The Spin Diaries: Your Guide to Everything Pole and Aerial

SO. Thigh gap is now a thing?

Posted on May 22, 2013July 28, 2016 by Cathy Vandewater

OOOOOOH jesus.

So I read a piece today about this woman who bemoaned her young daughter’s future struggle with body issues, including a recent trend among youngins’ to seek the elusive thigh gap.

This bitch wrote like 3,000 words about why thigh gap shouldn’t be a thing.

Which I respect, but sometimes, paying attention to something retarded makes it more of a thing than it really deserves to be.

So, I did something I really wish I didn’t do: I got curious and Googled “Thigh Gap.”

You guys, there are entire Tumblrs dedicated to stick-ass legs. And e-How guides to achieving them. And blogs where girls cry over NOT having stick ass legs, and describe their self loathing and desire to kill themselves over it.

And all I can think is… really??????? DOES ANYBODY REALLY CARE ABOUT THE SPACE BETWEEN LEGS THIS SO MUCH?

Ladies, your bodies are not decorative. Do not seek out a 10-step plan to starve down parts of your body for a “desired look” (apparently a 1-inch gap is serviceable but a 2-inches is really the money); do not stare longingly at 14 year old Hungarian supermodels, hating your life because you are not gaunt Euro jail bait. Do not avoid physical activity because strong quads will ruin your aesthetic (which I can only assume is “scarecrow” or “baby horse).” These are all things that will ruin your happiness and squander your happy young time. Come on. Don’t do that.

Also, nobody’s looking at your goddamned legs, unless you are in Mean Girls, in which case, make your priority finding some new friends. And hobbies. Because “achieving thigh gap” is not going to be a thing you look back on fondly while reflecting on your life. Like, “God, I’m so glad that when I was 16 I ate carrot sticks for 2 weeks and FINALLY got that thigh gap going.” <====thing you will never think on your death bed.

WHAT IN THE WORLD IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE.

Okay, okay, I feel better now. Here’s a picture of me hanging by my legs and holding a bottle of Dry Hands for no reason. Because recliners are probably impossible with out that wonderful, squishy inner thigh fat. So let’s celebrate it a little, okay? It’s God-given, and you can hang upside down by it. Boss.

Happy twirls! (And squats… and eating)

Cathy

Summer Beauty and The Beast (AKA your pole).

Posted on May 20, 2013February 19, 2014 by Cathy Vandewater

Ignore the faces. Focus on the luscious, luscious skin of summer.

Okay, this is no secret to anyone that knows me, I’m sure, but, I’m a tad vain.

You would probably not know this to see me actually poling (I can’t post the last few practice vids I have because they’re in underwear. Like, I couldn’t find shorts and I was to lazy to bother looking for them, so I just wore underwear. That is how lazy I am about looks while poling). But IRL… yeah, I like makeup, hair, and some shimmery body lotion.

OH WAIT.

FUUUUUUUUUU.

SHIMMERY BODY LOTION IS SO NOT ALLOWED.

So, I don’t know about you, but pale dry skin is not my look, and pole, dude, you’re killing my vibe a little. I have parties to go to and backless dresses to wear. GET IT TOGETHER, POLE.

Anyway, here are my strategies so far for upping my summer skin game while not endangering my life on my pole. (I’m being careful Mom, I swear!)

1. OIL.

Hahahaha I know what you’re thinking, that is literally the worst idea ever. But here’s the thing ladies, you put it in a bathtub of water and soak in that shit. Softens up your skin a little, but doesn’t leave a layer of any glycerin nonsense that’s going to sweat out all over your 50mm.

2. A SHIT-TON OF LOTION

…the night before. Preferably with some exfoliation before hand, so you can soooooooak it up. Then just hop in the shower and rinse in the morning, real quick-like.

3. Moisturize from the INSIDE. (I said that in the voice from Zoolander… it’s IN THE COMPUTER. Did that come across?)

SO. We all know it’s important to stay hydrated while working out anyway, but tons of water is also a great way to keep flake free and look all glowy and toxin-less on the outside as well.

