STUDENT HANDBOOK
Dancing at The Brass Barre is a place where a lot of people come together to have a great time! We want to create a fun and safe atmosphere where everyone can be comfortable and enjoy themselves. To that end we have put together some general rules of etiquette below.
NO SHOW & LATECOMER POLICY
· Arrive 10-15 minutes before the start of your class. Allow enough time to commute, register, use the restroom and change into your workout attire in time for class.
· Your instructor will take attendance BEFORE warm up. Once the instructor starts her warm up, or have allocated your pole to a make-up student, you may miss out on your chances to attend this class (what a bummer!). But, of course you are welcome to make-up your missed lesson on another day! Please be dressed in your workout attire during attendance. Thank you!
. We advise you to choose your lessons carefully and allow adequate time to travel to our studio to avoid missing your class. You may observe the class and make-up your lesson some other time within the term. There are no refunds for any latecomers.
· If you are dropping-in a class, please arrive at least 15 minutes early to register and make payment.
For your safety, it is important that you make sure you do not put on moisturizer, tanning lotion or any oils prior to a class, as this will make the poles slippery. It also will leave them greasy & make them dangerous for other pole users. Be sure to arrive at least 10- 15min before the start of your class to register and to change into your workout attire.
WARM UPS
Please be dressed in your workout attire before you enter your class so that you can participate in the warm up as soon as class begins! As warm-ups are specifically tailored for the tricks and combos you are about to learn in the class, you must participate in the entire warm up from the start. Warming up your body appropriately for the particular class you have signed up for is extremely crucial. It lessens the risk of injury and also reduces premature fatigue. These are all long held beliefs of any fitness studio who looks out for their students. (Also, the warmer you are, the bendier you can get!) This applies to all the back-to-back pole junkies too!
Check our live timetable to make sure you are in the correct studio before you start!
WHAT TO WEAR
Pole dance:
For all pole classes, shorts and tank tops are compulsory, as the gripping of your skin on the pole is an integral part of the art. Wear something comfy that allows you to move and stretch freely. Yoga or Brazilian shorts above the knees, tank top & face towel.
Chair dance:
Tank top, shorts above the knees or leggings & face towel. Sexy is key! Bring an extra loose fitting top to remove in class just in case!
Splits & Backbends:
Leggings, tank top that covers the torso, socks & face towel. For comfort and hygiene purposes, all participants are advised to bring your own yoga mat and to adhere to the dress code.)
Footwear:
You may choose to dance barefoot, or wear exotic dancing shoes. Those sky-high heels you see our instructors wearing are pretty, but they can only be worn inside the studio. No other shoes are allowed. There is nothing grosser than a pair of clubbing heels with dirt, alcohol and other unthinkable liquids on those soles. Invest in a pair of exotic dancing shoes like Pleaser heels.
Accessories:
Please remove all rings, bangles, dangly earrings to avoid damaging the poles and yourselves.
WHAT TO BRING
Grip aid:
· Shaving gel - It’s great for a bit of extra stick on your legs and body. Stay away from the extra moisturising ones. Try out different brands to see what works best for your skin type. You can purchase shaving gel at any Watsons or Guardian store.
· If your hands keep slipping and you’re having trouble gripping the pole, a little drop of Dry Hands (available for purchase at reception) or Liquid Chalk works wonders.
Important:
· iTac is a balm that creates tackiness, and is incompatible with our brass poles; do NOT use it.
· If you use chalk, kindly keep it contained in a Ziplock bag to avoid spillage. To be considerate to the person using the pole after you, please clean up any spillage and residue after use of the pole.
Towels:
· Bring two small towels – one for yourself, and the other to wipe any sweat or grip aid residue off the pole.
Wet wipes:
· Non-moisturising wet wipes will be handy to get rid of any grip aid on your hands and body after class.
Knee pads:
· You’ll be glad you brought them when they save your knees from bruising, especially as you work on a routine that involves a lot of floorwork.
Leg warmers:
· Great to keep you warm during warm ups, and also very handy for floorwork.
· Please respect your instructor’s privacy. DO NOT film your instructors during the class without permission.
· You may post snippets of studio routines on any social media platform. You can tag us and hashtag #thebrassbarre #poledancesg #tbbpolejourney
· Everyone has different levels of comfort when it comes to being seen on social media in their pole attire. If there are people other than yourself in your photos or video, be sure to ask your fellow class mate if you can post any photos or videos of them on any digital platform.
· The use of tall / professional tripods are NOT allowed in the studio.
· Class routines taped by the instructor are optional participation.
· To help yourself remember class choreography or if you’d like to capture your progress, you may film yourself during the last 10 minutes of class or when prompt by your instructor.
· If you are not a member of class, no photography or recording permitted at all.
· Recording of instruction is strictly forbidden.
If you miss a lesson, do not to worry, you can try to make it up! Make-ups are a perk we offer our students where possible. If all classes are full, we cannot guarantee make-up slots will be available, so choose your courses wisely!
HERE’S HOW
. Log into your booking app to see which days your type of class is scheduled. You will see the number of spots left in that class. If there are any spots left, the higher the chance you can walk-in and make-up!
