From sunny but chilly Las Vegas to all of you around the world, hoping you are with the ones you love for this holiday season. I’ll be back in the studio from tomorrow teaching Pole’Ography and Pole Fitness 2, as well as all through the weekend. Next week will bring rehearsals for a very special New Years Eve party here on the Las Vegas strip. It may be cold outside but I’m keeping very warm! Merry Christmas everyone!
Tag Archives: pole workshops
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!
Mini Tutorial: Couch Stretch (and beyond!)
If you follow me on Instagram you’ll have seen my mix of Crossfit, cross training, and pole training videos. Today’s post was a mini tutorial, taking the Couch Stretch (a mobility exercise for opening the hips) and extending it just a little further. The basic Couch Stretch is a great way to reverse the bad habits formed by sitting for long periods; this version is particularly for more advanced athletes and dancers (as it moves towards splits and backbending). As I explain in the commentary below, don’t try this if you are currently injured, make sure pad your back knee, and preferably have an experienced instructor to guide you through safely.
EXTEND YOURSELF. Enjoy!
Variation: Stand in front of a chair or sofa and place one knee against the back of it.
Important: Do not hyper-extend your lower back. Instead, ensure you press your hips forward and pull in your lower rib cage.
* With your back knee on padding & against the wall, take your front foot beyond your front knee and move into a lunge (I like to rock around a little in each of these positions rather than being too static).
* Pull your hips back evenly into a hamstring stretch. Again, feel free to rock around gently to feel out this position.
* Lunge forwards again, repositioning your front foot a little further out; work towards letting your hips drop towards the floor while not sinking into your lower back. * Lift your chest & think of elongating your spine. Drop your shoulders & your head back. At this point, if your hips are low enough, you might be able to place your fingers or hands to the floor.
* Coming out, again think of keeping your hips low & spine long, with your head coming up once your body is upright again.
* Using your hands (& the squareness of your hips) for balance, slide your front leg out. The aim is to keep your hips square & your back foot in place on the wall.
Different bodies will make different “pictures”, so observe what yours does and why. Enjoy! (With thanks to Crossfit Max Effort for the awesome training space!)
You can book Jamilla for private lessons in Las Vegas or private online Skype lessons. Contact us here!
Thanksgiving
This time of year (Thanksgiving is the fourth Thursday in November here in the US) is a big reminder of the value of gratitude. For me it’s a time to look back at the adventures of the year and to appreciate the successes, the lessons, and the people who were a part of it all. With my life being that of an athlete, right now I’m grateful for my health and fitness, as well as for the industries (pole and Crossfit) that have made it possible for me to live my dream. These industries are thriving because of the passion and determination of the people in them. Hook into that vibe, that inspiration, and the impossible becomes possible! Thank YOU for the inspiration, and Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
For more information on my whereabouts & continuing pole adventures in December (including a return to Seattle!), go to my Events Page. And if you’d like to drop by Vegas and have an inspirational hour or two of private pole tuition with me, contact me here (the inspiration goes both ways!).