“Everyone is so positive and encouraging. I’ve made so many new friends, discovered so much amazing music and I’m in the best shape of my life.”
Miss May 2018: Kate
Occupation: UX Designer
Your motto or favorite quote: “I’m gonna roll around the floor for a little bit, k?” – GIR
How long have you been pole dancing at Divine? A little over 5 years now. My first class was a Boot(y) Camp with Annie and it was HARD! I signed up for a Pole 101 series a month or so later with Trisha.
Did you have any previous dance or fitness training before starting pole? Not really. Back in high school I did acro for a couple years, but I never got very into it.
What made you decide to take pole dancing classes? After I finished college, I had more time and wanted to get into better shape. I wanted a fun workout, so I did a web search for adult gymnastics classes. The results were mostly aerial and pole.
Favorite class? (spins, inversions, or boudoir), and why? Advanced spins. I love power spins. I love that feeling of flying or floating.
What is it that you LOVE about pole dancing at Divine? The community. Everyone is so positive and encouraging. I’ve made so many new friends, discovered so much amazing music and I’m in the best shape of my life.
Platforms or legwarmers? Legwarmers! Although, I love how different my dance style is when using heels vs. leg warmers – I like to tap into both styles on occasion.
What are you currently working on technically? I’m spending a lot of time training contortion right now which will open up new advanced pole moves like rainbow marchenko and spatchcock.
What are you working on artistically? I’m just starting to dabble with choreography! I love trying to express the rhythm and emotion of a song through movement.
What is your favorite move? Probably reverse grab/flying angel
What is in your pole bag (ex: grip aid, journal, etc)? Leg warmers, powdered rock rosin (grip), protein bars, nuts, journal, pen, BCAAs and stretchy shirts
Do you have a favorite song to pole dance to? Do I have to pick just one?! For You by Once a Tree, Oceans by Seafret, I Fall Apart by Post Malone, anything by X Ambassadors, Chet Faker, Hozier, Allan Rayman, etc.
We LOVE music at Divine. What 3 songs would be featured on the soundtrack to YOUR life, and why?
- “Fool in the Rain” by Led Zeppelin – it’s a playful, upbeat take on trusting that things might seem bad now, but it’ll work out soon (and maybe in surprisingly good ways). Don’t get frustrated before you know the full situation. Also, I could listen to Robert Plant ALL day.
- “Cherry Hill” by Russ – I just discovered this recently, but felt like I had to include it because it just makes me want to move. I’m listening to this one on repeat right now. It’s also a beautiful love song, so I bumped my other love song choices (U2’s “All I Want is You” and Chris Cornell’s cover of Prince’s “Nothing Compares 2 U”) from my top three. But now I’ve said them anyways 😉
- “Water” by Ra Ra Riot – This song really speaks to me. It’s about leaving your problems behind and doing what you feel. This is often how I feel when I take vacations to remote wilderness locations.
Guilty pleasure: Halo Top ice cream (they have 20-24 grams of protein per pint though, so it’s basically healthy and part of my training, right?)
Final Question: Any inspirational advice you would like to share with new polers? Put in the effort, and you’ll see the results. Sometimes, getting the same lesson from different teachers can help something “click,” but in my experience, most of my progress has come from just putting in the work. Ask lots of questions and have just fun!
