Arlene Caffrey on the NEW Rpole Play

Extreem Sports? - would pole fitness come to mind? Arlene Caffrey seen here on the Rpole play, World Pole Dance finalist 2010 and Irish Champion 2010

Rpole Fitness introducing the 'Play'
Innovating portable dance and fitness poles, compliant with British safety standards sets to launch the lightest, smallest, sexiest, light weight pole in the world and is now available for purchase. This pole is up in seconds and is easy to transport with no spanners, step ladders, screws or bolts required. It has been engineered by pole fitness and fitness professionals and is currently being used in gyms around the UK and Europe.

Pole Fitness is currently being attended by men and women and incorporates core strength and stability, cardio vascular exercise, flexibility and conditioning. you can make it as challenging as you require.

for more information visit www.r-polefitness.com
Making travelling with the Rpole even easier than before

Users commented on the equipment as being exceptionally stable and practical, where quality has not been compromised and the fact no screws, spanners or step ladders are needed.

New mats for the Rpole play design are also available too, making the safety of pole fitness paramount

www.r-polefitness.com – revolutionising the pole fitness industry

Alesia Vazmitsel, Miss Pole Dance UK champion enters the Guinness World Record Book

Congratulations - Alesia Vazmitsel, seen here at the world pole dance finals 2010 - Guinness Book of Records 2011:

The longest time to hold the acrobatic pole dancing position called “the sword” is an amazing
1 minute 24.62 seconds
Alesia Vazmitsel, who is also the current Miss Pole Dance UK champion undefeated from Belorussia, who resides in the UK, set her record on the set of Lo Show Dei Record,
in Milan, Italy, on 14 April 2011.


Miss Pole Dance UK Champion www.misspoledance-uk.com

Miss Pole Dance UK professional championships 2011 Registration

Following in the footsteps of the exceptional and mesmerising talent of
Elena Gibson – 2005
Tracey Simmons - 2006
Sally Ann Giles – 2007
Alesia Vazmitsel – 2008/2009
Maxine Betts – 2009/2010
• Registration is open for Miss Pole Dance UK 2011 Professional category competitors –
•

email - theteam@polepassion.com for your application form and details

tickets are now on sale from –

http://www.misspoledance-uk.com/


A full fun packed day, at Brighton Beach – Concorde2
25th JUNE 2011, to include:-

• Afternoon Pole Dancers Volley Ball match - Professional coach available and headed by Miss Pole Dance UK champion Maxine Betts 1-2pm its just for fun - all welcome, players to register through theteam@polepassion.com and no experience necessary

• Professional photo shoots on the beach and inside the venue - from 3pm you may purchase your professional photos too on the day - on or off the pole!

• Pole essentials and merchandise stand - All pole items for sale at the venue from 3pm, pick up your grips and essentials minus postage charges

• Pole Instructor training information - Trainers and assessors available all day to answer your questions

• Portable Fitness poles by Rpole – come and try one and see for yourself what all the BUZZ is about!!

• Jewellery by Electra – eloquent jewellery to make every diva shine

• Special guest appearances by Spy Monkey performers – bringing comedy to pole

• Burlesque & Aerial performers - your opportunity to showcase to an appreciative audience. Email us if you would like to perform for fun during the aftershow from 11pm

• Pre competition fashion show – Ouh La La Brighton and Haywards Heath - sexy confident underclothing ;)

• Industry leaders, students and instructors on hand for any questions you may have

• Pole fashion designer of the year award – sponsor a competitor to show case your pole costume design and receive publicity for your company

• Culminating in the Competition performances, singles and doubles, showcasing the best in the UK battling it out for a place representing the UK in the World Pole Dance Championships in Budapest October 2011 from 7.15pm

• Magazines will be there for subscriptions

• Come and see this year’s new ‘Miss Pole Dance UK - Winged Angels’ all 10 of them

• Surprise Special guest appearance World Pole Dance finalist – visa allowing

• Pimms on the beach

And more adding every week...........................

