Pole Positivity

 Great, Excited Greetings folks! Here in lies the story, that brought me to my liberation......


"I'm not a stripper....I work in corporate America" says the tall woman standing in front of the group of us at my friends' pole dance bachelorette party last May. We were all thinking it, wondering, "hmm, if she teaches pole dance she MUST be a stripper, right?"  Wrong. The words "pole dance" and "stripper" are not synonymous. I know, I know that's probably the first thing you think when you hear "pole dance" but there's a little more to it....actually there's a lot more to it.

But let me finish my little story. So, the instructor goes on to demonstrate a pole dance for us. We cheered and hollered as she twirled, flipped and rolled on the pole. By the time she finished, we were all anxious to have our turn trying this new stuff!! After seeing her perform though, I KNEW this was something I HAD to do again. So, I signed up for an 8 week series and well, I've been addicted ever since!!

I'm curious...

Have you ever happened upon an activity and completely but unexpectedly fell in love with it? And then found that that activity helped bring together all your awesomeness!? It could be running, swimming, knitting, blogging, drawing, whatever....THAT is what pole fitness did for me!! It's toned my arms, legs and abs, upped my stamina and increased my over all feeling of health and well being! My self-confidence has been boosted (can't tell me nothin') and for once in my 28 years of life, I'M FEELING LIBERATED!! (not that I was oppressed or anything, lol) Expressing myself through dance was a sort of missing puzzle piece in my life...I'm so glad I found it! Have you found that puzzle piece?

That's me at the top of the Pole!! Freedom!!

 The "Positivity Point" of this story is: If you haven't, you've got to find that piece!! All of us have a purpose on this Earth. You never know what activities will bring you closer to finding your purpose!! But once you find it, there is true liberation when you allow yourself to express it!! It just so happens that pole fitness is what opened me up to express mine!
 
 I do pole fitness for me. Not for anyone else. I do it because I love it and because it does my body good. It is the physical challenge that I needed in life. I have to admit it sounds kind of funny to claim that pole fitness changed my life, but...I guess it did :-) As a bonus, I've met an amazing group of women, from doctors to teachers to designers who all share a love for this wonderful activity!

I call this"Clothed Poling"....Yea, I like the sound of that! I think I'll try some more clothed poling pictures!!

Perhaps I'll be judged after this, who knows!? That I cannot control. If I can help change a few peoples minds about pole fitness, that's great! But really I know those that want to see it for what it is will, and those that don't, won't :-) And to each his own. Here's some info anyway...

A Little about Pole Fitness:

• In pole fitness classes you learn spins and tricks on and off the pole.
• These classes will leave your arms-a-achin'! It takes your biceps, triceps and flyceps (I made that up, hehe!) to lift your body off the ground!
• You can increase your flexibility. Much like ballet, pole fitness looks best with long lines, pointed toes and an arched back. Get bendy!!
• You get in tune with your body! Pole fitness forces you to explore ways to dance you may not have done before...unless you're a dancer of course ;-)
• Lots of strengthening exercises are required... Abs, arms, legs...all of it!!! 

In all, pole fitness requires strength, stamina and dedication. Many professional women are taking part in this activity, which is becoming less taboo everyday. So, if you have some preconceived notions about pole fitness, that's understandable, BUT I encourage you to ask someone who does it, about it! BETTER YET I encourage you to try it. It's the most fun I've had in years!! ;-)

As you know I love to give shout outs. I cannot tell my pole fitness story without mentioning the following ladies. They've left lasting impressions on me (and others I'm certain) and I am forever grateful for what they've shared and are still sharing with me...

Meet Eva, she was my very first pole fitness instructor!! Last June I registered for her Level 1 class and couldn't wait to get started! Simply put, she's amazing. She was always encouraging, supportive and full of humor and tolerance for my random and constant emails to her! Keep scrolling, you get to see a pole dance performance by Eva below ;-)

Corrie, this lovely lady is the reason I began pole fitness. Yup, she was the woman from the beginning of my story and my level 4 instructor. She makes pole fitness look absolutely effortless! As an instructor she has the ability to push yet encourage the heck out of you at the same darn time!!!

