VAF working V.11.0 by amela Nicol

SEP/oct 2011 $ 10.00 USD

TEN

reasons to go raw VIXENS AGAINST VIOLENCE THE

RAW ISSUE

FELIX CANE’S performance dynamics

ESTEE ZAKAR

Power House

ofPOLE

STUDIO STAR vertical dolls ITALIA

pole around the world UNITED KINGDOM

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E B

O C

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www.verticalartandfitness.com s u b s c r i p t i o n s • v i d e o s • e xc lu s i v e s • & m o r e

a publication for pole enthusiasts by pole enthusiasts

contents 11 EDITOR’S NOTE

14 INSPIRATION

september/october 2011

by Editor in Chief, Claire Griffin Sterrett

RAW EMPOWERMENT

16 TEN REASONS TO GO RAW by Claire Griffin Sterrett 22 TRUE GRIT Photography by David D’Angelo 26 STUDIO STAR Vertical Dolls, ITALIA

28 VERTICAL GIRL

A TRIBUTE TO VARGAS

29 POLE POWERHOUSE ESTEE ZAKAR 36 GIRL NEXT DOOR: A POLE DANCE SOIREE 46 PSYCHE

by Emilee Wilson

The Healing Power of Pole by Collette Kakuk Vixens Against Violence by Stephanie Dougherty

45 POLE IN UNUSUAL PLACES Marlo Fisken, N.Y.C. 54 NUTRITION Going Raw by Alex Brwe

Apple Cider Vinegar by Norma Hansen

58 WORKOUT

Yoga for Strength by Stefanie R. Dougherty Performance Tips: Dancing by Myself by Felix Cane Breakdown of a Pose by Danielle Rueda Watts

70 POLE AROUND THE WORLD 80 news

UNITED KINGDOM by Tom Crehan

Pole Wold by Mindy Armstrong Pole Universe by Kay Penney Pole Midwest by Paige Warthen

86 FASHION Peek

Nothing to Hide by David D’Angelo

88 BEAUTY BREAKDOWN Smoky, Sultry, Sexy by Audra Bennett 90 DIARY OF A POLE DANCER Follow your Dreams by Marlo Fisken 94 STUDIO LISTINGS

publisher paige warthen editor-in-cheif CLAIRE GRIFFIN STERRETT ART

creative director david d’angelo art director AMIE NICOL PHOTOGRAPHY

photography director david d’angelo first photo assistant jay hurd producer AMIE NICOL ONLINE

webmaster stein davis online consultant marco ciappelli CONTRIBUTing WRITERS

raw empowerment, 10 reasons pole around the world psyche- op society diary of a pole dancer healing feature, psyche beauty girl next door pole show, psyche- this very moment workout - yoga for strength workout - dynamics workout - breakdown

CLAIRE GRIFFIN STERRETT tom crehan Stefanie R. Dougherty marlo fisken COLLETTE KAKUK AUDRA BENNETT EMILEE WILSON Claire Sterrett KIKI D. AMANNO Felix cane Danielle Rueda Watts

Vertical Art and Fitness Magazine is published bi-monthly by Vertical Productions, LLC. No reproduction in any form is authorized without the consent of Vertical Productions, LLC. Printed in the USA. All rights reserved. No responsibility is assumed for unsolicited submissions. Manuscripts, photographs, and other submitted material can be acknowledged or returned if accompanied by a selfaddressed, stamped envelope. The content contained does not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of Vertical Productions, LLC. Vertical Productions, LLC assumes no liability for misinformation, omissions, or errors.

BEHIND THE SCENES

VERTICAL ISSUE #3 SHOOT WITH THE GIRL NEXT DOOR @ CEMENT STUDIOS for the September/October Issue

Behind the Scenes: We loved our shoot at Cement Studios in downtown LA! The view of Los Angeles was stunning but not as stunning as our gorgeous Girls Next Door! Off camera they were sweet and fun (like a good neighbor should be) but once they got on the pole it was all sexy business! Creative Director, David

VERTICAL’S

HOME

Y, CEMENT FOR THE DA

WNTO STUDIO, DO

t, Micheal D’Angelo

GELES

WN, LOS AN

Nikita Sim

one On se

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A few o

D’Angelo with Set Assi stan

, Pau ireegirls Dance So

t, On the

pole, and

on fire!

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smile :)

Make-Up Artist Audra

ic. Bennet, doing her mag

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V E R T I C A L

“

EDITOR’s Letter

“

i am inspired by the many ways in which I see the men and women of pole connect with both the dance and with themselves .

When I was approached about being the new Editor-in-Chief at Vertical, it was hard for me to contain my excitement and enthusiasm about the opportunity. As many of you know, I have been writing for the pole dance community for several years, and I just recently published my first book, called Pole Story, on the healing benefits of pole dancing. It seems fitting then, that in my first issue as part of the Vertical team, Estee Zakar, whose is equally as excited about the healing potential of pole, and who plans to mesh her love of pole with her recent completion of her MSW, would be our cover girl. Equally as exciting is a story about a sixty-six year old woman who transforms her body and her psyche through pole dance. At a time when the pole dance community is particularly focused on competitions, we are thrilled to be discussing the sensual, vulnerable, raw side of pole dancing. Much of my interest in pole dancing was sparked by the innate femininity and sensuality of the movement and my first pole classes coincided with the beginning of my studies for Masters degree in psychology. So it should come as no surprise that the interplay between vulnerability and empowerment has become the basis for my exploration into pole dancing. I’m looking forward to bringing you more of what you love about pole dancing – whether it’s news on competitions, beautiful and inspirational images, innovative make-up ideas, the latest on health and nutrition, or an article that asks us to think long and hard about what pole dancing is today and will

become tomorrow. My journey in the pole dance E community has been inspired by the many ways in P /

which I see the men and women of pole connect O with both the dance and with themselves. I am C

claire gtiffin sterrett

eager to hear what inspires you….

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raw.

V E R T I C A L

Photo by Daniel Lombardi

“ Byfromtakingunderawaywhichthewelayershide,

photography OF PAIGE WARTHEN by ROBERT JOHN KLEY

we are forced to be exposed

paige warthen

“

PUBLISHER’s Letter

What makes you feel vulnerable? When you take away the clothes, the car, the make-up, the job, who are you? Does taking all that away make you feel naked? By removing the layers under which we hide, we force ourselves to be exposed. All that is left is the basic element of our being. When I first entered the world of pole dancing, it was simply referred to as pole acrobatics. The outfit meant nothing - heels, no heels, clothes or no clothes. My identification with the pole was one of pure physical strength. I took my armor that I carried with me throughout my life and simply put it on the pole. Then one day during class we were trying to learn different spins. I felt awkward and completely exposed. Everyone was watching how this amazing ‘acrobat’ couldn’t do simple turns around the pole. I wanted to crawl out of my skin. My hips were locked, and my face was tense. I wanted to “hide” under my strong pole tricks where I was safe. And don’t even get me started on the time my boyfriend asked me for a lap dance. Ha! Perform in front of thousands on stage? Ok. Allow one person to see my vulnerability and risk being judged too intimately? I don’t think so. I was once told by a very wise woman that being vulnerable is the best place you can be. When I asked her why, she simply responded, “Because it’s the only time when you are real.” When we carry around our identities we are actually in defense mode: I am weak, strong, just a mother, too tomboyish, etc. She went on to explain that the only time real change or healing can occur is when you are vulnerable because only in that state will things move. “Nothing changes in a state of defense.” Time and time again we are put in situations where our barriers are removed and we are forced to deal with the vulnerability of being seen. We become so consumed with covering up and compensating for who we really are, that after awhile we completely lose touch with ourselves. What is it that you are identifying with that, if it were removed, would make you crumble? What are you hiding? Maybe, like me, you struggled with body image and that is a reason to avoid the pole. You don’t want to expose the physical flaws that must be revealed to do that next trick. But we have all had that “Aha!” moment where we felt beautiful in spite of that exposure. It is only by moving through those breakthroughs that we discover change and transform that once vulnerable side into raw power. By allowing the shadow side of your physical or psychological being to come into light you also allow the essence of who you really are to be revealed. In this issue I invite you to read through each article and ask if you are allowing yourself to be exposed. Is your dancing real? Is your dancing raw? What are you hiding behind that you so desperately want to release? Enjoy...

S E P / O C T 2 0 1 1

inspiration In the pole world we talk a lot about the ways in which pole dancing is empowering. We use this word to describe the strength and confidence we feel when we dance, master a trick or even move sensually. But what we don’t talk about is vulnerability. It’s interesting to see that the emphasis in pole is currently placed on pole tricks and pole work. In a way, the pole is an expression of a dancer’s power, her mastery over her body and over the apparatus itself. Pole moves exude a death-defying confidence and elicit admiration and awe from the audience. But just doing pole moves can also be a way to avoid feeling emotionally exposed in our dance. It’s hard to feel vulnerable when you are flipping your whole body weight over your shoulder and up a pole. But take that move to the floor and all of a sudden many of us feel a little…exposed. Why is that? Perhaps it’s because on the floor, we have nothing but our sensual movement. We cannot hide behind the power of our pole tricks. The simple act of circling our hips can both arouse and attract an onlooker. This capacity for arousing others, particularly if we are women, makes us vulnerable. But the act of revealing our sensuality through movement holds our audience captive, which feels powerful. This is a much more subtle form of empowerment, and it comes not from impressing the audience, but from enticing them. It also requires us to embrace the experience of feeling raw, exposed and vulnerable. Costumes, shoes and make-up can also have a similar effect. Sometimes the experience of “being” someone or something else allows us to move in ways that we never thought possible. At other times, it has the opposite effect, in that it allows us to hide in the experience of dressing up, without ever really connecting that “character” to who we are. And it’s no doubt different for every dancer. I personally don’t like dancing without my collar and my heels. I need them to jump-start my sensuality and to help me feel both powerful and vulnerable - which is an irresistible mix. At the same time, there is something so grounding and pure about dancing in my bare feet. It evokes a certain innocence that is vulnerable in its own right.

V E R T I C A L

The trick then is to experiment with what allows you to hide in your dance and what makes you feel exposed and vulnerable. The value in discovering this is that it will give you the opportunity to infuse your movement with much more emotion. That’s not to say that vulnerability trumps power in terms of a good pole dance, or vice versa. But ultimately, what makes any good dance interesting to watch (let alone perform) is that it is infused with genuine high-octane, raw emotion. If we shy away from the vulnerability that experiencing this type of emotion can bring, we are cheating ourselves and our audience out of a potentially very powerful, very beautiful dance experience. .

RAW empowerment by Claire Griffin Sterrett

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JASPER JOHAL

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inspiration

V E R T I C A L

Photography by David D’Angelo, Styling by LINDA KWOn, Makeup by BURKE DANIEL, ABTP-LA, Hair by Eric Sebbag, ABTP-LA, Corset and tutu BY KELLY MAGLIA COUTURE, produced by AMIE NICOL, shot on location at smashhbox studios

S E P / O C T

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inspiration

V E R T I C A L

S E P / O C T

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inspiration

TEN reasons to go RAW

By Claire Griffin Sterrett

One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight. Nine. Ten.

V E R T I C A L

It’s so so so sexy. It will make you a better dancer. Clothes and Shoes are overrated. Most of the time. Because stripping doesn’t always make you a stripper. There’s nothing worse than a Pole Rut. There can be something so sexy about chafed skin… Somebody will definitely fall in love with you. Vulnerability makes you more attractive. Trust us. To explore a different kind of power in your body. Who likes it Well Done anyway?

photography by GEORGE GRIGORIAN; DESIGN: MADEBYM.