Also, this is going to sound a little woo-woo, but I’m a big fan of Hair/Skin/Nails vitamins. Listen, IT CAN’T HURT. Feeding your skin the building blocks of… skin… is always a good idea. SCIENCE.

4. Shimmer powder or spray

So if you’re doing the exfoliating and moisturizing at night thing (or a nice bathtub soak) your skin’s probably holding up pretty well and a quick dusting of power won’t make you look at weird and ashy. (Let’s hope). You can totally stuff made for this purpose, but I’ve made my own by crushing up some shimmery bronzer I didn’t like and shaking it with a little baby power. A quick swipe over chest, arms, and shins looks pretty (especially for night), but has no slippage side effects if your pole schedule is as unpredictable as mine. (Or you’re like a few of my friends who run to Saturday morning pole classes in Friday night’s makeup. GET IT, girls).

5. BONUS: YOUR NASTY FEET.

Oy. So for a long time I was just fruitlessly attacking my feet with a pumice thing. But let’s face it, those dusty studio floors and all the grinding into them you do with your feet (hello pirouettes) make for mutant-ass callouses. I recently graduated to a foot file (Ped Egg knock off, holla Duane Reade!) and I am never. Looking. Back. I have skin on my feet now that resembles normal skin. Not mutant dance foot skin. Combine that with some vaseline and socks over night and you are seriously set for a week. Meaning, you don’t have to lotion up your tootsies every day just to wear sandals without scaring people. Meaning, you can dance and climb a pole to your hearts content! Wheee.

Okay ladies, so what do you do differently during somewhere when your nasty pole skin is all exposed?

I know we’re all getting stared down about the bruises. I kinda DGAF about covering them, but if you have any tricks, do share!

Happy twirls!

Cathy

I lost my camera so I can’t show you the awesome butterfly I learned.

Posted on May 13, 2013July 28, 2016 by Cathy Vandewater

Damn it. I can also Superman and straight leg chopper now, which I don’t have any proof of either.

Hitting Target tonight for a replacement. So, photoshoot. SOON.

How is everybody?! New skills? The blog-o-pole-o-sphere has been mighty quiet…

<3<3<3

BLOG HOP, BITCH: 20 Questions with a Pole Dancer

Posted on May 5, 2013February 19, 2014 by Cathy Vandewater

I think the title speaks for itself. LET’S DO THIS.

1. How long have you been pole dancing?

About a year and a half? Started Fall 2011. PS. You know you have a pole problem when you have memberships at 3 different studios so no one will know how much you pole.

2. What’s your favorite song to pole dance to?

Hrm. I guess anything a little sexy that also makes me feel good and crack a smile. For that, Shoop, Salt n’ Peppa fits the bill. But I like a lot of variety.

3. What’s your favorite pole dance move?

Anything I feel like I can NAIL. Or add a hair flip/flow/some style to. So basically everything I’ve had time to get down. But I love that gasp I get out of people when drop into a recliner with no fear. NO FEAR.

4. If you have to classify your dance style, what would it be?

This is tough. I’m not really a slinky, bendy Alethea type, but not really the aerial ballerina sort either. Something in between? Sensual with strength and a few tricks?

5. What inspires your movement? Why do you dance?

I dance for ALL the reasons. I dance when I’m stressed out. When I’m not sure how I feel about something. When I’m frustrated. When I feel great. When I want to express myself. When I want to wail on my body. ALL THE REASONS.

As far as style, I still look to flow girls for inspiration. Leigh Ann, girl, I’m looking at you and your long ass legs for this one.

6. Do you study/participate in any other kinds of dancing or other kinds of training?

I have a background in belly dance which has reaaaally helped me with pole (body rolls, hello), and I’ve done a little salsa too, which I think is great for flow. That push and pull dance you do with pole is a lot like partner work… but pole is much more reliable for scheduling practice, and you never have to wonder if it’s straight or not. They make levels for that! (TEEHEE)

7. How often do you train, dance or attend class per week?

I teach twice a week, then train about twice a week.

