Instructor spotlight: TATI BLUE

Launching Term 1 of 2024 with a slinky start, we're delighted to announce Tati Blue as our special guest instructor at The Brass Barre. Not only is Tati the triumphant winner of Exo Gen 23 Group, but she also secured an impressive 3rd place in the recent Exo Gen France 23. As one of the leading instructors in the Indi Pole Dance community, Tati is celebrated for her exceptional finesse in Edgework, bringing a one-of-a-kind flair to pole dancing with her deliberate accents of flexed feet and daring sickling.

While sickled and flexed feet might sound like a departure from the familiar echoes of “point your toes!” resonating within the studio, Tati playfully shares, “it always feels like I was breaking the rules of ‘pointing toes’, but I enjoyed breaking some rules here and there for expression and creativity.”

Edgework, as she elaborates, is a creative exploration of utilising all sides and edges of our platform heels as an expressive element, and can be incredibly helpful in improving heel technique. It allows for a more comprehensive range of ankle positioning which in turn improves ankle flexibility, stability, balance, and control in heel work, so dancers can trace, slide, skate, and glide over the floor using different methods for an added layer of slink and flow.

“By actively using the shoe and bringing it as an extra element into focus, this complex technique requires the dancers to focus on the different shapes and ways they can use their heels, exploring new ways of movement.”

Embarking on her pole dancing journey

Tati’s pole dancing journey began in November 2014, after relocating to Berlin. Drawing on her extensive background as a gymnastics instructor, she quickly transitioned to a teaching role within six months.

Initially drawn to pole dance for its physical exercises and how it seamlessly intertwined with dance movements, Tati's fascination deepened as she delved into the roots of pole dancing and explored the intricate world of strip culture.

“I discovered that incorporating Edgework and highlighting the shoes while dancing comes from strip culture and clubs, and I love how dancers use this technique to highlight the shoes and the roots of dancing with heels.”

Exploring the intricacies of Edgework

Drawing inspiration from her background in contemporary dance and classes from unique and diverse dancers and strippers, Tati created her first class introducing the topic of Edgework in 2020.

“Contemporary dance has been an excellent tool for me to follow my natural body movement and stop thinking about everything else while being in the moment. Using flexed feet or foot positions in contemporary dance has always felt like a style element, and I have always enjoyed incorporating it into my performances.”

But Edgework, for Tati, goes beyond the stylistic accents of sickling and flexing feet. While these elements come naturally — “it was always a challenge to point my feet in a correct gymnastic way” — nailing Edgework involves understanding how to dance safely on heels and allowing oneself to play with different positions for new pathways.

“It takes time and repetition, and Edgework has different shapes and ways of exploring it. Depending on how deeply you want to dive into it, it has many aspects to focus on. It’s all about weight transfers; ankle and leg strength and flexibility; hip rotations and movements; upper body strength; exploratory and artistry.

I love seeing my feet not just as apparatus but also seeing my heels and how they move in them as creations. It adds a unique touch to my performances. Also, Edgework comes together with Slink for me and in my style. I want to incorporate the heels into the rest of my body movements as a sensual exploration of flow.”

Exploration, details, and repetition

These three elements intricately shape Tati’s style of pole dancing.

“Take the time to appreciate the beauty of each movement and explore it in different ways. I like to spend time on single movements a lot. For example, I can spend an hour just exploring body waves.  

By focusing on single movements again and again and understanding the beauty behind them, you can explore ways to make them your own instead of simply copying what others are doing, and take your dance skills to the next level. 

Experiment with different hand and arm movements, spinal and head movements, and vary levels, volumes, and pace. It’s also good to try out different dance styles and be open to new things, even if you think you won’t like it.”

Beyond these tips, Tati also provides tools and guidance via prompts in her classes to help students explore and challenge their movement pathways. Give her favourite prompts a try the next time you’re practising in the studio:

“Slow Down!

Freeze!

Close your eyes and feel, hear, smell & taste.”