And Liz...oh Liz!! My current level 6 instructor. This woman exudes class but is tough as nails when it comes to the pole! Her dancing is beautiful, fluid and sultry!! She is currently teaching me some incredibly complex moves, while steadily pushing me...no seriously..will literally push my body up the pole... and I love it!
 

Thank You ladies for shining your light!! I was blind, but now I SEE!! 

As promised, here's a video of Eva performing. The epitome of grace and strength...


Watch Eva's beautiful performance, Here!





Soooo, do you want to try it!?? If you're in Atlanta, shoot me an email: empowered2dance@gmail.com and join one of my classes!! 

Leave a comment, I love a good chat! Until another time good people...

BE Blessed, BE Positive, BE Great....and GET Fit...Pole Fit ;)

Gemini Ladyy

Instagram: @gemini_ladyy 

Twitter: @liberateyoself    

I Have a Confession...

You know, blogging about positivity (for two whole weeks!!) has been an eye opening experience. It has made me question myself, then push myself for some honest answers. The latest question: Are you ready to open up?...that's what I asked myself. I am. But I do so knowing that I AM NOT ALONE in my struggles and that being determined to be POSITIVE will get me through. And when (not if) some of you relate to my words, it's ok to raise your hand, drop your head, close your eyes and say, "Amen"...so here's my confession....

I'm a comfort eater.....I know you're probably thinking, "who doesn't eat for comfort?" but there's more to it. I love cookies. I absolutely adore brownies (with ice cream), I could eat a whole package of gummi bears in minutes (darn chewy goodness)!! I heart chips and salsa, fried chicken, fried fish, chocolate chip cookies (I'd sleep with them if I could) and the list goes on....and ....on. I was over doing it and I was ashamed. Let me explain...

Life is very busy for me. I have 3 children, married, in school full time, work full time, I make it a POINT to enjoy myself and I exercise. That's a lot!! There are times when it feels like too much. I get stressed out or overwhelmed then I turn to food. Food has been my confidante and constant support, but you'd never know it. I'm what folks would call a "skinny girl". I'm the one you'd look at and say "oh you can afford to eat those cookies, you're thin!", But I can't because all the while I'm hurting inside (goodness this is getting deep!) I suffered because of the feelings that would ensue after eating all that crap, knowing it wasn't good for me. I know it isn't benefiting me outside of the immediate gratification, that is gone after I swallow. I'm not alone am I? You know what I'm talking about, right? Eating two whole rows of girl scout cookies, then REGRETTING that you did it. Mindless behavior.

I was hurting because, with every cookie I ate, I felt bad about it. But I continued to eat more. With every Kit Kat (king size at that) that I consumed, my guilt-o-meter would climb a little more. We aren't talking every once in a while here (that wouldn't be so bad), I'm talking every single day, no discretion, guilt building, self-love waning and ..... ACNE increasing!!! I am 4 months away from turning 29 and I will be darned if I'm going to fight break outs like I did as a teenager! This had to stop! And it did.

Alright this post might be lengthy.... But it's worth it, so read on...

You see, I'm at a point in life where I'm truly loving me; all of me. The way I was eating did not match up with how I wanted to ultimately feel. The bottom line is this, the more I ate crap the more I felt like crap, both physically and emotionally. I deserve better than that!! I deserve to be treated with respect and love, but I must, MUST treat myself with respect and love first! I was disrespecting the body God gave me by feeding it junk then feeling terrible about it! (You sayin' Amen yet?)

Some of us may eat and struggle with weight. Some of us may eat and struggle with break-outs, SOME of us may struggle with both, larger health issues or anything else in between!!! You are the only one who can take care of your body. So, do it...please. 

I know some of you reading this may eat unhealthy and don't have a huge problem with it. That's fine. But if you are eating crap AND you feel like crap because of it? It's time to make a change. Do you want to change? If so, Liberate Yourself and **Love yourself enough to be healthy....