8. Any tips for training?

Yes: GET ON THE POLE. People ask me all the time how they can look better on the pole, and the only answer is to GET YOUR ASS ON THE POLE. Don’t push yourself into tricks you’re not ready for, just get comfortable moving around, gripping, and making sweet love to your pole. Everything will look better. Serious, just log the time. If all you do is walk, YOU WILL LOOK BETTER. I PROMISE.

9. Do you train on both sides when you pole? Why or why not?

Yes, because, seriously? Train both sides of your body, don’t be stupid. Next question.

10. If you’re not a full time poler, how do you balance work and pole? Friends and pole? Life and Pole?

Hahahahahahaha. Yeah. I have 4 jobs. It’s not easy.

11. Is pole dancing, which happens to be a hobby for most, worth the investment?

Pole is literally the best thing I can ever remember doing. My body has never been in such good shape, and I never worry about keeping it up, because I couldn’t stay away from pole if I tried. It clears my head, keeps me strong, gives me a strong sense of self and tons o’ confidence. It even made my posture better. Pole 4LYFE.

12. Why did you start a pole dance blog?

Honestly, I started to get the word out that I teach because I was terrified my classes would be empty. Now I keep it up because I feel like putting the good word out is kinda my duty. You can’t just reap the benefits of an incredible sport, art form, and community without speaking up for it, right? And there’s so much trash talk out there.

13. What’s your favorite post on your pole dance blog?

The one I haven’t written yet? Onward!

14. If you teach, why did you start teaching, and how did it change your practice? If you don’t teach, do you think you’d ever want to teach? Why or why not?

I started teaching for 100% selfish reasons: to get as much time on the pole as possible. Since I work so many hours, I figured the only way I could afford to do that was to be paid to be on the pole. So, now I teach. And I surprised myself by absolutely loving it–not just the pole time, but the students, the process of helping them learn, the smiles when they get it… it’s so, so great.

As far as my training, in my classes, I teach the same curriculum over and over, so I don’t really learn unless I push myself. Teaching has been great for improving my form and style (muscle memory and pole comfort level are EVERYTHING), but it also makes me prioritize getting down to the hard stuff when I’m training on my own. I have a whiteboard of moves I’m supposed to be working on so I don’t get lazy and just dance the easy stuff at home.

15. Looking back at your life, are you surprised that you’re a pole dancer?

Yes, and no. I have a… controlled… scandalous side. If I were going to do anything risque, it makes perfect sense that it would be in a studio and I’d make a career out of it. I’m so boring, I know.

16. What’s one pole stereotype that you wish would go away?

That it’s some kind of cop out for legitimate dance. Like ballet’s lazy, slutty younger sister or something.

First off, pole is hard. It’s hard like any form of dance.

Second, when i’m dancing, I’m not having sex. I’m just f***ing dancing. So let’s lose the whole “slutty” idea, okay?

17. Best reaction when you told someone that you are a pole dancer?

I showed my dad an attitude spin and he said, “Wow, this is like gymnastics!”

18. Also, since its May… does your Mother [or any maternal person in your life] know that you pole dance and what does she think?

Of course she does. I don’t think she really gets it, but she knows I wouldn’t do something I didn’t believe in, or feel was a good place to put my energies. She trusts me, even if she doesn’t understand pole. What more could I ask for?

19. What’s your pole fantasy or dream?

Doing a show! I get scared just thinking about it, but also really, really excited. Some day!

20. Finish this sentence. Pole dancing is… the best thing that ever happened to me. And there’s still so much more to learn. 4LYFE.

HT!

Cathy

When performing for family and friends… do you hold back?

Posted on April 24, 2013July 28, 2016 by Cathy Vandewater

We all know pole has a… reputation. And most of us struggle all the time to defend it.

“It’s not about men!”

“Nobody’s taking off clothes!”

“It’s an incredible workout!”

But, at the end of the day… shit, pole is sexy, mang. And we KNOW it. And we LERVE it.

