It’s almost March, meaning it’s been about a year of lockdowns here in Southern California. As I’ve been adjusting to the home pole life, my biggest battle was not having a proper mirror to train in front of.
Now that studios are opening again, I’ve been loving the tall ceilings, smooth floors, and big mirrors! But, to my surprise, I’ve been finding myself ignoring the mirror. Partly because I’m not used to having one anymore, but I also notice my flow is different once I’m looking at myself in a mirror.
So I wanted to share a list of my personal pros and cons of using a mirror/not using a mirror to train (in no particular order).
Pros of Using a Mirror to Pole Dance
- Seeing yourself in real-time
- Being able to correct a move in the moment when you notice poor form
- Easier to take your time and explore new shapes
- Being reminded how divine you are ✨
Cons of Using a Mirror
- More focused on what shapes look like rather than what it feels like
- More in my head and not in the moment, causing the combo to look more stiff
- More confused when I’m upside down
Pros of Not Using a Mirror
- Fully in the moment, creating a better flow
- Better understanding of my body
- I can feel if a shape looks the way I want it to
Cons of Not Using a Mirror
- Phone storage constantly getting filled up
- Training takes longer when you include taking the time to watch the videos to correct form
Ideally, I’d still like to have a proper mirror for the times I want to just explore new shapes, but when I’m ready to put together a combo, I’d rather move or cover up the mirror. This way I can remain in the moment, really feel the music, and allow my body to flow without my own judgement getting in the way.
Do you train without a mirror? Let me know what you’ve discovered by having this limitation. Is it really a limitation at all? DM me on Instagram and tell me all about it ✨
Happy twirling!
