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7 Tips to help create a Pole or Aerial routine!

Sat, 18 Sep 2021 09:32:59 GMT

7 Tips to Help Create a Pole & Aerial Routine!

Choreographing a routine of any kind can sometimes be challenging. Where to start? What to do? Getting stuck and becoming frustrated can be very real hurdles to overcome, but fortunately, here’s a short cheat sheet that you can use to help you along the way.

1. Choose your music

Find a song or piece of music that you love and can really connect to! This should be something that you can move along with easily and that you can really imagine yourself performing to.

When choreographing a routine, you want to feel good in your routine, feel confident and have fun. Are you aiming for grace? Sensuality? Comedy? Power? Something else?

2. Split your music into sections

Choose a song or piece of music that is around 3 to 3.5 minutes long. Of course, it can be longer if you want it to be, but remember, it’s hard to dance or perform for a long time, so the longer your music, the more tired you will be by the end.

By splitting your music into 3 or 4 sections, you can create shorter sequences. This will make it easier to remember, easier to pace and easier to rehearse.

Although we’ve made music the first two points on this list, don’t let yourself get bogged down because you can’t find a song you love. Having a song or piece of music ready to go can make choreographing your routine easier, but the most important thing that you can do is start creating your movement, you can always find your perfect song later.

3. Make a list of your favourite moves

Make a list of your favourite moves that you can do well and consistently. This doesn’t include moves that you’re unsure of; these can go on a separate list. You should continue to practise them, and if they aren’t ready in time, scrap them and do something else!

You want to choreograph a routine that you are going to enjoy on the night, so there’s no need to add extra pressure.

4. Putting your moves into combinations

Now that you have a list of your favourite moves, you can start creating your combinations and sequences. If you have moves that are particularly difficult or impressive, try not to put them all together. We recommend putting one in the beginning of your routine and one at the end.

Sometimes, creating combinations can be easier said than done, but there are some easy ways to beat writer’s block. Try finding a new way into or out of a move; or if one of your transitions is giving you a lot of grief, try working backwards from the finishing move. You might just surprise yourself and come up with something you like even more than your original idea!

5. Planning your sections

When creating a pole routine for a competition or showcase, it’s important to know that you can use more than one pole. You could use two poles: one on static and one on spin. This isn’t mandatory, but it does help to break your routine up, give you a chance to rest a little, and allows the audience to see a bit of everything.

Speaking of rest, whether you’re using a pole or aerial equipment, you might also want to consider adding a section of dance or floor work to your routine. Again, this isn’t mandatory, but spending a full 3 minutes on your chosen equipment can be incredibly difficult.

It doesn’t have to be dance either. If dance and movement isn’t your thing, but acrobatics is your jam, split your routine up with this instead. There are no hard and fast rules.

6. Give yourself plenty of time

Start choreographing your routine as early as you can. This will give you more time to come up with new and potentially better ideas, and give more time for your final routine to really take shape; it might look completely different from what you imagined when you first started!

If certain moves or ideas aren’t working, don’t be afraid to throw things away. It’s much easier to make a good idea great than it is to make a bad idea good.

Giving yourself as much time as possible will also give you much more time to rehearse, ultimately making your routine easier and more confident on the night.

7. Enjoy the process!

Interview with former Cirque du Soleil artist Itzel Salvatierra

Sun, 04 Apr 2021 19:19:05 GMT

Interview with former Cirque du Soleil artist Itzel Salvatierra

Can you introduce yourself? Who are you and what do you do?

Hello, I am Itzel Salvatierra, I am from Mexico and I'm 36 years old. I'm a mother of two, I'm a circus artist, choreographer and Aerial Hoop coach.

How did it all start? How did you get into aerial arts?

I always knew I wanted to be an artist. If someone asked me what I want to do when I was a little kid, I would always say 'AN ARTIST'. I didn't really know what, but I know I liked it. I really wanted to do gymnastics, but my mum took me to ballet when I was 7, so I did that. After, I really appreciated it because it really helped me with my lines when I started artistic gymnastics. I did gymnastics from when I was 8 to 13, then I stopped for a little bit, and then went back and did it until I was 16. After gymnastics I did two years of Musical Theatre, which was amazing, I loved it! I really love acting because it comes very naturally to me. Yoga has always been a very big part of my life, it helps me a lot with many things, like strength, flexibility, focus and breathing. After Musical Theatre, I did Capoeira for four years which I feel really helped me with my spinning. After that I found circus!