S E P / O C T

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inspiration

true

grit

PHOTOGRAPHY AND TEXT BY DAVID D’ANGELO

The essence of raw power is written into every story, of every woman or man, who masters the art of pole dancing. Lensed by D’Angelo, we’re taken on a visual journey with GND’s Morgan Hewitt. Playing strength and balance against the setting of deconstruction and chaos, we feel as if we glimpse the soul of the dancer and the dance. The resulting images are a breathtaking view of raw sensuality, and Morgan is the perfect muse.

inspiration

V E R T I C A L

S E P / O C T 2 0 1 1

star stats: OWNER: BERNARDO VALENTE LOCATION: ROME, ITALY member: PFA INstructors: Valeria Parsi, Daniela, Barocci, Ilaria Millox, Cristiana Bembo OFFERS LEVELS: beginners,Intermediate/advanced group classes Email: info@VERTICALDOLLS.COM www.VERTICALDOLLS.com

S S

studio star

VERTICAL DOLLS - ITALIA

V E R T I C A L

when I saw

pole dance

for the first time...

...I thought to myself: “This is the new sport for future generations!” I was fascinated by the elegance of the dance combined with the strength and athleticism of the acrobatic moves. I started my amazing adventure into the world of pole a few years ago before Italy, and particularly Rome, knew anything about this art. Obviously it was not easy to fight the prejudice against pole dancing. One might think that everything would be easier for a man, but not in this industry! You could very well be misunderstood, especially if you manage a dance school. I’m actually the project manager for an Italian TV station. When I started talking to my colleagues about my new idea they looked at me as if I was an alien. Nobody knew about pole dance at the time. Additionally, many night clubs kept comparing pole dancing with lap dancing and that didn’t help my cause much at all.

When I opened my studio I wanted to create a haven - a space where they could dance and express themselves by having fun and strengthening their muscles. Our students pole dance in a very comfortable environment, full of good energy, with professional teachers who are members of the PFA and trained by Karen Chaundy from Bodybarre Studio of Manchester. After opening my first studio and after its subsequent success, I decided to open a second one located in the Northern part of Rome, then a third one in the wonderful city of Naples, in South Italy, and a fourth one, in the city of Burgas, Bulgary. During this last year I focused my efforts on bringing international pole dancers such as Jenyne Butterfly, Marlo Fisken, Felix Cane, Alesia Vazmitsel, Giulia Piolanti and more to the studios in my country to give Italian students the chance to train with them without having to incur the expenses of traveling to see them. My goal is to offer pole dancing to every woman, and to to make sure that the presence of this discipline is understood as a positive challenge that activates new energies for anyone who tries it. ~ Mr. Ben from Vertical Dolls Studio

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vertical girl

A Tribute to Vargas In each issue of Vertical Art &

Fitness, we pay tribute to the art of the PinUp. Celebrating sensuality, beauty and feminine empowerment, our Vertical Girl for July/August is Kristen Dalton from Brand Models.

V E R T I C A L

photography by david dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;angelo, produced by erica preus, wardrobe by trashy lingerie, Makeup by burke daniel, hair and make-up by diane kazandjian, model, Kristen Dalton, brand models

S E P / O C T

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power, heart &pole

by Kati Ala-Ilomaki AND PAIGE WARTHEN

MEET ESTEE ZAKAR It was a great day for an outdoor interview. I waited eagerly for our next cover girl at a sunny restaurant. She walked up behind me, looking so chic in her black sundress. Of course, this all-American girl could wear a potato sack and still turn heads. I’m talking about the girl you see in every ad in the pole industry. She is a brand ambassador for Bad Kitty’s Pole Fit, the face of Mighty Grip, Xpole US, Xpole Mexico, a PFA ambassador and a USPDF titleholder. She might as well be called the face of the industry. She is the phenomenal Miss Estee Zakar. She jokes with me in the interview: “Girls will come up to me, point at a poster of me, and ask if I can do what ‘that girl’ is doing.” Although Estee is currently the face of so many ads, she is actually quite shy and reserved. She was born and raised in the heart of Los Angeles. She began gymnastics at a young age and dabbled in dance throughout high school. She even joined the university dance team. “I enjoyed bouncing between different forms of fitness,” she says. But it was not until she was dared to take a pole dancing class that she fell in love with the movement. She became passionate about the constant learning opportunities pole dancing offered her. Estee thrives on the pleasure that pole dancing brings and the accomplishment she feels when she gets that new move. he physical challenge of the sport motivates her tremendously. >>

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V E R T I C A L

photography by david d’angelo, produced by Amie nicol , Makeup and hair by audra bennett , shot on location at x-pole

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID D’ANGELO PRODUCTION BY AMIE NICOL WARDROBE BY MICHI N.Y STYLING BY LINDA KWON MAKE UP BY BURKE DANIEL, ABTP-LA HAIR BY ERIC SEBBAG, ABTP-LA SHOT ON LOCATION AT SMASHBOX

Estee’s good looks come from a mixture of Greek, Israeli and Polish heritage. She just graduated from the University of Denver with a Masters degree in social work with a certification in animal assisted therapy. Now that she has her degree, she plans to continue moving forward with her current program: rescuing animals and training them to be service animals for high risk kids. When asked about how she got into AAT, Estee says, “When I was a child, my parents allowed my brother and me to own and be responsible for a number of pets -some quite strange. My love for my animals grew as I got older. I appreciated the fact that animals are non-judgmental and give unconditional love. This drew me closer to them. Each one of my animals has had a special place in my life: they relied on me, and I relied on them. I realized that the human-animal connection was much more than just companionship. My undergraduate degree was in psychology and sociology, and I did internships where I worked with at risk youth as well as youth with disabilities. As I moved on to receive my master’s degree, I found a program that connected both my passion and love for animals with communities and populations in need.I spent my final year interning at a non-profit organization ‘Freedom Service Dogs’ where I rescued dogs from shelters, rehabilitated them and trained them to become service dogs for people with disabilities, veterans and any other client who could benefit from a service dog. Additionally, at this organization, I helped create a program for at risk youth in residential facilities and locked facilities to work with these rescued dogs. The youth helped train the dogs, learned about humane education and participated in animal assisted therapy.” Clearly, Estee’s heart is as inspirational as her dancing. Every woman has someone who she looks up to. Estee admires Jenyne Butterfly and Oona Kivela for the path they have paved in the pole world for her and others. Of course, when breaking down the elements of pole dancing and the benefits offered, she was quick to inform me that her favorite aspect of pole is the potential for healing. Some women really resonate with competition and others truly enjoy getting into character and performing, but for this Miss Trickster, her most rewarding moments come from being an inspiration to the women around her. Her ability to fill a room with eager students who are anxious to learn and grow, both physically as well as psychologically, is the best gift she could ask for from pole. “I have fallen in love with teaching pole. I love sharing tricks, transitions, spins and helping students create routines.

V E R T I C A L

I love creating new ways to warm up, strengthen, condition and stretch. I get satisfaction out of making my students sweat and feel sore after getting through a tough workout. When I take fitness classes I want to be worked to my max and I want to feel sore the next day so I have proof I worked hard- and that is exactly what I want to give my students in return. Nothing is more satisfying than watching a student nail a trick and be proud of themselves for overcoming something difficult or getting to their weight loss goal with out even noticing, and gaining strength they never thought was possible.”

When I asked her about an upcoming tour she admitted she was both excited and nervous. “The hardest part of traveling for me is leaving my pets behind. Every time pull out my suitcase to leave to the airport my pup gives me her very sad puppy eyes and my cats try their best to curl up in my clothes so that I am unable to pack. But the loving, energetic welcome home I get is priceless!” She talked about the Xpole sponsored tour she did throughout the US, and Europe and then went on to explain that she is planning to have another possible tour that would take her around the US, UK and a few more stops in Fall 2011. When asked about Emilee Wilson and the Vertigirls, Estee smiled and said, “If I can brag for a moment! Emilee and I did the very first Xpole photo shoot! The bond between us was instant.” Emilee was very inspired by Estee’s strength. Mina Mortezaie and Estee started the group with Emilee and from there it evolved. They were the first pole troupe to perform on Sunset Boulevard. Every girl in the pole community seems to have something that they are specifically known for and Estee is no exception. She is by far one of the physically strongest women in the community. She says that her strength does come more naturally today but it’s still a lot of hard work. She tries to be an innovator. Her rebellious nature comes out when faced with the stereotype that certain moves are for men only. To Estee, mental and physical challenges never grow old. This tenacious approach has won her the title Miss Trickster at USPDF in 2010.

“Girls will come up to me, point at a poster of me, and ask if I can do what “that girl” is doing.” ESTEE’S PLAYLIST:

Estee took her first class in 2007 at the Los Angeles pole studio Be Spun. She recalled, “Every trick became a different goal.” But she also found pole dancing was a great emotional outlet and that the environment felt empowering and supportive of the feminine spirit. Miss Estee fell in love with her new community. Soon it became her home. More than anything, she stresses the fact that pole boosted her confidence when it came to being in front of an audience. She still struggles with nerves, but every time she gets on stage, it gets easier and easier.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

What you do to me- BlakRoc When the levee breaks- Led Zeppelin Click, Click Boom- Saliva Zaz- Cell Gravity- A Perfect Circle Raise your Weapon- Deadmau5 Angel- Massive Attack Bulls on Parade (Team Awesome Remix)Rage Against the Machine 9. A Milli- Lil Wayne 10. Hey Man Nice Shot- Filter

The more she teaches the more women

open up

about their own

vulnerabilities and how through pole they are able to heal their issues versus being bound by them.

Estee studied wellness, health and physical fitness in college. She used fitness to release stress and tension and it eventually became a form of emotional therapy for getting over ex-boyfriends. She trains 5 days a week, trying not to do the same workout twice: spinning, boot camp, cross fit training, mountain climbing, etc. She prefers to stay out of the gym. Teaching about 10 classes per week leaves little time for her to practice dancing. She plays on the pole more than she trains on the pole. When she has a competition she does 4 days of practice a week including routines and transitions. Her approach to food and diet is “Everything in moderation”. And she is completely obsessed with sweets. “I’m a ‘You Only Live Once’ kind of a girl,” she explains. She eats what she wants, but tries to stick with protein, fruits and veggies. Estee’s family support has been crucial. She and her mother initially kept pole dancing from her father. She installed a pole in the garage and told her father it was there to hold the ceiling up. As sponsorships came along and Estee’s popularity grew, the pole truth came out. Now her dad supports her wholeheartedly. Her mom is officially a “pole mom” and attends as many events as possible. She loves the artistic side of pole and what it has done for her daughter. Every girl in the industry has a strong stance when it comes to heels. Estee is a bit torn on the topic. She enjoys the barefoot toe and simultaneously appreciates the additional dimension to performance a good heel can bring. Having her feet on the floor or the pole makes her feel a little more grounded in her dance thus placing her a little more on the no shoes side. So far in her career, she has loved the pole dance experience. Her tours and her teaching have made her feel embraced by the pole community. “It is surreal to think that I have a home pretty much anywhere in the world.” The support and the trust she has felt with all the women in her workshops really changed her outlook on the power of pole. The more she teaches the more women open up about their own vulnerabilities and how through pole they are able to heal their issues versus being bound by them. Pole has helped them in ways they never could have imagined. The scope and depth of the healing potential of pole that has been revealed to Estee through teaching has been incredible. So what does the future hold for Estee? To combine her two loves: pole and social work.

