January Pole Dancer of the Month – Lori Martin

This year I’ve decided to really get involved in Michigan Pole Dancing.  This year we look forward to more pole jams, showcases, shows and this great new blog segment – Pole Dancer of the Month.

To kick things off I have chosen Wonder Woman Pole Studio Instructor Lori Martin.  I met Lori just over a year ago at an intermediate class at the Detroit Flyhouse.  We had been “facebook friends” and when I heard her story I was so inspired.  After this chance meeting and few more run in’s at pole jams I really began to feel connected to her in a very special way.   Her witty retorts and comments like “I’m on it like a fat kind on a cupcake” endeared me to this dancer right away.  She has a very interesting way of looking at life, pole, aerials and everything else.  Her take on things will make you laugh sometimes so hard you cry and other times make you nod deeply.

For those who don’t know, Lori’s pole journey started with losing 100 pounds.  After being introduced to the idea of pole dancing by a friend, Lori (and I can just hear the words coming out of her mouth) said she’d take up pole dancing when she lost 100 pounds – thinking she’d never have to make good on it.  Luckily for all of us – she was forced to make good on that deal just a year later.

The question that is on everyone’s mind is HOW did you lose 100lbs?

I lost the weight (143lbs to date!) the old fashioned way – through portion control/calorie counting, exercise, learning healthy responses to my emotions & patience over time. It took 18 months to lose the weight, and I’ve kept it OFF for going on 18 months. I wish I could tell everyone a really good story about finding a magical, instant solution to weight loss, but honestly, I tried every fad diet & pill to find they DONT WORK! I’ve learned to listen to my body & to make a commitment to living a healthy lifestyle. I am an “emotional eater” & everyday is a battle but being healthy & my love for the freedom of movement that being healthy has given me is incentive to keep it up!

What was your first impression of pole dancing?

My first impression was “why the heck would I want to do THAT? ” A dear friend of mine had heard about pole dancing classes in Ferndale… and BEGGED me to come with her. Feeling pressured, I told her that I’d take a pole class with her once I lost 100lbs – it was what I considered to be an impossible goal that I would NEVER reach, so I would never have to actually make good on taking the class!

Well… I met the weight loss goal & ended up taking the class with Elona at Pole Addiction in June of 2008. I was scared & skeeved out until we got there – Elona was so patient & sweet & everything she did looked elegant – I was instantly hooked. It was fun, It felt like I was flying… and I felt sore for almost a week after my first class – I had gotten a better workout in a 1 hour pole dancing class then I had in almost a year of slaving away at the gym for 2-3 hrs at a time -and that in itself was seductive! I also really liked the creative dance element that pole offered – it was so radically different from running on a treadmill!

How did you make the step from student to Instructor?

I had pretty much become a permanent fixture at any & every pole class I could get to – I just kind-of fell into it. I remember there was a girl taking a class at Pole Addiction who was approximately my height & build & she was very self-conscious about trying anything during class in front of the other ladies. Elona had asked me to chat with her about a few of the beginner level spins & just kind of set her mind at ease that she COULD take a class & excel at it … and voila, a teacher was born!

As a woman who has dealt with being heavier than she wanted to be – what body image issues were you facing when you first started taking classes? Teaching Classes?

Honestly, when I first started taking classes, I was in so in awe of so many things with pole, the only thing I could think was  ”what does it take to be strong enough to do some of that cool upside-down stuff?”  I knew I wasn’t strong enough to do a lot of things, but I put in the time & effort to get there. When I started teaching classes I was feeling great – almost to my thinnest weight & I felt pretty confident & thought I looked pretty good – I had worked on simple moves to advanced stuff & they were all executed in a strong, fluid manner. It wasn’t until a private party that some ladies had booked with Wonder Women Pole Studio that I started to doubt myself – a tiny, very fit student came in (and even though she had NEVER touched a pole in her life) she sighed, rolled her eyes & said loudly to her friends “This class is going to suck! Look at her – we got the fat, do nothing teacher.” I looked around the room for someone that was anywhere near overweight & I then realized in a panic that the girl was referring to ME. I realized that even though I thought I looked great, not everyone felt the same way. That girl that said that had never seen me at 343lbs, wearing a size 30-32 (that’s a 4x-5x). She saw me at a size 12/14 & decided I wasn’t worthy to teach because I didn’t fit the stereotype of a “stripper” or have the body of a dancer.   I am cognizant however, that I only get one shot at life & I’m not going to accept sitting on the sidelines anymore – so I hold my head up high & pole/teach pole anyways!

*Editor edit.  I’d also like to add as the writer that I would LOVE to grease up anyone’s pole who walks into a studio and decides to make rude, judgmental and INCORRECT statements about someone’s body.

How has pole dancing helped you overcome some of those and things and motivate you to reach out to other women and get them to embrace their own beauty?

Pole dancing is by far the most effective workout I’ve ever had – because there really is no ceiling to it. There is always a newer, harder variation on an invert or spin to work towards, or a new way to condition for things. That being said – I’ve gained over 25lbs of PURE MUSCLE in approximately 14 months from pole. Its been amazing to me that I’ve been able to sculpt & tone my body so well. I try to use my positive results as an inspiration to my students -  I love the fact that most of the ladies that come into the studio are open-minded & fun-loving – you have to have a sense of humor to try pole dancing – and you have to LOVE a challenge to stick with it long term. I truly think that once the basics concepts of a spin or of an element in pole dance are acquired – its up to the student as to how they wish to interpret it – they can keep it mild – or make it spicy. Each pole session is a mini-therapy session – its helping you to develop who you are as a person, as a dancer and as a woman. You get a chance to take a calculated risk in a playful, supportive environment – and I think that encourages self-confidence & HEALTHY risk taking in other areas of life, as well!!  We are all so unique – yet there is just something universally sexy about a female silhouette – curvy or skinny or anywhere in between -  near a pole!

