Confessions of a Pole-oholic

Only really being able to train on a Sunday (I do classes during the week but I can only really train on the things I want to work on on a Sunday) can sometimes be a bit of a pain. Usually when my family get together to celebrate birthdays etc it's on a Sunday and usually up the coast at my Aunty's place. Which means I have to decide between seeing my family and going to train, I hate having to do it. I love my family and I love spending time with them, especially my second cousins. Last year when I was training for Miss Pole I missed out on a few celebrations which left me feeling guilty (self inflicted, my family are more than supportive and totally understood and never put pressure on me to choose between training and seeing them). However this is no longer going to be a problem! Last year Daisy (who used to teach at Bobbis) opened up The Peach Pole Studio   in Erina which is a handy 10 minute drive from my Aunty's place! WOOHOO!! A couple of weekend's ago ...

So a few days ago Shimmy posted on her blog about free styling, after finally getting around to reading it today there was on thing that really stuck with me, a quote from Kelly Yvonne   " No! Never apologise for your movement! Never apologise for your dancing! "   So after reading Shimmy's post I felt a bit brave, I actually video'd myself free styling to a Rihanna song at the beginning of the year and I've just uploaded it to YouTube. On the day when I'd finished the Freestyle I could't watch it because I felt like what I had done wasn't perfect. About a week later I did end up watching it and while it wasn't as bad as I thought I still was pretty unhappy about it so decided not to put it on YouTube.  After watching it again tonight after I uploaded it, I actually don't think it's as bad as I originally thought, being the perfectionist that I am I probably should come to terms with the fact that there is always something that I'...

So I just realised that I totally forgot to post the video from the Pole Dance Academy Bond Girls comp last year. If I'm going to be totally honest it isn't the best performance I have ever done.  After a few minor hiccups the Venue for the night was changed to The Club at Kings Cross the Wednesday before, having danced their before I knew the routine that I'd choreographed wouldn't work on the stage (the poles are pretty short) so I got to the venue a bit early to have a play on the poles and figure out what I could and couldn't do.  I have no idea what was going on with me that night, I had a couple of moments where I had mind blanks and did something silly like walk to the wrong pole (there is a speaker right near the pole on stage left that ends up getting kicked if you do anything that involves extending your leg) and at one stage I went to do a climb and half way through I decided not to because I remembered the pole was to short to do what I was going to do...

I love YouTube, every now and then you come across something amazing! I came across a video last year of a Russian Pole Dancer Irina Savina and I was left speechless. She is so strong and flexible and has the stamina of.... ummm .... something that has a lot of stamina. I was having a look at one of her videos this morning and realised that it had only been viewed about 295 times which is a shame because the she's incredible! I've attached a couple of her videos here you can check out the rest on her YouTube Channel .  Billie xxx

So it's a new year so time to set some new goals! AND STICK TO THEM!! I didn't really have many goals last year, I didn't write them down so I could make sure I worked for them, but this year that's going to change!  First things first! I have a new pole book! It was hard to part with my old one, I love it, but it was falling apart so I decided it was time for an upgrade! Something a bit brighter so I went for a bright pink/orangeish number from Typo. I've also separated it into sections for certain performances/comps that I want to do this year. Each section has enough space for me to stick in pictures for costume ideas and write down combos and eventually the whole routine if I feel I need to! I also got one of Lou Landers Pole Goal Diary's for Christmas to help me be a bit more focused on what I want to achieve, it's fantastic, it has a section each month where you can write down your goals and two sections in the back to write more details on what yo...

For ages and ages I struggled with my horizontal (jade) split, it looked more like a special K than a flat straight line.  I've been lucky enough over the last couple of years to have Cleo as one of my teachers and without these tips from her I would have never have gotten my split flat on the pole!! So if you're struggling with getting your horizontal split flat check out Cleo's tutorial on Youtube! She also has another tutorial on press hand stands as well :) Billie xxx

Watching videos of Bobbi freestyle always reminds me how lucky I am to train at (IMO) one of the best pole studios in the world.  Here's Bobbis latest freestyle if you haven't seen it...... those legs of her's go for days!!! (not to mention how effortless she makes everything look). Billie xxx

WOOHOO!! Newly crowned USPD Champion Michelle Stanek is coming to Sydney for Miss Pole Dance Australia and will be running two Master Class' at Bobbis the day after!! Can't wait to book in for this! Looks like it's going to be a lot of fun!! At this stage I have no idea if she'll be running Master Classes at any other studios but if I find out I'll let you know!! Billie xxx

The US Pole Dance Championship was held in New York over the weekend! I wish I was there but I will have to settle for watching the routines on Youtube! Speaking of which here is winner Michelle Staneks routine from the Optional Round.. it is incredible!  Michelle will be the guest performer at the Miss Pole Dance Australia Final in November this year and will also be doing workshops at Bobbis Pole Studio (I can't wait!!) Billie xxx

So I know I haven't posted in a while, but the last couple of weeks have been pretty busy with MPD preparations etc. But now it's all over and MY GOD WAS IT FUN!! Lucky me got to have the Wednesday, Thursday before the comp and the Friday of the comp off work!! YAY for sleeping in! Having the time off work was probably one of the best things I did. I got to go into the studio on Wednesday and run through my routine once more as well as practice in my costume. Which was my main concern. There were a lot of different parts to my costume and I really needed to make sure that I practiced taking each bit off so that it all looked seamless. I actually had a pretty shitty run though on Wednesday, and a few of the times that I practiced in my costume I struggled getting bits of it off.  bit of pre show fun with Sparx she loves a good boob grab Thursday I got my extensions re-taped, and the hair tinsel put in my hair and a spray tan. Then went home and made a list of the things ...

HOLY SHIT! How did it get to be a week before the heats already? So far everything is going pretty well, I'm over my cold and feeling great, saw my osteo yesterday and got my shoulder and rib looked at and my back and neck cracked!!  Picked up my amazing costume last week!! AHH IT'S SO AWESOME I LOVE IT!! It's sparkly and beautiful and beyond anything I could have imagined, worth every single cent I paid for it!! When Georgia sent me through the picture when she was finished I squealed like a girl (I was at work at the time) and almost burst into tears!!  I was so excited when I picked it up I may have worn part of it on the drive home hahaha :)  I can't wait till after it's over so I can post up pictures so everyone can see it!! Sorry but no photo's or hints before Friday night, I want it to be a surprise!! I also managed to put the finishing touches on my routine on Sunday and do the whole thing in full without dying! so that's a relief. So I ha...