Hello, my name is Rachel Skye. And I wanted to share my pole story with you. The moment I took a whirl around the pole in my first pole dance class, I knew that pole was going to be my life. I just never knew how much it would change my life (for the better)!
I’ve been a very active person my whole life. I took gymnastics as a kid; became an aggressive rollerblader as a young teenager; started getting involved with kickboxing and step aerobics as a young adult; and even taught aerobics classes at a summer camp. I’ve also been a very daring person, never afraid to try something new. So on my 18th birthday, my mother and I went skydiving. Being up in the air, flying, was the ultimate high. Nothing but air beneath my belly and the ground. It was truly an exhilarating experience for me.
I had to leave that world behind and begin college. College didn’t lend a whole lot of extra time for exercising. And the little bit of free time I did had, was devoted to cutting loose and going out with friends dancing. It could of been worse. Needless to say, I wasn’t in the best shape of my life.
After school, I worked in Hawaii on a cruise ship for a year. I took advantage of the ship’s fitness facility when I could, but it was still something I had to force myself to do. Following my time in Hawaii, I took a job in Philadelphia and finally settled down to a full-time career. Even though I maintained a decent amount of physical exercise in my life, I wasn’t completely happy with my body. I wanted to be stronger and leaner.
So in December of 2008, I was determined to get into better shape for the new year. And pole dance was going to help get me there. I got the idea in my head while watching a TV show. The line that stuck out in my head: “Strippers have the best bodies in town. If you want the body, this is how you get it.” I immediately began researching pole dance studios in Philadelphia. And it just so happened that a new pole studio opened up close to work and my home. I signed up for a 7-week session right away! I will never forget my first pole class at Flirtastic Fitness. I had a blast learning spins and transitions around the pole. I couldn’t wait to come home and tell my roommate all the fun moves I just learned while demonstrating on a broomstick!
I took to pole, like a fish to water. Everything came naturally to me. And before the end of the 7 weeks, I was climbing to the top of the pole! I was officially a pole junkie! I couldn’t get enough. I would arrive 15 minutes early to class just so I could practice. I was progressing so fast, that the studio owner asked if I would like to apply to be a pole instructor. I didn’t think that I was ready, but she evidently felt that I was. After four months of classes, I auditioned for the instructor position and I got it! Now I was no longer paying for classes, I was getting paid to train and teach! I spent a minimum of four days a week at the studio practicing, training and learning the pole curriculum. I may have been a full time Graphic Designer, but teaching Pole Dance became my passion.
I was feeling stronger than ever before. My pole skills exceeded beyond the pole curriculum at Flirtastic Fitness, so I began teaching myself the really advanced tricks. I endured a lot of bruises from learning new tricks. But I was determined. I would push past the pain. I was in love with the feeling of weightlessness. I could hold my body in positions that would defy gravity. And just like jumping out of that perfectly good airplane, I felt like I was flying again!
While I devoted ten years to fitness with mediocre results, pole dance whipped me into shape faster! I was losing weight and gaining muscle at a steady rate. I also noticed that my posture improved and my self-confidence flew through the roof. I was a new person. Inside and out.
After two years, I began performing and competing. It was thrilling to showcase my vertical acrobatic skills to the crowd. I felt like I had run away to the circus. I knew from the beginning, that pole dance would change my life. Because of pole dance, I have a strong, healthy body, I have showcased my skills on TV, music videos, concerts and art events and made close friendships with people from around the world.
I am extremely excited and honored to bring Pole Dance to Lancaster City, where I can share this phenomenal gift. Pole Dance can only change you for the better.
