What goes around comes around…..
Firstly can I say this was meant to be a secret that I was MEANT to keep until August and then suddenly would unveil but I’m too excited about sharing this journey with you that I’m gonna blurt it out now.
I have been waiting for my Dad to come back off his holidays so he would know first, that in the three weeks he has been away my life has taken a an almighty turn.
Let me set the scene.
About a month ago I was looking online for Adult Dance classes locally as I miss ‘attending’ classes.
I love Pole and I love teaching but for me to continually provide enthusiasm to my classes I need to break up what I’m teaching with new stuff I’m actually learning. I love learning new stuff and being able to infuse that into our classes. I’m currently working through my next Pole Qualification but after having to take a break due to injury (since before Christmas) I needed a low key class or something dance related that wasn’t crazy strenuous.
Basically I was BORED of being injured and NOT allowed to pole, I felt like I just needed something new to move to, classes I know I could get lost in and enjoy…. Street Dance.
Now, I know ‘Street Dance’ is generally used to advertise all sorts of commercial classes but the last thing I want to be doing is going to a ‘street’ class and bopping along to ‘Toxic’ by Britney Spears in a dusty village hall. I needed more.
I searched on the only website I know that provides authentic ‘Street Dance’ classes locally…. Urban Strides.
(BTW I will continue to write ‘Street Dance’ like that as ‘Street’ is a massive umbrella term used for quite a few different styles but for ease of use let’s keep it simple.)
Next minute, I’ve seen a teaching seminar that Urban Strides run and BOOM… I’m enrolled on their free 4 hour Seminar!
Now…..I haven’t done any serious ‘Street’ classes since college but it was always what I wanted to do. Back 100 years ago when I left school that’s ALL I wanted to do. Finish school. Take a Street Dancing Course. Do Street Dancing all day. BOOM! I’d be happy!
But nothing was around then… Every University course I looked at you could do Contemporary, Tap, Ballet but no street dancing qualifications. (Some of you probably know that I was accepted into Laban to do a 3 Year Contemporary Degree at the age of 16…..BUT… my heart wasn’t in it. I just wanted to do ‘street’ and that’s one of the reason’s I never went to University. I’m not wasting 3 years of my life learning a discipline I am just not that into… So I took a side step into fitness.
Now 13 years later after leaving college and pursuing a career in fitness & falling in love with pole, I attend a ‘Street Dance’ workshop at Urban Strides and it ignites a feeling. A lost love. It was like seeing an old friend that you just lost touch with and catching up like nothing has changed. Well truth is. Nothing has changed. I still love ‘Street’… the beats, the bass, the moves and the energy. I want to learn more about it’s culture and the history and I want to embrace it with both hands.
But wait…. what about pole? Nothing’s changed. I still love pole…. But what If I could have my cake and eat it?
In a 2 hr workshop at Urban Strides my head was buzzing with ideas, avenues and adventures I could have. Using all the techniques I currently have with all the knowledge that I could learn ….what a journey right?
So two weeks ago I applied for the Urban Strides Street Dance Teacher Training Diploma. I was dubious as the fact the only experience I have of late is attending the breaking workshops at The Breaking Convention every year but hey… what’s the worst they can do… Say no? I have nothing to lose.
Selection for the course is a pretty exclusive process where they only take a maximum of 25 hand chosen candidates after both a written and telephone interview.
After waiting 3 days to hear back from them, I was offered a place on the course. Eeeeeeek!
I may have a decent foundation in Street but to be able to practice the disciplines fully and know them inside out enough to teach….. I have my work cut out.
Did I mention I am currently updating my pole qualifications too? Spin City Beginners and Intermediate. So as soon as I am pole ready those Video assessments need to be submitted too! Faaaaaaaaark!
The next few months feel crazy and daunting BUT by the summer (Fingers crossed) I should be a Bad Ass Fully Qualified Street Dance and Pole Instructor.
Why am I telling you all this? Because I’m beyond excited… Like off the chart excited!!!! I’m chuffed that I was even picked (They must have seen some potential though #SheStillGotIt)
Aaaaaaaand, I know I will want to show you everything I’m learning. So be prepared for your usual Poley goodness and more but if you don’t like Hip Hop, Locking, Popping, Breaking or House… You may want to hide me or delete me out of your world….because I’ll be posting about it.
Also, realistically… I’ll need your help. Be patient with me… I will be studying hard which means my free time will be limited. My true friends understand how hard I already work and I just need to know you will still be there on the other side even if I have missed a birthday to attend a dance class or dipped out of ‘drinks’ because I need to have an ice bath and an early night. You know I love you but from now until August. I am focused on these qualifications: Pole Qualifications and Dance Diploma (Did I mention this Dance Diploma is a Level 4 which is the equivalent to a first year degree – THIS IS THE CLOSEST TO A DEGREE I WILL EVER BE!! Aaaaaaaaarrrrrrgghhhhhh!!!!!!)
Soooooooo yea, that’s my news!
#WishMeLuck #Pole #Street #AllOfTheThings #SoFreakingExcited #Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek