I have been dancing for over 23 years and teaching pole and aerial fitness for about 13 years.
5 years ago I took the plunge and decided to open my own studio and it has successfully grown into the incredible safe space it is now.
I finally plucked up the courage to compete last year and placed 2nd in Dance Filthy Northern (instructor) and 1st place Exotic Generation New Face.
I am also proudly part of the Xpert training team which allows me to share my passion for safe and effective teaching with other instructors.
My business is my world and my world is my business. I feel blessed everyday that I am lucky enough to do what I love and call this my job.
Studio – The Flight Lab in Bury St Edmunds
Chloe has been pole dancing since 2009 and started teaching in Spain in 2010. She moved to the UK to open her own studio in Brighton back in 2011 and now runs one of the most popular studios in the area.
For the last few years Chloe has been performing regularly around the UK, and is a resident performer for Showlesque and Cabaret Boheme in Brighton & Hove. As well as performing she also competes professionally, some of her titles include:
UKPPC Elite – Sponsors Choice 2018
UKPPC Pro – Winner 2017
IPAAT Champions Category – Runner up 2018
Chloe is also an XPERT Master Trainer which is one of her biggest achievements of her career. She loves being able to share what she has learnt over the 10 years of teaching and what she has learnt since being XPERT trained back in 2014.
I started pole when I was around 16 (15 years ago, gulp), mostly because I was roped into a course! Peered through the window of an advanced class and saw someone doing a crossed leg layback, thought WOW, but strangely not inspired to go back. A few months past and took private lessons here and there, casually popped a pole up in my mums barn, painted the room pink and called it my very own pole studio. See photo attached.
What’s funny is, when I was 17, I was diagnosed with ME. Not many know, I don’t talk about it. It crushed my confidence, I lost the ability to social with people I don’t know, found it hard to communicate, was physically and mentally drained a lot of the time. Anyone who has experienced my lessons, would find it all really hard to believe, I’m different person when I’m in my Aerial/Pole bubble. Around the same time, I took up pole. I’m convinced pole got me through the hard times; it channelled by mind into positive thinking and achievable goals, it pushed my body and made me stronger. I got through 3 years of a Dance Degree and then went on to teach dance. I thank pole for that.
After some time, while studying to become a school teacher, I started teaching my own classes (2010). I always say ‘it was a hobby that took off’. A long story cut short, I quit the day job and became a full time pole teacher. I recently opened up Aerial Arts Studio (2019), it’s always been my ultimate dream to have my own dance studio (growing up as a dancer), but it was a dream and never thought it would become reality. The truth is, it’s better than the dream, it’s awesome. I love teaching, love my members, love my friends in our industry, extremely proud of my studio and have the best instructor team that money can’t buy. Passion drives me forwards and has got me through this hellish year.
The industry has taken me many places; from successfully competing in pole and Aerial Silks, shows, charity events, photoshoots, music videos (cool pic attached). I love how diverse it is. I’ve always felt my quirks are accepted!
I own Aerial Arts Studio in Tonbridge, Kent
www.aerialartsstudio.co.uk
insta – @hannah_aerialartsstudio
My name is Annie Norris and I have been in the pole industry since 2001 (nearly 20 years) I started to pole dance when I was 15 as I hated any type of fitness and very quickly fell in love with pole. I used to idolise my teacher who thought I was probably an annoying young girl following her around. Fast forward 4 years she moved away to France leaving the building empty. I quickly contacted the landlady and started my own studio as no one within a 50 mile radius was teaching. Back in 2005 there were no pole qualifications, so I decided to take my Level 2 gym instructor and first aid to really get me up to scratch with teaching. I will never forget teaching my first class to this day – the feeling was exhilarating and I knew this would be my job for life. So I ditched my place at university and used all of my savings to make sure I could build a career out of my passion. And teaching IS my passion.
In the pole world I compete, perform, judge and present seminars internationally but previously I have taken around 5 years off those things just to focus on my teaching – this was quite a risky decision but paid off. Whenever I get asked to teach outside my own studio I count as a blessing that other studios and students want to learn from what I have to offer.
At my studio I teach women and men from all different walks of life. It doesn’t mater the age or fitness ability I will cater to each individual. I love teaching mixed ability pole classes as I love having beginner level students all the way to advanced and catering the lesson so that everyone feels they have achieved in their own way with students of different abilities. My most favourite classes to teach are my exotic/stripper style classes – people come to these often shy, under confident or nervous (sometimes all of them) and over the weeks these people becoming confident, owning their bodies and feeling sexy, sensual and more happy with themselves.
