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.