Student Spotlight - Jillene

 I am originally from Lillooet, British Columbia. I do not have a specific place I consider my home town as I have never lived in a place for more than two years until I moved to Calgary.

My favourite pasttime is my burlesque. There are so many creative elements to building a burlesque dance, like building a story, choosing music, creating coreography, and designing and making a costume. I love seeing how an idea progresses into a stage production. Burlesque is so beautiful and versatile, and it is something I feel my soul resonates with.

I love that pole is constantly challenging me to connect with my body. I love that it pushes my mind and body to work together. I still take level one classes and realize I have more to learn. I also carry trauma in my body that has disconnected me from fully moving within myself. Pole and aerials have helped me engage my muscles and body in such a healing way.

My favourite pole and aerial move are actually the same!! The fallen angel! My favourite class is definitely the 2/3 splits on Tuesday mornings with Robin. I actually build my work schedule around being able to go to that class. I always laugh a lot in that class.

I have moved through a lot of different fitness classes and spaces. Aradia fitness is different because I feel like I am apart of a fitness family. The teachers are amazing and I have met incredible people in the classes as well. I look forward to seeing everyone at the studio. I also love that it is easy to see your own progress. I always learn a new move and struggle with it, and then after consistent work I can do it. It is empowering to see your own growth. Pole and aerials both feel like their own language. The more I learn of them the more I feel I can speak through them, so I am anxious to learn as much as I can!

I think what surprised me the most was how painful both are. I am sure almost everyone has seen me on the floor at some point or another, clutching some part of my body. But in many ways it has taught me resilience. The more you let it hurt and work that area, it hurts less over time. I was surprised as well to learn the versatility of pole. I had a very stereotypical view of pole as mainly a sensual type of dance, which I have always loved about it, but I have learned how pole can be used to express so many emotions. That really hit me when I did Robin’s pole fluidity class. The movement was expressively sad and heavy. I loved it.