Something that I am passionate about as an instructor is to always keep learning. This is so important to make sure not only students are safe but they get the very best out of classes. Over the years I have taken extra certifications in (I haven’t named them all but can do if needs be)
Xpert Kids Pole and Aerial
Functional Range Conditioning
The Shoulder Complex
Xpert The Science of Heels
Kinstretch
Anatomy and Physiology Level 5
Animal Flow
I always make sure I train with other pole dancers too. Sometimes I jam with other instructors around the world as its great to learn different techniques for teaching and have fun training for yourself too. I really love attending workshops (pole and also non pole) to develop new styles, ideas, teaching techniques and making sure your passion for dance is still alive and burning deep. In 2017 I travelled to Georgia USA to train with World Champion Heidi Coker for a week and I came back with so many new thoughts and ideas for teaching!
Lockdown has given me time to really focus on life and teaching, thank goodness for zoom so I can still connect with people. It has kept me sane teaching not only my current students but I have had people book on from across the world to learn from me (my speciality Stripper Slink classes have been a great hit)
I love seeing people grow in confidence, strength and start to believe in themselves and their abilities. My aim in life is for people to start growing confidence in their bodies, not for what they look like but for what they can do. If each time we achieve something, whether that’s getting a new move, understanding a technique or simple deciding that they believe in themselves just a tiny bit then my job has been worth it.
In my 15 years experience of teaching I feel I have achieved quite a lot, I have my own studio, a team of wonderful instructors and one of my absolute career peaks was being asked to become an Xpert trainer, this means to me that my teaching skills have been recognised to by an incredible company. Being nominated for an award reassures me I am on the right path for life and that others appreciated my instructor skills.
The most special thing about teaching is become a confidant to students. As you get to know them they tell you about themselves and you get to fully know and understand them.
Teaching pole isn’t about helping people get better at pole – its about watching them grow as people.
My most favourite thing about teaching is the smile. The smile on students faces when they become lost in the world that is pole. For an hour they forget about everything going on in their life and they are in the moment, dancing and loving themselves. (honestly writing all this has made me cry – not long now until i can see real 3D people on the poles again)
I teach at Pure-Studios in Hereford
www.pure-studios.co.uk
My instagram @annienorrispole
My studios instagram @purestudioshereford
My studios facebook https://www.facebook.com/PurePole/
I have been teaching Pole, Aerial and Dance for the last 6 years now and have tried my best to help many people develop in so many ways.
Their health and fitness, their confidence and self esteem, their passion for something for themselves and the support for each other.
I don’t let anyone give up easily and I push just enough for them to realise they are always capable of much more than they believe in themselves. This extends to way beyond what I physically teach them in class, but also becomes applied to their life in general and all the obstacles we face. The support network is there in and out of class and is something I am very proud of.
Watching people grow in different ways and sharing their experience with others in their classes is what motivates me to continue doing what I do. Over 50 ladies took to the stage in our annual show last year, many of which never thought they would. It’s such a great thing to see and share with my students, they inspire me everyday and I hope I inspire them just as much.️
www.justdancestudio.co.uk
www.justdancewombwell.co.uk
www.justdancestudioswath.co.uk
www.aerialzone.co.uk
FB and instagram: @justdancepolefitaerial
@theaerialzone
Darknight “DK” is a dynamic animated performer who moves with incredible power, agility, and expression. She is a mental health advocate that believes pole dancing is self care in motion. Her love for fitness started with cheerleading. She has been an athlete for 15+ years with an extensive background in choreography, coaching, and psychology. She is a natural leader and an impenetrable force that inspires all who encounter her captivating personality.
Darknight is a 3x Pole Sport Gold Medalist that started pole in October 2016. She is an XPERT Certified Pole Instructor in Atlanta, GA where she offers Competition Coaching for Pole, Cheer, and Dance Sports in addition to teaching Pole Conditioning, Advanced Series, Privates and Parties. She has created ‘The Art of Emoting’ dramatic pole workshop where she encourages storytelling movement through raw emotions. As a pole instructor, she empowers students to challenge themselves and seek overall wellness.