When/How did you decide to make it a profession?

I moved to Puerto Vallarta, which is where I live now, and there was no circus at all. I started teaching in a gymnastic complex, where I met 5 dancers who were trying to make a circus show to sell in hotels and they asked me if I wanted to be a part of it. And I looked at them, thinking "This looks so hard, I don't know. I don't know if I want to be a circus artist." And circus had always had a bad rep, but I decided I needed the money, so I did it. So we started teaching ourselves Silks and Hand-to-Hand, which I fell in love with straight away. After one month of teaching ourselves, we started the shows in the hotels and I haven't stopped performing until now. So I basically learnt on the job!

You've performed in many amazing shows, can you tell us what your process was like for joining Cirque du Soleil?

One of the guys I was working with found out I had never seen Cirque du Soleil, and was so shocked, so he gave me all of these videos to watch. The first video I saw was 'Quidam' and I was mind blown, because it was so theatrical and dark and dramatic and very real. This is when I decided that I wanted to be part of Cirque du Soleil. So I sent all of my information and videos off to them in 2009, and I got a call the next day! Which - at the time I didn't know - wasn't very common. They asked me to come and audition in Las Vegas, which I couldn't afford at the time, so I had to say no, but luckily they came to Mexico City the next year, so I got to audition then. I made it to the end of the audition, where you get added to the talent books. After that I was asked to perform in a special event for 45 Degrees, which is Cirque du Soleil's special events company, which was a dream come true. I remember thinking "I did it! My dream is done! If I don't go further than this I'm super grateful." I hoped to get into a show, but I did it! I was there. Then the year after that I got asked to perform in 'Quidam' which was the show that inspired me to become a circus artist. It was a lot. It was very, very exciting.

Out of all the shows you've performed in, what was your favourite and why?

Le Noir was my favourite project, because it was a sexy show, which is my favourite style. I also met my husband on that contract. It was a great show; the company was so cool to work with and the cast were amazing.

Do you choreograph your own routines and if yes what is your inspiration?

The music. It's always about the music. It inspires me on what my character will be, or what type of movement I'll do. When I do my own acts, I really like the dramatic side: the darkness and a sexy style. Either something very warrior-like, or very dramatic, or something very sexy. My combos usually come off one shape that I have seen or been thinking about and it just unfolds from there. I don't know how, it just unfolds. It's a talent that I'm really grateful for. It just comes and suddenly I have a whole sequence.

What has been the most terrifying/funny moment in a performance to date?

I fell while performing my hoop act in 'Joya'. That was a big one because I was like 22 feet high. I think the scariest part was that I watch the video and still can't work out what the mistake was. I think I was just not as focused as I usually am, and I remember feeling very weird before going up. Considering the height from which I fell, it was a miracle: I broke my hand and dislocated my wrist. It was a mess, but the rest was pretty much okay. It took me about 9 months to recover from that, but I think I started to get much better after that. I took my preparation, warm ups and conditioning much more seriously.

What would you say is the toughest part of the job?

One of the toughest things, I would say, is the body pain. If I didn't have body pain I would do this forever. But also being a circus artist is quite unstable; as the seasons change, the income fluctuates, which you have to be prepared for. Also, I have two kids and sometimes I have to travel without them, which is super hard.

How many hours do you have to practise in a week and what does your typical training day look like?

It changes quite regularly and, for me, coaching is training as well, as I am demonstrating a lot. If I'm in a show then I don't have as much time to train, so it's always changing, but I would say it's usually between 2-4 hours a day. And I always make sure I'm doing my conditioning every day, even if I'm not training on Lyra.

COVID-19 has been tough on the entire entertainment industry. How has your experience been and how are you coping?

At the beginning of COVID, I was in the United States and I was living my best life, I got to rest! I didn't have anywhere to train, but I just kept doing my conditioning. Luckily, I had already filmed a lot of things for the online program, which was great because I could still work as an online coach as a lot of people had rigs in their homes. Then after quarantine period I got to come home to Mexico and be with my kids who I hadn't seen for a while, so my whole family was together again, which was lovely. Then I got COVID at the end of the year. I said goodbye to 2020, and hello to 2021 with frickin' COVID!

You have a new coaching program out and an app! Can you tell us about it?

