Laura, Möwgli, Sydeny, Tardy Birdie
STUDENTS OF THE MONTH
Last month we had some amazing students perform and compete for the Pole Pressure Championship. This month were featuring the winners as our Students of the Month. They all worked so incredibly hard and deserve to be showcased!
Pole - Advanced
Laura
When did you start your pole journey?
It's been a while, I started in June of 2013 at a studio in my hometown in Canada!

Why did you decide to try pole dancing?
I did rhythmic gymnastics up until when I started college, and then for a few years just went to the campus gym, mostly just to stay fit. That bored me though, I didn't want to just stay fit, I wanted to dance and move my body in ways that made me feel good, that was what I missed most about rhythmic gymnastics. I poked around online and discovered a pole studio, was intrigued, went and tried a class with a friend, and knew instantly that was what was missing from my life!
What do you love most about pole dancing?
The people! The friends I have made through pole are friends for life, both in Canada and the US and that's just the most wonderful thing I think.

Why do you love Pole Pressure?
The instructors are amazing!! They take me outside my comfort zone, so I've learned many tricks and combos that I probably wouldn't have tried to learn on my own just because they scare me. I've also learned how to stretch my body safely so I don't feel broken anymore after stretching!! This is basically a miracle for me since I've experienced more injuries than I can count. Also, the students in class are just the most supportive people I have ever met,  so I always leave the studio with a smile and in a great mood.

What are some of your goals for this year?
I really want to get my deadlift!!! Also getting my middle splits flat; it has felt physically impossible for me to do that pretty much my whole life, but with the stretching classes at the studio, it is finally starting to feel achievable.

If you could train with any of your pole idols, who would it be and why?
Hands down Daria Che and Carmine Black!!! They both have the most incredible and mesmerizing flow and movements, and such unique styles of dance!! I would love to learn how to be slinky like them, flow like water, and how to incorporate what I learn into my own style.

What motivates you to train?
The fact that it doesn't feel like training! I get so immersed in the movements (and there is SO much to learn, so many beautiful shapes to make), that I forget how hard my body is actually working. I trained pulls ups at the gym and never felt like I got anywhere. But after I started pole, I hopped on some monkey bars one day at a playground and suddenly found myself able to do a pull up! I wasn't working towards anything specific like that with pole, I was just having a good time in my head and in the meantime it totally changed my body.
Lyra - Beginner
Möwgli Skräp
When did you start your lyra journey?
January 2019

Why did you decide to try lyra?
I was spending too much time in meh head and needed to spend more time in meh body.

What do you love most about lyra?
It’s art!
Why do you love Pole Pressure?
It’s so fun! And everyone is so nice and beautiful and weird and fun in their own way. Love that so much!

What are some of your goals for this year?
Really would love to be able to get some toe to head action in a stag-like pose. Dat would be belissimo.

What motivates you to train?
Seeing pretty things and tricks and wanting to nail them!
Lyra - Intermediate
Sydney
When did you start your lyra journey?
May 2015

Why did you decide to try lyra?
I saw a video online and it looked like so much fun!

What do you love most about lyra?
It’s a great way to explore and express your strength and sensuality.
Why do you love Pole Pressure?
The studio has the nicest instructors and a large variety of classes that you can’t find anywhere else.

What are some of your goals for this year?
It’s time to finally get that middle split!
Lyra - Advanced
Tardy Birdie
When did you start your pole journey?
2013 for pole, 2016 for hoop

Why did you decide to try pole dancing?
A youtube video of pole dancer Natasha Wang inspired me. I was blown away by her elegance and artistry. Before that I held the typical biases against pole. I thought to myself "she's an Asian lady pole dancing and it's just art, pure beautiful art! :O Stereotypes be damned! I want to do that!" Since pole, I've been exposed to the world of aerials--I've branched out to silks, sling, hoop--and have just gotten more and more addicted!

What do you love most about pole dancing?
My life philosophy was always to have both feet planted on terra firma. So the act of defying gravity and just being off the ground (whether pole or aerials) is psychologically so freeing for me....
Why do you love Pole Pressure?
I've been to so many studios and PP is just unparalleled! I love the community and the dedication of everyone. There's never a bad class here.

What are some of your goals for this year?
Getting a clean inversion while in the air; squared front splits and touching down more on the middle split. Maybe a lion roll too (ouch)....

What motivates you to train?
At first, I just wanted to get stronger and not be beaten by how hard it was. Now I see Instagram videos of aerialists doing amazing things and I just want to try to imitate them, expand my technical repertoire, and add more artistic expression to my practice. When I'm tired, the thought of Daphna getting mad at me for not coming to class is enough. Lol!

Now Taking Student of the Month Nominations!
Have you seen your friend working really hard? Let us know! Nominate someone to be an upcoming Pole Pressure Student of the Month.

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Pole Pressure | 1322 14th St NW, 2nd Floor, Washington DC 20005 US