So, do you tone it down when a judgmental friend asks for a demo?

What if, say, you were going to be in a promo vid for your studio that lots of people might see?

(Um, yeah, this is TOTALLY hypothetical and not a thing that is about to happen next week. Cough.)

When I’m just rocking out for me… it’s definitely chest to the ground, booty in the air. That’s just how I naturally roll. And I think it works for me, because lots of times when I ask my students what their goals are, they say, “I WANNA LOOK JUST LIKE YOU.” Which I assume means whatever their version of confident and sexy is.

(That’s probably the best compliment you can get, by the way, because that’s totally how I feel around MY idols)

But, I don’t know. I want to give us pole gals a good name, not a skanky one. I don’t want to fulfill ALL the stereotypes.

But at the same time, pole IS sexy, and I’m proud of it, and I kinda want to work it out, ya know?

HEEEELP. Give me your opinions, ALL OF THEM. What would you do?

PS. I don’t bother posting classes week to week anymore because I’m mostly doing 4-week courses now instead of drop ins! But, we’re just finishing up a term so if you want in on the pole dynamics action, get thee to our website and sign up!! Level 2’s happening now too (not with me, sadly, but it will still kick your butt, promise), so, get some! Just go here and click over to “courses and series.” My new Level 1’s going to be 6:30 to 8pm on Thursday. Hope to see you!

❤ and the happiest of twirls,

Cathy

…What have I been DOING?!! Plus: 5 Heartbreak-Friendly Pole Songs!

Posted on April 23, 2013August 7, 2013 by Cathy Vandewater

I legit feel like I just woke up from a coma.

So, for the past couple of months, I was sorta kinda a little bit falling on my ass for this guy I work with.

With a girlfriend.

I KNOW.

I’m not really the cheating type so it was mostly just talking, a lot, but that didn’t really stop me from being a big dumb idiot with 3 kinds of obsessive thoughts, on a loop:

1. “OMG HE’S SO GREAT.”

2. “OMG THIS IS SO BAD.”

3. “OMG LET ME LISTEN TO MY IPOD AND DAYDREAM ALTERNATELY ABOUT HOW GREAT HE IS AND HOW BAD I FEEL ABOUT MYSELF FOR DOING THIS.”

(BONUS: “omg I should totally send him this song I’m listening to so he can know my feeeeeeeeeeeelings.”)

Did you throw up yet?

I did, a little.

Anyway, it’s all over now. I wanted to do things legit or not at all, and he was all, “LETS MAKE A DEAL”… the deal being, in his words, “I can give you 100% of me, part of the time.” (….<—-DAFUQ?!! Why would I ever sign up for that? I don’t do drugs, sir.)

So after about 48 hours of crying, I woke up this morning, totally fine, and looked around. And I thought… wait, what have I been doing with my time?

I haven’t written anything in months (and this is supposed to be my life calling).

I haven’t touched my pole.

I haven’t blogged. (But you already know this).

I haven’t even grocery shopped, judging by the carton of expired eggs in my fridge and NOTHING ELSE in there.

What I have been doing: TEXTING TEXTING TEXTING MOPING TEXTING TEXTING PLANNING MY WORK OUTFITS.

Jesus. Anyway, I’m suddenly horrified at how much time I’ve lost, so it’s time to get back on the dang wagon called OH WAIT I HAVE A LIFE, DURR.

(Sorry for all the capital letters, this is an emotional time, guys).

So, GOALS:

1. Several hours a week on the pole.

2. Spare time spent NOT at home looking at my phone (so, either gym or studio).

3. Something fun and interesting to cross train with (I’m thinking hoop maybe… or yoga, to get my inflexible ass slightly more flexible again).

Mainly, I just want to remember that there was a time I was doing all my awesome life stuff for ME… not to impress some douchebag who already has a girlfriend.

I want to kill it on the pole, I want fresh photos, I want to work out some choreo I can pull out when I feel like showing off, I want videos on youtube… I want to feel proud of myself again.