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the

Girldoornext

VERTICAL COVERS THE WOMEN FROM GIRL NEXT DOOR: A POLE DANCE SOIREE : A PERSPECTIVE FROM THE STAGE. BY EMILEE WILSON PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID D’ANGELO

V E R T I C A L

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the

girlnext door

“The Girl Next Door” has moved far beyond the gates of any Holmby Hills mansion. I’m not talking about the bubbly, blonde trio who star in the popular E! cable series. I’m referring to the sensational pole dancing soiree Girl Next Door: A Pole Dance Soiree (GND). For nearly two years, Kelly Yvonne has produced, directed, and danced in a showcase of vertical talent that defies gravity with routines that include poles as well as other various apparatuses such as lyra, tissuu, and rope. Her showcase intertwines pole dancing with the seamless storytelling of the everyday woman, presented in vignettes. The characters and costumes are very unique to each performer, who reveal themselves through body language beginning with their daytime persona, then slowly unleashing their strong sensual side by winding up and down the pole. Yvonne creatively sneaks in comedic skits in-between costume changes, and she heats things up with male performers as well. One of the most entertaining acts that I’ve seen is a red patent leather clad cop (played by Kate Lee) who handcuffs her handsome victim to a chair. Lee is sexy and straight faced in this role as she teases and taunts her captor then twirls up the pole in her thigh high boots. Lee has been taking pole dancing classes for 6 years and has been an official cast member for just over a year. Oh and don’t worry: if you get hot, Yvonne has been known to offer audience members special sponsored cocktails to cool you off during the show.

V E R T I C A L

Kelly Yvonne is a visionary. She is the founder of Vin’yet Productions, which produces the sassy GND showcase the first Sunday of every month. GND originally started at the infamous Viper Room in December 2009. It eventually outgrew that venue, and a new home was created at the Hollywood nightclub King King. When the curtain rises, the audience witnesses a powerful transformation of the average woman, possibly the girl who lives next door. This show gives dancers a platform to express themselves in public and it takes the audience on an unforgettable journey. Although she is definitely creative, Yvonne is also a businesswoman, and holds a degree in architecture, with a minor in city and regional planning from the University of California, Berkeley. Kelly Yvonne was born in Santa Monica and grew up in Aliso Viejo. She’s a creative strategist who has trained in a variety of dance genres, and she’s danced in the NBA for three consecutive seasons. She was awarded a dance scholarship at Debbie Reynolds Dance Studio in North Hollywood, where she practiced forty-plus hours of dance training per week! After retiring professionally as a dancer, she discovered pole dance unintentionally, and fell in love with the art form.

VERTICAL finds these women Raw, empowering and inspiring. read on to see why.

by EMILEE WILSON

Pole dance revived her passion for dance, and she feels forever indebted, because it brought her back to the stage. There are several dynamic personalities that come out to play in GND - A Pole Dance Soirée. With a growing cast of over twenty-five dancers, they range in age, background, and experience. Sienna Spaulding, who is a trained vocalist turned pole dancer, has been in the cast for nearly nine months. She recently played a sexy, “Susie Homemaker” character in between sets, while Kelly Yvonne portrayed a very modern “June Clever,” her ode to the popular 50’s character June Cleaver from “Leave it to Beaver.” The skits are humorous, and usually involve stilettos, dirty laundry and of course, the pole. Busy Los Angeles casting director Tami Brandel enjoys some role reversal when she performs for GND. She transformed into a “doll” last year, and overcame her stage fright. Tami has been an active cast member since fall of 2010, and she is proud to say that her mother attends every show. Natasha Wang, a competitor, and Vertical Magazine’s second cover girl, takes performing seriously and submits to a strenuous regime. She trains consistently on a single piece for nearly three weeks. She credits Yvonne’s GND for helping develop her personal style and confidence, and for contributing to her competition wins. She has been a principal dancer since March 2010. Girl Next Door: A Pole Dance Soiree, rotates performers with seasonal casts, which Yvonne holds auditions for twice a year (and don’t be surprised if she sneaks in one or two guest champion dancers who may be in town). Her biggest challenge to date is getting the general public to accept and understand the concept of artistic pole dance, but to her, the most rewarding aspect of the job is when the guests arrive skeptical and leave embracing the beauty, art, and grace of this sexy sport. She recently launched her own 24-hour pole dance rehearsal studio called “The Choreography House,” where cast members and renters have endless hours to create and refine their routines for performances and competitions. Yvonne is also busy with a second Los Angeles-based production entitled “La Petite Mort” and she has plans to bring GND - A Pole Dance Soirée, to every major city in the U.S. by 2013 (and overseas by 2015). For more information about Girl Next Door – A Pole Dance Soirée, as well as for sponsorship and casting opportunities, please visit www.girlnextdoorshow.com.

Kelly Yvonne, the Director and Choreographer of GIRL NEXT DOOR: A POLE DANCE SOIREE, in Hollywood @ King King S E P / O C T 2 0 1 1

V E R T I C A L

JENNIFER KIM, of GND

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V E R T I C A L

REIKO MAKINO, of GND

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pole passion

V E R T I C A L

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am passionate about modern pole dance because it is a celebrates and an honors the sacred sexual energy that is the source of all that is.â&#x20AC;? - Jennifer Strand

pole passion

“I’m passionate about pole because it’s challenging, beautiful, and pure emotion. It’s freedom and the closest I’ll ever get to flying.” - Audra Bennett

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psyche

the healing power of pole

CLIMBING OUT

DESPAIR

pole helps a 66 year old woman tranSform her deSpair into a renewed, and yes fulfilled life

by COLLETTE KAKUK

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psyche Climbing out of Despair

pole helps a 66 year old woman tranSform her deSpair into a renewed, (and yes, happy) life by COLLETTE KAKUK

“I’m not sure why I’m calling. Something compelled me. But you have to know: I’m not young. I’m in my 60’s! And I’m not in shape. And I’m not slim. Can I even do this? Is pole dancing even a possibility for me?” So many calls and inquiries from people contemplating a pole dance class start in this exact way. A conflicted cocktail of interest and excitement mixed with negative mental chatter and fear: I’m too fat. Too old. Not strong enough. Not coordinated. Not flexible. I’ll look stupid. I’ve never been sexy. I’ve never stuck to any fitness program in my life. And, what will my friends and family think? Yet just as the woman in the phone call above said (the woman who is the inspiration for this article - Sadie) they are somehow compelled to call. And despite the negative mental chatter and fear, they somehow know that pole dancing has something unique to offer to them.

V E R T I C A L

Together, we have taken something formerly considered taboo to the mainstream and created something overwhelmingly positive.

That energy is attracting others and compelling them to give it a try. Sadie was afraid. She was out of shape, in her 60’s, and had lost both her beloved husband and mother in the same year. She was alone for the first time in her life and on the edge of despair. So much of her world had been about being married, being tied into a highbrow Jewish community, and having her mother only a short drive or phone call away her entire life. And the more I learned about her mother - who was a wonderful, vibrant, loving woman with a BIG personality – the more I wondered if perhaps Sadie was living in the powerful shadow of her mother. In that first call to the studio she said to me, “A big I find it fascinating that those of us who have already em- part of me is missing, Collette. I have no identity of my own. barked on this journey – who have joined the pole move- Can pole dance help me?” ment and are in process of discovering the multiple benefits – understand that it is indeed a journey. But many people My dear friend and fellow pole dancer Fawnia Mondey once who are in the beginning stages of contemplating pole see said to me, “Pole Dance is for everyone.” Those of us already it differently. At this early stage, they don’t realize that they on our journey know this to be true. So I shared with Sadie. are preparing to embark on an amazing, life-changing expe- I gave her hope and confidence by telling her the stories of rience. Instead, many seem to see that old familiar circular women who had gone before her: some were hurt, vulnerracetrack with no clear path to the new world they will dis- able, and broken, others happy but finding greater peace, cover . They see hurdles they have erected themselves based creativity, inspiration, and joy. They were all ages, shapes on negative mental chatter and fear. Yet these newcomers and sizes. I told her that pole dance attracts people for all are compelled and inspired to try. And all of us in the pole sorts of reasons and these reasons change and grow as you continue to pole. Newcomers may not be sure what it is community can help support them and ease their fears. they’re seeking or what their journey may bring. Some are There is a reason so many people are embracing pole seeking to combat the boredom they experience working dance and embarking on this path. The explosion in popu- out, others are looking for ways to embrace femininity and larity of pole dance can be attributed to all of you who are sensuality, get their sexy back. Still others are looking to currently participating in and defining this amazing art and gain physical and emotional strength. And some people sport through every positive fiber of your bodies and souls. just want to make new friends, challenge themselves, or build confidence.

process through dance therapy. “ ItThishasisalla healing the elements that are required to shed the layers Sadie wanted to combat her fears and her loneliness, surround herself with loving new friends, find herself and develop her own identity, challenge herself, and set and achieve goals. It is interesting how conquering the pole can be such a metaphor for one’s life. Climbing the pole was a significant physical and emotional goal for Sadie. Physically, we needed to substantially build Sadie’s strength – which took over a year. For more than a year, Sadie practiced pirouettes, standing pole poses, light spins and moderate floor work. She gained incredible strength, and a light began to shine from within her. Making that ascent up the pole was a powerful emotional metaphor for overcoming loneliness, grief, and depression. It was symbolic of Sadie climbing out of her despair. Other students – all of Sadie’s new friends - would stop and watch while she danced. She redefined the simplest moves and made them hers. She once told me, “Look at what I can do now. I came in with no skills at all!” Without hesitation, I said, “Oh, no, lovely lady. You came with life’s experiences that cannot be taught. I watch you dance and your beauty and sensuality shine so brightly and inspire all who have the privilege to watch you.” Today, I tell everyone that Sadie is the most sensual woman I know. My 42 years cannot, even for a second, pretend to be in the same realm as this incredibly experienced woman who is more than 20 years my senior. I will never forget the day Sadie donned her first pole dancing shoes...she picked out lipstick red boots complete with a side zipper and pin-point 6” stiletto heel. She walked

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steadily over to the full-length mirror, studied herself for a moment, and turned toward her circle of friends (who were watching with great anticipation) and exclaimed, “I look fucking hot!” And she did. Today, Sadie can be seen climbing the pole regularly, but it’s the dance she loves so very much. Just this week she wrote to me saying, “This [journey] is a healing process through dance therapy. It has all the elements that are required to shed the layers - yes, one sheds the weight and the inches but you know I have never thought that was the focus. And one of the reasons I want you to write about me is so people can see it is NOT about just weight loss, but about finding yourself: expressing yourself at the deepest level, letting go of the fears even if the form that takes is to achieve a climb or master a spin. The result is the same: You break through the barriers that hold you back from being who you really are, who you want to be, and who you can be. There are the moments in the slow and sexy free dance that allow your fantasies to flourish, and release, and then ... back to your street clothes, back to your profession. Except that you feel just a little more healed than you did when you walked in. And you get all of this in a safe and wonderful environment filled with the most supportive women I can ever imagine! I am not dead anymore. I am alive in my dance.” And that is our incredible pole world, ladies. Life changing for those who choose to embark on the journey.

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psyche

V E R T I C A L

PHOTOS BY: POle for a piurpose

VIXENS AGAINST VIOLENCE

/ for a purpose

POLE

VIXENS against VIOLENCE :

Femmes Fatales Flaunt their Skills with Floridian Flair BY Stefanie R. Dougherty Giving back to the community is a virtue that was instilled in Sarah Murray, owner of Impulse Pole Dance & Exotic Fitness Studios in St. Petersburg, Florida, from an early age. “I knew when I started my business that charity events would be part of it. Charity work is something I was raised with. My family taught me to give even when you don’t have a lot.” Putting this important lesson into practice, Sarah contacted April Soldano at Rock ‘n’ Body Pole Studio in Tampa, Kelly Blake at Apple Jelly Studios in Sarasota and Lynn Maxey at VIP Women’s Dance in Jacksonville, whom she knew through their professional affiliations, and together the four of them organized Pole for a Purpose, a showcase event held on August 13th at Push Ultra Lounge in St. Petersburg, FL to benefit Vixens Against Violence (VAV). The event was a true grass-roots effort. Students from the participating studios, who also happened to be professional event planners, vendors or artists, filled many important roles. Other students distributed flyers and helped get the word out in their respective cities. One student even donated even the venue time. “Push Ultra Lounge is a great space, a nightclub in a unique brick building with high ceilings in downtown St. Pete. The owner has taken pole fitness classes, too,” Sarah says enthusiastically. Every effort was made to keep organizational costs low, such as using Eventbrite. com for online ticket sales, and the studios donated all of their time and efforts to the cause to maximize the amount that would go to charity. For publicity, everyone was very active on Facebook and generated buzz about the event primarily by word of mouth, relying heavily on social networking. To defray the expense of holding the event, sponsorships were offered to local businesses and companies in the pole industry. Some sponsors made monetary donations while others also provided raffle prizes and swag bag party favors, in exchange for publicity at the event and online. For example, some of the exciting charity raffle items included a Kendra X-Pole donated by X-Pole, a grab bag of merchandise donated by Bad Kitty Pole Wear, five copies of The Pole Story provided by author Claire Griffin Sterrett, and The Pole Move Box, a Rolodex-like directory of 350 pole moves from The Netherlands.

