Managing Inspiration

Inspiration usually hits me when I'm anywhere but in the studio. I hear a song in the car and think of how I might dance to it or I see how I can 'transition' from one end of the kitchen to the other. Then I get to the studio and nothing... 

I've been having a think about how to improve inspiration intake and retention to get the best out of training sessions:

Get a notebook

This doesn't work for everyone because of the stop-start nature when you're coming up with your own material... but it is an excellent way to remember the moves, combos and flows you've already been taught in class. You can also write yourself a training plan based on that material.

Use the resources in the studio

We have some laminated training cards for both aerial and pole that include tons of combos or conditioning exercises if you’re stuck. There are also pole checklists that encourage you to train your dominant and non-dominant side!

Get the Shazam app

If you hear a song that moves you, open up Shazam and get it in your music library. It's free!

Freestyle!

I once heard Sarah Scott talk about movement around a pole. She reminded people they could change direction, size, shape, height, speed, body extension/contraction etc. It sounds so basic but it’s often something we forget about when moving.

Attend a different class

Instructors have their own style so use that by attending different classes if you want to experiment! It’s not exclusive to instructors either, every class has different students and you can take inspiration from one another.

Instagram

Follow people, save their posts, look at the way they move. It doesn’t have to be limited to that either, you could use your Instagram simply as a log of your own achievements. It’s important not to compare yourself to others but why not remind yourself of how far you’ve come in your own journey.

What inspires you and how do you apply it to your training?

C x