Intermediate Pole Class -- First Night

Tonight was my fist intermediate level pole class.
Many of the girls from the beginner class were there (ok, there were 6 of us total, and 4of them were from the beginner class last week)

My mixed pole class (and pole flexibility) instructor, T was there to help the Intermediate instructor G, as this was her first intermediate class to teach.  They are both wonderful instructors, and walked around to help all the girls and to make sure everyone was getting what we were working on.

I very very much enjoyed this class.  It wasn't a beginner class, so I wasn't having my hand held and explained every single detail and waiting and waiting and finally just doing my own thing on my pole until the next section. 

The highlight of the night was my invert. 
Since the majority of the class cannot even do a decent scissor or fan kick, there was no way they would be able to complete an invert, so G had us simulate the actions of the legs for an invert while we were down on the floor.  A GREAT learning tool, how I actually began training my core for an invert.

She wanted us to feel the muscles, get used to the leg grip, etc.  She also wanted us to try and climb with our legs until we were almost off the ground.  However, with the pole under my shoulder (as opposed to over my shoulder like I'm used to while on the floor) this was pretty difficult for me.  I made a comment about how it seems like an invert is easier than this (because while I'm inverted I have no issues moving my legs and readjusting if needing).

G asked if I would invert for her, so I did.  I was a bit worried because my arms were pretty tired by this point, but I kicked up and did it.  Then twisted and went into my handstand and released.

I'm always nervous to invert, I think I look horrible.  And to do it in front of my class, and my 2 instructors, I was just....a mess.  But I stood up, readjusted my shorts and awkwardly smiled.  G said that it was a great invert, flawless was the word she used, and that it was extremely fluid (so despite FEELING awkward, it didn't LOOK that way, huzzah!!) She also praised me for my pointed feet (a huge irritation for any pole person to see).

At the end of class, she told me to work on regrabbing the pole, and working on a reverse sit.  This will help build the core muscles even more, for when I start working on the inverted poses.  She also asked me if I felt like I should go to the advanced pole class!

This was very surprising, because going into that class, I felt so......basic....new....unknowing.  It was like a sense of "you know nothing and you suck at this".  But when my instructor said that she felt like I could hold my own and learn in the advanced class, I was so SHOCKED and thrilled.

I came home on a pole high (I love those so much!).  I showed my husband the things we did, like the twisted grip, and a few combos we did in class.  He is insisting that I allow him to record me, so I can post it up, but so far that's a no. 

I'm very much looking forward to next week, and Thursday is my flexibility class.
If you aren't poling out there, I highly recommend it.