Here's How I Did It:

45 DAYS ~~ NO FRIED FOODS and NO PROCESSED SUGAR CHALLENGE! 1/14 - 2/27/2013

Plan:
"Fail to plan, and you plan to Fail" I was addicted to sugar. So, I couldn't just stop cold turkey and not have a well  thought out plan for success. Thankfully, through my very best friend (Hey Sha!) I made the acquaintance of +Ajeenah Abdul , Yoga Instructor and Health Coach. She asked me a ton of questions that helped me become aware of why  I ate like I did. We devised a plan to replace my sweets and include supplements to give me energy and keep me going! Hence, the 45 Day Challenge. This challenge is ALL ABOUT breaking bad habits and creating new, better ones!!! The best part? You cater it to what YOU NEED to give up :-)

Action:
I am determined to see some changes in my skin and in my isolated moods after eating.. To be even more honest, I was very happy until the few minutes after I ate some fried wings or a snickers bar. Those moments would turn into tens of minutes of self deprecating thoughts. "why did you eat that" "you know it isn't good for you" "you want to eat healthy" "how are you going to make up for what you just ate?" Those thoughts would be very low points of my day, multiply that by the amount of junk food servings I ate per day, and you come up with a lot of time spent downing myself. Sooooo not my style and soooo not positive!!!

Support:
My friends and family were a great support to me. I Facebooked, Tweeted and Instagram'd my progress and low points when I needed some encouragement. Doing this sort of challenge alone is possible, but it helps very much to have some company along the way. Try to think of some friends or family members that may want to join you in changing their eating habits. That way you can support and encourage each other along :-) And offer some butt-kicking if you start to feel weak!

Results:
I'm going to go ahead and pat myself on the back now. I'm at the end of my challenge!!! Not once did I cheat!! I've proven to myself how disciplined I can be... I am so proud of myself! My skin has cleared tremendously (you'll just have to take my word for that, no pics) and I am free from the thoughts that taunted me after I ate the junk food. I feel ten times better and more energized now that I eliminated the "crap from my diet!! Do I still crave cookies? Yes, but I know I'll be fine in fact, I'll be GREAT without them! I'm going forwards from here. I'm not turning back!!!

In all, I realized my love affair with sweets and fried foods was unrequited. It gave me nothing but heartache in return. I will not treat myself that way. I will be liberated  from feeling like the crap that I consumed was benefiting me. And I'm still a comfort eater, just eating healthier dishes. And oh what a liberating feeling that is...

Below are pictures of some wonderful dishes I made that left me comforted but most importantly feeling very good after eating them and not miserable ;-) If you'd like to have the recipes, Just let me know in the comment box and I'll be glad to share!!

If you want to change your eating habits, develop a health plan or do a 45 Day Challenge yourself, Contact me today (404) 957 8941 or empowered2dance@gmail.com

   **A little literature support!! I cant wait to get started reading this book by Basheerah Ahmad, Fitness Expert!!! (Thanks Amazon!) 50 Affirmations to Your Best Life!

My Goodness!! This supplement has been great!! Greens Powder gives energy, detoxifies AND supplies you with 5 + servings of your daily fruit and veggie requirements! Good Stuff!! This what ULTIMATELY helped me kick my sugar addiction! www.empoweredandhealthy.myitworks.com

In addition to the Greens Powder, I took these supplements each day! The garlic kills bacteria (acne causer), Cod Liver oil caps support overall immune function and the Vitamin C, has B vitamins as well, helps with stress, gives energy and supports immune function also!

 And now for the FOOD!!! Yum!! ;-)

Filling for Oven Baked Egg Rolls: Chicken Breast, Cabbage, Carrots & Onions.  Good as a side dish by itself too!

Oven-"Fried' (but not really) Flounder (This was HEAVENLY!!)

Stir Fried Brown Rice!!

Tri-Color Penne w/ Roasted Chicken Breast, Shrimp in Lemon Herb Sauce!! One of those dishes you create in your head and it turns out waaay better than you expected!!

Oven-Baked Egg Rolls!!! Hit the SPOT because I REALLY wanted Chinese food on this day!!

Want a recipe? Let me Know!

 BE Great, BE Positive , BE Blessed .....and BE Healthy

Gemini Ladyy

 #followthepositivity

Instagram: @gemini_ladyy

Twitter: @liberateyoself