We welcome all sponsorship opportunities to support the competitors please email us for more details, large or small, from all companies
Sharing the pole fun

Tel: 0871 318 3838
www.misspoledance-uk.com tickets now available

Pole Fitness Instructors Pass First Aid Certification

Congratulations go to the 12 Pole Fitness and Dance Instructors for passing their Basic First Aid, Health & Safety Pole Sport compliant Course.

The comprehensive course headed by Lorrie, who had amazing stories from her 20 years as an active London Paramedic headed the group to success. Lorrie admitted she had never had pole instructors before however her client base includes Kick boxers, footballers and children!

Pole Passion who has inniciated the course since 2009, to provide the pole sport industry continual professional development to support the learner throughout.

The main benefit of the course had to be a sound understanding of safety for the student and insturctor in the unlkely event an incident ever happens - confidence and knowledge is key

Industry requirements must be improved and to standardise the industry this first Aid course is invaluble for all pole related events including Pole Competitions

For more information on First Aid Courses specific to Pole Fitness please contact theteam@polepassion.comTel: 0871 318 3838

Miss Pole Fitness Germany 2011 Zuzana Fucikova

The World Pole Dance Organisation congratulates Zuzana Fucikova who will be representing Germany in October at the World Pole Dance Championships
www.worldpoledance.com


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUehbwVV4XE

Pole Passion, Loft1 & Doll House welcome Zuzana to the Championships in October 2011

First Aid Pole Sport Specific from Pole Passion

The UK's leading Pole fitness training provider since 2008



Basic First Aid and Pole Dance Fitness

Whilst serious injuries are extremely rare during pole fitness exercise we have listed some of the more common ailments during a pole fitness lesson which you may come across and the best way of how to deal with them. Remember always have a mat and a spotter when inverting

Pole Passion now has a specific Instructor training course - Level 3 - specifically focusing on the additional safety elements of spotting during inversions, on the free standing portable R poles.

Bruising
Potential Causes:
• Incorrect technique
• Compensating for lack of strength with friction grip
• Medication taken by participant

Advice:
• Rest area until bruise no longer sore
• Apply arnica cream to the area
• Apply ice to large bruises immediately after injury has occurred

Sprains and Strains
Potential Causes:
• Over training
• Incorrect Techniques
• Trips, falls, tumbles

Advice:
• Stop using the injured area immediately
• Rest the area
• Speak to your doctor or pharmacist about anti-inflammatory creams or tablets which could aid recovery

Blisters
Potential Causes:
• Excessive or Condensed Training (i.e, master classes) can lead to blistered hands and wrists
• Ill –fitting shoes or trainers can lead to blistered feet

Advice:
• Reduce or stop training and rest before the blisters burst which may cause a secondary infection
• Use gloves to protect the hands while training intensely
• Ensure the area is clean and apply a blister plaster if possible




Muscle Spasms and Cramps
Potential Causes:
• Dehydration
• Lack of potassium or electrolytes
• Lack of other dietary nutrients
• Illness or fever

Advice:
• Avoid training on a cramping muscle
• Stretch and rest the area
• Ensure a balanced diet with adequate nutrients is eaten
• Regularly sip water while exercising

Concussion
Possible Causes:
• Fall, trip or tumble
• Trauma to the head caused by moving items (e.g. kicked by another participant)
• Dropped by another participant (e.g. from a doubles move)

Advice:
• Don’t fall off! Heed instructor safety information
• Assess whether patient is conscious and ensure they remain conscious
• Call 999 Immediately

Fractures and breakages of the bones
Potential Causes:
• Incorrect techniques
• Unnecessary force
• Trips, falls and tumbles

Advice:
• Call 999
• Immobilise the affected area
• In the case of a protruding fracture, ensure that a first aider is able to secure the affected area
• In the case of a sucking chest wound, cover the area immediately with a sterile pad and ensure it is held there


