So far, I've had a great FFAF.
It all started with unexpectedly getting Friday off work, but still getting paid the full 8 hours I would have worked. No complaints there.
Then, Thursday night, I got a text from a friend I've met through poledancing (she's a couple levels higher than me, but her class is right after mine) asking me if I wanted to go to a poledancing battle with her last night. Who says no to that? So last night, she picked me up and we drove in record time to the venue.
Quick recap: 17 contestants, battling each other in pairs (there were 3 guys participating, who battled each other in the first round), with one advancing to the next. My instructor was one of them, so I was a little proud watching her. Between rounds, the audience had the opportunity to dance and try out some moves. You'd think that, with all the different levels of skill there, people might get a little arrogant or demeaning, but nothing like it. Everyone was very accommodating, allowing others to show their skill, offering tips and suggestions as well as praise. For me, who only started last September, it was very helpful in overcoming my apprehension in dancing in front of strangers, especially those more experienced. All in all, I had a blast!
Some pics to give you an impression.
This is me, after the battle, trying out some stuff. I actually got to teach the cute bartenders some moves (4th pic, trying to teach him the vertical break)! And my friend and I did a double hangover (both of us in the pole, leaning back, upside down). Unfortunately, no pic of that, but the third one below was taken when we were coming out of it.
This afternoon, I'll be heading over to my friend's place, to work out some more and try out some new moves, as well as trying to come up with a routine. I intend on dancing to Muse's Hysteria, and during the final show I'll make sure someone catches it on video, so I can share it with you all.
To make this interactive:
- Have you ever tried poledancing? Share your experience; was it during a party, did you take a class; how did you like it?
- What kind of sport do you practice that people wouldn't expect of you?
Hanka Venselaar, European Pole Dance Champion 2010, was one of the judges. This is her winning performance last year. Seeing her moves makes me want to train even more to improve my skills!