I asked some of my pole students 'What was something you were worried about before starting pole, and what made you realise you didn't need to worry?' Here are some of my favourite responses.
I was worried about wearing shorts in public. All I can really remember is wanting to stay on the pole and that meant using as much skin as possible, all of a sudden I had completely forgotten about my worries and was rolling my shorts up as short as they would go. It was truly liberating.
I was worried about having sweaty hands and sliding down the pole. To be honest I am still worried about that but there is more to pole than just holding on with your hands, my leg grip is amazing! Yes, I still struggle with climbs but my Gemini is fabulous!
I was worried about what people would think of me. I LOVE pole and that's all that matters, other people's opinions of my choices can't affect me.
I was worried about body image. But once you start, you realise it's all just you and no one else is looking, let alone judging!
I was worried about people noticing my bikini line. During the first class I realised I wasn't paying attention to anyone else's bikini line.. So why would anyone be noticing mine?!
I was worried about falling off the pole and either really hurting myself or knocking any confidence I had. I have fallen off many times, but you get back up and straight back on. Pole is such a supportive environment, it really doesn't matter how many times you fail, everyone will still cheer every time you succeed.
I was worried about having the worst fitness level in the class and that I wouldn't be able to keep up. I realised that everyone is good at different things and it's all about the beauty of improving.
I was worried I would be too heavy and the pole would fall down. I found out very quickly there is no weight limit to pole. The instructor told me she had three massive rugby lads on a single pole at once and nothing happened.
I was worried I was too old, too heavy, too much of an introvert, too tired, too ungraceful... Shall I carry on? Eventually I thought FUCK THAT I can't keep getting in my own way, I've got this! I love pole and the community is amazing.
I was worried that I wouldn't understand the teacher as it was my first class in London. I was so relieved when the teachers instructions were super clear and they repeated them as much as I needed as well as demonstrating if I still didn't understand. Thank god!
I was worried about hairrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! I guess I realised pole gives me way to much joy to let something as insignificant as hair affect me. And we all have hair, so why does it matter if mine shows?
I was worried about not progressing quickly. The fact is everyone has different ways of advancing and some people are better at some things than others, and that's what is beautiful about pole. It's all about having fun and enjoying the journey.
I was worried people would pass judgment about what type of person I was. I quickly realised those judgements were things that had been fed to me by other people and didn't accurately reflect what happens in a pole studio.
I was worried about being a bigger bodied person and feeling awkward in a class full of thin/athletic people. Right from the moment I stepped into the studio I saw loads of students who looked like me, everyone was so different and diverse!
I truly hope this has helped ease some of your worries about becoming a pole student and I would love to hear yours in the comment section, if you are happy to share.
Cheers
Alex :)
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