Don’t miss the chance to sign up for Tati’s signature classes, Dancing on Edges (Open & Adv), Slink & Slither (Basic), and Low Flow (Open) in Term 1 2024. Private lessons and single class drop-ins are also available. Sign up via our booking app. For more information, drop us a message on our Contact Us page.

Instructor Spotlight - SASHA MEOW

This term, we are thrilled to welcome Sasha Meow as a guest instructor at The Brass Barre. Sasha is a true powerhouse in the pole dancing community, known for her magnetic personality and dynamic dance style. With her burst of charisma and infectious energy, she creates a vibrant atmosphere in every class, leaving her students inspired and energised.

Her classes go beyond just learning the moves; they are a celebration of the process, filled with laughter and enthusiasm. In fact, her coaching and cheering are so spirited that she even lost her voice after just one week of teaching. In this exclusive feature, we delve into Sasha's pole dancing journey and discover how she uncovered and developed her unique and distinct style.

Embarking on her pole dancing journey

Sasha's story begins after she bid farewell to her years of gymnastics. "I did gymnastics for 15 years but quit at 18. I didn't do much for a while, but eventually realised my body needed movement, so my search for dance studios began," Sasha shares. Her love for classical choreography in gymnastics led her to explore dance classes where she could continue expressing herself through movement and routines.

During this exploration, Sasha stumbled upon pole dancing, but due to the high price points of pole dancing classes, she opted for strip plastic as a substitute. Despite feeling out of place at first, her body quickly adapted to the new movement patterns, surprising even herself. "I felt very uncomfortable in class. I was shy — because I knew my body was used to a completely different movement pattern — kind of awkward, and clumsy. But to my surprise, my body adapted quickly, and within half a year, I became bored and uninspired by the dance team," she reveals.

Then one fateful day, a friend shared news of a newly opened pole dance studio in Riga, Latvia, that caught Sasha's attention. Without hesitation, she contacted the director, arranged her first lesson, and from that moment on, pole dancing became what makes her happy and what she finds purpose in.

Discovering her style

When it comes to her distinctive style of pole dancing, Sasha's journey of self-discovery took time. As a pioneer in her city's emerging pole dancing scene, she quickly transitioned to teaching. "Back then, exotic was also just developing, and I was looking for any information that would help me and provide me with tools," she explains. "I explored videos, attempted to replicate moves, attended classes in Russia, and took private classes from others who inspired me, among whom was Daria Che."

While Sasha initially focused on mastering tricks on the pole, she soon realised that dancing brought her far greater joy. "At some point, I caught myself feeling that tricks don't bring me as much pleasure as dancing," Sasha shares. "When dancing, I feel especially beautiful and sexy. I just did what was comfortable to me and moved the way my body asked me to."

Sasha's dance style is largely fueled by her emotional state and music. "Whatever I'm feeling, I can always express it through dance," she says. "I am a very emotional person, and music affects my mood. When a song resonates with my deepest emotions, the choreography that accompanies it becomes incredibly special to me too. It flows effortlessly, and whenever I revisit it, I am transported back to that state."

Her way of choreographing also reflects her dynamic nature and the connection she shares with her students. "I usually choreograph in the moment. I like to be present and connected with the group," Sasha reveals. "The most challenging part for me is preparing in advance. Sometimes, if the chosen song seems difficult or doesn't align with my current state, I would head into the studio earlier to sketch out a rough draft of about 8 counts. This helps me plan the movements and direction, and I continue to develop it further with the group in class. This approach is primarily how I work with Dynamic choreos — the flow comes more naturally to me, and I rely less on thinking and more on following my instincts and emotions when I move."

Exploring flow in dancing

But the real magic of it all lies in the flow, an essential element in Sasha's style that brings it all together. "Flow is very special to me. It is my meditation. It is my ability to be soft, gentle, and sensual," she explains. "It's like an alter ego for me because I'm completely different in real life. To me, flow is the connection between my body and soul. It is the ability to slow down, observe, experiment, and enjoy the possibilities of your body."