Sponsors and friends of the cause also donated items for the swag bags, such as pole-themed jewelry from one student who is an Etsy artist. Pole for a Purpose managed to raise [$XXXX] for VAV.The three-hour event was attended by [xxx] guests and featured a non-competitive showcase of pole talent, with solo performances by studio instructors, group dances by student-and-teacher ensembles, and special presentations by accomplished artists such as Allison Cox of Orlando, a Top 12 Pole Dance Finalist in the 2009 USPDF East Coast Regional competition, Sarah Jade, a Tampa-based instructor who recently competed in the USPDF amateur competition, and the VIP Mavens, who performed at the International Pole Convention in June. The student groups, many of whom had never performed before, practiced three to four times a week in preparation for the event. Sarah gushed with admiration for her students leading up to the event: “The first-time performers are nervous, of course, but we’ve been able to offer motivation and support. It’s a chance for friends and family to come and see what we’re about – that these are smart, intelligent, strong, sexy women, and there’s nothing shady about this.” April Soldano of Rock ‘n’ Body agrees. In a web video to publicize the event at poleforapurpose.com, she explains, “Pole dancing is definitely very empowering, and we’re very excited to show St. Pete and Tampa Bay what we have to offer. ”Pole as a means of empowerment is an idea that resonates deeply with Briana Michel, founder of the event’s beneficiary charity, Vixens Against Violence. Briana was working in Washington, DC in 2006 as a fitness trainer and diet consultant when she began to notice a trend in her clientele: many women were pursuing physical strength and fitness to help them find the courage to deal with past abuse. “Women were confiding in me about domestic violence or being raped by an ex-husband, and they barely even knew me.” What she had discovered was a population of women who were seeking support and didn’t know who else to talk to

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psyche CONTINUED FROM PAGE 51 This inspired her to start a network of “vixens,” which the charity’s website describes as “strong, confident, bold, loving, motivated and dedicated women learning to support one another and live the life they deserve.” When she moved to Florida three years ago, she brought the concept with her. Vixens Against Violence is a local organization dedicated to raising awareness and educating the public about domestic violence and sexual assault, but the organization’s unique approach is to make victims feel like they’re talking to a girlfriend. “Domestic violence websites can be so clinical-sounding. We don’t want women to feel like just another statistic,” Briana says. VAV offers support by providing a place where women can share their stories, lend a listening ear and help build courage and strength in one another. “We organize events to empower women and help them return to a better version of themselves. We go into transitional housing and offer seminars for young mothers on how to build healthy relationships with their children. We do makeovers and headshots so they can walk a little prouder and feel more capable of dealing with whatever comes. Then we provide real resources for them to seek further help.” Briana has also started a program called I Heart Me Girls Club that organizes workshops to build self-esteem and positive body image for girls ages seven to seventeen. Rather than waiting until they’re older, the aim is to educate girls while they’re young so that they build self-respect and physical and mental health, making them less likely to fall victim to abuse as teenagers and adults. As a fitness professional who has taken some pole classes herself, Briana sees the supportive environment of the pole dance community as a fitting sponsor for her cause. “When you come in to a beginner pole dancing class, the students are all a little insecure about exposing themselves. Everyone feels the same way, so it becomes a bonding experience. Watching other women get the moves, you’re excited for each other. It’s not competitive or catty at all, and you’re in a controlled, safe, usually women-

only environment where you can let go and experiment. Similarly, at our workshops we try to create that same kind of environment for women who may feel insecure about their sexuality due to past abuse, and give them a safe place to maybe start to explore that side of themselves again.” Briana also appreciates the boost of confidence pole dancing provides. “When a guy makes a crass comment about pole dancing, you don’t feel like you have to respond. You can just laugh it off because you know they just don’t understand what it does for us. It’s sort of like an inside secret that we share.”Kelly Blake of Apple Jelly Studios also feels a strong bond with the women she’s met in the industry. “For me, as a studio owner, I’ve been able to work with a lot of amazing women, where pole has changed their lives, and in the process learned a lot about them personally, and kind of created a greater sisterhood – with women – through pole,” she says in her video on the event website. It’s this sense of community that captures the true spirit of the event. Considering how many people came out to celebrate each other’s talents and efforts, the level of cooperation and support that emerged from the local network of pole dancers and from national and international sponsors, and the fact that it was all done in an altruistic effort to help others, the Pole for a Purpose event is a clear demonstration of just how powerful a force the pole community can be. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, one in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime.How to Get HelpIf you or someone you know needs help in the United States, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. In other countries, visit www.hotpeachpages.net for an international directory of domestic violence agencies.

How to Get Involved Visit VixensAgainstViolence.com and share your story to inspire othersContact VAV to find out how to start a support organization in your areaFind an existing organization, such as a women’s shelter in your city, and inquire about donation needsHold a benefit event in your area to raise awareness and make the issue of domestic violence less taboo, NOW.

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POLE UNUSUAL IN

Places

Photo: Marlo Fisken, New York City Poleriders.

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nutrition

GOING

RAW:

a pole dancer’s guide to the raw food diet by alex bwYe

V E R T I C A L

Raw foods have certainly gained a strong foothold in the diet trending world, with celebrities, athletes, nutritionists and culinary schools all swearing that eating a diet of raw foods is the best thing one can do for their health and appearance. Benefits touted include heightened energy, less of a need for sleep, better skin, better elimination, chronic ailments fading away or in some cases healing overnight, better eyesight, fat loss, reconnection to the earth, and many more. The reason behind all of these delightful health benefits is the live enzymes in raw foods (which denature during cooking or processing), the undamaged vitamins and minerals that are easily absorbed by the body and the large amount of bioavailable water in fruits and vegetables. These factors work together to bring the body to ultimate health and cell cleanliness. A while back I read a few of the original popular raw food books by David Wolfe, Ani Phyo, David and Annie Jubb, Gabriel Cousens etc. and decided to eat only raw foods. I gained about 10 pounds in a month and did not feel significantly more healthy or energized. Feeling shocked and misled by this sudden weight gain and the lack of ‘euphoria’ one is supposed to get from eating raw foods, I decided to return to my previous diet: low-carb vegetarian. I lost the weight, felt better and completely lost interest in the ‘raw food diet’. Now that I have more experience in and knowledge of what a truly healthy body requires, I understand exactly where I (and many others) may have gone wrong in following a high or all-raw diet. Because we have become used to eating dense foods such as proteins in meats or legumes/ legume products as well as higher starch foods such as potatoes and breads, becoming all raw can present a challenge to us in that we never feel satisfied unless we eat a lot of sprouted grains and nuts with our fruits and

vegetables. When I went raw, I was eating nut and seed pates constantly as well as many dense, raw crackers and cookies to keep me from getting bored with fruits and vegetables. Don’t get me wrong – I absolutely love fresh fruits and vegetables, but I just couldn’t eat them exclusively. I love to eat of all different styles of cuisine and I have always needed be creatiive with my produce in food preparation. So the solution for a raw fod diet that works is actually quite simple. As a pole dancer, decide why you really want to go raw – is it for the health benefits? Purely appearance? For better performance? Eating a high-raw diet will definitely affect your body in more ways than you imagine, and doing it wrong can leave you unbalanced and unsatisfied. Go ahead and begin minding what you eat at home and at restaurants: eat more salad and vegetables, ask for raw cheese or lightly seared or rarecooked animal proteins if you are not going vegan or vegetarian as well, and cut back on the processed and cooked foods like bread, cooked grains, pastas, cooked legumes, cooked animal proteins and desserts. It sounds more difficult than it actually is! Every restaurant can substitute, and every grocery store has a plethora of delicious produce, nuts, seeds, meats and cheeses. In health food stores like Whole Foods, you can find raw desserts and fermented drinks like kombucha, which can help with digestion. The internet is also overflowing with raw food websites, many of which have amazing recipes. One thing to keep in mind while trying out this new way of life is to relax on the nuts, seeds, grains and legumes. Even when soaked and sprouted the body has a difficult time digesting them, causing gas, bloating and digestive discomfort. If you are looking for something heavier to keep yourself satisfied, eat them in small amounts, but focus more on avocados, bananas and coconut, which are easily digested.

feel good

recipes Recipes Green-ade (Makes 1 serving)

Ingredients: 1. 1 head romaine 2. 6 leaves kale 3. 1wholelemon 4. 1â&#x20AC;? ginger root 5. 3-6 stalks celery 6. 1 apple (optional) GARNISH WITH CUCUMBER Directions: Put all ingredients through juicer and enjoy alone, at least 15 minutes before or 3 hours after you eat any food.

Raw Vanilla Ice Cream (Makes about 2 cups) Ingredients: 1. Meat of 2 young coconuts 2. 1/3 C. agave nectar/ maple syrup 3. 1 T. vanilla 4. 2 C. ice Directions: Add all ingredients to blender and blend until smooth. Serve immediately!

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nutrition/ health

The phrase “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” obviously has its roots.

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APPLE CIDER VINEGAR “LYSOL FOR THE SOUL!”- VWHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THIS POWERFUL (& CHEAP) TONIC FOR THE BODY- AND SOUL. “Yeast Imbalance can cause misery. Mother Nature’s got a quick, cheap cure for you.”

The phrase “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” obviously has its roots. I know you have all heard about it and I’m sure you have maybe even used it at some point in time for one reason or another. Recently I found myself dealing with a chronic yeast infection that drove me to my knees! I began researching the topic, reading everything and anything I could find about it. One day I was on the phone with my mom, and she told me that I needed Apple cider vinegar. “Daddy got rid of his toe fungus that way.” So it got me thinking...”Couldn’t hurt right?” Not at all! In fact, it totally took the edge off! I began a daily ritual of bathing in it and what I found was that it helped in other ways too. After some very nice side effects I decided to research for myself this age-old remedy and all of its secrets and here is what I found: Spend too much time in the sun? Fill your bath about half way and add two cups ACV and soak! It helps take the sting out. Bug bites? Acne? Eczema? ACV is amazing for the skin. Its naturally alkalizing and it kills bacteria and fungus on contact. Just a little FYI, eczema is not a genetic condition. It is from too much yeast in your system. Trying to lose weight? Drink a tablespoon or two a day. Dilute in water if it’s too strong. It will “use” the fat in your body instead of storing it! Not only is it a fabulous remedy for heartburn, not anymore. Drink about a fourth a cup mixed with water before bed each night to alleviate constipation. Feeling a sore throat coming on or a sinus infection? ACV has antiviral and antibacterial properties Don’t forget to soak your toes in it like my dad to eliminate fungus. Even two minutes a day for a couple of months and they grow out fungus free! Don’t forget to douche with it ladies, for yeast infection relief. About two tablespoons per quart and repeat twice daily (if you cannot bathe in it)

BY NORMA HANSEN

Have Thrush? Swish in your mouth at its 100% concentrated strength two to three times per day until it’s gone. Have arthritis or just some joint pain? Drink up. Diabetic or hypoglycemic? Don’t forget it balances blood sugar... It even dissolves warts over time if you soak them in it daily. Did I mention it balances your body’s PH by making you more alkaline? Oh, and last but certainly not least.... it cleanses your hair of gunk build up and deodorizes too! So throw out the harsh roll on stuff! The Secret? Apple Cider Vinegar works: because it neutralizes yeast by Transforming Sugars, that feed the yeast, therefore, stopping it cold. Even Bigger secret? A bottle is $5.00 or less at your local grocery. The list goes on and on. You can even research the benefits of ACV and for your pets. Make sure to get a high quality (choose organic) ACV as it will have the proper nutrients in it. You don’t want a diluted form that has been filtered. The 100% unfiltered form is best, with the ash, or “the mother”. Here are some of the key nutrients that you can expect to receive: Potassium, this helps with lowering blood sugar, lowering blood pressure and alleviating muscle cramps. Pectin, which regulates blood pressure and cholesterol. Malic acid, which is the reason it is anti-bacterial, ant-viral, and anti-fungal Calcium, which is great for teeth and bones. Ash, (the mother) the substance that transforms the body from an acidic state to a ph balanced alkaline state. And Acetic Acid, a factor in slowing the digestion of starched foods, in turn lowering glucose levels. The body is an amazing machine that is quite resilient once it has the right nutrients to keep it balanced. Apple Cider Vinegar is an inexpensive way to help maintain that wellness balance. The next time you are struggling with one of the ailments listed, save yourself a trip to the doctor-- and pick up some AVC instead!