For more information visit our website for First Aid training specific to Pole Instructor trainers and theri students

we offer full day HSE courses

www.polepassion.com

http://www.polepassion.com/news/fitness/first-aid-pole-dance-instructors/

Styles of Pole Dance and the History

Salsa, Ballet, Pole Dance, Pole Fitness, Chinese Pole, Tango, Flamenco, Street Dance, Break Dance, Cheer Dance, Coyote Ugly Dance, Sexy Dance.. the list goes on

What is your Style of Pole?
The Different interpretations of pole techniques and its History

Pole Dancing or Pole Fitness as it is also known as in modern times and its performance techniques have come a long way since the 1980’s in Canada where it originally started and was documented.
Still today many people fear pole dancing techniques as some way of alluring gentleman and by stripping their clothes off into a gentleman’s wallet!! Some still confuse pole dancing and pole fitness with stripping, in fact in many modern UK pole schools and across the world, the new age polers are far from that image and certainly do not have the same mindset of those dancers of the early era.

The complexity of pole technique now described as an ‘art form’, can be interpreted in many ways.

Over the most recent years since 2006 when pole fitness was first documented and the introductions of qualifications such as REP’s (Register of Exercise Professionals), Accredited and certified pole instructor courses by Pole Passion, one of the UK’s, most respected and leading training providers all in a quest to educated and document unified, safe and effective movements and techniques around the vertical bar. Many new styles have been created and as you read through this article you may recognise some of the styles incorporated into your style of preference.


Sexy Glamour Style Pole incorporating costume removal during the performance



This style is the most well known by the general public and of course this style originated from strip clubs. For many this was a taboo subject and today is very profound in many students minds as they first embark on pole techniques, with many students still not being able to tell work colleagues, family and friends of their new style of dance and exercise of their fear of being wrongly judged.
For many this style is very empowering for a woman or man to do as it boosts self confidence not to mention help with developing elegance too, which many feel the benefits transpire into every day life.
With this style, women tend to wear high platform shoes to lengthen their legs and will remove some costume too, as part of their presentations and to perhaps as a way to allure their audience.
In this day and age in a pole performance the dancer will on occasion remove some clothing, but still covering the vital parts.
This style is not to be underestimated and it takes a lot of skill to make the trickiest of spins and poses to look sexy, fluid and seamless.

The Current World Pole Dance Champion Felix Cane, although she is originally classically trained she is very well known for being a glamorous pole dancer with high heels, sexy fluid moves but with technical creativity and perfection and grace too.

Pole Fitness
This style of Pole is becoming very well known all over the world with the explosion of Pole schools being massive since 2005 when it was introduced in the UK as a form of fitness. Pole Passion conducted an independent analysis in 2006 and was told by a top fitness consultant that it would never be accepted in the UK main stream gyms but despite being told that with the ethical and unprejudiced beliefs, Pole Passion proved the statement as being wrong. Pole is being taught professionally in many gyms not only in the UK but across the world.

Pantera Blacksmith is a fine example for this category as she is very physically strong and into her fitness with pole being her prop, but she will also sometimes where heels and do a more sexy glamorous routine.

Pole Dance (Trained Dancers)



This style has a lot of different styles mixed into it, as Pole Dancing is growing the level of interest of trained dancer’s from around the world is growing too.
Pole Dancing is great for dancers as they can bring their own style to it, whether it is ballet, jazz, zumba, Irish, salsa, hip hop or maybe tap, who knows – the styles are endless and this is the versatility the pole can bring.

As most dancer’s are disciplined in to having good lines, flexibility and pick up choreography more quickly, they will be focusing more on building the muscle strength and memory for pole and therefore can advance at a quicker pace.

The 2005 Miss Pole Dance UK Champion Elena Gibson uses her highly skilled ballet training to combine with her pole dancing as she incorporates her point work skill too.