Your pole dance style is very sensual with that playful pin up girl twist – how did you develop this style?

I actually coined a phrase – I tell everyone to “harness your inner Betty Page!” I guess I didn’t realize I had a “style” until just now!  Find that sexy, self-confident gal that is hiding inside all of us & invite her out while pole dancing. For me, its about having the confidence in myself that if I feel sexy while doing floorwork or simple transitions – I know I look sexy as well. Its also just about taking a critical eye to elements I felt clumsy doing & thinking through ways to make then feel more fluid & pretty. I have always been obsessed – from a young age- with everything “pin-up” – I have several books on oil-on-canvas pin-up girls from the 40′s & 50′s. I love that everything is presented in a flirtatious & comical manner – with a nod & a wink & a lot of glamour. Pin-up girls were a fantasy -a the dream girl. It takes something that not everyone has to be on the side of a B-52 bomber!  So I figured why cant I be a modern fantasy….complete with sky-high heels & a pole?  Pole dance doesn’t have to be taken to a base, “strip-club” level – you can be sexy & sensual without being crass. I used to long to look like Elona – shes balletic & graceful… or like Shannon, who is incredibly athletic & strong – and now I’m happy that I look like ME.  I strive for continuous movement & try to move with the beat of the music & never against it. And if all else fails, I strive for continuous laughter! I may be sensual, but I’m also pretty comical… and sometimes the “best” pole dancer isn’t the one that is turning out acrobatic tricks one after another – sometimes the dancer that’s having the most fun is the one that everyone wants to watch!

Tell us you favorite pole move and your nemesis.

My favorite pole move? There’s so many! They are like Lay’s Potato Chips – you cant have just one! Seriously, though, I love reverse grab spins… Including JK’s “flying gazelle” variation. As for inverts – I have a particular fondness for Cross Ankle Release & Butterfly, as well as Scorpio & several variations stemming from Scorpio.

My nemesis’ can vary from day to day, but Superman & Brass Monkey & Flatline (from Gemini) come instantly to mind. Side Climb/Knees & Shoulder Mounting (since my hernia) STILL HURT! Side climbing more than 1 to 2 steps up at a time stretches the scar tissue at an awkward angle & I feel it.  When it comes to Shoulder Mounting, I (post-hernia) unfortunately use momentum to get into it. I’m pretty picky, so until I can dead-lift into my shoulder mounts & make them beautiful, I will condition for them several times a week (lots of ab exercises) however I wont perform them!

Aside from pole dancing you are also known as a bad ass aerialist, how long have you been training and how did you get started?

I took my first aerial class in July of 2009! I tried aerial as way to condition myself for pole, & I wasn’t expecting much from it other than a good workout & perhaps a better understanding to pole elements since pole & aerial arts have some of the same foundational points. I ended up falling in love with static trapeze. Much like pole, they first time I tried trapeze, it felt so natural, I was instantly hooked. While I will ALWAYS consider pole dance my first true love, trapeze is always nipping at its heels. It took me a little bit longer to warm up to aerial silks, but once I did, there was no turning back! I am a proud owner of several aerial toys, aerial rigging & crash mats, & I hope to have enough cash saved up to purchase a Lyra this spring.You’ve participated in both Metro Detroit Pole Showcase, do you have any pre performance jitters or rituals?I think my pre-performance ritual would have to be changing my song 100 times before the Showcase ( &  potentially driving Charley crazy by doing so, haha!) Seriously though, I get nervous for about an hour before…. but once my name is announced, its like another me takes over – the positive energy from the crowd is amazing – I genuinely feel as though I can FEEL the support of my fellow polers & I love it! It is truly exhilarating to be able to participate & be able to show your love & dedication to the artform that pole dancing truly is by performing.

Advice for new people coming to perform?My advice is to take the performance seriously – but to still have fun! Its important for us to perform – with each showcase, we are taking HUGE steps at breaking down the negative connotations & stigma that pole  dance has held for so long.  Bring some cough drops – you will need them for your raw throat from cheering like crazy & singing along to other performers songs…. and most importantly… BREATHE… point your toes… & smile!!!

What a lot of people don’t realize is aside from pole work, teaching, performing and aerial training and performing you also hold down a full time job and have the cutest little boy. As a mom how do you make it all work and still have time to study so in depthly into all of these arts?

I WISH I had more hours in the day/more time to study pole & aerial to the depth I’d love to take them to! I am not a fan of taking time away from my son (he’s 3… and unfortunately wont stay little forever) so I either get up before work (very early!) to condition/stretch or stay up late after my son has gone to bed – to work on other aspects of the 2 disciplines (my pole at home is conveniently located by my laundry room…so I have no excuses anymore – even if its just a spin or a stretch, I dint walk by my pole without doing something on it – and my housework gets done too – its a win-win, even if I am always tired!!)And finally, What does the future hold?

I’m hoping the future holds a LOT more performance opportunities (for pole & aerial) and who knows… as my strength & stamina continues to grow & as my hernia site continues to heal… perhaps even a regional competition submission?   ;)