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workout pole fundamentals

Yoga for Strength Have you ever taken a yoga class? If not, then you may have some preconceived ideas about what yoga involves. Many newcomers arrive expecting to spend an hour sitting cross-legged on the floor, breathing deeply and chanting “om.” Granted, there are some yoga classes that do focus on relaxation and meditation. However, different styles of yoga put more emphasis on physicality than others, and some are actually quite rigorous. For example, many students have stumbled upon my Ashtanga class anticipating a chill-out session and were understandably surprised to be walking out of the room 90 minutes later drenched in sweat and completely spent. No matter what yoga tradition you choose, a consistent practice tends to be helpful for just about any other activity in life, and pole dancing is no exception. This is because the system gives the practitioner an opportunity to gain flexibility and strength gradually over time, in a very controlled way. In a yoga pose, you use your own body – with all of its wonderful abilities and limitations – as a safe laboratory for learning about yourself, free of any competitive pressure, apparatus or opponent that might add undue strain or risk to the equation. With yoga you have the chance to be an objective observer of your own experience. What does that mean? Simply put, you are not under any obligation to achieve anything in particular. Instead, you can observe where your body is that day, without judgment. You can spend as long as you need in any given posture and really breathe into it, allowing your body to expand from the inside, simultaneously stretching and fine tuning all of those very important little muscles you use to maintain balance and stability. What you gain in terms of strength, flexibility and a deeper understanding of your physical ability makes you less likely to injure

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by STEFANIE R. DOUGHERTY PHOTOGRAPHY BY JASPER JOHAL

yourself no matter what you do once your roll up your yoga mat for the day. You will undoubtedly become stronger and more limber by practicing yoga, but the benefits extend well beyond the physical. The poise you gain will carry over into a state of mental and emotional stability, as well. If you can learn to be still and breathe in an uncomfortable or difficult yoga position, that skill will ultimately grow to include the ability to remain calm when faced with a scary or frustrating situation on the pole, at the office or with your family and friends. Additionally, when you can trust your ability to hold your own body weight, it gives you courage. Knowledge of your own strength makes you feel able to handle whatever comes your way: a sense of capability that overrides any insecurities that may creep into your stream of consciousness and erode your selfesteem. This sense of assurance can really transform the artistic aspects of your pole performance, because in addition to increasing the difficulty level of the tricks you’re able to execute, the confidence you will exude is sexy and compelling. Some of the yoga poses that are most helpful for building upper body strength are plank pose, chaturanga dandasana (“four-legged staff pose,” similar to a low pushup position) and handstand. Many yoga teachers begin their classes with a warm-up known as the sun salutations, and these generally include both plank pose and chaturanga. When you practice yoga consistently over time, it may become obvious that your body is growing stronger. This is one of the nice side effects of a sincere, dedicated practice. However one day you may also notice that you have developed an inner fortitude to match your outer strength. You are able to walk through life with grace and poise, dance with less inhibition and perform with greater confidence. This ease of being is perhaps one of the most valuable benefits that yoga can offer.

jasper yoga shot coming monday

Kiki D. Amanno earned her Pilates Certification at Long Beach Dance Conditioning and 500 hours of Yoga certification at Yoga Works. A professional dancer for a decade, she also holds a BA from the UCLA World Arts and Cultures department. Currently, she teaches at Yoga Works in Los Angeles and Equinox Gym in Westwood, California. She is also available for private yoga and Pilates sessions.

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workout

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

It is much more rewarding to just feel the pure joy and love surging through you as you spin and soar. You are allowing an audience of people to witness your deepest and most personal self.

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;

- FELIX CANE

Dynamics PERFORMANCE TIPS : Dancing By Myself by FELIX CANE PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID D’ANGELO In the world of performing arts it is so easy to have your feelings hurt - and hurt badly. When you put yourself on stage in front of an audience of both fans and critics, and something goes wrong, it seems like the end of the world. As performers we are deathly afraid of this. With good reason, too. It hurts us emotionally and can be difficult to recover the drive to push yourself out on stage again. When you are a creator and performer it is almost impossible not to be attached to your pieces, and when someone has a critical point it can be extremely difficult not to take it personally. Plus, critics are not always the strangers lurking in the dark, but they can be loved ones and friends who are giving their honest opinion as well. If you are confident enough to perform a piece the way you want to and the way you intend it to be, you need also be confident enough to face your critics’ opinions with acceptance and indifference on an emotional level. We may feel it would be ideal for everyone to love our work as much as we do, but this just is not the case. It is extremely difficult to externalize and see our own performance from an outsider’s perspective - and as a result, it is also difficult to understand where the criticism comes from. We must realize that we dance not to please others, but we do so for a much more selfish reason. I pole dance because I love to pole dance. I am lucky people like to watch the way that I interprete pole dance - and I am also significantly and humbly grateful. But if nobody wanted to watch, I would still be dancing the way I wanted to dance because it feels wonderful. It is imperative not to worry about what your critics say about your dancing. It is much more rewarding to just feel the pure joy and love surging through you as you spin and soar. You are allowing an audience of people to witness your deepest and most personal self. You should feel you are revealing someone very private and internal, and it is a privilege to see, not a right. And understanding this, you must not expect everybody to like what they watch. Just as people have different tastes in music, food and art, this is also true of pole dance. If you can learn to really let go when you dance, you will feel that nothing else matters as you move yourself around the pole. Remember just that. Nothing else matters. The journey you took yourself on is the prize. Sometimes your vision is not received by those around you and in these times it is critical to realize that your passion, love, and dedication to your art should not falter because an outsider does not perceive your work the way you intended. It is important to learn how to prioritize the outcomes of public performances. How you feel you executed your performance should be more important to you than anybody else’s opinion.

If your goal in life is to be a professional performing artist in a large show, then you must also learn to accept creative direction and criticism constructively. As a professionally performing artist, not only must you learn to connect and please your audience, but you will have to perform characters and portray messages that may not be true to your vision. Rather, your job is to realize somebody else’s vision. This can be damaging to your ego and your confidence as often when we work alone we build security in familiarity and tend to stay in the same style and character making it very easy to become uncertain about your performance when you are out of your element. It takes a lot of work and practice, but finding yourself and your confidence when you feel overexposed and uncomfortable can be extremely rewarding as you find your personal linkage to the piece and embrace adding another genre and style to your repertoire. Competition performances are another beast entirely. You only have one chance to execute your moves perfectly and any slip, slide or stumble could cost you a title. I believe that in many ways these will be your most vulnerable times because we are all dreamers and it is a huge dream of so many competitors to win. The problem with hanging so much hope on competitions is that the winner is all up to the judges and if anything does go wrong it can be personally devastating. My approach to handling the pressure was to produce a piece that I could be proud of win or lose, fly or fall. Your audience will forgive you - you are human. My rule is always that is is only a good performance if I felt great about it and the audience loved it. Nobody is perfect - your only true competition is yourself and you can be your greatest supporter or your biggest downfall. If you take results of a competition or whispers of critique to heart you will begin to doubt yourself and pole dancing will no longer be magical and fun. Being able to stand up before your audience and perform difficult and physically challenging feats is not an easy task and should not be undermined. Remember to put everything in perspective. Each performance you produce is only a matter of minutes long and while there will always be room for improvement if something does go wrong we must learn to grow from these short but powerful experiences. Learning how to deal with bad nights and not taking criticism emotionally is all part of the journey - but staying true to yourself and the core of your creativity is necessary in keeping your passion alive. Pole dancing has inspired so many people to explore their creativity, get fit, and dance, and it has changed so many peoples’ lives for the better - let’s not forget that these are our greatest achievements.

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workout

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V E R T I C A L

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pole Dancing has brought me strength, confidence

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

and most importantly a supportive community of friends.â&#x20AC;?

- Mina Mortezaie

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breakdown of a pose

workout

the archer by danielle rueda-watts

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fashion PEEK

nothing to hide photography and text by David D’Angelo It seemed fitting that our Fashion Peek for the Raw issue is more about the person behind the fashion, than the wardrobe itself. Clothing, after all, is the ultimate ‘armor’ when it comes to creating identities. Our fashion choices serve as an expression of our inner spirit – sometimes hiding, sometimes flaunting. Every woman has her own level of modesty. It plays into every outfit she wears, whether she is dancing on stage or on the ‘stage’ of life. Morality not withstanding, clothing is a shield that keeps us from being our most vulnerable. Courtney from No Ties Model Management, is absolutely gorgeous wearing nothing but a tattered pair of denim cutoffs, she purchased herself, at a resale clothing store for $15. Accessorized with multiple necklaces and wrist bands from Forever 21 starting at $5.

V E R T I C A L

fashion peek

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breakdown

SSULTRYSEXY MOKY The smoky eye is a great look for pretty much any occasion. Do it with or without glitter for the stage and either way, you’re sure to stand out. Smoky eyes don’t necessarily have to take a lot of time and effort. Just be sure to blend, blend, and blend some more for that flawless effect. This month’s look is remarkably easy to accomplish. It doesn’t require a professional touch or a ton of products. So grab your clean make up brushes and turn some music on... The Smoky Eye Lesson begins now!

Make sure to also blend the lines where the black & gold meet. Apply a beige highlighter underneath the brows. Apply lash glue to your false lashes, and set aside to let the glue get tacky. Use the same black pencil from earlier, line the inner rims of your eyes top and bottom to define the lid. Curl your lashes and apply 2-3 generous coats of mascara. Carefully apply the lashes.

01. SKIN CARE

03. foundation

STEP 1 - Skin

Always start with a clean, moisturized face. If your skin is well taken care of, it will be easier to achieve this glowing look. Get your skin ready by priming it before you do anything else. That way the product has plenty of time to soak into your skin and do it’s job!

02. EYES V E R T I C A L

by AUDRA BENNETT

STEP 2 - Eyes- Using a waterproof black eye pencil, draw a thick line from the center of the eyelid to the outer corner, avoiding the inner eye. Take a fluffy shadow brush and buff out the harsh line. Concentrate the color at the base of the lashes and fade it out to the crease. Repeat until the desired darkness is achieved. Blend well! Taking the same fluffy brush, load it up with a gold shadow and apply it over the inner & middle eyelid in circular motions. This blends the product while preventing too much spillage onto your skin. Next, use a flat eyeshadow brush to liberally pack a rich black shadow onto the outer corners of your lids and blend out to achieve the desired smoky effect.

