A Week In the Life of a Pole Dancer and Crossfit Athlete, Part Two

One thing I’ve learned in my time as a professional pole artist is that as creative as we are, we are also athletes. And being a successful athlete is as much about how you feed, mobilize and rest your body as it is about your tricks and achievements on stage and in the studio. There is no health, no longevity, without balance. I mix up my pole training with Crossfit and Strength classes at CrossFit Max Effort here in Las Vegas, along with as many flexibility classes as I can manage at Shine Fitness and Pole Fitness Studio. Pole and Crossfit BOTH require a level of commitment to achieve and maintain a high level of performance. The last year or so has been all about finding the balance of both, plus mobility, plus nutrition, plus rest. I can honestly say that what I have put myself through is only enriching what I have to offer as an instructor (I can’t wait to get back on the road again!). Here is a taste of my last week, which brought its challenges as well as its victories. But no matter what, each new day is a chance to take on the world yet again, and each evening is a chance to reflect on how damn lucky I am to be living here, surrounded by so much talent and passion, living my dream.

I am available for specialty workshops at your studio! For all tour bookings, please contact my manager Kristy at Poles on Tour.

A Window into a Pole And Crossfit Athlete’s World

Over the last week I recorded some of my pole classes and Crossfit training sessions. I have mixed highlights together over a short video clip for you to have a glimpse into a pole and Crossfit athlete’s world.

I have been a professional pole artist for over 14 years. Crossfit is relatively new for me, as I have barely a year of experience under my belt so far. This one year, however, has made a world of difference to me as an athlete on many levels – not just physically (though the changes in my body have been incredible too). I find the parallels between the two intriguing: both have a “reputation” in the media and broader public, a myth as it were, that not everyone is willing to explore or search beyond. The myth is EXACTLY why I stepped into these worlds and a big part of why I love them so much. Stepping outside what’s deemed “safe” inevitably brings more scope for growth on so many levels. Doing “just sports” is not for me. I don’t just want to excel at a particular movement. I want to be able to take that movement, and a whole bunch of others besides, and make them into a story of their own. I’m an artist at heart, with a love for physical expression. Along with that is a fascination for the possibilities and marvels of the human body, and how the mind and body are intrinsically connected. Both pole dancing and Crossfit challenge my mind every bit as much as my body. If my mental game isn’t on, my body won’t be up for breakthroughs that day. But if I can find that groove, that zone, that focus, then game on!

I hope you enjoy this minute and a half or so of my two happy places! If you’d like to see more of my adventures, please Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.

 

Jamilla at Shine Fitness

From this week I will be teaching at Shine Alternative Fitness here in Las Vegas! Classes range from Pole Fitness 1 to 3 for beginner to advanced, and drop ins are welcome. Check the Shine website for the latest schedule or my Facebook Page for daily updates. See you at Shine!

Click here for my upcoming Shine classes!

Book in to my classes at Shine here! Or just come on in: drop ins are welcome!

Online Skype Lessons!

Online Skype LessonsI am VERY excited to announce that I’m now offering Skype Online Lessons!

 

 

EXTEND YOURSELF ONLINE SKYPE LESSONS

How To Register
* Send an email, including your full name and email address, with the date(s) and time(s) you’d like to book in for (Check your time zone here).
* I’ll get back to you right away to confirm.
* Make payment and we’re set to go!

How To Join The Class On The Day
* Log in to Skype
* Make sure you’ve added me as a friend
* Let’s Pole!

The Art of Pole DVDs
Don’t forget, if you can’t make it to a class, you can always order your own set of The Art of Pole DVDs. Available all over the world, and now also available in dual language (English and Spanish), The Art of Pole takes you from the very basics of pole dancing and instructs you step by step in the finer points of technique. Every volume includes a thorough warm up, cool down, conditioning and stretching section, as well as live performances from myself (with a cameo from the goddess of pole herself, Fawnia Dietrich). You can find the series here!