PowerPole-classes with Oona Kivelä

I told you before we're spoiled rotten here in Helsinki. Envy me all you want but I'm still going to tell you about the Powerpole-classes I've attended at Gymi in Kamppi, Helsinki with none other than Oona Kivelä.

I often hear people disregarding a pole dancer's competition success with "oh, but (s)he's a former gymnast/ ballet dancer/ whatever". As if doing other sports was somehow unfair to those contestants who only practise on the pole. Let me give a free piece of advice to all aspiring pole superstars: Do other stuff as well.

In this video you can see how Oona Kivelä trains. Most of it is shot at Gymi Kamppi so you can also see glimpses of the equipment that is available to all Gymi-goers.

I've only had the chance to attend twice so far (thanks Oona for letting me join mid-season!) but I've already realised what a difference some ancillary training can make. Some of the moves in PowerPole are, as the name suggests, pole moves - but not necessarily on the pole. Practising ayeshas on wall bars and hanging in a gemini on a parallel bar makes you pay attention to details in the move that you cannot necessarily see on a pole when you're worrying about grip among other things. We've also practised handstands, headstands and some basic moves on an aerial ring.

I've been way too busy and sweaty to bother with a camera, but take a look a this cool collage from Gymi's gallery.

I'm so glad Oona and her associate have realised that this stuff shouldn't be only for kids!

Olen käynyt nyt kahdesti Oona Kivelän PowerPole-tunneilla Kampin Gymillä ja voin suositella tunteja lämpimästi oheistreeniksi kaikille tankotanssijoille!

Posted in: me, Oona Kivelä, pole dancing classes