Anna started pole dancing at UV in 2017, but then moved to Tel Aviv in 2018. A surprise benefit to moving the UV studio online is that we got to have Anna back in our classes! Anna is a hard worker and has made incredible progress on the pole in this past year! She is always a pleasure to have in class and it is a joy to share in her successes.
Q: Where are you from?
Born and raised in Toronto but moved to Tel Aviv, Israel in July 2018.
Q: Tell us a bit about yourself outside the studio.
Where to start... I am a sports and fitness junkie. Whenever I go to the gym I feel like I have entered a candy store. I used to run half marathons but had to stop due to joint pain. Sports/Fitness is my therapy and I can talk about it forever. Aside from that, I love Mafia movies and find the history of the Mafia to be fascinating. I like to paint/draw in my spare time and enjoy being outdoors as much as I can (one of the reasons why I moved to a warmer climate). I worked in the non-for-profit world for over 10 years and just recently made the switch to high tech.
Q: How long have you been pole dancing?
I went to my first pole class in November 2017 - at the UV Eglinton Studio.
Q: How did you start pole dancing?
The truth is that in October 2017 I went to Edmonton, Alberta and stayed at the Fantasyland Hotel and the room I stayed in was a "Hollywood" theme with a pole. This sparked an idea for my friend's birthday present - I treated her to a pole class in November 2017. We did it for fun - but afterwards we realized how much of a workout it was and needless to say, I was hooked.
Q: What is your favourite class and why?
This is a hard one. I thoroughly enjoy all the classes I take at UV - since I do classes virtually now it really depends on what is available in my timezone. But, I have to say, I love Pole Choreography and Spinning Pole Choreography, For tricks and technique, privates with Elisa are my jam. I really owe my progress over the last year to Elisa. The way she is able to explain tricks and moves really helps me. I tried studios here in Tel Aviv before the pandemic, and I found that I wasn't getting things as easily as I am now.
Q: What surprised you about pole fitness?
How it is a full body workout. I have been a fitness freak for years and never had such results like I do now. It is also beyond empowering . After getting my first Ayesha - I found myself walking with my head a little higher because of how proud I was of myself. I feel like a badass.
Q: Why do you love pole?
I love the community and how supportive women are of each other. I also love how the learning process in pole never ends. There is always a new move or sequence to learn. It is definitely a sport that requires a long term investment.
Q: What is your proudest pole moment?
Oh gosh there are so many. I almost cried from joy too many times. Because of my years of running - I feel like my body is like the tin man. My body is always in pain and very stiff. So I think any move where I can do a straddle on the pole is my most proud moment. Being flexible/bendy is a daily struggle and something I need to achieve.
Q: What is your favourite song/genre to dance to?
I found that my taste in music has changed slightly since starting pole. I used to be into hip/hop but now I find myself liking artists like Sam Fischer. But a good Ciara or Beyonce song always helps to get the hard tricks done.
Q: What keeps you coming back to Ultra Violet?
The instructors. I love them all. So professional and full of so much knowledge.I tried other teachers in Tel Aviv and it is just not the same. I am thankful to COVID-19 for this one reason because it allowed me to come back to UV :)
Q: Any advice to students new to pole?
Be patient and listen to your body. Basically do the opposite of me.
Allow yourself to recover - you will get stronger.
Ready to start pole dancing? Check out our schedule of classes!
