Instructor Spotlight: Elixia

Elixia is a new instructor to UV, but has been teaching for 7 years and is owner of Vertika Pole Fitness in Windsor! Elixia is an incredible pole dancer and beautiful performer. Catch Elixia teaching Advanced Pole Conditioning on Monday nights at 7:30pm!

Stage Name:  Elixia, which I chose before doing my first burlesque event in Windsor back in 2015

What is your profession?

I am currently owner of Vertika Pole Fitness and I work at a credit union (recent), I was a performing artist before that.

What do you teach and how long have you been teaching?

I teach pole, aerial arts, yoga and do personal training. I’ve been teaching for 7 years.

What got you into pole dancing?

I did work a little under a year at a gentleman’s club in my area and knew little about pole then. I saw some girls come from Montreal and do pole tricks on stage and it kind of grew from there!

What makes you passionate about pole dance?

Pole came to me at a time in my life where I was very confused on my purpose in life, and it gave me meaning to feel strong and capable. I loved it ever since, it feels like a big part of my life now. I enjoy sharing that with others so much!

What do you love sharing with your students?

I love sharing tips and experiences, as well as just overall joy and humility towards ourselves when going about our journey.

What is your favourite song/genre to dance to?

I like a bit of everything, for every mood. But mostly I’d say I like house music so I find ways to incorporate that into my pole dancing

Do you train on other apparatuses or other disciplines?

Yes before Covid I was training at a circus school learning Aerial hoop and silks

What would we find you doing when you aren't teaching/training?

Usually out at a live concert or festival, our in nature or with friends :)

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Looking to get strong to perform those advanced tricks?

Sign up for Advanced Pole Conditioning with Elixia Mondays at 7:30pm

Student Spotlight: Nikoo

We are so happy and proud to have Nikoo as part of our studio family! Nikoo started pole dancing with UV 3 years ago and has worked so hard and it shows! While Nikoo had left Toronto (and us!) to go to University, we are excited that we can still keep connecting online.

Q: Where are you from?

I was born in Ottawa, but moved to Toronto in 2011.

Q: Tell us a bit about yourself outside the studio.

I am an undergraduate student at Western University. I am pursuing a double major in Global Culture Studies and Geography. I am a proud plant mom of four and enjoy music and art.

Q: How long have you been pole dancing?

I have been pole dancing for a little over 3 years.

Q: What is your favourite class and why?

My favourite class is probably Stretchy Splits with Tara. It gives me a chance to slow down in the day, monitor my flexibility progress, and release the tightness I get from sitting all day. I was also really into Old School Flow on Tuesdays when the studio had it. It’s really spicy and flowy and I love it!

Q: What surprised you about pole fitness?

What surprised me about pole dancing is how long I have stuck with it. The diversity and community within the sport is something I've really enjoyed and it’s just so damn fun!

Q: What is your proudest pole moment?

Possibly when I got my Reiko Split. My feet are always sweaty, so I thought it would never happen. I was wrong.

Q: What is your favourite song/genre to dance to?

Faded Love by Tinashe and Future. It was stuck in my head for the longest time.

Q: What keeps you coming back to Ultra Violet?

Aside from the fact that it’s the first studio I’ve ever been to, I really like the community. I have made friends at the studio and love all of my instructors at UV. The UV studio has been an important safe space for me to decompress and practice self care.

Q: Any advice to students new to pole?

It might look scary, but our bodies are more capable than we think. You don’t have to start off super strong in order to get good at pole; it’s all about the progression. No matter how your body looks or feels, pole is for everyone. That includes you.

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READY TO START POLE DANCING?

Student Spotlight: Olga

Olga has worked her butt off and has made incredible progress in her pole skills! She is an incredible person and is ready to cheer on others any chance she gets. And now let’s cheer on this amazing woman and her incredible transformation throughout her pole journey!

Q: Where are you from?

I was born and raised in Tajikistan and have immigrated to Canada 11 years ago (wow, time flies!)

Q: Tell us a bit about yourself outside the studio.

I work as anti-money laundering associate in one of the major Canadian banks. I love my job and spend quite a bit of my time with my beloved excel spread sheets and regulations :) If I am not working or pole dancing, chances are I am either baking, reading or being lazy on the couch with my partner :)

Q: How long have you been pole dancing?

It’s been a yeah and a half since I took my first pole class - and what a year and a half it has been!

Q: How did you start pole dancing?

Trying pole dancing was on my radar for a year before I gathered enough courage to enter a pole studio. I felt like a fish out of water as I had never taken any dance classes before and I have always been uncomfortable in my own skin, struggled with low self esteem. But pole dancing got me hooked right away :)

Q: What is your favourite class and why?