I am Genevieve Schermann, an American girl who ended up living in Germany because of love. I’m a Colorado girl, and we have more sunshine than California and Florida, even though one of them boasts the title of sunshine state. The area of Germany that I live in now, is really grey and rainy; a bit of a change and a teensy bit depressing but going to work at Tanzstudio Vi-dance always has me leaving classes at the end of the day tired but happy to my heart’s content. I am truly humbled and honored to have been nominated and this is also how I feel having such a fun job. Where else can you spend the hours jamming out to great music and sharing laughs? It’s a great atmosphere in the studio where we learn to cherish our bodies for what they are capable of achieving and not for superficial reasons of what society arbitrarily dictates they should look like. It’s incredibly rewarding to see students grow in self confidence as their skill set simultaneously increases week by week. Yeah, so I might miss the sunshine but I consider it a fair trade off because I feel extremely lucky to have a job in which I get to connect with people and help them become more empowered, both physically and spiritually. I really truly believe dance is therapeutic for the soul and there aren’t a lot of venues for adult dance and acrobatics. It’s also fantastic that you don’t need to have any kind of dance or gymnastics background to be able to start aerial acrobatics, all you need is passion and patience. You gotta want it, and put in the sweat to earn it. Perseverance really pays off. And now when the sun shines I appreciate it in a way that I didn’t really take note of back when I lived in Colorado.
Dance Studio: Tanzstudio Vi-dance, Essen Germany
I started working at the reception desk in 2012 and in 2014 I began to teach pole dance and flexibility classes. Shortly afterward I also became certified to teach aerial silks and aerial hoop.
I am the creator and caretaker of Chrome Roses Pole Dance but I’m not exactly sure how that happened! I started pole around 13 years ago (yikes!) when i was looking for a way to keep in shape, and the appeal of the risque led me to pole classes and haven’t looked back since. I have had some incredible experiences through pole that I am eternally grateful for. I have a passion for movement and am always looking for different training courses or classes to allow me to expand my knowledge to be able to best help my students, which is why I love being an XPERT trainer as get to share that knowledge around the world. I have quite a tongue in cheek teaching style and an known in the studio for inventive body positioning cues (such as the torch up the butt cue…)
Through many years of teaching, I have learnt that you have to leave ego at the door and never stop striving to be a better trainer. and that I am guaranteed to leave the studio feeling better than when I went in because of how happy teaching makes me.
I’m not good at selling myself so I asked my students to help me write something. I hope that’s ok
“I think for me it’s that you’re such an excellent dancer but your classes are never about showing off your many skills so that people feel inferior but it’s about building people up and show them what their body is capable of doing. You encourage your students to dance for themselves which builds confidence beyond belief. You genuinely encourage people to be better than they were before whilst giving them the tools to do it on their own”
“Leah taught me to love myself again. She gave me a family that accepts me for who I am and, no matter what, will support me. She has taught me to accept my flaws but also challenges me to be my best self. Yes, Leah is a teacher but, in reality, she is so much more than that.”
Hannah Nicholls
Owner or Pink Kitten Dance School Bristol
Hannah has been instructing and performing pole and aerial since 2007. She runs Pink Kitten Dance School and teaches classes in pole, aerial hoop, silks, aerial yoga, flexibility,, twerk, exotic floorwork and pole.
Passionate about professionalism and continuing professional development meant that she has been lucky enough to also work as an Xpert trainer for the last few years which has taken her around the country and as far away as China..
Hannah loves teaching and watching all her students progress and grow in both strength and confidence.
Proud to be nominated by her students for this award as it is a validation that we make a difference to peoples lives with our studios and classes.
www.pinkkittendanceschool.com
info@pinkkittendanceschool.com
I have run my studio, Affinity Pole Fitness, for 15 years now. My inspiration behind my business is driven by wanting to empower women and remind anyone and everyone of the “you are beautiful, you are sexy” element. I make my studio a safe space for my clients to come, relax, enjoy themselves, and rediscover their sexy side. At the same time they are all reassured that the safe space element also stretches to them being to be open and honest about anything they want to talk about.
My message has always been the same; that dancing and being sexy isn’t about what you look like, but who you are and how you feel. That it all starts from within.
The clients I have and the different journeys I have seen come through my studio are all inspirational in their own right, and I can honestly say I am privileged to have helped them on their way.
Studio:
Affinity pole fitness
Instagram : @affinitypolefitness
Fb: Affinity Pole Fitness
I absolutely love teaching pole dance! I feel so lucky and blessed to be able to say I love my job! I love every single second of it!
I never really knew what I wanted to do or be and after floating in and out of jobs and raising 3 children I was introduced to pole dance at 33 years old when I took my first class and my life changed forever!
Pole dance has given me so much along the years , better health, friends for life, confidence ,self belief motivation, strength and a job I feel is so rewarding it’s hard to call it an actual job.
Its hard to believe what I thought would just be a hobby became my passion and changed my life.
I knew straight away that everyone must try it, everyone must feel this awesome feeling this industry gives you, that’s when I knew I wanted to teach , there’s nothing more rewarding than seeing people evolve from taking classes, not just in strength and fitness but in themselves and their minds I truly think it is the most rewarding form of exercise you can do! Physically, mentally, you can’t beat it!
