"I am finally starting to feel like I am in my own skin again and I found an amazing community. I can't tell you how much that means to me!"
Name: Karin
Occupation: Program Manager (aka Cat Herder)
Your motto or favorite quote:
How long have you been pole dancing at Divine? Since January
Did you have any previous dance or fitness training before starting pole? None Zero Zilch – I was absolutely terrified when I took my first classes.
What made you decide to take pole dancing classes? I had always wanted to try pole dancing but never had the guts to do it. In my head, I came up with a hundred reasons not to do it. I was too old, not fit enough, didn’t have any dance experience…
Then I had a bit of a wake-up call. I had to go through cancer treatments and deal with some resulting complications for about 3 years. After that I was in pretty bad shape. No strength or flexibility and very little energy. I told myself that if I got to the point where I could walk a few miles, I wouldn’t procrastinate any longer. So at the very end of last year, I finally dipped my toes into the Divine world with a flexibility class and I am sooo thankful I did. Now, I am finally starting to feel like I am in my own skin again and I found an amazing community. I can’t tell you how much that means to me!
Favorite class? (spins, inversions, or boudoir), and why? Heels! Basic Heels, Intermediate Heels, Low Flow Choreo – sooo much fun!
What is it that you LOVE about pole dancing at Divine? I LOVE LOVE LOVE Divine, so there’s a long list. The best way I can think to summarize is to say that I just really love the community vibe at the studio. After a long day at work, I am not looking for more pressure or another opportunity to be self-critical. At Divine there’s a true atmosphere of support and encouragement – both from the instructors and the students and absolutely no judgement. I am made to feel that it’s ok to be at the level I am at, and that it’s ok to take as long as I need, to progress. I have never experienced that in another studio.
Platforms or legwarmers? You guessed it – Heels!!
What are you currently working on technically? I am still a baby, so really everything I have learned thus far is still a work-in-progress, but I am loving the journey.
What are you working on artistically? Gooey-ness
What is your favorite move? Sit spin in heels when you catch it just right and make that ice skating sound 🙂
What is in your pole bag (ex: grip aid, journal, etc)? Oh geez – it’s a big bag Haha – Definitely my favorite platform boots, Girly Grip, knee pads, more knee pads, energy bar, water, oh and knee pads… Why do I have so many knee pads???
Do you have a favorite song to pole dance to? Strangely, I really enjoy bass music for pole. Rezz – Lonely is one of my absolute favorites.
We LOVE music at Divine. What 3 songs would be featured on the soundtrack to YOUR life, and why?
- Haha – Ok, I have to add the “Chicken dance” – some of my fondest memories with my grandparents as a little kid
- “Fly me to the moon – Frank Sinatra” – We were married to this song
- “Timestretch – Bassnectar” – When I first heard this, it was the beginning of my love affair with bass music
Guilty pleasure: Pistachio Gelato & 10in Heels
Final Question:
Any inspirational advice you would like to share with new polers?
- Just enjoy and appreciate what your body is able to do
- For once – don’t judge yourself
- Laugh – then laugh some more