I have to say inversions/ fusion on Mondays. Working on tricks is my favourite thing and Christine always gives so many progressions so there is always an opportunity to find a sweet spot for one’s level and work from there.

Q: What surprised you about pole fitness?

How much of a workout it is lol!! I thought I was fit when I first walked into UV but let me tell you every single class still kicks my butt! It is amazing how versatile pole dancing is and whether it is strength, dancing, dance art, flexibility - there is something for everyone!

I think another surprise was how many friendships I was able to build at UV - shoutout to all my amazing pole buddies here! :) To be honest, I was expecting catty judgmental atmosphere - I really don’t know where this opinion was even coming from - I am so happy that I couldn’t have been more wrong! Both students and instructors have been nothing short of amazing supportive individuals. I have so many awesome memories of laughing at my failed attempts at a trick or being cheered on as I succeed at one :)

Photo by: Kaylens Photography

Q: Why do you love pole?

It challenges me like no other. Aside from being a great exercise (I have never been this strong in my whole life) , pole has been transformative for my self esteem, it has improved my mental health, allowed me to explore my sexuality in a new way. Without exaggeration pole has become an integral part of my wellbeing and I am so grateful for it!

Q: What is your proudest pole moment?

Two words: shoulder mount.

Q: What is your favourite song to dance to?

Anything pop :)

Q: What keeps you coming back to Ultra Violet?

Community. I always feel safe, supported and welcomed at Ultra Violet. Whether it is in person or virtually, Ultra Violet is my safe space to turn to.

Q: Any advice to students new to pole?

Do not compare yourself to anyone else, listen to your body and have fun!

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READY TO START YOUR POLE JOURNEY?

Creepy Sexy Halloween Pole Playlist

It’s spooky season and Halloween is almost here!

While Halloween is going to be a bit different this year, UV has still been getting into the spirit with some creepy, sexy Halloween choreos. Join us this week in class as we head into Halloween weekend for some more sinister fun! All classes are both in-studio and virtual.

Base Flow Wednesday 9pm “I Put a Spell on You”

Floorwork Thursday 8pm “Vowl - Tremor”

Pole Choreography Saturday 2pm “Thriller”

When you aren’t dancing with UV, get into the Halloween spirit at home with this creepy sexy playlist with songs from choreos this month and a few more to get you moving. Throw on a sexy or creepy costume and dance the night away!

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

What are your favourite Halloween songs to dance to? Comment below!

Tips to Improve your Flexibility

We all have our flexibility goals. Maybe it’s getting your splits or achieving a beautiful backbend. Regardless of those goals, being overall more flexible will also help with all the impressive moves that we find ourselves in on the pole. Here are some tips to help you in your flexibility journey...

Keep Hydrated!

Your muscles are over 70% water. Keep hydrated to keep your muscles ready to extend and contract in the way that they are intended. 

Listen to your body and don’t push too hard.

The mentality of “No pain, No gain” won’t work to increase your flexibility. You want to listen to your body and feel a productive stretch rather than pain. You want to work with your body’s nervous system to ease into stretches, so that the muscles can relax instead of tense up to protect themselves. 

Strengthen your muscles.

Many work just on passive flexibility, which uses an external force to help you get into a position (think splits on the floor, where the floor is forcing you deeper). This is not enough! Strengthen your muscles so you can achieve those flexibility goals actively. Not only do you want your splits on the ground, but you want to have beautiful splits in the air while on the pole!

Be consistent!

Stretching once in a while will not improve your flexibility. Try to incorporate movement and stretching into every day to maintain flexibility, even if it’s a couple mins here and there. Set aside dedicated time each week to work on improving your flexibility. There is no magic formula, so experiment with what your body needs to see improvement.

Get help to reach your flexibility goals!

You don’t have to do it alone! 

UV has workshops and classes to help you take your flexibility further! 

6 week Flexibility Workshop Sundays 3pm starting October 18th (This Sunday!)

Join in this virtual, intensive workshop on Sunday afternoons to improve flexibility, mobility, agility and overall muscle health! This workshop includes a progress report so you can track your gains and work on your trouble areas when you aren't in class. 

Check out these weekly classes that focus on Flexibility!

Upper Body Flexibility Mondays 3:00pm

Strength and Flexibility Tuesdays 4:00pm

Stretchy Splits Tuesdays 7:15pm

Active Flexi for Dancers Thursdays 4:45pm

Flexibility Saturdays 11:30am