Author: Lady K

While I understand the importance of social distancing to prevent overwhelming our thinly stretched healthcare resources, I am seriously missing some pole time and my community of friends at the studio. Waiting is really hard. I am looking forward to a sweet reunion where we can release all the pent-up SASS! I feel a party brewing.

Memberships have been suspended but will be reinstated when the Safer at Home order is rescinded.

In the meantime, I have re-watched the Super Bowl half-time show, explored pole competitions on YouTube, reviewed video of our own student and staff showcase performances and dreamed up choreography for future routines. It seems that Carousel instructors have been dreaming and scheming as well. They have some awesome ideas for classes when we are finally free to fly again.

One exciting new offering that is planned is the Post-COVID Flight School. It will be a four week series designed to regain strength, flexibility and muscle memory for pole moves, tricks, spins and transitions—skills that are firmly in the “use it or lose it” category. I will keep you posted.

Please take care of yourselves, nurture your inner diva and create habits that feed your mind, body and soul. You are beautiful, powerful and sexy.

In the waiting,
— Lady K —

It’s hard to believe that one year ago this weekend, I walked into my normal Saturday morning Abs and Booty class to discover that the previous owner was planning to close the doors of my Happy Place for good. Not five minutes earlier did I ever dream that I would have the incredible privilege of owning this wonderful gem of a studio. M needed a little convincing, but he has taken to it quite well–creative beast that he is. I am also very thankful for the wonderful instructors that stuck with us through all the renovations and rebuilding process. I love these ladies with my soul!

We had a wildly successful Student and Instructor Showcase on January 4 and saw some amazing performances. Four of our performers: Emmy, Jesse, Breezy Lee and Tomi are sure to make a splash at LOL Pole Fest January 17-19 in Minneapolis. I can’t wait to see them shine.

We close 2019 with a strong vision and lots of SASS and look forward to adding more instructors and classes this spring as well as hosting more events and workshops. Tony the Pony is looking forward to parade season again this year. Stay tuned!

Make 2020 a year of kindness. Of lifting others up and inviting them to rise and become the best versions of themselves. It takes nothing away from us to help others to succeed.

— Lady K —

Five travelers from Carousel Pole Fitness just returned from Pole Sport Organization (PSO) Great Lakes regional championships November 21-22 in Chicago. There was some pre-competition drama due to a last-minute venue change as the Vittum Theater suffered water damage from a sprinkler system malfunction. We braved the brutal traffic on the Magnificent Mile to the Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel who offered their Crystal Ballroom to host the competition.  Scores of performers from at least a dozen studios showed us their very best in more than 20 different divisions. It was an atmosphere of support for all competitors from novice to elite levels. The competitors and the audience were a diverse group. One competitor was a grandfather in his 60’s.  

Friday night, our own Emmy Young performed an emotional tribute to her grandmother set to Rag’n’Bone Man’s “Life in Her Yet” and took first place in the Dramatic Level 3 Senior division.

She was one of only two competitors that performed on both days this weekend. On Saturday afternoon she performed a beautiful dance choreographed to “O Fortuna” from the opera Carmina Burana and won a second-place medal.

Before the competition Emmy said, “I just want to medal. Any medal. And I don’t even care if it’s by default!”

It was such a fun weekend of camaraderie and encouragement. The group of five from Carousel Pole Fitness enjoyed time together at the event and at an AirBNB apartment in Little Italy. You can be sure that Emmy, Jesse and Breanna have some new inspiration and are energized to prepare for the Land of Lakes Pole Festival in Minneapolis in January of 2020 where at least four competitors from Carousel will take the stage.  More to come about that later.

We are so proud of Emmy and excited for those who plan to perform in January.

Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving.

Lady K

Freezin’s Greetings!

Check out our November calendar. We want to offer more of the classes you want, so please let us know what you are thinking. Shoot me an email at [email protected] or chat with us in person at the studio.

We had a spooktacular time and a full house for the Dia de Muertos workshop on Friday, November 1. Karina cast a spell that had us all dizzy. We are hoping to pack the house twice for our Santa Baby burlesque workshops on Saturday, December 21 at 5 and 7 pm. Sign up now as spaces fill quickly.

PSO Championships are right around the corner and we will be there cheering on our own EMMY in her performances on Friday and Saturday, November 22 and 23. Stay tuned for the results.

We are so grateful to our clients and friends for allowing us to do what we love.

Stay warm and keep a smile on your heart.

Lady K

We had a lot of really excited ladies stop by our booth at UWRF the beautiful morning of September 27 to find out about our pole and exercise classes, our workshops and parties. We had scores of entries vying for our prizes, and the following were winners:

1. Katie S – Private Lesson
2. Callie G – 5 Class Passes
3. Jordan W – T-Shirt
4. Alexis R – T-Shirt

Callie was one of the most excited ladies to visit with us. She and several friends returned for our 1:00 drawing…and Shellie drew her name! We were thrilled to award her the prize on the spot, and she was happy to pose with Tony the Pony.

Instructor Shellie—who probably mentioned her aerial yoga classes—had such a great time meeting students, staff and others at the UW-River Falls City Sampler, that she wants to do it again next year. We hope to see you there, or better yet, in one of our classes!

– Lady K –

This year Carousel is skipping Halloween and going for something even bigger. We are heading south of the border for the huge celebration of Dia de los Muertos! In case that three-day holiday doesn’t sound familiar, check out this brief primer.

Karina (our sexy Latina) has devised a workshop that will truly exhilarate you! Grab your amigas and your hottest heels and join us for this spicy but sweet celebration. A little pole, a little chair, a little floor, and just the right amount of sass. Take the routine home to perform for your honey…or just come and enjoy it for yourself.

The doors open at 6:00 pm on Friday, November 1, to give you plenty of time to hang out…or…to work on your costumes and makeup. (Costumes are encouraged but not required.) The party, I mean, the workshop cranks up at 7:00. Join a horde of colorful characters for dancing, refreshments and revelry.

As always, to reserve your place at this party, sign up on MindBody. All this for only $25! (And only $10 for members!)

Please join us for Dia de Muertos! Who knew that celebrating the dead could be so lively?

Con amor,
Lady K

How many ladies do you know who have or have had breast cancer?

My mom had it. My aunt had it. A coworker. Friends from church. Scared. Hurt. Haunted. But not alone and not hopeless.

It is wonderful that many of us are surrounded by supportive friends and family, but that is not enough. Every woman has an intimate, personal struggle that is hers alone. Even on the days she feels like she can’t crawl out of bed, let alone look at herself in the mirror; those are the days she most needs support…fresh air…movement…a sister who understands and “gets” her.

In 2001, I was “given” six months to live! While not breast cancer, I too am a survivor with my own physical and emotional scars. As a physical therapist, I have pursued women’s health, oncology, and lymphedema specializations. As the new owner of a women’s fitness studio, I have the opportunity to come alongside other women in their pain…in their recovery…helping them through the now…and helping them into their future with purpose and confidence.

If you know someone who has been touched with this disease, please invite them to our free class. If you are someone who has or has had it, please, please come! We are able to modify all exercises to push you, to stretch you—just enough. Our magical mirrors possess the power to show you how beautiful you really, truly are—scars and all!

Join us on Thursdays at 5:30 pm. No commitment. Just fun folks in a fun place who want to help you to enjoy being you. We can help you get your sparkle back and fully embrace the new and improved YOU.

You deserve this.

Welcome, Warrior.

— Lady K —