Jacky Mulder

I'm honoured to feature Jacky Mulder on the Pole Play Corner for December 2014.

I must admit the reply to my general questionnaire was so full of passion that this week I hope I do this entry justice.

Jacky is 40 year of age and has an interesting story this week. She attempted pole for the first time in 2010, thanks to a friend that enrolled her into a 6 week course. This was attended at The Pole Room Lahaina, Hawaii, USA

She went through the general spins, sexy moves and pole sits etc. For their last class they were going to learn a layback (leanback) assisted.  Jacky was nervous for this final class as she is scared of heights. 

Jacky had a lot happening in her life around this time she had to go for a mammogram, ultra sound and biopsy.  Jacky found out the day before her last pole class that she had breast cancer. She was determined to attend her activities as planned that weekend including her last pole class on Valentine’s Day.  

Pushing fear aside Jacky volunteered to be the first to try the move that scared her so much, “my thought was what can be worse than having cancer.”

Taking a necessary break from pole for surgeries and chemo treatment, left Jacky off pole till the 2^nd of May 2013.

It has been a struggle for Jacky getting her ROM back, losing the weight gained due to the steroids and treatments. She slowly got back into it by teaching Zumba again and running with her boy. Of the 30lbs she gained she managed to shake off an impressive 25lbs in total, this included a nutritionist who’s visit reconnected her with her love for pole. The main studio on the Island is an hour away and out of her price range but fortunately the nutritionist put her into contact with someone closer to home.

Her private lesson getting her back on pole made her realize that she was a lot weaker on her left side so she decided to buy a pull up bar to practice hanging on it.

In 2013 she attended Maui Pole Fitness in Haike, Hawaii, USA. (No longer exists)

Jacky now likes to train at home. “Not counting the short 6 weeks in 2010 I have been a student for 1 year and 8 months.”

“I have done some demo's at events.”

“As a young girl I did years of gymnastics. In my teens I did some classical ballet (I was never very good) and some jazz. Then at the age of 18, I started ballroom dancing and did it for 5 years. In 2009 I discovered Zumba and by the end of the year I got licensed and started teaching.

After my surgery I did some therapeutic yoga, but didn't really get serious about yoga till I joined Instagram at the beginning of 2014.”

Her pole inspiration and motivation comes from Instagram. She doesn’t aspire to be like any famous pole dancer. The awesome part about Instagram for her is that everyone is on their own level and they put their own personal touches on their moves. “ I learn something from every level on there.”

 “Pole dancing is such a personal journey and that shows on Instagram. I love my Instagram pole ohana,  they are so supportive with positive feedback and advice when you struggle with a move.”

Her favourite move right now that she can do is split grip Ayesha. “I love challenging myself in how long I can stay in it and making shapes with my legs.”

Her go to move is a superman. This move took her forever to learn but now she ends up doing it so many times in a practice. Jacky would love to learn the Janeiro and be more solid in her iron X by the end of the year. If she performs she would use the Ayesha, Superman and Teddy in her sequence. “I love to play around with my Teddy.”

As if this story wasn’t interesting enough, Jacky moved in 2007 from the Netherlands to Hawaii with her then 6 year old son to marry a man she met online. She had seen him in RL by then many times. Sadly the relationship didn't work out, she still lives with her son in Hawaii and she has met a wonderful man. She believes if she was still in the Netherlands, she might still have been a shy girl and probably would have never tried pole, or even become a Zumba instructor. She certainly would never have stood in front of a crowd.

Jacky, I would like to say thank you for sharing your story with the corner this month, I really hope that this inspires more people to stay motivated  and to never give up. It's amazing how a healthy mind can can promote such dedication.

Best of luck with you journey in pole, yoga and Zumba.

Follow Jacky’s adventure in Pole, Yoga and Zumba:

facebook.com/jackybeertje

Instagram name : sassybeertje 

Pole 'n Polly

If you are a Pole Athlete, I’m sure you can agree with me that Instagram can be a very motivating and inspirational tool. Then again I personally have fallen in love with Yoga all over again. With the Pole Expo that was held in Vegas this year I decided to scout for someone that attended the expo to feature this month.

It is with great pleasure to introduce Pole ‘n Polly to the corner for November.

At just 23, Pole ‘n Polly decided to give the sport a go because it looked like a lot of fun. “ I loath working out, but pole didn’t feel like a workout, it looked like an exciting new activity.” She trains at Expertease Fitness in Minneapolis and has been actively involved in Pole for 3 year, also having participated in a few studio showcases. Having absolutely no background in dance, gymnastics or yoga, again proves that this sport with the right amount of dedication is possible.

Pole-ebrities that inspire and motivate her in this challenging discipline are Sarah Scott, Carlie Hunter and Cleo the Hurricane to name a few.

She found it difficult to pick a move that she likes, the response I received was great. “So Many! If I had to pick and narrow it down, I’d say, Shoulder mount Planche, Phoenix Spin, Shoulder mount – invisible stairs.” The moves she most likes to perform are the Twisted Grip Handspring, the Extended Butterfly and the Yogini. With the limited time left for 2014 she would really like to achieve her Ayesha grip switch.