FTS. Back to me.

Anyway, I’m not going to lie, I’m totally still moping, so here are some awesome “FUCK DATING” songs to pole to. I know I certainly will.

1. Doin Me, Fantasia

This song is a nice mix of ass-kicking and positive. Also, “No more crying, going through hell–it’s so good, I’m loving myself”… this song makes me feel so much better.

2. Me, Myself and I, Beyonce

Okay so I’ve decided that what I’m doing is just quoting the line in the song that makes me tear up/instantly feel a little better: “Yeah, you hurt me but i learned a lot along the way/After all the rain you’ll see the sun come out again.” I hope so, Beyonce. I hope so.

3. Bad, Wale (Featuring Tiara Thomas)

This song makes feeling bitter seem cool. Also, it’s sufficiently sexy to pole to without being sex-positive enough that you get depressed over your lack of boneage. (Listen, this is the best the descriptions are getting today, go with it).

4. I Should Have Cheated, Keyshia Cole

KC, girl, you kill me. Please keep writing songs and singing them in a manner that makes me weep and feel stronger at the same time.

5. Switch, TLC

A reminder that if all else fails, you can always “switch and take his friend.”

Another pearl of wisdom: “I can’t trust a relationship with no trust and that’s a fact.”

Don’t take no mess from nobody, ladies. TLC says so.

Happy twirls! (and relationships, and work lives, and everything else it’s important to keep up too)

~Cathy

That awkward pole moment when…

Posted on April 22, 2013July 28, 2016 by Cathy Vandewater

1. You’re twisted into some configuration high off the ground and you just can’t find your hand… or your foot… or the pole.

2. You get freaked out or dizzy on spin mode and have to jump off.

3. You realize your pole shorts are too loose… as you’re spread eagle.

4. Your shirt gets caught on the pole or flies up during an inversion (and ain’t nothing you can do about it).

5. You lose your grip on a seriously basic move and look like an idiot.

6. You lose your balance and tip over while doing the sexy getting up thing.

7. You’re just not fucking sticking, argh!

8. You don’t kick into an invert with enough momentum, so you just awkwardly fall back down. Fail.

9. Your instructor urges you to lift up your shirt and expose your stomach for a new move, and last night was Burrito Night.

10. Somebody asks you to do a freestyle and you just… blank… out.

Am I missing any?

For how sexy pole is, shit gets awkward, amiright?

I’m tired today. Here’s a video of Natasha Wang being awesome.

Starlight Pole Show: In Which I Accidentally Blog Hop

Posted on April 14, 2013July 28, 2016 by Cathy Vandewater

OH SNAP. So I went to a pole show yesterday. And it. Was. Awesome.

I dragged my shy, non-poling male friend, and I think he was scared. But witnessing his complete bewilderment was half the fun.

I know none of you were about to take the R train all the way down to Bay Ridge for this, so let me tell you a little bit about the show. In alphabetic-als, because I’m really tired you guys.

A: Aerialists! There were two hoop girls, and they killed it. See, you can do stuff both near and far from the ground on a pole, but when you’re on a hoop, you’ve got the same odds of landing on your neck for the ENTIRE PERFORMANCE. Brass balls. These ladies got em.

ALSO, apparently you’re supposed to wear leg covering when you hoop, but one particularly bad ass girl decided to pole and hoop (Hey bro, I hear you like bruises…), so, she was bare legged. #Swag. The other is my girl Lauryn, who I’ve actually never seen dance before this, and she completely blew me away. The confidence… the grace… and of course, her amazing costume which actually wasn’t a surprise because I knew she was artistic like that. Anyway, I want to hoop now, except that pole has taught me nothing if not that ALL AERIAL ARTS SUCK AND ARE HARD.

B: BOYS: I’ve seen guys hit the pole once in a while, but dude last night KILLED it. Most guys do a lot of strength stuff and skip over the lyrical, but last night’s sole male performer was pure pole poetry… and he definitely did some shit I’ve never seen before, so hell yeah to creativity. He also showed up later in a Pole Threesome (TM? must be? because I have never seen this craziness before), in which he supported a girl by HER FOOT, by squeezing it with HIS LEGS. So many questions. Epic. Moving on.

