Name & ageDionysus Rose, 23
Where are you from?
I’m from rural central Pennsylvania, about 15 minutes from where the Little League tournament gets held every year.
What is your day job?
I’m an information security analyst!
What classes are you currently taking at Studio Spin and when did you start?
I usually take one Mixed Level Pole or Pole Level 1&2 class and then a fun class like Floorplay every week (mostly as an excuse to bust out my heels). I started dancing at Studio Spin in August, about a month after I moved to Lancaster.
What do you like about your classes? Have they affected your life?
I like how fun and challenging the classes are! I need exercise every day or I’m bouncing off the walls, but I won’t exercise if it’s boring or awful, like running. Pole dance is without a doubt the most fun way I’ve found to get my cardio in while building muscle at the same time. Pole has undeniably changed my life for the better! I’m stronger, healthier, and I was able to graduate from physical therapy on the condition that I keep poling. Physical benefits aside, I’m also more confident and happier. Pole gave me a way to take ownership of myself and my body again after a series of hardships and traumatic events.
What is your current favorite move/trick?
My favorite trick is a power sweep into a Reverse Grab!
What is your current nemesis trick?
My nemesis tricks are poses that involve one or no arms, like Skater. I feel so slippery without a full grip on the pole!
What is your favorite kind of music to dance to?
I love alternative rock, metal, and k-pop. Anything upbeat and fast really gets me in my flow! My music taste is so diverse that I don’t have an all-time favorite song, but my current jam has been “Chaotic Good” by STEVE. It’s on Spotify, y’all should give it a listen.
Do you have a guilty pleasure?
I don’t feel guilty over my pleasures.
Are there any books and/or movies you recommend?
My favorite book is Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov but I just finished reading Felicia Day’s memoir and it was gold. For movies, I’d recommend Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Hot Fuzz, and The Princess Bride.
Who’s your favorite pole dancer/aerialist/dancer that you enjoy following on social media?
Oh boy there are so many to choose from! I like @flexypole.learoth for her static power combos, @doctorkenpoleninja for his flow, and @polina.larovski for her killer heel work. All handles are for Instagram.
What is the coolest thing you have done in your life?
The videos of me crowd-surfing on YouTube are pretty cool.
Favorite food?
A nice medium-rare steak.
Is there any place in Lancaster that you recommend going to?
Prince Street Cafe is my favorite place for coffee, they’ve got free refills on their hot AND iced coffee. I’d also recommend Medulsed Meadery, they’ve got axe throwing!
Do you have any advice for newbies just starting out?
Yes! It’s so easy to get discouraged seeing all the fantastic polers on Instagram and YouTube but don’t compare anyone else’s pole journey to your own. You’ll be surprised at how fast you get stronger and better just going to classes 1-2x per week. I noticed my biceps becoming defined after only a month, and it didn’t take long for the rest of me to get noticeably more defined as well. Patience and consistency are key!
