At shows and competitions, the performers, competitors, and producers all have clear expectations for roles…
How to find the *right* pole dance teacher
For those of us starting our pole journey in the club or studio, usually we don’t get a whole lot of choice in who our first teachers are. They are simply the first person we start interacting with (or watching and mimicking) and hopefully they are offering us enough of what we need to keep us coming back!
As you decide that you’re really into pole, you might start to branch out and look for specific instructors or mentors in a more individualized setting to hone in on improving specific skills or working toward specific goals. You could go on a whole journey to find out who could be the best teacher for you!
Remember, there is no *right* or ideal teacher. There might be one that is better for you right now at this point in your journey than someone else.
These are a list of some things to consider when picking a pole teacher. Like most things, it’s not an exhaustive list but some things to think about if you’re in the market for a new mentor!
Things to think about when picking your next pole teacher
Convenience – this one is a big one. Even if you are super dedicated, it can be hard to stick with something that isn’t convenient you to. Convenience can mean many things. Some people prefer in-person instruction so someone within driving distance is key. For others, convenient time might mean pre-recorded or on demand platforms when you can learn literally on your own preferred schedule. Maybe you’re more about maximizing a location you’re currently visiting (and paying for!) so something like your current club or local studio might be the best choice. Think about what convenience means to you and how you can work your poling into your existing schedule and budget.
Personality – some people really prefer someone who is going to push them while others prefer a teacher who is going to “let them off the hook.” For your training, do you envision a “drill sergeant” or more of a “friend?” Are you looking for someone you can send random DMs to who will be excited about your progress, or do you prefer more of a professional setting that you only interact when it’s your “official” time slot? You might prioritize someone who makes you laugh and have a good time during some parts of your pole journey and someone who keeps you on track when you’re training for a big competition or performance opportunity. Understanding that a personality miss-match can impact how well you learn and how much you enjoy your time is something big to consider when deciding who to work with.
Expertise – this is the one that we probably think of the most important, but it can actually be the least valuable element in my experience. Finding someone that is doing the type of movement you want to learn is important, sure, but at this point, that describes a lot of people! We really are growing as an industry! And just because someone is a beautiful mover who posts cool content on Instagram doesn’t always mean they are the best teacher for *you.* They might not be convenient to your life, or they might have a personality that just doesn’t work for you. I used to work with a coach who won a lot of competitions – which is what I wanted at the time. Our personalities didn’t really match up, and I dreaded going to see them every week. It took me a long time to realize that personality was going to be a bigger factor for me in my journey than expertise or even convenience.
It’s ok to make a change
Sometimes you just need a change. You might have been with the same teacher/mentor/coach for a while, and they helped you achieve your goals or entertained you for the time you had together and that’s great! But… maybe your goals or availability change. Maybe things that once worked for you don’t work anymore or you want to go in a different direction that they can’t support. Maybe your coach moved or changed prices or did something else that no longer works for you. Maybe you have a new focus in life and pole is taking a back seat. Whatever the reason, it’s ok to make a change! You can even work with multiple people in multiple ways if that is better for you!
The longer I’m in the industry the more I see the natural ebbs and flows as people explore different styles, different ways of learning, and have “life” happen. I’ve had several students come and go over the years, some returning after a long change of focus and others changing how we interact going from student to peer teaching others!
Just like there’s no one way to pole dance, there is no one way to find the right teacher for you. <3
Colleen Jolly is an entrepreneur and a pole dance enthusiast. She has been poling for 15 years, is the CEO of PoleCon and the Executive Director of the IPIA. She teaches pole, lyra, floorwork, and mobility online and in-person in the DC metro area. She has been active in leadership roles in several international businesses over the past two decades and is also an award-winning pole dancer, artist, writer, and speaker. She is certified in several movement modalities and wrote the book "Mobility for Pole" to help pole dancers move better.
Latest posts by Colleen (see all)
- Updates to PoleCon 2027 - October 12, 2026
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