Her advice on how to work on flow? "Move! Observe yourself, experiment, film, explore your videos and improvisations. Listen to your body. Learning movement is like learning a new language in this case — body language. The body will always tell you if you listen. Visualise, play with shapes, and don't be afraid to be different. This is the essence of your style. You are a person, you are you!!! Your style is an expression of your personality. It reflects what you have discovered within yourself, and can share with others through your body."

On dancing

"Dancing should be fun," she reaffirms, "enjoy the process, not the results. Appreciate what you can do at the moment, and praise yourself!" As an instructor, Sasha pays close attention to the emotional state and technique of her students. "The emotional state of my students and their technique of performance are important to me. It is very important for me that we prioritize understanding each other, then the whole process will be beneficial and free of tension."

When it comes to her current pole goals, Sasha's perspective aligns with the significance of embracing the process. She explains, "I think I've reached a point where my focus as a dancer has shifted, and as a result, I no longer set specific goals. Instead, my emphasis is on sharing my knowledge, personal experiences, and stories with others. I remember the challenges I faced without proper guidance when I started, and now I am eager to provide that for others."

Private lessons (co-ed bookings are welcome!) and single class drop-ins with Sasha Meow are still available on our booking app. For more information, drop us a message on our Contact Us page.

By Gladys G.

Brass Queens Spotlight - YING

If you've never tried pole dancing before, you might think it's just a fun way to stay in shape. But for those of us who have given it a try, we know it's so much more than that. It's a form of self-expression, a chance to take a slice of me-time and embark on a journey of self-discovery that celebrates sensuality and strength.  But what truly sets pole dancing apart is the community of fierce and fabulous individuals who support and uplift each other every step of the way. That’s why we’re excited to kickstart our Brass Queens spotlight with a feature on Ying, one of our students at The Brass Barre who has been crushing it on the pole for over a year now.

“I've always been interested in dancing, but I never had the courage to try it out until I saw a YouTuber share her pole dancing experience," says Ying Ying. "I decided to step out of my comfort zone and give it a go." And she hasn’t looked back since.

Since starting our pole dancing classes in March 2022, Ying Ying has found a supportive community that has helped her build her strength, confidence, and skills on the pole. Her favourite pole dance style is Exotic/Old Skool, a style that combines fluidity, sensuality, and athleticism, which she describes as effortlessly beautiful.

"The most challenging aspect of pole dancing for me has been building my strength and confidence in my body to hold tricks on the pole," Ying Ying shares. "But I’ve learned to celebrate small wins to keep myself motivated. For example, leg circles are easier to do now, and I have longer lines when dancing compared to a few months back."

Beyond the physical benefits, pole dancing has also connected Ying Ying with a supportive community that has helped her build confidence too. "I'm an introverted person, and I struggle with consistency in physical activities," she admits. "But through pole dancing, I've made friends who cheer me on whenever I feel like giving up."

Most of Ying Ying's favourite moments in her pole dancing journey are built from the love and encouragement from her instructors and pole sisters. In fact, what cemented her love for pole dancing was the support she received from her instructors when she was learning her second Classique 1 choreo to the catchy and seductive bop of 'Buttons' by Pussycat Dolls. "My instructors were so supportive online even though I wasn't their student for that term!"

Since then, Ying Ying has blossomed into a confident and dedicated dancer who looks forward to sharing snippets of her pole-gress on Instagram and performing with her friends and classmates during end-of-term performance weeks.

Looking ahead, Ying Ying is excited to continue her pole dancing journey and is most looking forward to taking Splits & Backbends classes in Term 3. "Pole dancing is empowering," says Ying Ying. "Everyone in the community is so welcoming, and it has made me fall in love with pole dancing even more."

On a song she’d love to dance to:

A tip for pole babies:

“Don’t compare yourself to others. Take it slow, and you will get there”

Follow Ying’s polegress as she takes over The Brass Barre’s Instagram stories @thebrassbarre

By Gladys G.