C: Chair dance: So technically, this didn’t involve a chair, but the emcee of the event called her boyfriend out of the crowd, sat him Indian-style against a pole, and did quite possibly the most spine-tingly sexy dance I’ve ever seen in my life. True story. The hair on the back of my neck stood up. And I was close enough to the stage to see him mouth, “You are BEAUTIFUL,” and “I love you” during the dance, so, yeah. Way too much cute/sexy/poignant for me to even handle. Amazing.

D: Doubles: There were so many great twosomes and threesomes last night, including an incredible booty-popping number with ECP’s owner. I love when dancers are actually capable of crazy, crazy shit on the pole… but they can also break it down and have fun with the booty. Work.

E: Entertainers: So last night I learned that there’s a difference between being an incredible dancer/trickster, and being an entertainer. I realized this when a fairly new dancer (1 year, according to the program… that bitch) completely owned the audience with a few well timed pauses, smiles, and eye-bats during her (slinky, confident, gorgeous) performance. I find this totally inspiring, because I can’t do shoulder mounts and shit, but yes, I can flip my hair (!!!) I have a shot, you guys!!!!

F: Feedback: I also learned last night that you can’t just chill at a pole show. You need to yell, and scream, and encourage the dancers. This was new to me, since I’ve seen most performers on YouTube.

That’s all for now, because it’s been a busy weekend and I’m feeling lazy.

Have you guys ever been to a live pole show? What did you think? Did you feel discouraged or inspired?

Have you ever been in one? Is it as nerve-wracking as I’m guessing it is?

Fill me in!

Meanwhile, be SUPER jealous, because Pantera was at the show last night and she is both an incredible dancer and out of her damn mind. This is her. Really, how strong can a person be? Ridiculous.

Happy twirls (and hoops, and whatever the fuck else you guys are making look easy),

Cathy

Embracing The Suck

Posted on April 7, 2013July 28, 2016 by Cathy Vandewater

FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK.

Excellent.

Now that that’s out of my system.

Can I just say, one of the reasons I like working all the time is that there’s zero time for wallowing. Whether I’m teaching, at the office, or at the gym, being pleasant, approachable, and authoritative is just part of the job. So is hair and makeup, and dress.

I usually just push through my days when I’m tired, or sick, or sad, but right now, I’m dealing with all three. Simultaneously.

Working 2-3 different jobs in a single day can make anybody a little dizzy, but combine that with a bummer on the love life front and the flu, and yeah, I’m done.

I was trying to compensate with a little time off, and a lot of time drinking and cry-laughing with my best friend (literally: I walked in his door already crying and holding a bottle of wine, and we both cracked up when I couldn’t find an opener), and a lot less time by myself, but, I’m not fighting it anymore.

I was trying to pole yesterday and everything hurt. I wasn’t sticking, all my strength felt… gone… and honestly, it wasn’t any fun. Which shook me up a little. Pole is ALWAYS fun, even if it takes a few minutes to get into the zone.

I was supposed to go to a thing last night, but instead, I did something I’ve been afraid to do for about a week now: I stayed home. Alone. I took off my makeup (first 24 hours without any make up for… jesus, months, at least). I napped. I listened to music and washed my dishes, and tidied my medicine cabinet. I went to bed at 11pm, by myself.

It sucked a little. But, not as badly as I thought it would.

When I’m ready, I’ll start poling again. I’ll go out. I’ll meet new people.

But right now, I’m really bummed out, you guys. I’m tired, and disappointed, and I’m not sure what I want to do next yet. And I’m going to fully face that instead of “powering through. And when I’m damn good and ready to put on a brave, made up face and get out there again, I will. And it will be as awesome as this is awful. Which, by all accounts, should be really, really fucking awesome.

Happy, suckless twirls, everybody!

<3<3<3

Cathy