After seeing how well my coaching program did after moving online, I decided to create an app to make it more formal and easier for everyone who takes it. So, I have just released the app, it's called 'Aerial Hoop Online', and it's available to download on Android devices or on all computer web browsers, which is great! I have students from 25 countries now. I have an introductory program for Aerial Hoop, the Beginner's Bundle, Intermediate Bundle, Advanced Bundle and I have Tornado, which is my newest program, all about spinning. And soon, there'll also be the Air Goddess Challenge!

If we asked you to provide a training tip or advice to our readers, what that would be?

First of all, consistency. It's so important. I say this to all my students, especially those in my Tornado program. You have to do it and do it and do it until it doesn't feel like you're dying after, or like you're going to puke! Also, your conditioning is so important. Especially your core and shoulders. You need to strengthen your core to avoid back injuries, and your shoulders, because as an Aerialist you are constantly using them. Always do conditioning in your training, never skip conditioning. And of course, stretching, it's all so important.

Buff Bombs Product Review

Wed, 24 Feb 2021 13:05:03 GMT

Buff Bombs Product Review

Aerial arts and pole dance famously leaves you with many aches, pains and bruises, or as we like to call them... kisses! But sometimes it's hard to share that lovely sentiment when you're frightened to lift your arms up to brush your hair! That was until I discovered Buff Bombs.

Buff Bombs are hand made, vegan and cruelty free bath bombs. Created by personal trainer and masseuse, Tash Turner, who is no stranger to the infamous pole kisses.

I don't know about you, but I take a minimum of two baths a week after training, and to find something that looks as pretty as it does and smells as amazing as it does AND reduces the immense body ache in the morning, well that's a dream come true in my eyes!

There are four Buff Bombs on offer: 'The "Blue" One' , 'The "Orange" One', 'The "Purple" One' and 'The "Rose Gold" One'. My favourite is the 'The "Blue" One', because it's all about relaxing and relieving those aching muscles. That's not to say the others don't, but they also provide other things, such as reducing PMS symptoms, reducing bloating and helping detox and cleanse the skin, along with many many other things. Either way, it's a win win situation.

You can order these beauties online at https://www.buffbombs.com

Our favourite places to find inspiration on social media!

Sat, 20 Feb 2021 18:00:30 GMT

Our favourite places to find inspiration on social media!

There are more eyes on social media than ever before and, with the current crisis, there's a lot more solo training taking place due to studios being closed. So we've banded together with our friends to bring you some of our favourite FREE online content to aid your training.

@poledream

@poledream is an Instagram account dedicated to bringing you educational content on everything pole dancing. It includes some great 'how to' videos on your favourite pole moves, exercises, technique tweaks and exotic choreography to try, as well as some very relatable memes!

'Elizabeth Blanchard' YouTube Channel

On this YouTube channel you can find lots of 'how to' videos, along with some combo inspiration to try at home. If you love watching pole, but also love watching puppy videos this channel is for you, as she has a whole playlist dedicated to training with her doggo!

@k.swiech - Kasia Świech

This Instagram page is FULL of beautiful pole poses, and every single post has a matching video to show you how to get there! A lot of the posts are of a more Intermediate/Advanced level, but there's something for everyone to try here. Plus! If you're looking for ideas for your next pole photoshoot, this might become your new favourite Instagram account.

@polefreaks - Holly Munson

If you're an Intermediate level poler looking for some inspiration to train, @polefreaks is definitely someone you want to follow. All of Holly's posts are clear and easy to get on with - and they're not too long either, so you won't be sat for ages trying to work out that one move in the middle.

@mindo_aerialist_ - Yasmin Monteiro

We love a good tutorial, and @mindo_aerialist_ has them! Not only does she show you how to get into the tricks, she even shows you how to get out of the silks once you're all tied up. There's also some nice silks and hammock content for you to digest in between the learning.

@silkssquad - Lindsey H.

Our favourite thing on @silksquad is the #thinkabouttheory posts. If you're stuck for ideas on what to train, or if you'd like to start thinking more about how you achieve certain moves, #thinkabouttheory is a great place to start. Lindsey always gives you the answer in her next post, but why not challenge yourself to find the answer first, or see if you can find a different one?

@coachbachman - Sascha Bachman

If you're looking for handstand drills and exercises, this page should be your first stop before you dive into that rabbit hole of Internet searching. @coachbachman has everything you're looking for! From beginner drills and mobility, all the way up to one arm handstand and planche exercises. I can't write much more here without the risk of sounding like an absolute fangirl, but the wealth of information here is too good to pass up!

