Author: Lady K

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11 Events, 11 Medals at PSO Great Lakes!

Last weekend, eleven travelers (plus a few significant others) from our humble studio made the six-hour drive to the PSO Great Lakes pole competition held at the Vittum Theater, just a few miles from downtown Chicago. We had nine competitors entered into eleven different events. Six had never competed before.

The event spanned two days attracting over 130 crazy talented performers representing 26 studios from all across the country in 36 different events. The competition was tough and we saw some absolutely amazing performances from Entertainment, Dramatic and Championship (straight up Ninjas) to the more exotic Low Flow, Floor and Shadowbanned categories.

Our crew had one performance on Friday night and ten on Saturday.

  • Miki took GOLD in level 3 Entertainment and SILVER in level 3 Dramatic 
  • Kiki took SILVER in level 1 Entertainment
  • Emmy took GOLD in level 4 Championship and GOLD in level 4 Dramatic
  • Cherry Spice took BRONZE in level 1 Dramatic
  • Erin took SILVER in level 2 Dramatic
  • Amberly took GOLD in level 1 Floor Work and Flow
  • JessiKay took BRONZE in level 4 Dramatic
  • Breezy Lee took SILVER in level 4 Entertainment
  • Amber Lynn took SILVER in level 3 Shadowbanned

I am beyond proud of all these amazing women (and have been all along). Their dedication, courage and strength inspire me every day. I am hearing excitement as they are looking forward to future competitions.

We have a few people doing virtual competition early in 2022 as well. I will keep you apprised of the results when they are posted.

Congratulations, Team!

You are loved more than you know.

–Lady K

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Blog Backlog!

Allison P demonstrates an invert in the aerial yoga hammock

Oh my, how the time does fly! So much SASS to talk about.

We had a wildly successful Student and Instructor Showcase on Aug 21 with group and solo performances from sport and exotic to lyrical and Zumba. Tricks Bingo was a hit. We will be posting snippets of the show to our YouTube Channel when the final edits are complete. Thank you to all our wonderful performers!

The next showcase is slated for October 30 and our PSO Great Lakes competition team will debut their pieces in front of a live audience to prepare them to take the stage at the Vittum Theater in Chicago November 12 and 13, many of them for the first time. We wish them all the best of luck as they prepare. You ladies are all winners to me!

Our August drawing winner is Allison P. Congrats!! She says, “This is the best place to gain self-confidence! You get to exercise with the most supportive women and the instructors are so helpful and knowledgeable.” Thank you Allison. We are honored to be a part of your journey.

Coming on October 2, we have a crafty workshop on tap. Our very own Shellie Love is hosting a Splice Party. During this 90 minute workshop we will create a body cage from a racerback bodysuit and then do a short and sexy routine to show it off. Bring an inexpensive bodysuit (from Target or Amazon), a pillow, a pair of sharp fabric scissors and your favorite heels. Refreshments and inspiration provided. Cost is $15 per person. Check out MINDBODY for details and sign up info…and bring a friend.

As the seasons change, I am reminded to slow down, to savor and enjoy all the transitions of life. Change is the one constant in life and it is reassuring to know that, just as each season has its beauty and challenges, we can trust that our journeys make up a beautiful mosaic that can thrill, comfort, challenge and humble us to make us better, more empathic and interdependent. We do not exist for ourselves but to build each other up with love and grace.

Peace, my Beautiful Messes!

–Lady K

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Coming Back for More

August 2021 winner Abby R doing a Pole Sit

As the great oracle Carlos Santana prophesied: Man, it’s a hot one. Like seven inches from the midday sun…

While class attendance has taken the usual summer dip as people prefer to exercise outside, the studio has been abuzz with bachelorette and birthday parties and both students and instructors are preparing for our summer showcase in just over a week! There’s still time to sign up if you’d like to bring your pole talents in front of a live (and very friendly and appreciative) audience. I am completely amazed at the strength, grace and downright sassiness I am seeing as my ladies master some pretty awesome stuff. 

Congratulations to our July drawing winner–Abby R! Abby just found us a couple of months ago and is already hooked. She says “I love the friendly atmosphere and the wonderful women at Carousel Pole. They’re incredibly supportive. The classes are fun and the studio is just the right mixture of sexy and casual. I can’t wait to keep coming back for more!” We can’t wait either.

We love our little studio and we love our little town. Come and work out with us and then visit some other local gems like Madison Avenue Wine & Spirits in the industrial park or Urban Olive & Vine downtown.

Enjoy who you are where you are, my beauties.

–Lady K

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Sizzling Summer

Leah Z does the Vampire (Shoulder Stand) in Aerial Yoga class

This summer has been particularly hot…especially inside our studio…SASSY HOT!

We are thrilled to announce our June drawing winner…Congratulations Leah Z!

Leah wins one month of free classes. She has been hanging around in our Monday Aerial Yoga class since February and has  grown in both strength and confidence. Above is her favorite pose: the Vampire or Shoulder Stand. She hates to miss class and is looking forward to trying Abs and Booty next. 

During July and August our UNLIMITED memberships are half price and we are having a Kinesiology Workshop on July 17 and our Student Showcase on August 21. Our students and instructors are working hard on their showcase routines and some of them plan to take them to Chicago for the PSO Great Lakes competition in November. ROAD TRIP!!

You don’t have to compete to feel comfortable at Carousel. We welcome sassy ladies of all skill levels and trust that you will feel at home in our little community. 

Love to All My Beautiful Babes,

–Lady K

“Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself.”
Coco Chanel

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¡Viva la Fiesta!

