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.