I know what it’s like to have that feeling where you can’t do a move and feel so, so far away like it’s never going to happen. Then you look around the room and convince yourself that you’re the only one that can’t do the move… and now you get angry and want to give up.

Sound familiar?

I hope not, but incase it is, here are some tips that may help you.

Staying Positive

Look back

Always remember how far you’ve come. Do you remember the first time you were shown a chair spin or a climb? I know I certainly thought I wouldn’t be able to do them, but after many, many attempts I managed to get them. When I look back, I realise that every move has it’s challenges but I’ve got to this point, and one day I’ll get the next move too.

Focus on yourself

I know it’s hard not to look around the room and judge yourself against others, but there’s really no point. It’s not going to get you stronger, or make that move any easier, so get your butt on the pole and try again. In my experience a lot of people think they can’t do a move, when they can – or that it doesn’t look nice or is ungraceful getting in to it. No one else sees the ‘flaws’ that you perhaps see in yourself. So be proud of your moves, be proud of others and keep the judgement away.

Move on

We all get those days when our brains aren’t connecting to our bodies and the moves just don’t feel right. In that case, step away from the pole. When I get in my head too much or can’t figure out a move I try something different.

If you’re in a class, chances are you’ll move on soon – or ask for an easier version. If you’re training by yourself try something completely different.

Turn that frown upside down!

There’s nothing harder than trying to nail a pole move when you’re telling yourself that you can’t do it. I truly believe that you have to tell yourself that you can do it. If you believe you can, you’re much more likely to be able to do the move. And you know what? If you can’t do it, it doesn’t matter. You’ll come back another day and nail it then.

Be positive that you’re trying.

When you eventually get that move you’ll be so damn proud of yourself for not giving up.

Everyone is different

There will be some moves that you find much more difficult than others do, and then there will be those moves that you find super easy for no reason. Embrace those that you find easy and know that the difficult ones will become easy with practice.

Achieving a pole move is one of the nicest feelings, so keep going with it and you’ll be so proud that you did.