She is strong and hard working and has made incredible progress in a short amount of time! Maybe you saw her set fire to the stage in her first performance in the Halloween Squad? If not, catch her and the whole squad at UV's Valentine's Showcase on Friday, February 28th! Or better yet, nab a spot in the squad and dance along side her!
Q: Where are you from?
I am from Vancouver originally and have spent most of my life there, but I have also done stints in Edmonton and Victoria - and now Toronto! We moved here three years ago for my husband’s education. But in my heart I’m a die hard west coaster. I really miss the ocean and mountains!
Q: Tell us a bit about yourself outside the studio.
I’m currently finishing my masters of counselling psychology at the moment and I do online counselling support for an eating disorder foundation. My goal is to become a registered psychotherapist when I graduate and I hope to specialize in women’s mental health issues and eating disorder advocacy. I am incredibly passionate about my work with mental health, so feel free to strike up a conversation with me about literally anything - I love connecting with others and hearing different perspectives and stories!
Aside from school, when I’m not at the pole studio, I’m usually laying low with my friends and family and beautiful black cat. I love knitting and any sort of crafting. I’ve also seen every single episode of the entirety of RuPaul’s Drag Race at least twice and I’m undecided whether I should be proud or ashamed of that fact.
Q: How long have you been pole dancing?
Just under a year and have never looked back! It’s hard to imagine a life without pole now :)
Q: How did you start pole dancing?
Honestly, I was super sick of going to the gym and needed a change - I just found it super boring and wanted an activity that kept me in shape but was less solitary, more fun, and preferably dance-based. I had cheerleaded and danced for a big chunk of my life, and had felt the itch to start dancing again. I had also always really admired pole dancers for their sheer strength, grace, and sexiness, and I figured I could definitely become that person too and the only thing stopping me was myself. So I signed up for the intro deal earlier this year with an open mind and immediately fell in love.
Q: What is your favourite class and why?
Ah this is such a hard question because they are all SO awesome in their own unique ways! I guess flexibility is my favourite right now since it’s all I can do for the next month while I recover from jaw surgery, haha. That aside, Maryana’s Basics and Floorwork were the first classes I ever went to and were what made me fall in love with pole, so I have a really soft spot for them. Plus Maryana is hysterical. Other favourites are both Miscia and Tara’s inversions classes since that’s where I learn and grow so much, and Angie’s strip plastic is just so fun. I love them all!
Q: What surprised you about pole fitness?
Just how much individual variation there is and how it can be anything you want it to be - the same tricks and routines can look completely different and unique depending on who performs them and their own style. It’s so individually unique and that is what makes it so interesting and beautiful!
Q: Why do you love pole?
So many different reasons. I love how you can see tangible growth and how your hard work truly pays off. I love the artistic expression and how it’s just plain fun! Yes, you are getting an incredible workout, but it doesn’t feel like it because it’s just so fun. I’ve become way stronger through pole dancing than through weight lifting or anything else. Most of all though, I love the unbelievably supportive atmosphere; it’s truly an honour to be surrounded by such strong and passionate people, and it’s such a positive and open minded community. I’ve met some incredible people through pole that I wouldn’t have otherwise met!
Q: What is your proudest pole moment?
I performed in the squad at the past Halloween showcase and still partially can’t believe it; I had been super sick right before rehearsals started and in the process of planning my wedding while also in a gruelling school semester, so it was perhaps a little unrealistic for me to sign up but I thought screw it and did it on a whim anyway. I hadn't performed any sort of dance publicly since my cheerleading days during undergrad and performing pole had always been a goal of mine. It was so new and crazy to me and I loved the process of rehearsing and fine tuning the performance, and the bond all of the girls made. Would 10/10 do it again!
Q: What is your favourite song to dance to?
I’m pretty partial to any sort of 90s-2000s rap or hip hop.
Q: What keeps you coming back to Ultra Violet?
I’ve actually never been to another pole studio and feel no need to go anywhere else. As I mentioned before, the community is super positive and supportive, the instructors are incredibly talented and super friendly, and I love how the class sizes aren’t huge so you get a lot of attention and help if you need it. There’s a lot of different classes available and something for everyone! It also helps that I live pretty close to the studio :)
Q: Any advice to students new to pole?
Honestly, I know it’s super hard, but don’t compare yourself to anyone else. Everyone’s pole journey is different, and you’ll only rob yourself of joy if you beat yourself up over not picking up on things immediately; it takes time and commitment to build strength and grace.
I’m a perfectionist and was definitely guilty of this at the beginning, but it’s important to understand some of the people you see in class or on Instagram or the like have been working super hard for years towards their craft. It’s hard to remember that when you only see the end result, but those incredibly talented dancers you see have worked their asses off (can I say that?) for years; and you can TOTALLY be that person too! It’s totally achievable with hard work and commitment :).
Also, progress isn’t linear - sometimes I have days where I feel totally on and feel like a complete goddess, and other days I completely stink up the place. It’s totally okay and is part of being a human!