Getting to know Pole ‘n Polly.

“I’m a big ol’ nerd. Let’s talk Buggy, Lord of the Rings and Labyrinth for hours. I also LOVE doing routines to show tunes and Disney, I prefer comedy/trick routines rather than dance and sensuality.”

Her summary of Pole Expo:

“Pole Expo was amazing, there were so many different skill levels and it was fun to get to meet polers from around the world. It was also nice to meet people who follow you on Instagram and who you follow back. The Pole-ebrities were all super friendly and always willing to talk or take pictures with you while they were walking around. It was also amazing to take workshops with Carlie Hunter (elbow grips) and Sarah Scott (all things handsprings) it’s amazing how their little tips are the key to nailing something you’ve admired online.”

If you are interested to see more of Pole ‘n Polly on her fitness journey and experiences, please add her on:

Instagram: Pole.n.Polly

Facebook: Pole ‘n Polly

Deesha Singh

For those of you reading the blog for the first time, we have monthly challenges aimed at keeping us motivated. The month of June was anything outdoor acro related.

The profile picture winner for the June challenge is Deesha Singh, she is from Johannesburg, South Africa

 

She practice's pole fitness and various forms of yoga (Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Hatha, Aerial, Forrest, Yin etc), and she has been doing this seriously for the last 4 years. 

 

"My progress has been slow due to work constraints, but this year I have been trying my best to use the time I have to improve my physical abilities. I'm pleased to see that I have progressed to the point where I can do things I never before (this would be before I started pole fitness) dreamed I would ever be able to do. Being able to carry my own groceries, do pull ups and ruin jackets with my Hulk shoulders are all things I am immensely proud of. That first pole class that I went to, nervously, all alone and self consciously, was a major turning point in my life. I was an academic before, with no previous physical experience but the occasional yoga class, and just a few months ago I busted out an attempt at a Cocoon, managed to grab my foot with both hands, and marveled at my ability to do that. It literally stopped me in my tracks. Discovering pole fitness has been one of the best things I have done for myself. It's also made me take yoga more seriously, and I'm planning to do my Yoga teacher training in the next year."

 

 

 

You can follow Deesha on Instagram: @deeshadan

 

Visit our Facebook Page to keep up to date with new ideas and motivation.

Lydia Bassal

Welcoming Lydia Bassal to the corner this week

 

 

She's from Mexico City

 

"I've  been practicing polefitness for almost a year and a half, I attend pole class at Gravity Pole Fitness Studio although I have my own pole at home." 

 

She started poling because one of her best friends owned a pole and encouraged her to try it. She found it difficult at first because she was not use to exercise, but after 5 months she started inverting and that was amazing for her.

 

 

 

This encourage her to start a diet, take up running and possibly the most important part was her instructor. "She's amazing as a teacher and as a friend, she always had the patience I needed to nail a trick."

 

 

"My inspiration is Marlo Fisken she's awesome!"

 

"I love to be upside down and spinning, I think my favorite move is the extended butterfly and my nemesis is the handspring, that's my pole goal for September!! Because I'm going to pole expo Las Vegas, I'm so excited !!"  

 

She's the mother of two beautiful girls and an adrenaline junkie, she loves skydiving, gardening and of course her pole. "It's my life!"  

 

You can follow this Spanish beauty on Facebook : Lybassal and Instagram: @lybassal

 

 

Samantha Mellor - May Winner

The May Winner for our 

#mayinvert challenge

Nicole Ambrus

 

I would like to welcome Nicole Ambrus to the corner.

 

At 20 years of age, she wanted to keep herself busy and decided to try out a pole class, she never expected to love it as much as she did.

 

Nicole attends pole classes at Pole and Shape in Oldham, Manchester in the UK and has been actively involved for the past year and a half.

 

Having been on a gymnastics team for two years and also a year of dancing to her name seems to have its advantages even though it was 5 years ago.

She has not yet participated in a showcase or event but plans on doing so soon.

 

Her Pole role model is Amy Hazel, she saw her pictures posted on Instagram and is captivated by her amazing strength and flexibility.

 

One of Nicole’s favourite moves is the overhead Gemini and the move that she most likes to perform is the Iron X.

 

Pole goals for 2014 include perfecting her deadlift, she has only just managed to lift it, but will happily accept neat Janerio too.

Something interesting about Nicole: '' I’m participating in Tough Mudder this August to help raise money for charity.''

You can Follow Nicole's progress on Instagram: @Nicky.028

 

Bendy Kate Workshop

An awesome weekend of Pole is ahead for myself and some good friends. We are honoured to have the World Pole Sport and Fitness Champion for 2014, Bendy Kate here in South Africa.

I have been watching this woman’s videos for the past year, she truly is an inspiration for this sport. My particular interests lie in her acrobatics and hand balancing skills. She is known for so much more especially her flexibility.

I have two workshops booked with her for Saturday, an amazing birthday gift from my unbelievable boyfriend. Bendy Kate will also be doing a guest performance at our 3^rd National Pole Sports Competition as well as judging our participants.

I will try taking some pictures over the weekend and post an update when possible.

Have a great weekend Friends... x