. On the day of the lesson you’d like to make-up. Register your name on the wait list in person at least 10-15 minutes before the start of the class. The instructor will take attendance and will be happy to accommodate you if there is space.
. You don't have to call us in advanced to book, just walk-in and register your name at the studio reception and wait for the Instructor to take attendance.
Tip 1 - If there are 2 spots left in that class and your name is in the top two of that waiting list, it is likely you will be able to join the class!
Tip 2 - Come with an open mind! If you can make-up, YAY! If not, you can try your luck on another day!
Important notes:
. You can make-up your missed lessons at any time of the week within the same term.
*Choreography classes: To make-up by Week 7
*Non-choreo classes: To make-up by Week 8
. You can only make up your class with the same type of class. For example, Chair (Open) with Chair (Open) only.
. ONLY in the instance that your class is scheduled once a week, can you make up your missed lesson with a Flexibility or Conditioning class.
· There are no make-ups for those who do not participate at performance week (if applicable).
· You may make-up any missed lessons in advanced.
· Please be aware that we do not offer transfers or refunds once any payment is received. Please consider your courses carefully before booking.
. All make-ups are subjected to availability within the term. Any unused lessons will be deemed forfeited by the end of the term.
· There are no make-up lessons for Drop-ins, Trial lessons, Pole Practice or Workshops.
PRIORITY OF POLES IN CLASS
1. Signed up for the class (own pole)
2. Paid $35-65 for a drop-in (own pole)
3. Make-ups that walk in (2 to 1 pole)
4. Privilege Club - Free drop-in (2 to 1 pole)
***Please arrive to class on time! There is no access to class if attendance has been taken make-ups have been allocated their poles after the grace period.
· Arrive 10-15 minutes before the start of your class. Your class will start from the time of your booking and end on time, regardless if you are late for your session.
· Late cancellation - If you cancel your private lesson with less than 12 hours notice, the full payment for your scheduled private lesson will be charged and redeemed.
· Private packages are valid for 4 months from date of purchase.
· Only an instructor, and not another student, can demonstrate Pole moves. Our instructors are trained professionals in dance/fitness, and it is important for everyone’s safety that this rule is respected.
· You are welcome to use our crash mats during class and pole practice. Please do not wear your shoes on the mats.
· Keep your valuables safe. You are responsible for your own belongings.
· Students who appear intoxicated or under the influence may be asked to leave the studio without a refund.
· If you’re sick, please stay at home. Coughing and sneezing just leaves a nasty trail waiting to infect the rest of the class. If you insist on working out at the studio anyway, be respectful of others and be sure to properly sanitise the pole that you use — which you should always do, sniffles or not.
· Application of deodorant before class will be greatly appreciated by everyone in the same space.
· Observe cleanliness and keep the door closed at all times.
· Clean your station when you are done using the pole, chairs, mats and/or blocks. After an hour of intense pole dancing and stretching, it is considerate to wipe your pole and the floor around you (especially if you use chalk). We provide paper towels and bottles containing water and methylated sprits for your use.
Grip Aid:
· If you use chalk, please store your chalk in a large ziplock bag to minimise spillage. Please clean your station after use of the pole as chalk leaves residue on the poles and floor.
· DO NOT use iTac. It is not compatible with our brass poles.
COURSES & PROMOTIONS
· All promotions are not to be used in conjunction with any other promotion.
· We reserve the right to cancel or suspend classes, combine classes, change teachers, or limit enrolment.
· Classes will be cancelled if there is insufficient enrolment or if the designated teacher cannot be suitably replaced. We will make every effort to notify you of any cancellations as promptly as possible. Students may choose to change their class without any admin charge or convert to class credit that will be valid for 12 months from date of issue. Class credit will be issued to those who have signed up for the cancelled classes. Please always refer to our online schedule for the most up-to-date schedule.
· All Courses, Classes, Trials, Workshops, Hen's Parties & Deposits are final sale and non-refundable. You will receive class credit to be used for future courses.
· Class credit expires 12 months from date of purchase. Any remaining credit will be forfeited upon expiry.
· All Courses are valid for one term from date redeemed.
· The studio reserves the right to amend, add, delete terms and conditions here without prior notice.
All of our group Courses, Workshops, Trial lessons and Pole practice sessions are for ladies only, unless stated as Co-Ed. However, our Private lessons and Parties may be co-ed upon request. We do on occasion have fun pop-ups of co-ed Workshops, do follow us on our Facebook and Instagram page if you want to stay updated!
I am queer/non-binary/trans and I would like to join your pole dancing classes. Is your studio LGBTQIA+ friendly?
We recognize that gender is a spectrum and it is difficult to draw a clear line that is acceptable to all as to what is considered ‘female’. As such, our group classes are open to all pronouns and presentations as long as their IDs indicate that their sex is ‘Female’.
This is a decision that was taken because we have a significant number of students who, for various reasons, are not comfortable pole dancing in the presence of men. As this is difficult to universally define, we work based on ID.
Safety for all, regardless of gender, sexual identity and sexual orientation, is important to us.
We also believe in sharing the benefits of pole dancing with everybody and are more than happy to offer private classes and private group classes to all.
So do get in touch with us if you’d like to sign up or find out more!