“To adore each other so openly and generously feels like a gift, and I am grateful for it every time I dance…”
Miss August 2016: Mykel
Occupation: Full-time student and mama of two.
Your motto or favorite quote: Close your eyes. Fall in love. Stay there. -Rumi
How long have you been pole dancing at Divine? Fifteen awesome months!
Did you have any previous dance or fitness training before starting pole? I gave birth, does that count? On a more serious note, I was fairly unfit but had done a little yoga and some hiking.
What made you decide to take pole dancing classes? I moved to Seattle, and I was actually looking for yoga classes. When I Googled yoga near my house, Divine showed up in the search. I had a hunch that pole dancing was exactly what I needed to pull me out of my post-move misery. I am so glad I followed the hunch! Dancing at Divine took me through a really dark moment and possibly saved my sanity.
Favorite class? (spins, inversions, or boudoir), and why? This is like asking me to choose between my children… I love them both equally but sometimes when one is tough, I like the other one more. No really, I love them equally. Listen: that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
What is it that you LOVE about pole dancing at Divine? There is so much to love about Divine. That moment just after a dance has finished is my favorite. All the women are looking at their fellow dancers with love and admiration. To adore each other so openly and generously feels like a gift, and I am grateful for it every time I dance, and watch others dance.
Platforms or legwarmers? Legwarmers! I love they way they look, the way they feel, and how my body feels in them, sliding across the floor.
What are you currently working on technically? Right now I am working on getting stronger and more flexible.
What are you working on artistically? I am working on bringing more of myself into my moves without compromising my form. For example, remembering to keep my toes pointed or my head up while I add my own individual flair. I have some work to do!
What is your favorite move? The Stargazer.
What is in your pole bag (ex: grip aid, journal, etc)? My pole bag is the bag I use for everything so, charmingly, it is full of receipts, beach sand, wet wipes, legwarmers, and Dry Hands. If anyone needs spare beach sand, I have some to lend you.
Do you have a favorite song to pole dance to? Right now: All Night by Beyoncé – I could spend the entire song doing hip circles against the wall.
We LOVE music at Divine. What 3 songs would be featured on the soundtrack to YOUR life, and why?
1. Driftwood, Travis – – I attended university in England in a village that gets more rain than anywhere else in England. Every Friday night, we went down to the student union and danced to whiny British indie music like Travis. I still (secretly) love it.
2. We Come One, Faithless – – My best and longest friend introduced me to Faithless. I danced with my partner to this band before we married. I went to every possible Faithless concert in my twenties.
3. Ta Da – Spank Rock – – I have Heather Hennessy to thank for this one! I asked Heather to choose my song in a boudoir class, and this was it. It was a dance-changing moment for me. I closed my eyes, let go of my inner critic and danced my heart out. It is still my favorite all-time pole dancing song. Guilty pleasure: I have recently started eating a plant-based diet, except for once a week. On Friday nights I orders sushi and I get the Magma Roll from I Love Sushi. It’s deep fried prawns in a roll covered in hot mayonnaise. It’s so good.
Final Question: Any inspirational advice you would like to share with new polers? The best advice that I was given when I first started dancing at Divine was “if you run out of moves, just hump the floor.” It was the best advice ever, and I still do it almost every dance!!
