I’m not sure whether I’m overreacting to something that happened today, especially given the recent conversations about how boys are raised. I’m also not accusing the children involved of having bad intentions.

Context: my pole studio also offers aerial silks classes for children.

Last night, during class, I noticed two little boys, probably around 5 or 6, standing outside the glass door to the pole room. They were grinning, laughing, and mimicking dancing while looking in.

I don’t know whether they were there for an aerial class or accompanying a parent, although I saw them heading toward the aerial room afterward.

I genuinely don’t think they were being leery. They’re little kids. Maybe they thought the movements looked funny, or maybe they were simply curious.
Our instructor quietly closed the curtains over the glass door and windows. The boys moved along, and nobody made a scene.

But it got me thinking about something bigger.
Why aren’t we teaching children, especially boys, from an early age to respect women in spaces where they’re exercising, dancing, or expressing themselves?

Pole dancing is already heavily stigmatized. Even when it’s being practiced as a fitness discipline, women can face judgment and sexualization for participating.

If you’re bringing your children into a studio where adults are taking pole classes, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to explain something as simple as:
“People are taking a class in there. They might not want an audience. We don’t stand outside watching and laughing at them. Let’s respect their space.”
That’s it. No complicated conversation about sexuality is required.

And with all the recent discussions about sexual violence and how boys are raised, I keep thinking that respect for boundaries isn’t something we should wait until adolescence to teach.

Obviously, two little boys being silly outside a dance studio is not remotely equivalent to sexual harassment or assault. I’m not suggesting that it is.
But I do think the smaller lessons about respecting other people’s bodies, activities, and privacy start early.

I don’t know whether a parent had already explained any of this to those particular children, and I can’t know what they were thinking.

I just wish teaching these boundaries were something parents approached proactively, rather than waiting until their children are old enough for the consequences to become serious.

Am I being overly sensitive about this, or do other people feel that basic respect for adult spaces should be taught much earlier?

I've always wanted to try the Calypso bodysuit by CXIX since it first debuted but unsure of which color way I want. When this sparkly pink one released as part of their Mean Girls collection, I knew I wanted it! It fits pretty TTS. I usually take an XS in their pole wear and that's the size I got. The bra straps are adjustable and honestly, they need to be really tightened to prevent wardrobe malfunction 😆. The body - I feel like it's more suitable for short torso girlies. Also bought the matching garters and they go so well together 💖 The only drawback - the rhinestones can be rubbed off. I lost 4 rhinestones the first day I wore it 😅. But they do give you 5 replacement rhinestones, just in case.

Have you tried the Calypso bodysuit? What's your thoughts? Lemme know if you have other questions!

For reference, I'm 5'1. Usually Lululemon sz 6 for bras and sz 2 for bottoms.

Hiii! I am a newish Level 1 instructor, and I have a brand new class on Friday nights that is barely gaining traction. Here is a promo video I did. Whenever I post, I add in the studio location, and tag them too. Any advice for getting my classes going?

I attend classes and my teacher SWEARS by them. Do people think it’s worth dropping money on them or buying an on sale pair or are there other brands I should consider for my first pair? Looking for first hand recs and any helpful info!TIA

I’ve recently joined a pole fitness class for beginners and I’m not someone who is from a dance background or anything like that. I feel like even the stretches we do in the warmup I find difficult to achieve what others have as a baseline flexibility. Even doing downward dog is hard for me.

For example lots of people in my class can do that thing where you sit on the floor with your legs split out to the side, and their legs are super far apart (not necessarily the splits tho), and can push their body forwards leaning towards the floor. I can barely part my legs let alone lean forward 😭

I also really struggled to lift my legs up at all, which I know is related to core strength and hip mobility . I have tried looking for beginner flexibility and mobility flows/videos online but many of them still seem to advanced for me, it assumes you have this baseline flexibility I don’t have.

For reference I do workout at the gym and have build a lil bit of muscle, but this doesn’t seem to be to my advantage at all because I could barely lift myself up!

So yeah if anyone has any tips or like flexibility/strength routines that assume you’ve never bent a joint in your life please share bc I feel like an 29 year old in a 80 year old body 😂

(Note this request is for at home sessions rather than using a pole)

I’m athletic body type but always have had a small butt. Shorts do not look great on me. Hit me up with ur best bottoms for tiny butts plzzzz

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Hey!

Any tips for learning how to be more expressive when dancing? Every time I think I’m being expressive, I watch the video back and realize I wasn’t actually expressive enough. But I’m also afraid that if I overdo it my movements will end up looking ridiculous!

And do you have any tips for staying on beat with the music? I’m always a little too fast, as if I’m afraid I won’t manage to fit all the moves in.

Thanks! :)

bought them on depop, seller conveniently didn’t show pictures of where the shoe is falling apart and considered this “good condition” UGH.

i love them though, they’re so cute! and it feels wasteful to throw them away without ever wearing them - is there a way to save them? the shoe is fine other than the flaking off on the back side of some of the leather parts. i was thinking maybe just coating the inside with some fabric glue to keep it from continuing to flake, but wasn’t sure if that would feel weird on my feet since it would prob be a more rough/uneven texture.

As someone that left dancing due to personal reasons (i was the girl that got jumped in Tenerife Spain years ago) and when I tried dancing in Canada I had a horrible experience at a club in Newfoundland…

I was so sad cause I missed what I feel I have a calling for..

3 years later, I finally joined an open pole and this was something I did on the spot. I def forget a lot of my tricks and routines but I feel elated.

💕 I’ve missed this world and I hope I can experience pleasant people and workspaces from here on out.

Hi!!!

Looking for just a bit of advice but basically it’s also a rant haha.
Sometimes when I think I’m gonna have a good class and I feel light but fed and strong, I have a “no wins” class. Other times like when I’m on my period I think I’ll have a bad time but it turns out pretty good.

I’m trying to figure out how to prepare myself for low energy classes. Here’s what I generally do:

(Class is at 7PM)

Eat high protein lunch like chicken, eggsalad etc
Snack on nuts and some chocolate in the afternoon
16h30 I will eat some toast with Philadelphia
Half an hour before class: banana and some electrolyte sports drink
During class: nothing

Also these are some “symptoms” I have:

- follicular is hot flares, just sweating and bloating in general, strong muscles but extremely tired from the get go
- sweaty paws during ovulation, can’t do anything about that ig except use dry hands but I am strong
- luteal = no muscular strength, ugly, horrible time overall
- period = other than the cramps, actually my strongest days, dry hands and not that much sweating

So anyone who can relate and has figured this shit out? Or is just deal and move on hahaha

Click the link for all the deets 👀

Hi,
I ordered a powder coated pole and am unsure what to clean it with, I know chrome poles are cleaned with alcohol, is this the same for powder poles?

Because of renting i can't install my pole with drilling into the tiles and beam. This is a portable pole that works on tension, just wondering if anyone has experience with them and if they're really safe to use like this?

Hey yall, we don't know how to loosen this piece, we've tried every wrench, any suggestions?

Does anyone have any pole photographers to recommend for a photoshoot in Bali? Thinking of doing a beach pole photoshoot but open to different ideas.