Jenny Hedger opened her first pole studio in Norwich a couple of months before lockdown. Since then, she has more than managed to keep the studio going. Here she explains how pole dance classes can encourage both vulnerability and empowerment
I grew up in sunny Tucson, Arizona and after graduating from university, I worked for two homelessness charities. I started pole dancing classes in 2014 to get more active and as an outlet for stress and just fell in love with it. In 2016, I competed in my first competition and then shortly after relocated to the UK to start a master’s degree in Creative Writing. Since graduating, I’ve worked as a writer and marketing executive and opened Jenny’s Pole Studio!
To be perfectly honest, I hadn’t really considered opening a studio until it was happening. I had always thought of teaching pole as something I would do for fun and to earn a little extra money. The gym where I was doing marketing – and teaching pole – closed unexpectedly, but I had built up a small base of regular students and began renting space by the hour to run courses.
One of the locations (Space Studios) was allowing me to store my equipment in one of their unused art studios and after about six months of renting their main room, I (somehow) talked my way into my own permanent studio there. Before I knew it, we’d cleaned out the studio space, replaced the flooring, and rebranded as Jenny’s Pole Studio.
The start of the pandemic was difficult for us. We’d opened our doors in early January 2020 only to have to close them before the end of March. I didn’t really have the setup at home to teach but I quickly started teaching online classes. Enthusiasm was high at the beginning but then I caught Covid and by the time I was well enough to start teaching again, I think everyone was sort of Zoom-ed out.
Eventually I cut down the number of online classes we were running and took on other work, but through each lockdown I offered a free flexibility class to help students stay connected and get some movement in even if they couldn’t pay for online classes. The last thing I wanted to do was add any more stress for my students while we were all going through the pandemic.
I was able to access a small amount of funding to help keep the studio lights on until we could reopen. And each time we reopened, we had such an overwhelming response and brought in more and more new students. We were very conscious about Covid safety, and I think that made a lot of our students feel safe and secure. We’re now up to full capacity and busier than ever, offering classes six days a week!
There are so many wonderful things that come from taking a pole class! Pole classes can be a full-body workout, but above all it’s fun. Not only can pole classes help you build strength and learn something new, but you also get a chance to meet new people and join a wonderful community.
Because pole is based on learning tricks, you always have goals you’re working toward. Achieving or even getting a little bit closer to each of those goals, can give you a real sense of pride and accomplishment.
Pole dance classes can also be a very vulnerable and empowering experience. Because you need to be able to grip the pole with your legs, we advise everyone to wear shorts to class for safety (though we can make accommodations for those with concerns about modesty). That can be very difficult at first but so many of my students have told me how pole dance has improved their relationship with their body, their femininity, and their sexuality (especially for those who attend our heels classes!).
All you need to try a pole class is enthusiasm! There are no strength or flexibility requirements to start pole and beginner classes are levelled in such a way that anyone can participate. We have students of all ages and fitness levels and from all walks of life.
I often joke that when I started pole, I had spaghetti arms. I spent most of my first class sliding down over and over and it took me months to be able to climb to the top. Everyone was a beginner once!
We work hard to remove as many barriers to participation as we can and it’s imperative to us that we create a safe, supportive learning environment for everyone and break down the negativity around the sex-work origins of pole (pole dance was invented and continues to be taught and influenced by strippers) and also around women’s bodies.
On our registration form we ask students if they would like to share their goals and any learning accommodations (physical or otherwise) they might need so that we know best how to support them. Because our classes are pay-as-you-go, students can attend as often (or infrequently) as they like, and we really encourage students to progress at their own pace.
Students get a 15% discount and Blue Light Card holders get 10% off. We also started offering Sponsored Slots, which can be purchased for those who demonstrate financial need and would like to try or continue to attend classes.
Long-term, we’d love to find a bigger location in Norwich and teach even more wonderful people! Whether they come to us for an hour or for a year, we’re so glad to be able to provide a positive experience.
Visit Jenny’s Pole Studio and Instagram
Featured image (left to right): Kalene Herrington, Jenny Hedger and Dani Gallogly, of Jenny’s Pole Studio. Picture credit: Light Leaks Photography
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