When I started pole back in January of 2013, things were very different. Pole fitness and aerial arts were just starting to explode into the mainstream, and they were far less organized as sports. There were almost no certifications aerial instructors. It was practically a guessing game for what each new level would bring.

Back then, there was one intro routine at the studio I joined. So every single intro level class, you were learning the same routine over and over again. Many of us who started in that studio still remember most of it! After several weeks of that one piece of choreography, you were promoted to level 2 and it was a complete shock to the system. I remember walking into that first pole 2 class, and the warmup was pole sits. I had never learned any inner thigh hold whatsoever, and my skin was on fire from first contact. I felt completely out of my league and almost quit pole at that moment because there was no way I would be able to get this!

Fortunately, I stuck with it and gained strength, knowledge, and tough skin over the years. I was very fortunate to have some great teachers from the beginning, who taught me never to jump into a move, and who emphasized the importance of the million failed attempts at inversion to slowly build the strength for proper technique.

However, because things were not as organized back then, even though I am an “advanced” student, I am constantly stunned whenever I go to an intro or level 1 class how much I still need to learn about proper foundations. I never even touched a static pole until my second or third year in the sport, and still have so much trouble with spinning on static and using my momentum. And when it comes to other aerial apparatus? Forget it! I may have some strength and flexibility, but I have no foundation in silks or lyra, and still have to start from the very beginning, learning the mounts, the holds, and building a completely different set of strengths and calluses. In fact, I have yet to graduate to Lyra 1. (I’m going to try soon though!)

Point being, these sports can feel frustrating sometimes. We want to launch straight for the super advanced amazingness we see on Instagram from our favorite aerial stars. We want to fly, dammit! And if we step away for several months, there is a good chance we will have to back down a few levels. After I had a baby and had been out for six months, I started over at intro until I was back in proper shape for higher levels. Here I was with two years of training and a competitive title under my belt, and I had to start over again!

But just like we had to take those first baby steps before we could run, just like we needed training wheels on our first bikes, we must be patient with ourselves and trust that our instructors have our best interest at heart. They want to make sure our foundations and our muscles are strong so that we can succeed as we climb the levels. Talk to your instructors about what you need to work on, and when they think you are ready to test. Even though it may take a few attempts for graduation, it will be worth it to learn things right and give your body time to develop these amazing skills. See you in the air!

Ask your instructor! They always want to help you progress and climb higher!