I started competing last year and I absolutely love it, I’ve won some I’ve lost some and I’ve loved every single step of my journey so far!
I have taught pole for 3 years now and this year me and my dance partner Hannah took the big decision into opening our own own studio Neon Heights , just as covid came and shut everything down it crushed our dreams, we were unable to get hold of any help from the government and we thought our dreams may come to an end before they had a chance to take off, but our lovely students have stuck by our side and helped us so much it’s truly overwhelming at what a wonderful family we have built and we will see that we succeed for them.
I know as instructors we are looked up to as an inspiration but it is my students that have ALWAYS inspired me the most.
Insta personal Marie4pole
Studio Insta neon_heights
My name is Jazzy and I am a pole instructor for 10 years. Teaching is still such a great passion since I started, it actually even grew with the years! I am dedicated to improve my teaching constantly to make my students grow in a healthy and efficient way while having fun.
Exotic Pole grew into my specialty over the last couple years and I am honoured to be able to travel the world and sharing my love for this style.
When I am not travelling (like now during this pandemic) I teach for the studio Gravity Arts in Zurich, Switzerland. it is my second home and to support my studio in this difficult time was very important to me.
Website of Gravity Arts:
www.gravityarts,ch
@gravityartsdc
My Social Media:
Instagram: @jazzykpole
Facebook: Jazzy Kühne (not very active there anymore)
I teach for The Fitness Hangout and the University for the Creative Arts in Farnham, Surrey.
Hands up, writing about myself is something I avoid, it’s taken me the whole 48 hours to force myself to put words down. How does a person make themselves come across in the right way when they have little skill with the written word?! I’m sure this might not all flow…..
I grew up in a large family, besides my dad, we were all girls which caused monthly nightmares. I did a bit of running and tennis growing up but that was pretty much it as having such a large family meant we had to entertain ourselves rather than be driven around to dance or gym classes. When I came across pole in my local gym in 2008, I wasn’t sure about trying it. I had no dance training or ever done anything as gymnastic.. It all looked amazing but wasn’t sure it would be something that I could be taught. A horrible relationship breakup gave me the final push and oh my how my life has changed because of it. Thanks to the teachings of Jo Dandridge, and the friendship we have built and the community that has built up around it, I realised I was fascinated by the human body and movement and wanted to understand more about how it works and why sometimes it just doesn’t seem to. It moved me to move away from just being a student to becoming a Pole instructor, a Personal Trainer, Stretch Instructor and finally giving me the confidence to do a complete U-turn in my finance based career by qualifying as a Sports Massage Therapist.
Having said I first wondered whether pole would ever be something that could be taught to me, with no dance or gymnastic background. I was clearly proved wrong… As not only have I learnt how to pole, I have found my own bit of style (less random flaying of limbs these days), I can compete and occasionally win… ok, maybe because I was dressed as Patsy from Ab Fab.
Jo Dandridge deserves a special mention, because without her I wouldn’t even be in this position and I would never forget that. If it wasn’t for her classes and then our friendship my life would probably look a little bleaker. We’ve all had ups and downs and very few of us will ever have a smooth ride in life, but at times you see someone you care about hit with such a devastating blow that you wish you could swap places. And I really wished I could have. All I could do in that instance was step up, continue to be strong and dependable and support her business to allow her a little free mind space time to do what she needed, for however long she might require. I may have no skills when it comes to words, but I know if you feel weak, I will be strong for you.
So I turned 40 this year, and like other people do, I made loads of fun plans to celebrate it. Usually I have no time for anything as pre lockdown you could find me studying part time at uni, giving my all in the office, putting the leg work in to get my own massage therapy business off the ground and most free time working at the studio giving all I could to help students work towards whatever goals they had. Retrospectively, perhaps I should have considered whether me making fun plans would cause some shift in life’s equilibrium, bit like when you wash the car and then a bird instantly poos own it….
I digress.
Having always been someone who would give my last seconds of time to anyone in need of help or advice, when I was approached at the start of lockdown to help out at a vary hastily generated food bank – the Godalming Community Store – I didn’t hesitate to offer my time, and join other local volunteers. It was created by a small group of local residents in response to Covid19, after seeing the difficulties other countries had had with loss of earnings and the vulnerable not being able to get another help. It has gone from a couple of tables to a full blown, VERY organised, free store for the essentials. They jest over my OCD need for things to be separated out in to types, years and brands, oh, and have an expiry date handwritten on them (a strongly worded request to all food manufactures is to have best before dates in sensible places which you can also read WITHOUT the need for a microscope, ha!).The months of work we have been done there has gained so much support and appreciation that it brought us to the attention of Prince Edward and he came down, not to advertise his presence, but just to acknowledge the work we were doing. He very kindly came along and lent his hands to us.