STEP 3 - - Clean up any smudges or fallen shadow on the skin by using the same foundation brush you used for primer. Blend into the skin well by working in small circles from the inner face to the outer. - Use a small fluffy brush to apply concealer under the eyes, around the nose, mouth, and over any blemishes. Apply blush to the apples of the cheek. Use the foundation brush to apply the skin highlighter over the tops of the cheekbones, tops of cheeks, and ]the V of the upper lipline.

04. lips

STEP 4: Lips - Make sure lips are exfoliated and moisturized. - Line lips & fill in with liner- Apply lipstick and a light coating of gloss

05. FINISHING TOUCH

Step 5: Use a make up setting spray & finishing powder through the T zone to really make the look last and stay flawless for hours!

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POLE

World

around the

V E R T I C A L

The United Kingdom

70.

UNITED KINGDOM Deb Riley takes a break to discuss her Pole Academy in Stoke-on-Trent, U.K. by Tom Crehan

74.

DEB RILEY - q&a by Tom Crehan

76.

A fine DAY One Fine Day in The English CountrysideThe Cotswolds by Tom Crehan

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UNITED

KINGDOM Deb Riley Embraces Pole in Stoke-On-Trent, U.K. by Tom Crehan

V E R T I C A L

When profiling a pole dance instructor in the United Kingdom, home to the world’s most visible and celebrated monarchy, dynastic puns are hard to pass up. The Princess of Burlesque, the Duchess of Dirty Dancing, the Pole Queen... well, actually, that last one isn’t strictly a pun. PoleQueens.co.uk is, in fact, the web address of the British Pole Dance Academy, the studio founded by Deb Riley, one of the most sought after instructors in the world and truly a member of pole community royalty. The Academy, however, is located far from the glitz and glamour of London in the quaint village of Stoke-on-Trent. And Riley’s own history is anything but a Jane Austen tale of manor homes and elegant dinner parties. In fact, Deb Riley probably has more in common with a plucky Dickensian hero -- the kind who pulls themselves up by their bootstraps (... or high heels) -- than anything else. Born and raised in hardscrabble Liverpool, Riley describes a childhood

devoid of almost everything but the most important thing: happiness. “We grew up in a block of flats with literally nothing: no phones, no cars, no designer clothes. In fact, not even normal clothes, really,” Riley laughs, remembering a wardrobe that consisted mostly of hand-me-downs. “But you know what? I was a happy kid. I had loads of friends and spent every waking minute that I could outside playing. And even then I would be hanging off anything I could!” So perhaps it’s not odd that Riley ended up on the pole, but she certainly followed a long and winding road to get there. She saved money from a series of random jobs as a teenager and then started to travel. “By the age of 20 I’d hitch-hiked around Europe,” Riley recalls, “By the age of 30 I’d traveled around South East Asia and the whole of Australia.” At some point in those wandering years she trained to be a makeup artist. “Specializing in special effects,” she elaborates, “All the gory stuff!”

But dancing -- a childhood passion -- was never far from her mind. In fact, she earned money throughout her decade-plus on the road by doing backing dancing for bands or podium dancing in clubs. And so instead of making her way to Hollywood for a career in horror films, Riley returned to the UK where she set her sights on the world of dance. It wasn’t until stumbling across Pantera’s amazing video Pole Tricks 101, however, that pole dancing caught her imagination. “I couldn’t actually believe what I was seeing,” Riley gushes, “I was like... ‘I wanna do that!’ And I did. I worked my absolute arse off!” She found another video, Fawnia’s Pole Work (“I loved how she injected all the sexiness into what she was doing”), and honed her moves. But it wasn’t easy and she had to do it largely on her own. “There were no schools around when I was learning. You couldn’t even buy an X-Pole!” Riley recalls. Ultimately, Riley had to have a pole custom made. She even designed and made one of the first ever crash mats, which she named PoleOMat, so she could practice more advanced tricks without risking serious injury. She would watch her Pantera and Fawnia videos and imitate the moves, practicing over and over until she had perfected them. “And when I ran out of things to do on the DVD’s,” Riley says, “I started making stuff up.” About six months after she started poling, Riley took all that “stuff she made up” and entered her first competition. Her athletic moves -- and an advanced repertoire that exceeded her limited experience -- garnered her a lot of attention. She still had no thoughts of becoming an instructor, though. Instead Riley was focused on honing her craft and having fun with competing. But Riley’s path has never been a straight one and it was the social networking site MySpace that provided the next bend in her road. When Riley discovered the site she thought it would be a great place to network with other pole enthusiasts and to share stories, tips and tricks. She set up an account, posted pictures and videos and generally had fun with it. “I started meeting all these pole dancers from all over the world... it was amazing!” Riley says. But then something unexpected happened: “People started noticing me and my pictures. They started contacting me and asking me to teach them certain moves.” Eventually Riley was getting

so many requests that she decided to take the plunge and open up her own school. “I emptied out a room in my house and had wall to wall mirrors put in and put up two poles. This was my first studio!” Fast forward a couple of years and now Riley is the owner of one of the biggest pole schools in the world. “Not bad for a little girl from Liverpool,” she laughs. The British Pole Dance Academy has five instructors (including Riley), hundreds of students and offers a wide range of classes including basic pole dancing, aerial hoop, silks, trapeze and burlesque. Riley and her staff emphasize performance skills from day one, stressing that students build routines and learn how to flow from one movement to another. Riley tells her charges, “There’s no point being able to do one hundred moves if you can’t put them together. Better to do fewer moves but be able to artfully combine them.” Riley has personally trained all of her instructors and avers that “their teaching skills are second to none.” She calls the Academy her “pride and joy” and runs it according to a simple philosophy: “Safety first, fun next, kick-ass poling after that.” Then she adds with smile, “It seems to work for us.” Because of Riley’s reputation for hardcore pole tricks, top instructors from around the world come to her for classes. Her status is such that she has served as a Pole Tricks judge for several Miss Pole Dance World competitions. But more than working with the pole elite, it’s the changes Riley sees in the average non-pro woman that comes to her for instruction that constitutes her favorite part of the job. “I see nervous ladies coming in that find it difficult to even make eye contact with people,” Riley explains. “In a few weeks you can see them walking taller, shoulders back with confidence. In a year, well it’s a different lady altogether. It’s extremely rewarding seeing this.” And what advice -- you know... from one royal to another -- would Riley give to the freshly minted Duchess Catherine, should the newest member of the Windsor dynasty drop by the Academy for instruction? “Oooh that would be a dream come true to sex up the royal family,” Riley laughs. “Shoulders back and tits out (not literally) Kate. Walk tall and strut girl!” That sounds like good advice for any young princess, whether she’s waving from a balcony... or swinging around a pole.

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“I couldn’t actually believe what I was seeing,” Riley gushes, “I was like... ‘I wanna do that!’ And I did. I worked my absolute arse off!” S E P / O C T 2 0 1 1

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dEB RILEY

Q&A

Deb Rileyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s British Pole Dance Academy Pole Fitness in Stoke-on-Trent, U.K. V E R T I C A L

Interviewed by Tom Crehan

VERTICAL: What is the general attitude towards pole dancing and pole fitness in the UK? DEB RILEY: Pole dancing is massive now in the UK... like proper massive! If somebody doesn’t do it they at least know somebody that does. There are still a couple of fuddy duddys that turn their noses up at it but on the whole it’s really accepted. Completely different to how it was when I first started. VERTICAL: When you tell someone (at a cocktail party for instance) that you are a pole dancer / pole fitness instructor... what kind of reaction do you get? DEB RILEY: I’ve had many different reactions... usually silence or, ‘Oh good for you,’ or ‘Omg! I wouldn’t dare do that.’ But I say it loud ‘n proud. ‘Hi I’m Deb, and I’m a pole dancer!’ VERTICAL: In terms of attitude... when women walk in your studio are most of them already committed to doing it or are they more curious and looking to find out more about pole fitness? DEB RILEY: I have what I call “normal students.” These are my day to day people that don’t know about the industry... [who] come to try and get fit or are curious. Then there’s the industry people. These are the people that know who I am and what I can do. These people come just for crazy tricks or competition coaching. VERTICAL: Are the women who come to your studio very open about their pole dancing/fitness with their family and friends? What is the opinion of their husbands/ boyfriends/families? DEB RILEY: Most of them are but there are very, very few that keep it a secret from family and friends because they are frightened of being judged. Damn shame in this day and age but obviously we respect that and are discreet for them.

“These little pole performances

VERTICAL: What is your own family’s opinion of pole fitness? Of the fact that you are having such professional success at it? Is that different now than from when you first got started?

open

DEB RILEY: My mum is 62 and she can get to the top of my very high poles! When I first started they were cool with it but probably didn’t think it would last.

eyes to what’s

VERTICAL: There seem to be different camps in the pole dancing world... some who see it just as a fitness activity, some who want to see it as a gymnastics type sport, others who don’t want to lose the sensuality aspect of it... where do you come down on that? DEB RILEY: Firstly, I respect all the different sides of it... BUT I love the sexy side of it. Let’s not dress it up, it originates from the strip clubs, we embrace that and keep that alive. Sexy sensual pole DANCING is what I’m all about and this is the way I teach... and the girls love it! VERTICAL: What is the biggest reason pole dancing is thriving (or will thrive) in the UK? DEB RILEY: It has hit the mainstream over here in the last couple of years. Me and one of my instructors, Sash, were on a live TV show as backing dancers in front of 18 million viewers. These little pole performances open peoples’ eyes to what’s actually achievable on a pole. It’s not just about walking around a pole and body rolling on it.

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peoples’

a c t u a l l y achievable on a pole.”

VERTICAL: What are the biggest obstacles standing in the way of popularizing pole fitness/dancing in the UK? DEB RILEY: There aren’t any obstacles in the UK as far as I can see. We are a very big and very close community over here. United we stand! VERTICAL:: Is there anything else you’d like to tell our readers? DEB RILEY: I grew up with nothing and now own one of the biggest schools in the world. If you work hard and are determined, the world is your oyster... you can do anything. Don’t lose focus of your dreams and don’t be a victim. Positivity fuels everything! It makes you more productive and makes you enjoy life more.

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c o t s w o l d s

one FINE DAY How to Spend One Fine Day in the English Countryside by Tom Crehan

V E R T I C A L

England. Land of kings, queens and castles... as well as pubs, pints and football (or soccer to us Americans). One of the world’s oldest democracies as well as one of its best known monarchies, England is a quirkily fascinating country rich in history and tradition yet also modern and forward-thinking. England has given much to the world in terms of language, literature and law... and in turn the world’s travelers and tourists flock back to England to revel in its pomp and pageantry and drink deeply from its cultural treasures and spectacular sights. No trip to England would be complete without a visit to London, of course. Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, double decker buses... the list of iconic images associated with England’s capital city are seemingly endless. You could spend days in London and not take in a fraction of its attractions. But you only have one day, and you’re going to spend it away from The City, in a beautiful part of the English countryside known as the Cotswolds. The Cotswolds is an area in the west of England with lush rolling hills, patchwork farm fields and charming little villages with names like Chipping Campden, Stow-on-the-Wold, Tetbury and Winchcombe. Less than two hours drive from London, it’s the type of idyllic landscape that may very well have inspired author J.R.R. Tolkien when he was dreaming up The Shire. Your route will take you from the market town of Chipping Campden on the northern edge of the Cotswolds to the ancient Roman spa town of Bath at its southern tip. These two towns are also the starting/finish points of the Cotswold Way national trail,104 miles of scenic footpaths that run along the edge of the Cotswold escarpment and afford hikers and ramblers spectacular views. But don’t worry... you don’t have to walk it today. (Although it is worth pointing out that three ultramarathoners have run this route in less than 24 hours!) Since you smartly drove out from London yesterday to spend the night in one of Chipping Campden’s many charming bed and breakfasts, you’ll be nice and fresh for a day of leisurely sightseeing. For there are plenty of sights to see... and the best way to see them in the Cotswolds is at a leisurely pace. You wake up after having enjoyed the fine Georgian rooms at the Eight Bells Inn. The Eight Bells was originally constructed in the 14th century to house the stonemasons who built St. James Church. It was rebuilt in the 17th century using most of the original stone and timbers and is an outstanding example of a traditional Cotswolds Inn. But what you might appreciate a bit more than history at this point is a traditional English Breakfast, which is waiting for you downstairs in the oak-beamed, stone-lined dining room. Help yourself to a bowl of creamy porridge topped with honey but save plenty of room for the pork sausage,

