Hi babes,
Sorry, all has unintentionally been rather quiet over the last couple of weeks!!
Today we are talking pole. I am approaching the topic that I am sure so many instructors and students have experienced and continue to do so in their pole fitness classes every week. Itchy feet? Feeling stronger? Ready to move on? Always wanting to improve?
Yes, today I am are talking about the journey we take, not just with pole fitness (although this is our main focus in this case) but also with other fitness classes. They say that we know our own body better than anyone else, how far we can push ourselves and how far our capability stretches BUT, is this actually true?
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So let’s start at the beginning, remember back to your very first lesson, the possible felt impossible. I was completely fascinated by the thought of being able to feel elegant, strong and fluid however in reality I looked like a cat wearing shoes and was as flexible as a brick.
Everything that my incredibly strong, toned and beautiful instructor, (That’s Louise aka Mrs PoleFit by the way!!) gave me to do I was convinced was a stitch up. Reality soon hit…pole fitness was not as easy as it looks. This could be painful and I did not look like that elegant swan! However I absolutely fell in love with pole fitness…
*Insert claps, cheers and woops here*
I got it, I finally got it!! I managed to achieve my fireman spin, without bashing my shins or pulling my own unique pole face!! My pole journey had definitely begun…
I could continue to tell you about my journey and my lack of natural ability for the sport, however I want you to reflect on your journey for a second. I want you to think about when you first started. You were overloaded with new moves, spins, poses and grips. Then as time goes on progress continues, similarly your speed of learning perhaps might of slowed down.
Guess what though? IT IS OKAY!!
Now I cannot emphasise this point enough. When going along your journey it is not a race of who has the biggest portfolio of achieved moves, who is doing the most “advanced” move in your class or who picks the combo up first. Pole fitness most certainly is not a competition (unless competing of course!), everybody’s built differently and adapts to exercises in different ways. Everyone will learn differently, at different paces and strengths and weaknesses will differ from person to person.
Something I hear a lot is “I just feel behind” Reality is BEHIND WHO, WHAT OR WHERE? Your journey is personal to you and you will go to the pace your body and mind allows.
For example think of a move you have been working towards for a while or “think you should be doing by now”. Are you pushing your body to a move that is going to cause you potential injury? All you see and feel is frustration, lowered self esteem and lost mojo. Realistically though our body just may not be ready yet. That doesn’t even touch upon our mental capacity towards what we are doing.
As instructors we want to grow with you, we are not there as the big bad wolves stopping your progressing or just not being bothered to instruct you. It’s about absolutely nailing what you do know and giving you more time to prepare your mind and body for those harder moves. Most importantly we want to keep you safe!
Think again of that first lesson or the first moment of real self achievement, do not forget those moments. Of course continuing to grow and getting that new move will always be the most amazing feeling but do not leave what you have learnt behind. Reiterating the point of being proud of what you have achieved and use that to grow to what you willachieve. “Are my toes pointed? Am I fully engaged? Am I dead lifting into all my moves?”
Incredible (!)…you can do an ayesha but you’ve forgotten about your spins and your conditioned grip on your legs for a crucifix has run away. See where I am going with this?
You should absolutely revel in what you have learnt, perfect all your moves and enjoy the ‘basic’ moves.
TRUST your instructor, they want to see you develop and grow in everyway just as much as you do and that also means recapping, perfecting and showing off on what you have learnt.
If there is anything you take away from this blog then this it is this…
Take a breather and stop trying to run before you can walk.
Just because you are not learning a new move does not mean you are not advancing. Every time you train you are improving your strength, grip, confidence and ability. Be proud of what you have achieved and what you will continue to achieve and never forget your journey and where you started.
Happy Poling, BYE BABES! X