Pole Gymnastics/ Chinese Pole


This style of Pole technique is very similar to Pole Fitness as however it is mainly based on tricks and holds on and around the pole.
Students learning pole techniques that come from a gymnastics background tend to pick it up very quickly also as they have very good muscle memory and they are not as phased about swinging upside down either!
They maybe more adventurous too and not s phased as trying more daring moves such as drops and even flips.
If the women or men have trained in circus as well they may well have trained in Chinese pole.
In Chinese Pole it is very different to Pole Dancing, as the texture of the pole is rubber, all skin must be covered as other wise it can cause nasty skin burns, where as in pole dancing you need as much skin in contact on the pole which will enable a good grip the stainless steel (R-polefitness.com) creates a good gripping property or powder coated metal poles, creating a very good gripping property.
Tricks on the Chinese Pole consist of a lot drops, holds and jumpy moves also combining fluid movements that you would also see on a pole dance pole.
Some of these skills from Chinese Pole, students may wish to bring to Pole Dancing too.







Male Pole Dance

Over the last couple of years male pole dancing is becoming bigger and stronger.
With the expansion of pole dancing for women the men are not as fearful to give it a go also.
Again this has lots of different styles with in it, you may get a dance trained male combining his classical training, a strong weight training male looking for a new challenge or even a guy who has been trained by his pole dancing girlfriend for a bit of fun!
Like women some males get into to help keep themselves in shape and as it is such a physical workout most people find pole a better workout than the gym and far more fun challenging and exciting.


Pole dancing with Props and gimmicks

This style of Pole Dance is for people who love to have a certain theme to their dance and creating it into an act.
They may use big costumes, props such as chairs, hats or even lights, as this helps them tell their story.
Sometimes it may be a case of the pole is not actually the main focus on the stage but a side part to it, which they use to link everything together.
The Australian Champion Miss Suzie Q is well renowned for her gimmicks and costumes not to mention her amazing skill on the pole too.


Other styles of pole dance

Ballet pole - Elena Gibson

Tango & Salsa pole - Mariana luz ranked number 2 in the World Pole Dance champion 2010

Burlesque pole – Emma Mitchel & Kay Penney

Fitness pole – Rafaela Montanaro ranked number three in the Worl Pole Dance championships, Pantera Blacksmith

Dance pole – Felix Cane

Chinese pole – Eduardo French pole dance champion 2010

So why do so many choose to take pole dancing lessons?
• The can add their own style and creativity to the techniques
• It’s a great way to exercise, learn body coordination, flexibility and timing
• It builds core body strength and burns fat
• A full body work out tones your upper body, abdomen and legs
• Allows women to feel more sensual and confident expressing themselves boosting their self esteem.


Wwwpolepassion.com leading the way in pole fitness and dance, world wide since 2005

Proud founders of Miss Pole Dance & World Pole Dance 2004

Performance Enhancing Drugs ~ Miss Pole Dance and World Pole Dance Competitions

Pole athletes, like any other sports person may misuse drugs and relaxants to help cope with stress, or perhaps to boost their own confidence whilst competing in front of a large audience especially at National or International level.

Pole Passion have now organised over 27 National and International (including 3 World Championships) to date and we have always found the candidates over the years to have proven to be extremely professional from all cultures.

In 2005 Miss Pole Dance UK lead and innovated the way in competitive pole sport and athleticism. The competition was created and planned with the professional vision to educate and promote these talented athletes, dancers and fitness experts, that were being attracted to the artistic movements around the vertical bar ‘the pole’. We believe the success of the competitions has been partly due to the professionalism created and withheld from day one, using expertise from many athletes from around the world from other fields of sporting excellence.