bacon, eggs, sauteed mushrooms, grilled tomato, fried potatoes, baked beans and toast. And, of course, wash it all down with fresh coffee or a pot of breakfast tea. After all, you’re going to have a long day so start it off by fueling up right! (And yes, there is a vegetarian option if you so desire.) As you leave the Eight Bells and begin your stroll through Chipping Campden, head northeast along Church Street past the Court Barn Arts & Crafts Museum and on to the edge of town where medieval era St. James Church holds sway. Docents are available in the church most days to answer your questions or show you around this architectural marvel. Walk back west towards the center of town and spend some time on High Street, the village’s main thoroughfare. Lined with beautiful historic buildings (cottages, inns and shops) made from the golden Cotswold stone for which the area is so famous, High Street is perfect for browsing and strolling. Check out the Market Hall, the medieval Grevel House and the Woolstaplers’ Hall before stopping into Badgers Hall, a 500 year old inn with an excellent tea room, for a little refreshment. Try some of their sweet cakes and cream tea! Now hop in your car and head a few miles south to the village of Broadway, often referred to as the “Jewel of the Cotswolds.” A wide grass-fringed main street winds its way through a quintessential English countryside village dappled with red chestnut trees and honey-colored stone buildings. Stretch your legs around the town before heading for Broadway Tower, one of England’s most outstanding viewpoints. The decorative “Saxon” tower was built in 1799 to resemble a mock castle and is situated on Beacon Hill, the second highest point on the Cotswold escarpment. There are several hiking circuits that you can take around the Tower. Some are more challenging than others (they range from about 1 to 3 miles) but are well worth it for the stunning views of the surrounding countryside and for the beauty of the Tower’s parklands. You’ll have worked up an appetite by now... or at least a thirst! You can take care of both back in Broadway at quaint pubs with names like Crown and Trumpet or Horse and Hound. Next you’ll drive south towards the town of Winchcombe and its nearby sites: Hailes Abbey and Sudeley Castle. Sudeley Castle, in particular, is well worth a stop. Originally over a thousand years old it was destroyed by Cromwell’s troops during the English Civil War, rebuilt 200 years later, visited by royalty, and even said to be haunted -- in short, rich in history and very English. It is now a private home but the Castle, its luscious gardens and grounds are in fact open for public touring.

Continue your drive through some of the most beautiful countryside in England until you get to Cheltenham. The largest town in the Cotswolds, Cheltenham was recently voted “Best Place to live in Britain” and boasts a famous literary festival, a celebrated ladies’ college and a majestic racetrack among its notable attractions. Take late afternoon tea at one of the city’s many cafes or tea houses while you enjoy Cheltenham’s more cosmopolitan vibe as a nice change of pace. When you’re ready for dinner, Le Champignon Sauvage is the place to go. This warm, intimate and unpretentious French restaurant has been pulling in Michelin stars as well as many other accolades and whether you opt for two courses or four (a cheese course plus dessert) you will have the perfect meal to begin winding down your day in the Cotswolds.

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Of course, you’re not done yet. It’s time for a relaxing drive through the southern Cotswolds, hewing close to the Cotswold Way and passing through the towns of Painswick, Stroud and Tetbury. Walk their High Streets and stop in at a traditional pub for a pint of local ale... but keep it safe! Soon enough you’ll come to Bath, considered by many to be Britain’s most beautiful city. This spa town built and fortified by the Romans in AD 43 became wildly popular with the British aristocracy during the Georgian period because of the reputed healing powers of the local geothermal baths. 300 years hasn’t changed anything except, perhaps, that Bath isn’t just for the upper-crust anymore. People from all over the world come to visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site and enjoy its fabulous architecture, theaters and museums... and yes, its baths. Drop your bags at a hotel; you can choose from clean, well-run hostels like St. Christopher’s Inn to 5-star accommodations like the famed Royal Crescent Hotel... and from many options in between. But once you’re settled your first stop should be the Thermae Bath Spa. The rooftop mineral pool looks over the city (with a particularly fine view of historic Bath Abbey) and if you’ve timed your visit right, you can watch the sun set over this most enchanting part of the British Empire. The Spa is less crowded in the evening, the environment is incredibly relaxing and the post-sunset night-time viewing is spectacular as the moon lights up the magnificent towers and spires of beautiful Bath. It’s the perfect way for you to end one very fine day indeed.

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POLE 2011 CALENDAR

September 3

UK POle Artists Championship Victoria Square- Bolton, UK

SEPTEMBER 4

Miss Pole Dance Ukraine - Odessa First EVER National Ukraine Pole Dance Competition!

SEPTEMBER 4

Girl Next Door: A Pole Dance Soiree King King- Hollywood

september 10

Miss Pole Dance Canada, Vancouver

september 25

California Pole Dance Championship The Highlands, Los Angeles, CA

Do you have a pole event you would like to see listed in vertical art & fitness magazine? Submit your event To vertical Art & fitness today!

Contact Claire: claire@ verticalartandfitness.com

October 1 - DEc 31 Mention Dancer Deal at le Spa and get 50 Minute Massage for $85.00 (normally $145. Los Angeles, CA

October 1

World Pole Sport & Fitness Championship Budapest, Hungary

OCTOBER 14

Pole Story Book Party and Charity Event 7:30 PM Movement Studio, Los Angeles, CA

October 14

APFA Championships 6:30 pm Manhattan Center, NYC

october 22

Pole Art 2011 3rd Annual International Pole Dance Competition & Showcase Helsinki, Finland

V E R T I C A L

october 28

Pole 2 Pole Cup 2011 Blackshots, ane Grays, Essex UK

MISS POLE DANCE SA

2011

Brought to you by BodyMind Entertainment

OCTOBER 8TH 2011 7:30 pm

The Lyric Theatre Gold Reef City, Johannesburg

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news

POLE

world The World Pole Dance Competition: History in the Making

By Kay Penney

The World Pole Dance Championship was born from a network of evolving competitions in different countries around the world. These competitions quickly realized they had nowhere to send their champions. In 2004, Pole Passion along with Miss Pole Dance UK, (and of course the internet) made it possible to find likeminded individuals in different pole communities who had the same vision, ethos and ideas as we did: supporting pole communities and individuals and creating a place to spread the positive message of pole athletes and artists, while merging the individual styles and cultures. 2005 Holland The first documented world championship was in Amsterdam on November 11th, 2005. As a UK pioneer in pole dance and fitness, I was invited to judge the competition. I joined a panel of 7 judges from all across Europe; all from a dance and fitness back ground. We judged pole greats such as Pantera Blacksmith (representing USA), Sabrina Pankow (representing Germany), Elena Gibson (representing the UK) and Tammy Morris (representing Canada). Sadly, we had to wait four years for the next championship due to delays in creating a formal organization for the Championships. 2009 Jamaica Jamaica was the location for the second world championships. Pole Passion was the sole studio willing to invest, take massive risk and organize this pole dance phenomenon. The event included 24 countries and evolved into the largest pole event to date to be organized. It was pole dancing at its finest. Miss Felix Cane (Miss Pole Dance Australia) was crowned the winner, beating out thirteen finalists.

V E R T I C A L

2010 Switzerland In 2010 Pole Passion received support for the world championship by connecting with Daniela Baumann from Loft1 Pole Studios. I met Daniela at our pole and burlesque instructor training in 2009. We both had the same ideas and were equally passionate about creating a fair and professionally organised event â&#x20AC;&#x201C; one that supported and showcased pole performers and athletes in a positive way. Once again, it was a most spectacular event, and once again Felix Cane was crowned the champion.

Alma Pirner from Hungary and Doll House pole school became more involved and expressed a dedicated support for the organization, making it stronger. I met Alma when she came to the UK to receive her Pole Passion Pole Instructor Accreditation. 2011 Budapest Hosted by Alma Pirner and Doll House Studios This year Alma and her crew have taken on the ever- expanding task of Worlds in collaboration with Daniela and Pole Passion. Our event was even larger this year with the introduction of a male category for the first time, as well as a doubles category. Both of these categories reflect the continual growth and creativity of the pole dance industry.

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m often asked why do I do it? When the going gets tough, I ask myself the same question. However the answer is very simple: I have a vision and a passion. When I first started pole dancing in 2001, it helped to build my self-esteem. I have always had a passion to help others, but I wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t quite sure how or through what I was going to be able to achieve this goal. I just committed to the idea that I would achieve it. Because of my own experiences of connecting with the pole and feeling free and engaged with its power and strength, I knew that this special art form could transform thousands of lives. For three years after 2005, nothing was moving forward with the competition and I was feeling frustrated that our champions had nowhere to go. But my vision of setting the stage for those dancers who wish to showcase their performances on and around the pole without fear of being wrongly judged and misinterpreted was strong and clear, and I did not waver in my pursuits. At last it seems as though the negativity around pole is gently dwindling with the introduction of educational events such as pole dance competitions and the expansion of nationally accredited instructors. Every year I celebrate and I am proud of the beautiful pole family we are creating worldwide. In my eyes, offering opportunities to amazing pole dancers and athletes and supporting them by promoting them through competition is only positive.

news

What does it really takes to compete? World Pole Sport & Fitness is about the personality and dedication of the individual to the sport on and off the pole. Its mission is to support the contestantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; passion and offer ongoing education to the public about the artistic merits of pole dancing. It supports the contestants through showcasing their pole performances and their stories using music and by demonstrating the pure strength, explosive power, flexibility, courage, athletic ability and creativity that pole dancing requires. The world championships was created to help change public perception and to help educate the public on a worldwide scale. By creating the very first documented international rules and code of ethics for pole dancing and by employing a technical committee with years of experience in other forms of sporting excellence, Worlds hopes that the sport of pole dance will be taken more seriously. By creating training packages both on and off the pole and through developing judging standards, master classes as well as blending cultures, sharing knowledge and supporting both men and women in the pole dancing community, the world championships of pole dancing aims to give everyone the opportunity to compete on a world stage in a supportive environment.

