This final post in our ‘May We Suggest Series’ is going to discuss coming back from a long term break - 6 months or more. I am excited to discuss this because I came back from a long-term break and there are a lot of things I’d like to share.

There Is No Rush - When I got back to pole, it was tempting to see if I could do the things where I left off. However, I am not the same person I was when I took a break. I recovered from old injuries, did a lot of strength training, had different life experiences and pole meant something completely different to me than when I left. I loved to do all the crazy tricks before but I didn’t have the same pull to put in all the training that advanced pole requires. I loved basic dance and choreography classes and felt no pressure to go back into the advanced training I did. I was fortunate to be able to teach a lot of choreography classes since we opened, so spending time with so many awesome people who enjoyed the art and creativity of choreography was exactly what I needed. If you’re coming back from a break, there is no rush to get back to where you were (if ever!). Enjoy your time dancing and training, it may lead you down a completely different path.
It’s Going To Hurt! I forgot how much pole hurts (the same goes for hoop!). Getting back at it is not only remembering the moves, but also conditioning your body and skin. I found leg hangs so painful, bruises came back, and let’s not even talk about trying to do the Superman! As painful as this was, it was fun to think back when I started pole and got those bruises for the first time. And as always, it gets better faster than you think!
Life Is Different - If you’ve taken a long-term break, life is different, which means that your experience will been different. Maybe you’re now a new mom or have finished school and are working full-time. Life has different demands on our time and energy at different points in our lives. Whether your time is limited and getting away for one hour a week is your new normal or you can now dedicate 5+ hours a week to training, look at what your life requires of you now, not what you used to be able to do. Be honest with yourself of what your experience will be now, not what it was before. It will be so much more rewarding!
Enjoy!! - The best advice I can give, which I feel wholeheartedly is enjoy! I didn’t think I would pole again after I stopped, so every time I get to teach or train, I just love every moment. I am a different person, having a new experience with this studio (which I can’t say enough how much I love!), with different goals and treating this as a new experience as opposed to how I used to train is simply the best! Being at our studio should be time for you so make sure you are setting yourself up for success, challenging yourself, and enjoying!! Since I put very little pressure on myself to get back to where I used to be, I actually found myself back with advanced training and I love it more than ever. Listen to your body, do what you want and not what you think you should be doing, and see where it takes you. I hope you love every moment!

xoxox
-Brigitte

MAY WE SUGGEST... PART 4 - LONG TERM BREAK