Hi! My name is Miglena and I created The Pole Dancer, because I want to help you learn more about the “dancing” side of pole dance. Instead of doing trick after trick, I’ll teach you how to move expressively, how to connect moves fluidly and how to create your own unique routines.
THE BACKSTORY
After four years of rhythmic gymnastics as a child back in Bulgaria, my parents strongly suggested I should concentrate on school and my future academic studies. I graduated from school with excellent grades and moved to Germany to study, where I put a lot of work on making my dream of becoming a designer come true – obtaining a loan from the bank, another year of studying abroad, multiple internships and jobs.
The work payed off and I became a successful designer. To counterbalance the negative effects on my body from sitting long hours in front of a computer, I started doing sports again after a 15 year break. I was out of shape and annoyed with myself for having neglecting my body for such a long time.
I also took my first class in modern and contemporary dance and I was surprised how vulnerable and uncomfortable I felt. I was often the “worst” dancer in class. Sometimes I felt silly and ashamed, because I had no dance experience. My acrobatic and flexibility skills from the rhythmic gymnastics were not as helpful as I thought they would be. Still, I felt happy after each dance class and attracted by this new ambition of moving fluidly, I kept improving my dance skills. And I still do (until) today.
Soon I found out about pole dance, after I saw a video of a less known pole dancer. I was so struck with her dance and with the music, that I watched all of her videos about 20 times in two days. I immediately booked my first pole dance class. I could finally put my acrobatic and flexibility skills into action.
THE REALIZATION
I was advancing quickly in the pole classes. Then I discovered a new pole dance studio with a higher level of teaching – not so much because of the difficulty of the tricks, but because of the learning tasks assigned to the students. The high intensity workout in the beginning of the class helped me build strength and conditioning quicker. Instead of single tricks, we learned combos and routines, which not only brought more joy into my pole practice, but also helped me come up with my own ideas for combos and moves at home.
After I mastered the pole dance fundamentals and started teaching beginners classes, I realized that it was not about getting those tricks, that everyone eventually gets, but about how you get in and out of them. How you put moves together, how you make everything appear fluid and effortless and how you actually turn them into a dance.
In other words: How to express emotions.
This also made me realize, that some great pole dancers, who we admire so much for hypnotizing us with their dance, teach this set of skills in rare, distant workshops, that I can barely attend or afford. But there is something missing in the huge space of free and paid online tutorials. Something I found to be, for me personally, one of the most important skills in my pole dance toolbox.
THE PROCESS
I decided that I am smart and talented enough to explore the art of pole dancing by myself, additionally to pole classes and workshops.
But to be the best you really have to learn from the best. In an effort to figure out where the best material can be found I started scouring the internet. I subscribed to all social accounts, newsletters, blogs, workshops and online programs of the best dancers in the pole industry, known for their unique style. I enhanced my practice with techniques from different disciplines, dancing styles and movements. I implemented new techniques and exercises into my teaching practice, observing how my students get along.
Soon I was having even more fun copying, paying attention to details, freestyling and experimenting than if I would in a regular class/workshop!
I joined pole communities and I started talking with people about problems and pain points pole dancers have. I started creating and sharing tutorials, whenever I could help. Some of the things people struggle with come easily to me. And some are common struggles, which motivates me to explore deeper for potential solutions.
As a result, my personal training felt more fluid, my own style evolved, I was able to think less and dance more. I started expressing myself through pole dance, which is my ultimate personal goal – the one I keep working on.
THE POLE DANCER
In this blog I would like to share with you what I am learning in the process.
Here you will find pole flow and combo tutorials for building muscle and motion memory; simple movement techniques and guided (freestyle) exercises, focusing on the fluidity between movements; transitions on and off the floor and the pole; graceful ways of climbing and descents; different styles of choreographies; tips on choreographing and stage presence.
You will learn:
– How to start putting things together
– How to gracefully flow between moves
– How to stop thinking what to do next
– How to make strength movements appear effortless
– How to look pretty without any previous dance experience
– How to create stunning performances
I believe that through these exercises anyone can get the best out of their tricks and start dancing the pole.
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If you want to reach out and say hello, share your pole dance process or ask a question, don’t hesitate to contact me.