To be a competitor takes guts and massive courage, not to mention talent and a commitment to training, which takes time and money. Competitors sacrifice a lot in order to compete and it is my responsibility as head of the organisation to make sure they are represented well and that everyone has a fantastic, memorable time. This only happens because of continual dedication and hard work and a fantastic team of passionate and likeminded individuals. For me itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s become an obsession to represent these individuals to the best of my abilities. And yes, secretly I do imagine itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s me on the pole and that I really can achieve some of those amazing moves and positions! I have been involved in competitions from an early age, and I continue to have that competitive streak in me. Some countries still do not have national championships, and the application process allows for those individuals to enter. However for those countries who have organisations and who do offer a national championship, we invite all winners from the professional category to enter to represent their country, with honour and pride, and as an ambassador to the art of pole and to their nation. We continue to make not just history but a massive difference in the world of pole. Our next big dream is to have pole in the Olympics. That day will come! For tickets and more information on World Pole Dance 2011 please visit the World Pole Dance website www.worldpoledance.com Competitor Applications are now being expected. Kay Penney founder of Pole Passion Ltd & World Pole Dance / World Pole Sport & Fitness, www.polepassion.com S E P / O C T 2 0 1 1

news

POLE

UNIVERSE POLE DANCE UNIVERSE COMPETITION 2011

By Mindy Armstrong Photo by Sam Green Photography

POLE DANCING UNIVERSE COMPETITION 2011 It is Sunday evening at the Oriental Theatre and the crowd is anxiously awaiting the results for The Pole Dancing Universe Competition 2011. And they are as follows: U.S. competitor Michelle Stanek wins the Pro division. Phoenix Kazree, a native of Los Angeles, CA, wins the Amateur division. Maria Luz Escalante from Argentina wins the pole artist award. And Timber Brown, who is based in Las Vegas and competing in his first ever pole competition, wins the pole athlete award. Everyone on stage pleased. Here are some of the memorable moments! Amateur Division Phoenix Kazree had one of the most convincing performances of the night. Her Tron costume theme and music selection made her performance spectacular. She went from slow, controlled ballet movements into quick transitions. She reminded me of Flying Laura. It was almost as if Phoenix had an emotional connection with the pole as she danced. Nadezhda from Mexico was the most interactive with the audience. She was a hot mama on stage and she knew it. She was continually soliciting screams and applause by doing a quick bootie shake followed up by a hand motion designed to raise some noise from the audience. She has a stage presence way beyond her 18 years. Nadezhda had a huge smile on her face the entire time and showed no signs of stress or pressure. She was having fun and entertaining her audience. Professional Division Michelle Stanek was absolutely stunning on stage. It’s hard to imagine anyone having more perfect facial expressions. She engaged the audience in a way that made you believe she was dancing just for you. She had piercing looks and dramatic moves that pushed the sex appeal, and yet she kept it sensual without being trashy. She also added an element of mystery and fantasy that the audience loved. Her performance was the perfect combination of sexy and sporty: classic pole dance entertainment. V E R T I C A L

Derick Pierson, a professional male competitor from Florida, was also a big crowd pleaser. You can definitely see the influence Steven Retchless had on his performance, he but he clearly has his own style. His unique contortionist moves demonstrated strength and flexibility. Derick continues to find inspiration by remaining thankful for the progress he has made in pole dancing. “Never doubt yourself, and always remember you can do anything you put your heart into.” says Derick. He’s always got a smile on his face and shows no fear on stage. It’s impressive to think that this young 20 year old performer was hit by a drunk driver as a kid and limited in his physical activity. Today he is a professional pole competitor. Showcase Division Suwasit, who was originally born in Thailand and currently resides in Las Vegas, was the tear jerker of the night. He gave such an emotional performance and I loved his musical selection, “I’m Kissing You” by Des’ree. The first part of his performance was pole and then he moved to the aerial fabric, which was strategically placed off stage front and center in order to give the performance a more personal feel. He received a standing ovation and emphatic cheers from everyone. There wasn’t a single person in their seat. Kazuya Naka and Masayo Okamoto were the pole duet performers of the night. It’s not clear whether they are married yet, but I do know that he proposed to her on stage two years ago at the Asia Pacific competitions. It was obvious that these were not just performers but lovers. This made their performance that much more poignant and authentic to watch. It was an excellent night for all the competitors. The performances left a wonderful impression on the spectators. Many of the people in the audience were being exposed to pole fitness for the first time. The audience walked out of the Oriental Theatre completely inspired. As Elena Mikhaylova, organizer of the Pole Dance Universe Competition says, ““Don’t be afraid of trying something new, of getting out of your comfort zone. You need to be strong and confident to be able to fly.” I couldn’t agree more!

produced by Amie nicol, Make-up & Hair- Audra bennett, talent- felix cane, shot on location at x-pole

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Phoenix Kazree, Photography by Sam Green

Maria Luz Escalante, Photography by Sam Green

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news

POLE MIDWEST The Great Midwest Pole Dance Competition 2011 By Paige Warthen

Alethea Austin at the Midwest Pole Competition in Tinley Park, IL. Photo: Jeremy Farmer for Time Out Chicago

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Pole may be trendy in the strip clubs of Vegas. And it has certainly become a fitness craze throughout California. And it has no doubt taken the world of performance by storm with shows like Cirque Du Soleil’s Zumanity. But don’t be fooled ladies and gentlemen: the world of competitive pole is reaching all time new levels of participation. And this event was no exception. Move over Natasha Wang, we may have spotted your twin! The heartland of America is stepping up their game and proving without any doubt that they too are a force to be reckoned with. Maryellyn Weissman, owner of Empowerment Through Exotic Dance in Chicago Heights, Illinois was proud to bring forward some of the very best pole talent this county has to offer. August 27th and 28th, 2011 was the first ever pole dance competition that honored up-and-coming stars from throughout Middle America. The event was held at The Tinley Park Convention Center, just outside Chicago, Illinois. About 300 people attended including spectators, vendors and competitors. Saturday the 27th was a day of champions with women competing in the Masters division, the Rookie division, and the

Elite division. Nine awards were given away: first, second and third for each division. Noelle Woods took home first place for Masters, Meagan Evanoff won first place for the Rookie division and the graceful Andrea Lui won first in the Elite division. To top off the day there were special guest performances by Karol Helms, Leigh Ann Riley, Lindsey Kimura, Collette Kakuk, Kelly Yvonne, Amber Richard, Prana, and of course Alethea Austin, who took the final bow of the evening. Vendors were there both days showing off and selling their goods. And day two was a day filled with workshops. The ladies of the heartland could learn to unlock their hips with Claire Griffin Sterrett as they opened up to their Inner Temptress. Or learn how to do Alethea’s sexy floor moves. And brush up on choreography skills with Kelly Yvonne. Or master new pole Skills with Prana. Or just learn how to maximize their business profits with Collette Kakuk. Ladies from the Windy City and many other states in Middle America have definitely proven that pole dance has gone viral and is taking over for good!

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diary OF A

POLE

marlo fisken 4 YEARS AGO.... I was living in an apartment owned by a creepy little man with nipple rings who wore platform sneakers and operated an erotic massage business in the other bedroom. He slept on the massage table, claiming to be a minimalist. I had just left my job where I had to fend off malicious sexual harassment from my boss, and was struggling to make enough money to do anything besides work. I stopped listening to music everyday and I started to forget why I loved dancing. My relationship at the time fostered neither love nor creativity, which are often one and the same. I was unhappy with my body and tried to be thinner using all the wrong approaches. Carbohydrates ruled my life, and I couldn’t do a single pull-up, handstand press, or chin stand.

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DANCER

X-Pole Girl Marlo Fisken Talks to Vertical Her thoughts? Follow your dreams, It’s all possible. I became a Wilhelmina fitness model and entered the Pole Superstar competition in NYC. For the entire month leading up to the competition, I would wake up with an elevated heart rate, thinking about everything that could go wrong. The day of the show I was still practicing because I was never able to make it through my routine without falling off or gasping for air. It was the first time I ever performed pole, and once I got on stage I felt at home. I did fine. There were most certainly issues, but I walked away electrified and ready for more. To this day, each and every performance is fuel for my fire. Professional dancers and athletes never (or maybe once in a thousand times) walk away completely satisfied with a performance.

“that obsessive perfectionism is also called passion. And it eventually leads to greatness.”

I needed both release and relief so I turned to yoga. While exhaling my emotional traumas I learned the art of alignment. I bought a month of unlimited classes at Laughing Lotus NYC. I would often go twice a day. Then, on a whim, I tried a pole class. I was embarrassed to buy stripper heels, so I wore ballroom heels (yes, really). It felt so good to move in circles, hang on, and even do the simplest spin. When I walked home I felt taller, and the summer air hit my face differently than it did before class. I invested in two poles and started training myself.

But that obsessive perfectionism is also called passion. And it eventually leads to greatness.

Fast-forward a year and a half… I left behind everything that wasn’t working for me. Almost all at once. I was single, no longer living with a creeper, eating right and seeing dramatic changes in my body and outlook.

My mother taught me to rip out pictures from magazines of things I wanted in my life and to make colorful diagrams - “brain maps” of my life goals and dreams. Recently, I came across a small stack of these maps: Nike

commercial. Television feature. Movie Feature. Work with Beyonce, Mia Michaels, Brian Freidman, and Tanisha Scott. Fitness DVD’s. Present at a fitness convention. Model for and appear in fitness magazines. Go on a world tour. DONE. All because of pole. I found myself, and I have found my people. Body&Pole gave me a place to train and a support system that continues to throw me into the wonderful unknown. With each trip I take, I return with new inspirations. There are also plenty of things from the chart that haven’t happened yet. I don’t have the deluxe apartment with a balcony and fireplace, or the dreamy white beach house. I still want to work hands-on with orangutans, learn other languages, take more Improv comedy classes, get a Masters in holistic nutrition and return the support my parents gave me. For now, I will keep it in the back of my mind, and do nothing but follow my heart. We, as pole dancers, are a part of a revolution -an incredibly empowering revolution. We all have the power to make dramatic transformations, and my hope is to guide others through their own personal dreams. I believe that food is strong medicine, that passion decides your fate, and that a plan “B” is only sometimes good. If I could tell the early pole-dancing version of me anything, I would say: “You have no idea where this will take you. Your lifelong dreams will reconfigure based on your passion. The more you learn about the body, the more control you will have over it. Always carry your training snacks, always film your freestyles, and when your emotions run high, DANCE.”

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studio listings STUDIO

CONTACT

WEBSITE

Pole Twisters Ltd UK

029-2132-8424 or 07897-851153 poletwisters@hotmail.co.uk

www.poletwisters.co.uk

Studio Soiree Utah USA

801-486-0054 info@studiosoiree.com

www.studiosoiree.com

Cherry Blossom Pole Dancing Studio Ontario Canada

613-741-4200 info@cherryblossomstudio.ca

www.cherryblossomstudio.ca

Poletential Redwood City, Caiifornia USA

650-701-1653 party@poletential.com

www.poletential.com

Empowerment Through Exotic Dance Chicago, Illinois USA

815-341-6607 info@etedance.com

www.etedance.com

Katâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dance Studio, Saint-Petersburg, Russia

+ 7-921-747-31-33 kat@napilone.ru

www.napilone.ru

Pole Dancing Winnipeg, Canada

204-798-1692 carolyne@winnipegpoledancing.com

www.winnipegpoledancing.com

BodyMind Studios Johannesburg, South Africa

info@bodymind.co.za natasha@bodymind.co.za

www.bodymind.co.za

Vertical Fitness Studio, LLC Roseville, California USA

916-825-1199 info@verticalfitnessstudio.com

www.verticalfitnessstudio.com

Pole Fitness Association Salt Lake City, Utah USA

info@polefitnessassociation.com

www.polefitnessassociation.com

PULSE Alternative Dance and Fitness Jupiter, Florida USA

561-427-1047

www.pulsealternativedance.com

Pole Fitness Miami Miami Beach, Florida USA

305-456-4171

www.poledancemiami.com

Aradia Fitness Brampton, Ontario Canada

905-872-7746 peelregion@aradiafitness.com

www.peelregion.aradiafitness.com

Poledello Tacoma, Washington USA

253-509-8811 info@poledello.com

www.poledello.com

Pole Fitness Northwest Federal Way, Washington USA

206-249-8426 info@polefitnessnorthwest.com

www.polefitnessnorthwest.com

Pole Nation

303-898-0535

www.polenation.com

Vertical Dolls Studio Rome Italy

+39.338.8480038 info@verticaldolls.com

www.verticaldolls.com

SASS - Shanynâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Artistic Strength Studio

(905) 992-9395

www.polefit.ca

Chic Physique Bethesda, MD

(301) 718-2452

www.chicphysiquefitness.com

Antix Fitness Studio Redlands, CA

(909) 838-1430

www.antixfitness.com

Polarity Dance Fitness Studio Moses Lake WA

(509) 771-2054

www.polaritydancefitness.com

Vertical Fitness Melbourne, Australia

(03) 9758 9941

vfpoledancing@hotmail.com

Stoney Creek, Ontario

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not listed?

Would you like to list your pole fitness studio with Vertical Art & Fitness? For more information contact Claire Sterrett, claire@verticalartandfitness.com

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