So far, the use of drug testing prior to any of our championships has never been necessary, however it would be perhaps foolish of us to think that it would never happen, especially as the popularity of the championships and prestige of winning is forever in high demand and the competitors gaining considerable skills and strength from year to year with the added pressure this brings to the competitors. Relaxants and stimulants such as caffeine based drinks and coffee are not so much monitored, although alcohol is, and the rulings of no alcohol for 12 hours before the championships is monitored as much as is possible. So in conclusion and mindful of the Olympic vision, random drugs testing may, and perhaps should be introduced in the future.

Kay Penney for and on behalf of Miss Pole Dance UK / World Pole Sport & Fitness http://www.misspoledance-uk.com www.worldpoledance.com

we would like to thank Rpole for the support they have shown in the pole competitions to date without who the competitions may not have been possible.

www.r-polefitness.com - the pole exclusively designed for the gym with high ceilings :) enabling pole to go where no pole has gone before - even in the sea!!

Seen here in the picture current World Champion Miss Felix Cane during her UK Master class

Pole Dancers Set to Enter the Olympics 2011

Pole Dancers are training hard and set to enter the Olympics……………… as Volley Ball Players. Headed by the current Miss Pole Dance champion and fitness expert Maxine Betts will be training the strong team to play fairly.

OK so its not the real Olympics yet however the similarities are quite scary!! 12 pole dancers will be dressing rather sexily, however this time not for the poles but for the sandy dunes of Brighton Beach playing Volleyball Already many of them practicing their bombas So will the pole dancers be able to pull off this game? Of course, with similarities to that of pole dancing – explosive moves and quick reactions needed. Good spatial and body awareness, a good overall conditioning and endurance is needed to continue to jump and move through the game, dance and perform to the song!. A strong base of legs and hips good shoulder strength, good core muscles for balance and strength, a strong back protecting from twisting and hyper extensions – hummm sounds like pole dancing to me. If you have got what it takes to be a champion and would like to register to enter as one of the 12 volleyball players for 25th June Two teams will be selected Shorts and crop tops or T-shirts will be required www.misspoledance-uk.com

National and International Pole Judge Packages

Miss Pole Dance UK founder and competition organiser since 2004 Kay Penney suggests qualities of a National & International Pole Judge

Your piers and all competitors require competent & loyal judges
So what makes a good pole competition judge?

• Integrity – honest, upright and committed to the positive image and rules of Pole Dance

• Professional competence
• Ethical to fellow workers, audiences, contestants and sponsors
• A sound understanding of health & safety on and around the Pole
• Abiding by the Code of Pole Practice 2008
• Keen intellect
• Extensive pole knowledge
• Fair
• Clear & quick analyser & thinker
• Concise & clear writer
• Impartial
• Trustworthy
• To be answerable
• Good with numbers

• Judicial temperament
• Neutral
• Decisive
• Respectful
• Composed
• Strong communicator
• 100% reliable
• Committed
• Team player

• Experience
• Strong record of professional sport, fitness, dance & pole excellence
• Knowledgeable and educated about Pole techniques and or performing
• Understanding of the pressures, mentally and physically of performing & competing
• Health and fitness back ground and a good understanding of the bio mechanics of the body around the pole and floor work


• Length of Service
• Commitment to the pole community of none less than 2 years
• Passionate about promoting & representing pole competitions in a positive and professional manner at all times
• One who takes the position seriously and researches the competition rules they are representing
• Understanding the sacrifices of the contestant will make financially, professionally and personally
• Well respected by their peers and in their pole dance community
• It is inappropriate to comment on any issue which may be considered personal or political

Be willing to comply with the appeals procedure that may follow a competition

Appeals procedure
To be available after a competition or at a pre agreed time, to explain reasons of the judging system and if necessary to report back to the competitor or organising representative.

If you would like to know more or to apply to Miss Pole Fitness and Dance UK competitions then please contact us on:-
theteam@polepassion.com

Promoting the ambitious and talented
www.misspoledance-uk.com
www.worldpoledance.com

www.polepassion.com

Insurance for Pole Training

Did you know the Health and Safety at Work Act, places a legal obligation for you to be professionally qualified to teach Pole Fitness and is NOW a recognised sport and as such must be taught by professionally trained instructors. Gone are the days of learning from the internet and self taught untrained 'teachers'.

