Blind Ambition – Teaching Visually Impaired Aerialists

By MandyNo Comments
I would like to share my experience of working at Tempest Dance & Fitness with pole and aerial students who are visually impaired, in the hope that it will help other instructors to have the confidence to seek out these mutually beneficial relationships. Discussions with student First of all discuss your student’s visual impairment with them. What, if anything can they actually see? Have they always been unable to see? Can they make out shapes or colours? Each student’s needs will be different and may change each lesson, so have an ongoing discussion of their abilities. For example, consider which part of the room you are teaching in that day, maybe it’s not a good idea to teach directly in front of a window or maybe that could be the best place for them. Try to understand their sight loss as much as you can. Do they want music? Some students will want background music as it helps with the movement and flow,...
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Student Spotlight March – Andrea

By MandyNo Comments
Andrea was nominated for Student Spotlight by her best friend who said "Andrea is always enthusiastic and constantly helps me with any moves that I struggle with. Her journey in pole encouraged and inspired me then her sister and our other friend. It is because of Andrea that all four of us come week in week out." Why did you decide to start pole/aerial? I was in the navy and had to keep fit but hated the gym, so I googled fun fitness classes and pole fitness was at the top of the list. So I thought why the heck not, what have I got to lose, so I went and had an absolute blast. Then when I came back to Darlington I found Tempest Dance and Fitness and couldn't wait to go again. Did you do any other dancing/fitness before starting pole/aerial? Nope I have no dancing skills what so ever!!! How long have you been taking part in classes at Tempest? I’ve been at Tempest...
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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT – JULIE

By MandyNo Comments
Julie has been at student at Tempest for 6 months and has fully immersed herself into #TeamTempest life. Why did you decide to start pole/aerial? I'd contemplated doing pole for ages before I took the plunge. I'd heard it was a great way of keeping fit and developing core strength. I did a google search and found Tempest and summoned up the courage to give it a try. I'll never forget how apprehensive I was before that first class; I didn't know anyone and I was worried that everyone would be better than me. I need never have worried - it might sound dramatic but was a life changing moment for me Did you do any other dancing/fitness before starting pole/aerial?  I do quite a few other fitness activities - weights, running, spinning, circuits etc. However I always thought I was far too clumsy to do anything dance related. I've surprised myself and found that when my feet are off the ground I'm more...
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Student Spotlight – EM

By Mandy2 Comments
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT - EM Meet Em. Em supports Team Tempest in every possible way - she attends and shares as many events as she can. She supports other members too and even her kids are #TeamTempest. We're very proud to present her as July's Student Spotlight. Why did you decide to start pole/aerial? It will have been over 4 year ago when myself and a group of friends decided to pile in my 7 seater and attend our very first pole class. We just wanted to see what it was about and have some fun....we had fun and lots of bruises! One by one everyone dropped out and so did I. I heard about Tempest and decided to give it another go. I watched all these other girls wishing I could be like them, however I felt I didn’t fit in and stopped yet again. I returned to Tempest again after the battle of losing weight and found it had a new owner. I...
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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT – CHERYL

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT – CHERYL

By Mandy Comment Closed
Meet Cheryl, one of our longest dancing members at #TeamTempest. Cheryl fills the room with her glitter, smiles and positivity every week and she epitomises the #TeamTempest spirit. We're very proud to present her as our very first Student Spotlight. Why did you decide to start pole? I wanted to do something that was dance based but a bit more than an adult exercise class, which can be more aerobics style. Also I thought I might be able to look slightly more glamorous! ?? Oh and I really like heights! Did you do any other dancing/fitness before starting Pole? I did a dance fitness class and since joining pole/aerial classes I have done burlesque and belly-dance and I also go to another County Durham dance school where I do street and tap! How long have you been taking part in pole? Probably getting close to eight years since starting pole! What keeps you coming back to Tempest? I really like how you can mix the different styles of dance for...
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Your Dance CV and Performance Portfolio

Your Dance CV and Performance Portfolio

By Mandy Comment Closed
  There is no one correct template for a dance CV. Performers, agents and customers all have different preferences. Make it clear, professional, informative and honest. What’s the difference? A CV tends to be shorter and more formal. A Performance Portfolio tends to be fuller, include more background information and images of work you have done. (more…)...
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6 Reasons to Cross Train!

6 Reasons to Cross Train!

By Gillian Hutton Comment Closed
6 Reasons to Cross Train! 1 - Injury Prevention Over use of certain muscles can happen if you focus solely on one thing - be it a move, a style or a sport. (That’s one of the reasons your instructors get you to work on both sides!) Cross training gives the body a chance to be challenged in new ways, work in new ways and create balance in your body. (more…)...
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Sequins and Baubles! By Clare

By Tempest Comment Closed
Sequins and Baubles - My First Hafla by Clare I was asked to perform at my first hafla, the Sequins and Baubles Winter Hafla in Newcastle, as part of the Moonlight Minxes dance troup (cue jokes about how 'I didn't *hafla* do it if I didn't want to' at my apprehension about performing in front of a real live audience, and not just the dance studio mirrors). (more…)...
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Men Pole Too – By Keith Fusco

By Tempest Comment Closed
Men Pole Too Men Pole Too is a Facebook page that I started a year ago on the 9th October 2014 to help educate the world that pole dancing isn’t just for women and that a lot of men do it too. I also created it, in the hope that it could be somewhere that likeminded people could interact, share their photos and stories with everyone else. (more…)...
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