Karina preps for Cinco de Mayo

We had an amazing turnout and a fabulous time at our Cinco de Mayo Fiesta on Saturday the 8th of Mayo. Karina the sexy Latina taught a booty shaking, heel clacking, twerktastic routine to Jason Derulo’s “Mamacita”. Check out our Instagram for pics and video clips.

We plan to resume our seasonal parties and workshops as Covid restrictions are eased and more people are vaccinated. We are also planning a student SHOWCASE in August. More details are forthcoming as we get the dates pinned down. All skill levels will be featured in solo and group performances. I can’t wait to see our talented students showing off their mad skills! We’d love to see you on our stage as well. You can plan your own routine or get help from our BOMB instructors.

We embrace women of all shapes, sizes and skin tones. Come on in, you sexy beast!

— Lady K

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Twice as Nice

Kristin Briggs wins again!

M asked me what we would do if we drew the same person’s name twice for our monthly drawing. I told him that was very unlikely. Well…congratulations for winning twice, Kristin B!

She says “I can’t believe I won again!! There’s no way I would be in the drawing if not for my teachers. I would like to thank all the amazing teachers at Carousel for helping me build my self confidence with a body and mind workout.” Kristin wins a second month of free classes. She added “I will gracefully decline if it happens again!”

We thank all of the students who worked hard to nail those tricks and for mentioning us on social media. We love our students!!

— Lady K

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And the Winner is…

We are thrilled to announce the winner or our first monthly drawing. Kristin B has been attending classes at Carousel Pole Fitness since September of 2020. She particularly enjoys aerial yoga and tricks classes. She says “I’m so glad that I joined! Everyone is so nice and encouraging. It really builds self-confidence.” She wins one month of unlimited classes and her entries will be retained for our end-of-year drawing for 3 months of classes. Congratulations Kristin. You are amazing!

The April ‘Shout Out’ board is beginning to fill up and new friends are being added to our community weekly. Mention us on social media and receive additional tickets for our next drawing on April 30.

May the Odds be Ever in Your Favor,

-Lady K

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Coming out of Hibernation

March came in like a lamb! Over the past several weeks, I have left the studio after classes and had such love and excitement in my heart. We have such a wonderfully encouraging and supportive community and I am so thankful for my BOMB instructors and their untiring commitment to our little studio and our awesome students. I love us!!

Some BIG things are in the works. Zumba classes will begin this week on Thursdays at 5 pm. Sign up now. Also, beginning this month, Carousel Pole Fitness students are welcome to enter our new monthly drawing for one FREE month of unlimited classes. The drawing is open to all current Carousel Pole Fitness clients. One name will be drawn on the last day of each month and you need not be present to win.

Here’s the breakdown:

One entry for each of the following:

  • New entries on the Shout Outs board: one for each new trick
  • New review or recommendation
  • Every time you “check in” to Carousel Pole Fitness
  • Unique social media posts (ie, one for FB, one for Instagram…)
  • Purchases made in studio or on the MINDBODY app
  • Tagging Carousel Pole Fitness

Five entries for each:

  • Bring a new friend to a class or workshop
  • Refer a client who purchases a membership of any level
  • Book a private lesson
  • Book or refer a party

You will also have the opportunity to have your name or stage name and photo or video posted on our social media. 

Good Luck and stay tuned for more exciting news to come.

–Lady K

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Peace in Turbulent Times

If we have learned anything in the past year, it’s that human connection is so important. We are able to make short term sacrifices to personal comfort and freedom but, man, it’s hard to do it alone. I miss my friends and family. I miss seeing people’s smiles. A Zoom call is nice but it’s not quite the same. I read an article once that stated that humans need twelve meaningful touches every day at a minimum for mental health. And we know how important our mind is to our physical wellbeing.

The importance of physical touch was the primary thing that drew me to the profession of physical therapy, and over the past 20 years, I have been able to provide healing touch to thousands of patients. Early in 2020, I was in a horseback riding accident and sustained multiple orthopedic injuries and fractures. Above is a photo of us two months before the accident. (Pepper Jack is fine, by the way. He was happy to meet the sheriff and first responders.) I am healing remarkable well but I am no longer able to perform the essential functions of my job as a PT and as of December 31, 2020, I am “retired” from my day job. I am now free to devote more time and energy to nurturing Carousel (my Happy Place).

It’s all new and different and kind of scary…but when I step inside the cocoon of our studio, the atmosphere is different. I feel a little strut in my step. Tension eases just a bit and I feel stronger, bolder, more confident. As I strap on my heels, unroll my mat, feel the silks in my hands or the smooth steel of the pole, I know that I have a community of sisters that support me and clients that rely on me to keep them safe.

We are not immune to struggles but we can help each other to rise above them. Together.

–Lady K

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Open For Business!

Pole dance is the perfect workout as we come out of quarantine. 

Consider the recommendations for preventing the spread of disease.

  • Maintain a distance of six feet from other people — CHECK
    • Our poles are spaced greater than six feet apart so we don’t kick each other while doing the Monkey spin wearing 7-inch stilettos
  • Hand hygiene — TRIPLE CHECK
    • Pre-class hand washing to remove oils from skin so we don’t slide off the poles
    • In-class frequent use of alcohol spray to clean the poles
    • Post-class hand washing to remove grip aids from hands
  • Avoid touching your face — CHECK
    • I don’t want Dry Hands or Firm Grip on my face. Eww.
  • Physical exercise improves immune function — CHECK
    • Pole is a great total body workout…for an hour 
    • All the major health organizations recommend at least 150 minutes per week of moderate activity or at least 75 minutes per week of intense activity 

Soooo…you should be doing at least two pole classes per week because…science! 

In health,

— Lady K —