. Extraordinary!
What is it that you LOVE about pole dancing at Divine? Currently, my sweetest moments are watching my daughter (Jordan) and her BFF (Mari) DANCE! I can’t help it. I get teary everytime. (Mothers!!!) And I am absolutely in love with the Goddesses who are our instructors. And the gooey warmups. And the music….and….
Platforms or legwarmers? Well. I WAAAANT to be a shoe-gal. But my post-ballet knees and sad feet have determined otherwise.
What are you currently working on technically? Combinations and fluidity from on the pole to floor and back again. I am suddenly infatuated with QFT (Quality Floor Time)!
What are you working on artistically? I would like to (gulp) perform in that PSO thing in March. There. Dear god, I said it. (Heaven help me!)
What is your favorite move? FLYING ANGEL and any, and all things — spinny pole!
What is in your pole bag (ex: grip aid, journal, etc)? Girly Grip, that iTac grippy stuff, athletic tape (knees!), a spare pair of shorts, Burts Bees lip stuff, “Boudoir” notebook and a photo of Prince (just kidding).
Do you have a favorite song to pole dance to? Well. I suppose it is anything BLUES with a sultry, sweaty, gritty vibe. Like we’re sitting in Buddy Guy’s place on the South Side of Chicago. (And yes, anything by The Purple One)
We LOVE music at Divine. What 3 songs would be featured on the soundtrack to YOUR life, and why?
- “Willing and Able” (Prince)- When I saw the Joffrey Ballet dance to this in 1995, I fell in love with Prince.
- “Ngiculela – Es Una Historia – I Am Singing” (Stevie Wonder). I would sing to my unborn daughter while driving in the car.
- “When I Think of You” (Janet Jackson). My beautiful friend Brad died of AIDS in 1989, and he always said this was “our song.”
Guilty pleasure: Divine Movement is my secret love affair. BUT. At this age (I can say that now as I have just entered my 60s), I refuse to feel guilty about it!
Final Question:
Any inspirational advice you would like to share with new polers?
- Play through the pain.
- Believe the Goddesses when they tell you “your skin will get used to it”.
- DO NOT compare yourself to anyone.
- And during every class discover something new to LOVE about YOU.
