In today’s digital age, Instagram has become a hub for pole dancers to share their incredible moves, combos, and choreographies. The clips and pictures you see online are awe-inspiring and aspirational – but they can also create unrealistic expectations for students just starting their pole journey. Let’s talk about the real story behind those perfect shots and highlight why you should never compare your progress to what you see on social media.
The Perfect Shot: More Than Meets the Eye
Scrolling through Instagram, you’ll likely see breathtaking tricks, flawless transitions, and fluid combos. But what you don’t see is the process behind that one perfect shot.
- It’s one shot out of many: That picture-perfect pose or smooth sequence might be the result of 50 or more attempts. Pole dancers spend hours training, reattempting, and tweaking their moves until they finally nail the look they want.
- Hours of practice: Behind every combo or choreography is a significant investment of time. That “effortless” flow you see in a 30-second video is often the result of hours (or even days) of preparation, repetition, and practice.
The Hidden Challenges of Advanced Tricks
Instagram also showcases many intermediate and advanced pole dancers performing impressive tricks that make you think, “I want to try that!” But it’s important to remember:
- Experience matters: Many of these dancers have been training for years, often daily, to build the strength, flexibility, and body awareness needed for these moves.
- Understanding difficulty: As a student, it’s not always easy to gauge how challenging a trick or transition is. Without proper strength, flexibility, and technique, attempting advanced moves can be frustrating and even unsafe.
It’s natural to want to try new things, but don’t feel discouraged if you can’t nail a move you saw online. You may just need more time, practice, or guidance from an experienced instructor to get there.
The Comparison Trap
Seeing these seemingly effortless performances can sometimes lead to self-doubt. You might think:
- “Why can’t I do that?”
- “Am I not good enough?”
- “Shouldn’t I be better by now?”
But here’s the truth: the people you see on Instagram are often professionals who dedicate much of their time to pole training. Many of them train daily, while you might be practising once or twice a week as a hobby. And that’s okay! Your pole journey is yours alone, and it’s about enjoying the process, not meeting a social media standard.
Focus on Your Own Journey
Instead of comparing yourself to Instagram – an to anybody else for that matter – focus on your personal growth and accomplishments:
- Celebrate your wins: Whether it’s mastering a basic spin, holding a plank longer, or simply feeling more confident on the pole, every step is progress.
- Ask for guidance: If you’re inspired by a move, bring it to class! Your instructor can help break it down, assess its difficulty, and guide you toward safely building the skills to try it.
Enjoy the process: Pole dance is as much about the journey as it is about the tricks. Relish the joy of movement, the strength you’re building, and the community you’re part of.
The Bottom Line
What you see on Instagram is a highlight reel – years of experience, hours of practice, and countless attempts distilled into one flawless moment. Your pole journey is unique, and it’s important to set realistic expectations, stay safe, and, most importantly, have fun.
So, the next time you’re tempted to compare yourself to that incredible clip on Instagram, remember: every dancer starts somewhere, and progress takes time. Keep showing up, and you’ll achieve amazing things – in your own way, at your own pace.