@cirque_physio - Dr. Jen Crane PT, DPT, OCS, ATC

This is another one of those Instagram accounts that will make you say, "I can't believe this is free!" @cirque_physio is an incredibly accessible page, full to the brim with brilliant information. Looking for a new hamstring stretch? Injury prevention exercises for your shoulder? Or maybe you want to know why certain skills are just SO hard? It's all here! Dr. Jen Crane also has links to her huge blog, with even more knowledge for you to get your hands on.

You can find the Cirque Physio website at www.cirquephysio.com

@thecircusdoc - Emily Scherb, PT, DPT

If you want to develop a deeper understanding of your body while you practise circus or pole then @thecircusdoc is a great free resource: breaking down the anatomy of circus, correct and incorrect technique, telling you WHY it's incorrect, and giving actionable information to improve your practise. However, @thecircusdoc goes beyond her Instagram with a massive array of resources available for free and to buy.

You can find The Circus Doc's website at www.thecircusdoc.com

CircSci Podcast - Aaron Koz

If you're like me and you love to consume content while you're driving or doing the chores, this podcast is perfect for that! On CircSci, Aaron interviews industry experts on the science of training and performance (particularly focused on circus and acrobatics) and all the research that goes on behind the scenes. With interviews on how to reduce injuries in pole dancing, weight training for circus artists, how the language we use can improve our training and more. If you're a circus-nerd, you'll love it!

You can find the CircSci Podcast on most podcast platforms, including Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Apple Podcasts

We're always looking for more inspirational people and pages to follow. If you have any favourites that aren't on our list, or if you find these helpful, let us know in the comments.

How to make the most of free space and training on your own!

Mon, 15 Feb 2021 19:49:23 GMT

How to make the most of Free Space and training on your own!

Training without an instructor for the first time can be incredibly daunting. Questions like “Where should I start?” or “What do I practise?” can run around your head the whole time if you’ve never done it before. But despite the fear factor, training on your own can be a brilliant opportunity to progress, find your own style and really become familiar with your equipment. So, without any further introduction, here are some of the best tips for how to make the most of Free Space sessions and training on your own.

1. Plan ahead

A plan is, without a doubt, the best thing you can bring with you to any Free Space session. Whether it’s moves that you learnt in class last week, some insane sequence you saw on Instagram months ago, or a beasty conditioning session for your dream move, planning what you want to practise ahead of time will help you get the absolute most out of it.

2. Set goals

Setting goals is a great way to keep yourself on track, stick to your plan and stay motivated; not just for your session, but well into the future, too. If it helps to write your goals down, go for it. Crossing things off a to-do list is always a great feeling! They might be things that you want to conquer in a day or things that you might not achieve for months (or even years!) to come. For me, having a mix of both short- and long-term goals helps me get the most out of my sessions.

3. Try to avoid distractions (or put your phone down)

I think mobile phones are brilliant! I’ve taken to writing down moves and combos that I want to do in my notes, and with all the amazing videos of people just being amazing on Instagram, I have almost endless inspiration at my fingertips. But if you’re anything like me, it’s all too easy to get sucked into the memes. Don’t let it happen! Stay focussed, stick to your plan and keep working on those moves.

4. Have fun!

Pole Dancing/Aerial/Acrobatics is HARD! And some days are harder than others. Maybe you’re tired and those inverts are absolutely killing you. Or that sequence that you wanted to do is sooooooooo much harder than it looked when your favourite poler/aerialist/acrobat did it. Heck! Maybe that move you’ve been working on for weeks just will not happen. Whatever it is, it’s easy to get bogged down when nothing seems to be working, especially if your training buddy isn’t around to keep you from crying. These are the days to just throw it all away and HAVE FUN! Try something new, try something old, find a transition between your newest trick and your favourite trick. It doesn’t matter whether what you’re doing is easy or hard as long as you have a good time doing it. You never know, you might just turn that session around and teach yourself something new at the same time.

5. Stick with it

Learning how to train on your own is process and it can take quite a bit of trial and error, but with a little bit of practise it can be incredibly rewarding and help you get even more from your classes. Keep coming back, keep making plans and conquering your goals, and, most of all, keep having fun with it, because that’s what this stuff is really all about.

Good luck!