At the same time as all this was going on, the studio and students were of huge consideration. How do we keep the students moving? Keep our studio community feel going? What can we do within the limits of insurances? Brainstorming we were able to devise a non aerial equipment with the use of my Personal Trainer and flexibility skills, along with the other dance and yoga trained instructors and get the new timetable up and running the week of lockdown. HIIT class first thing on a Monday anyone?!
I was also keen to use the enforced free time to improve my knowledge for my students and clients, honing my skills for when we could get back to working as I am always conscious that we get to work with the human body and with that we owe it to them to be as safe and as knowledgeable as possible. Hence, I jumped at the chance at finally being able to make a Functional Range Conditioning Seminar, it’s a highly valued and innovative approach to safe and sustainable exercise which prioritises joint function, and to take and pass my Dry cupping therapy course.. Quite handy if skin to skin touching makes people nervous at present.
My currently office charitable efforts are slightly on pause at present whilst we work to protect everyone’s job roles. Pre Covid, we were raising funds and going out to South Africa to finish off building an additional school with the team “SOS Africa” who are a small, family-run, UK child sponsorship charity that provides education to South African township children. Hopefully we can get back on track in giving them our physical time in addition to funds.
Oh, and if you need anyone to organise your filing, food stuffs, or things you never considered organising. I’m your gal!
Studio Website: www.thefitnesshangout.co.uk
My Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karla.hardy
My Instragram: https://www.instagram.com/vodkachikpole_pt/
My own Business Website: https://kneads.co.uk
I started pole 5 years ago, and have been teaching for a year and a half.
When I first starting training, I fell in love with pole straight away. I emptied my bank account to attend as many classes as I could! I was so nervous starting out, as I had no dance background, and had never experienced real physical training before. After my first class I was hooked! I thank pole for so many things, my confidence grew, my strength reached heights that I never thought I could achieve, and I met so many amazing people along the way. I trained at various studios and attended pole camps, and before I knew it, my whole life evolved around pole! A few years in to training, I found myself dreaming of becoming an instructor.
Just before I started teaching, a local studio (Pole Gym in Cheshire) advertised that they were looking for an instructor. I jumped at the chance and applied right away. Within weeks, my application had been accepted and I was booked on to an Xpert training course. I had also received another offer from another local studio to teach there (Cloud Elite in Greater Manchester) which I jumped at the chance to accept, as that was the main studio that I was training at myself.
In all honesty, I took on way too much teaching to begin with alongside working a full time job, but I found myself in my dream job and didn’t notice the strain that I was putting myself under as I loved it so much. I was teaching at least 4 nights a week between both studios as well as working 9-5, as well as trying to keep up with my own training. My social life outside of pole was non existent and I wasn’t eating or resting well. I was just so hooked on helping people progress, and watching my students faces as they achieved new goals. I am much better at looking after myself now though!
Teaching through lockdown (thank you Zoom) has been just as rewarding as teaching at the studio, but has also been a challenge. Like most polers who have poles at home, lack of space and height has been an issue for me. Hours and hours of time have gone in to ensuring everything I teach is new, safe, being demoed at the perfect angles for the camera and is suitable for the mixed abilities of students that attend. I am so lucky to have amazing students who have booked on week after week through lockdown. Thank you all so much for supporting me. One thing I have really loved about Zoom classes, is the opportunity to teach people from across the world, who have contacted me through social media asking to join my classes. I have even had a student attend from America, which being based in the UK, was an honour!
During lockdown, I had the opportunity to re-locate back to Essex where I am originally from to be closer to my family, and the current goal now is to begin plans to open my own studio! My notice has been handed in at my 9-5, and as soon as I find the perfect place, I will own my own studio. I can’t wait! Dreams are slowly becoming a reality! Thank you to all my students who have given me the strength and confidence to take the next step in my career.
Instagram: jade_polefitness.
