Like many of you, I’ve been adjusting to the home pole life. And I cannot WAIT until we can safely train at our home studios again! This adjustment hasn’t been easy, and it can make anyone less motivated to dance. But we can’t change our current situation, we can only adjust. You can find something positive in your situation if you dig deep enough. I know it’s easier to complain, but that’s not the energy I’m here to put out. So, let’s look at the pros of poling at home during quarantine!
What’s Your Dilemma?
Do you have an average ceiling height? I’m with you. With only 8 ft, it’s not easy doing any aerial tricks. Especially if you’re a taller person like myself (I’m 5’8). Being limited to how much I can climb directly limits what kind of tricks I can practice.
Or do you have to place your home pole near a ceiling fan? I’m with you there, as well! Don’t even get me started on trying to do any type of invert with those things in the way.
Or maybe you have carpeted floors? I’m with you there too. I don’t think I even need to explain why carpet floors are a hot mess for pole dancers. I found myself complaining a lot in my head about these inconveniences. But honestly, this isn’t so bad considering…
- I’m way less likely to hurt myself from falling and not having any spotters around.
- It gives me a chance to focus on low flow style dance, which is something I’ve always wanted to improve on.
- I’m able to focus on improving foundational moves that will enhance my entire flow and performance when I’m able to learn new tricks again.
- Because I’m not learning many new tricks, there’s little risk in me doing any moves incorrectly that could lead to injury.
- I can work and improve on grace, flexibility, and posture.
- I can focus on getting my pole-assisted handstands and practice wavy legs (fun!)
- I can improve on floorwork.
- I can become more comfortable with static pole (since I’m not looking to continuously kick my ceiling fan when I’m on spin).
- This one is a bit more random and specific, but because I don’t like my surroundings when I train, it caused me to get more creative with my photo editing. Fun fact: I used to really be into all things film, photography, and graphic design. I haven’t toggled with it in years and disliking my background is the only reason I started working with Adobe Photoshop again to try to make more appealing pole photos on my Instagram. My home studio is so cute that I wouldn’t have bothered messing with anything. Now I’ve been able to rekindle an old hobby and get creative.
These are all things I could’ve been doing at the studio, but when I’m there, I find myself more enthusiastic about learning aerial tricks. With a limited amount of time for open studio, I would just focus on tricks. I would’ve taken way longer to get comfortable with low flow or handstands if I only stayed training at the studio. This quarantine forced me to tend to other pole goals I’ve been neglecting.
Reigniting Your Spark
These are uncertain times and has caused many people, myself included, to feel lost and uninspired. If you’re having a hard time feeling motivated to pole at home during this lockdown, try digging deeper to find what made you fall in love with pole in the first place. Was it healing for you? Did it help you gain your self-confidence? Did it make you mentally, emotionally, and physically stronger? Did it give you what you’ve been lacking during this lockdown?
Pole dance has always felt like my medicine. It’s the only factor in my life that remains constant when everything around me is changing. I’m so grateful to have found it because it’s been so healing for me during this time. I’ve danced out so much pain and it leaves me feeling hopeful and confident in myself and the future again.