Would you consider teaching deep sea diving without adequate training? Of course not - the results would be catastrophic and may result in serious injury.
The same is now true of pole. The HSE regulations place a Duty of Care on you and anyone teaching the general public, to be qualified and if not you risk legal ramifications let alone potential loss of your insurance.


We highly recommend that you become qualified and accredited if you want to take pole teaching seriously. Many insurance companies are now withdrawing their policies to those who have no formal qualifications and in some cases leaving some pole fitness instructors more vulnerable than ever before!

At Pole Passion, as accredited training providers, we are passionate about delivering safe and effective training courses and have done since 2008. We are proud now to announce that insurance companes are also recommending our training courses too.

Level 1 Pole Fitness Instructor Training is the first step and most important step
www.polepassion.com/fitness

Call us on 0871 318 3838 TODAY Do you want to risk being made bankrupt by a no win no fee solicitor??!! Ignorance is not an excuse

If you are serious about teaching pole call us - We are offering money back guarentees and full support during your pole training career.



www.polepassion.com

Visit our other websites too

www.worldpoledance.com
www.r-polefitness.com

Miss Pole Dance UK 2011 Professional

Finally the date is announced - 25th June 2011 Concorde2 Brighton sea front where the current champion will pass on her crown
dont miss this exciting showcase ~ Bringing sexy back

Tickets now on sale
www.misspoledance-uk.com

University of Kent Pole Fitness

Pole Passion is wishing all the very best to Kent University with their forth coming pole dance show case on 6th April 2011
Unfortunately this time we can not be with you, however we wish you every success we know you will all be looking good :)

www.r-polefitness.com www.misspoledance-uk.com

Congratulations also go the Beth Randall from York University who won the INTER university championships recently We hope you received your box of goodies from Mighty Grip, Pole Passion and Rpole and happy to support your championships next year - - very well done xx


Mighty Grip sport gloves and items can be purchased with FREE UK postage and packaging

March 2011 was another spectacular month for the team at Pole Passion.
Miss Pole Dance Japan crowned their next champion to join the World Pole Dance team in Budapest - our congratulations go to Yukuri.

Japan came to Pole Passion - Joshua having already interviewed Hitomi organiser of Miss Pole Dance Japan, delighted us with his charm and conducted a 2 hour interview with Kay Penney for the inclusion in a chapter of his book he is currently writing - His interest is about the community formation in this wonderful age of digital media and is particularily interested in the Pole Dance Community as a whole and how the pole dance culture and genre is developing - his journey is taking him around the world to interview key individuals in which he feels has shaped the Pole Dance Community as it is today.

Also in March Burlesque Passion presented during the First Official UK Zumba retreat in 2011 at Centre Parcs at Sherwood forest and were very well received.
With the increase in Zumba fitness maybe Burlesque fitness is the next best thing :)

We thank the organisers for inviting Pole and burlesque passion along.

Rpole had their debut too with sales increasing by the month as people eventually get to try one and fall in love.

Also in March was the launch of the Northern Accredited Pole fitness Instructor training and yes the northerners want us back up there for the continuation level 2

check out the website for more information on Instructor training
www.polepassion.com/fitness


Our congratulations go to the newly qualified instructors who are passionate about safe and effective teacher training a huge congratulations goes to Mandy Horne of Pole Babes for putting on a very professional course with glowing references......



See you all soon at the forth coming Miss Pole Dance UK championships professional category where Maxine Betts will be forwarding her crown to the next champion following in the footsteps of
Elena Gibson
Tracey Simmons
Sally Anne Giles
Alesia Vazmitsel
Maxine Betts

Tickets now on sale for the 25th June in Brighton Concorde 2