I absolutely adore my job. I have taken 5 pole courses and one hoop course with Xpert. Within a year and a half of starting classes I had 2 team members and have currently one in training. I always adored pole fitness but had an on and off journey as a student. As soon as I started teaching, I fell completely in love with it, more than I knew I would. Once I got settled initially, I realised I want to build something great here. There are so many reasons to love teaching and instructing and so many benefits. The pinnacle for me is what is does for a persons mental health. Whether it’s just cheering you up after a bad day or really helping you overcome depression or anxiety. It’s just an amazing tool. Pole and aerial is known to so many as “therapy”. I believe it really is. There is something about the expression, the spinning around freely teamed with building strengths and achieving things we never knew we could. I know for sure when I have a strong body I feel like I have a strong mind. Through my journey, i always enjoyed watching the experienced girls do beautiful tricks, of course (who doesn’t?) but to me the most special thing is that shy beginner that gets her first leg hang. When she does something she’s worked on that she never thought she could, when she’s confident enough to happily accept compliments from the rest of the group without feeling uncomfortable. When she is confident enough to have a picture taken to show her family or friends because, she is seeing a self in a brighter light. Just when any person in class starts to really have that feeling of self acceptance. And that was always what I loved about teaching from day one, there is 1000 other reasons but that and a sense of teamwork is how I drive forward for my business.
The number one rule between the instructors and I after safety is to keep the huge sense of team work created. Everyone is welcome. Different genders, age, size, ability. And we all are in the same team. We are all equal. With the pole fitness classes; I have kept them mixed and have an assistant to help the new/beginners in the busy classes. I’ve kept it this way as the intermediate/advance girls were so helpful and supportive of the beginners when I first began. I wanted to keep this forever. Of course they train different things but it keeps that sense of team work.
Additionally I love running really creative workshops for the really keen students in which we dig into more niche pole styles such as Chinese pole. Or workshops with a fun theme where we dress up like a Disney theme. And dance pole day boot camps.
During isolation many girls were unsure of their jobs or didn’t have pole to join us on our online zoom classes. We ran 2 months of totally free insta live general fitness classes and some fun weekend workshops to keep everyone’s physical and mental health up. And keep that sense of team. We had a few interactive pole quizzes over this time where myself and the instructors did pole moves and they had to answer questions on them.
Myself and my team have planned a series of fundraisers to raise money towards a studio. Isolation has obviously postponed most of these plans. So we changed phase 1 and we are now running many online workshops to start raising that money towards a permanent venue. I am so lucky to have such a supportive team that share my vision. I couldn’t do it without their support and love.
@evenflowpoleandyoga (Probably the best link to check out my class vibes)
https://www.evenflowpoleandyoga.com
@amberboydenwilson
I am based in Switzerland & the owner of the Pole Academy. I found my big passion in Poledance so I feel more than blessed I fulfilled my dream as a fulltime dancer & teacher. My students are my everything. Not only my home based ones, I also love to travel & teach wherever our Polelove can be shared. It broke my heart to close my studio & cancel all my international workshops while the corona break. But nothing could stop me so I kept sharing my passion through online classes via zoom, the Indi Online retreat, Tutorials & Classes on the pda online. I feel grateful to have my place in such an amazing community & I give my best to do so too
my instagram is Lauralou.hypnotic
my polestudio www.pole-academy.ch
Hi I’m Charlie, I’ve been teaching pole for about 7 years.
My background is in gymnastics (I swear I’ve been upside down for most of my life!) I fell in love with pole as soon as I tried it & have been hooked ever since.
I own Urban Aerial in Southampton. I love sharing my passion with my students & watching their progress, it’s the most rewarding job.
Instagram- charcharpole
TikTok- urban aerial
Facebook- Charlie Dovey
Im Manda, 44 years old. I’ve been teaching aerial since 2013. I have run CirqueFit for over 3 years now, offering aerial hoop, aerial cube, trapeze, hammock and various other forms of circus based equipment to offer fun and friendly fitness classes to all ages and abilities.
I have been doing pole since 2010 as my hobby, but during lockdown I decided to treat my students to something new, so I took the Xpert 1&2 which was amazing.
Speaking of lockdown, after losing my main ‘muggle’ job in March due to COVID. I decided we were all going to suffer mentally and financially and a few zooms a week was only going to brush the sides financially for me, most of my students were on furlough so were only taking 80% of what they were used to, so I decided not to charge for Zooms and offered 5 FREE zoom classes a week. Two CirqueFlex, a Cirqueass and a mystery workout. (These could be abs or something really funny like face yoga or an 80’s Mad Lizzy workout!) I also asked my cousin who is working through his Yoga qualification to host a Yoga practice session. So we had sessions on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday.
I never imagined how much these free classes would benefit everyone’s mental health, including mine, probably more than I realised! They have made lockdown a breeze. (Well as much as it could have been) but also have kept us together as an aerial family. Also we have all progressed so much with our flexibility – its been fab!
I didn’t do all this helping my students through lockdown for any recognition, I just did it, but reading the words in the nomination was so nice. Some days myself, especially in the depth of lockdown, I admit I woke up and thought, I could do without this today, but after hosting the session I always felt a million times better and ready to take on the world.
Just proves the power of exercise and interaction with people, even if it was only through a computer screen!
I am only a small school and CirqueFit was my part time thing outside my proper job until COVID changed that, so from after lockdown, with the additional pole classes, teaching will become one of my main incomes. Most of my students have not done pole before so they are looking forward to trying something new!
Having an award to boast about would be an amazing thing to kick my post lockdown new venture off with 🙂
I host Aerial Playground charity events each year and all together raise thousands a year for St Catherine’s hospice which is close to my heart,
Attached is a pic of me last week in Bowness as I was about to come upside down face to face height with a swan who had pestered us the whole time! (Pics to be uploaded to my insta from when it tried to bite my bum on the aerial hoop!!!)
Hi, my name is Aoife Byrne and I’m from Dublin, Ireland. I’m absolutely honoured to be nominated for this award. To have a job which is a hobby I love, surrounded by friends which are like a family… it’s like I’m
living in a dream. Here is a little bit about my background.
DANCING
I started out Irish dancing at the age of 3 competing weekly. I then started Jazz Ballet at the age of 8. From an early age I knew that I could never have a “normal” job and wanted to be working in fitness in some shape or form.
POLE
In 2006 after my first course I was asked by my teacher if I’d like to continue training towards becoming a Pole instructor. I jumped at the opportunity. My pole journey had then begun! In 2008 I left that school
and set up my own pole school, Twirl. In 2017 after a location change and expanding into other parts of fitness, the business evolved into what’s now known as, Flow Fitness. I’m constantly upskilling in my spare time, making sure I have new things to offer my Flow Family.
STUNTS
I was reared on stunt-filled action films and developed a fascination at an early age. As a teen I got into Kick Boxing. After achieving my 2nd Dan Black Belt I continued on to train in Rock Climbing, Gymnastics,
Trampolining, Scuba, Swimming and Precision Stunt Driving. I have been instructing stunt driving for the last 5 years.As a stunt performer I have doubled many actresses over the years, including Ellen Page, Julia Louis Dreyfus, Anna Friel, to name but a few and have been lucky to travel the world with work. Stunts also led me to be a personal trainer for Sebastian Stan, who plays The Winter Solder in Marvel’s Avengers. The best days are working on set all day, then heading straight to be with my Flow Family for the fun and laughs.
My dream was to work in fitness and to have my own school. Little did I know that dreams really can come true, in more ways than one. To have two jobs doing what I love, surrounded by incredible people…there
simply are no words.
My School:
Flow Fitness, based in Dublin, Ireland.
Website:
School Website – www.flowfitness.ie
My Personal IMDB – www.imdb.com/name/nm5168578/
Social Media:
My Instagram – aoifebyrnestunts
My Facebook – Aoife Byrne
The Schools Instagram – flowfitnessdublin
The Schools Facebook – flowfitnessdublin
Hi my name is Jack Scott-Lee my stage name is AERIALJACK and I run my own pole and aerial circus school in the West Midlands AERIAL JACKS POLE AND CIRCUS ACADEMY. I am one of the very few male gay pole dancers of colour who regularly competes, performs and runs their own pole business who is of ethnic minority and of colour.
I’m so blessed to be able to do what i love full time teaching and performing pole and aerial all over Europe and have had so many amazing opportunities from performing at super clubs in Ibiza to corporate high society events around the UK as well as providing a fabulous fun fitness outlet in the midlands where previously the once deprived area the studio has become a fantastic outlet for youth and adults in the community and beyond, holding many charity shows and fundraisers for organisations that are close to my heart and I volunteer for regularly such a the Birmingham lgbtq and help Birmingham homeless.
I’m so honoured to be amongst most inspiring instructors. I have had to overcome physical setback when in 2015 I broke my neck and had to have life changing surgery and huge fear and doubts were placed on whether I would be able to continue to pole dance ever again.
With a great medical team and bundles of determination, motivation and positivity I was back doing what I love in no time at all and my pole dance fitness journey has gone from strength to strength running a successful pole dance business, successfully competing and performing every weekend.
I love being able to inspire others by being my unique self as a member of the bipoc lgbtq community, I am diverse and that reflects in my studio and customers I instill self confidence and body positivity to everyone I encounter and that through pole dance fitness you can love yourself without prejudice to skin, sexuality, body shape and gender.
