Stage 1 (Beginner)

This class continues on from the Introduction to Pole Dance establishing the basic techniques to enable you to learn beginners spins and tricks that lead on to more advanced moves at a higher level. Everyone learns at a different pace so depending on any previous gymnastic background and your starting strength, flexibility and confidence it will take between 6 and 12 months to complete.

Spinning
The most important section in Stage 1 is learning basic spins. They progress with more difficulty and co-ordination as you move through the level and teach you how to regulate your grip and slow things down to make them look more controlled. They have some interesting names such as Fairy Jump, Genie and Cradle so you shouldn't forget what you've learnt!

Combination Spins
Once you've learnt most of the basic spins you will be able to start putting them together to form 2 or even 3-trick combination spins. These take quite a while to master but look very impressive when you've got it!

Static Up the Pole Tricks
You wil start working on tricks and movement off the ground during this stage. We will show you a basic climbing technique, how to perch (sit) on the pole and a couple more static up the pole positions. This is where the pain starts! Unfortunately in pole dancing you do get bruises and bumps but don't worry as the more you practice a move the easier it gets. Perching is usually the first time a student begins to experience this for themselves!

Inverts (going upside down!)
This is the most exciting part of beginner pole dancing and is a big milestone for any student, so big in fact that when you can do it we put your name on our Facebook page to let everyone know! Inverting IS difficult and takes a few months to start building up the basic techniques to do it but most people manage a basic invert in 4 or 5 months of starting and progress from there quite quickly. We have specially designed crash mats to make you feel a little more safe while you do it as well and this is the first time in the classes where you will begin to learn how to "spot" your fellow students to reduce the chance of accidents.

Strength & Flexibility
You will now have the opportunity to work more intensively on strength and flexibility building exercises. These techniques are designed to be practiced both in class and at home and will be essential if you decide to continue the classes beyond Beginner level.

Floor Movement
There are 8 floor moves in this stage which will teach you how to get back onto the pole from the floor or to recover from a less than graceful dismount! They will also expand your confidence to continute your movement away from the pole and avoid being attached to it throughout a routine making it much more interesting to watch.

Transitions
Another set of 5 transitions to improve the flow of any routines and to give you chance to catch your breath between difficult tricks.