booty camp #1

today at 6pm, I took my first booty camp with Brynlyn at NYPD. we did the complete stretching routine that we do at the beginning of each climb and spin, then split up into 3 circuits, working our triceps, abs and biceps. each circuit was 1 minute and damn, it started to hurt after just a few reps because while you're doing your exercise, you're keeping your core tight and working on your body's stability. definitely had to push through some of the last reps! Brynlyn had to keep reminding me to breathe, as I tend to hold my breath when exerting myself.

following the strength circuit, we did a cardio circuit made up of mountain climbers, jumping jacks and those jumping squat into plank things that I completely hate to do! my heavy breathing indicated to me that I have to work on my cardio, which I've known but conveniently put out of my mind recently.

finally, we did some ab work on the floor, with our feet on a exercise ball. unfortunately I think my all was too big for me, so I had a hard time planting my feet on the top and going through the motions completely. there's always next time.

I really enjoyed booty camp and I am eager to try out other teachers, as each has her own style and exercises. tonight I met Pheon at the desk and we started chatting about the upcoming pole convention in Washington, DC in late May put on by Pole Pressure. looks like a fun weekend getaway with the girls, so we'll see what happens!

calendar of past dance classes

here's a back-log of my first month / unless otherwise indicated, the class was taken at NYPD:

sun 3.28
introduction to pole w/ Lauren
    - one-level climb

wed 3.31
beginner climb & spin w/Anna - met Laura

    - fan kick

    - hitch kick

sat 4.3
pole spins w/Natalie (taken at EDC)
beginner climb & spin w/Brynlyn
    - two-level climb

wed 4.7
beginner climb & spin w/Anna

sat 4.10
beginner climb & spin w/Brynlyn
    {The Red by Chevelle}
    - inner thigh spin
    - multi-level climb
    - reverse inside hook descent from the pole

sun 4.11

beginner climb & spin w/Lauren - met Lara

mon 4.12

advance climb & spin w/Lauren - class with Suzi

    - baseball grip hip circle ("meatball") from the floor

    - body spiral

    - descent from pole into a split

mon 4.19

beginner climb & spin w/Lauren

    {warm-up music: Shutterbug by Big Boi}

    {Kiss Her by T-Pain}

sun 4.25

beginner climb & spin w/Lauren - met Condola & Mai

    {warm-up music: Shutterbug by Big Boi} 

    {Kiss Her by T-Pain}

mon 4.26

beginner climb & spin w/Brynlyn

    {Let Me Be Myself by 3 Doors Down}

    - reverse knee hook spin

    - reverse inside hook descent from the pole

stretch class w/Brynlyn - met Kate

advance climb & spin w/Lauren - class with Suzi & Laura - met Tiffany

    {warm-up music: Shutterbug by Big Boi}     

    {Ride by Ciara f/Ludacris}

    - waiting on the name of the new spin

    - baseball grip hip circle ("meatball") from standing position

overexposure

after being unemployed for 9 months, I took an office position working for a NYC-based pole dance company. within two weeks, we were putting on a showcase at a local club and I was in the middle of it all. learning about the business, the dancers and the sport. these women are amazing at what they do and felt it was only fitting that I start taking classes.

this post is just an introduction. I am going to try and put up a post (I'll backlog) mentioning each class I've taken, the music, the moves, the bruises. it's definitely not easy on the body, believe me. epsom salt baths and Arnica gel have become my new best friends.

I am overjoyed to announce that today marks my 1 month anniversary of pole dance classes!

a friend recommended that I start a blog about my adventures in pole dancing because I started a photo album on my facebook page and kept mentioning how much fun I was having while beating my body up. the pole dancing community it rapidly expanding, but still very close-knit and I am happy to have made so many new friends in this past month. everyone, students/teachers/bosses, are incredibly supportive and it feels good to be part of something again (I used to row in college).

as I start my second blog of all time, I find myself a bit overexposed. myspace, facebook, twitter, skype, blogger x2, gchat, bbm, aim. I don't consider myself a shy person, although I can be. as an only child, I've come to feel comfortable being alone- traveling, seeing shows, living in my own space. however, stemming from that is my need to share everything. I am lucky to lead the life I do and try not to take it for granted, but I want and need to share. maybe that makes me self-indulgent or a bit narcissistic and I accept that belief. it is what it is because I know that I don't let it overpower me. oops! time for a facebook status and profile update! j/k. not really.

with that said... I look forward to posting all of my adventures in pole dancing and I hope you enjoy the ride. it's great fun and I highly recommend everyone take an intro class :)

a few NYC studios:
New York Pole Dancing www.nypoledancing.com
Exotic Dance Central (EDC) www.exoticdancecentral.com
S Factor www.sfactor.com
Body & Pole www.bodyandpole.com {co-ed studio}
Shockra Studio www.shockrastudio.com
The Sky Box www.theskybox.org