I have been poling for about 8 years now and I have had the pleasure of teaching workshops, judge competitions and also won titles like the UK instructor champion and international Expert runner up, to name a few, but stopped competing when my daughter was born 3 years ago; I have been enjoying running my studio, looking after my amazing students and have loved training just for myself.
I own a Pole and Aerial Fitness studio in Lincoln, called Pole XS, and I have been poling for 8 years now.
(Picture attached below)
My website: http://www.pole-art.biz
Facebook Annalisa Pole-xs ( https://www.facebook.com/annalisapolexs/)
Instagram: @annalisapolexs
Hey! I’m Ray, an upside down enthusiast & self belief coach. As instructors we play a huge part in building our students body confidence & courage – I’m very grateful to have supported & helped them all grow in these life changing areas!
I feel truly honoured to be shortlisted & be held in such high regard by my students & to appear in these awards alongside some of the industries top & my idols. It’s a truly humbling experience.
My love of pole began in 2005 when I attended a class where there was one pole & a class of at least 20 students! We got 5 minutes each on the pole…but we were immediately hooked.
In March 2009 I started teaching with my now sister in law, Sammi. We ran classes for 6 years together. In that time had had two wee boys, so it was a juggle at times but pole gave me so much, especially in terms of “me time”. I am so grateful pole in my life, it gave me identity other than “mummy”.
We closed the doors on our pole school in July 2015 & I took a short break before a good friend offered me the opportunity to teach for her pole school. By Jan 2016 I was teaching again & loving it more than ever. I was where I was meant to be. I soon had two classes with a range of student abilities… i was back in my happy place.
Over the last 11 years I’ve had many students come through the doors, in fact some of the girls I teach now are from my first pole school & they travel pretty far each week to attend my classes. Their loyalty keeps me pushing me to be better & I adore each member of my little pole family.
I love that a student can walk through the doors with very little confidence or self belief but by week 3 or 4 their feeling really accomplished. As they learn to love pole the slowly start to love themselves & their self belief soars.
I LOVE how empowering pole is. It’s completely unique & like no other sport.
I know every instructor would say this, but my students are the most incredible souls & I’m very grateful for their trust in my abilities & their determination & commitment each & every week.
I’m an instructor for Rachel Meredith at her school https://www.chromespinnerspolefitness.co.uk/
My Instagram handle is
www.instagram.com/ray_face_
I have taught pole, hoop and flexibility for about 3 years and was hoping to do aerial hammock next. When I first started classes I was painfully quiet with barely any friends but quickly found a community of inspiring women (and men) to call my home, which has definitely made me more outgoing and more willing to try things in all areas of my life (what’s the worst that can happen? We’ve all had a good laugh after falling on our bums).
Teaching is an absolute joy and I love watching students reach their goals or come in after a bad day and leave laughing.
Last year I had some strange symptoms where my hand or feet wouldn’t do what I wanted and was diagnosed with a benign brain tumour. In October last year I had gamma knife surgery and was back training on the pole by the end of the week. Unfortunately after that I experienced more neurological symptoms and have non epileptic seizures and at one point was in a wheelchair. I improved to the point where I taught a few stretch classes on zoom with the studio during lockdown which was wonderful seeing everyone’s faces and photos but have since relapsed a little with seizures most days.
Thankfully Natalie (studio owner of Urban Circus) has been so wonderful and supportive and kept me in the loop. At the moment I’m just stalking my students on Instagram but I’m sure I’ll be back shouting ‘point your toes’ before long!
I teach pole, hoop and flexibility classes at Urban Circus Studios, Harrogate and Ripon.
Hi I’m Jade and I am an instructor and performer who has been training in pole and aerial for around 7 years, I teach across several different studios as well as performing internationally and I have been lucky enough to teach workshops throughout the UK.
I love the competition scene and have been fortunate to win a couple of titles including second at Miss Pole Dance UK Professional in 2018, which gave me the opportunity to represent the UK at the World Pole Dance Championships In 2019 where I managed to place in the top 5! I am now due to compete at Pole Art UK in February 2021 and I cant wait!!
I have judged a number of competitions including Miss Pole Dance UK, BPSC & Lincolnshire Pole Championships and each time I’m beyond amazed at the astonishing performances and breathing taking routines at all levels, blood sweat and tears really go into competition routines and its so nice to be able to sit on the other side and offer some feedback to others!. With my competition knowledge and experience , I created the Pole Revolution UK Competition which has just completed its first successful year.
Studios – I am a freelance instructor, at the moment I am teaching online classes for myself and for Herts Dance and Fitness!
www.jadebensilum.co.uk
IG: jade.bensilum
FB: Jade Bensilum – UK Pole & Aerial Artist
