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There are only 4 months left in this year, friends. And if you haven’t done so already, 2022 is the year we make ourselves a priority. With so much happening in our daily lives, it’s so important to make time for ourselves. Especially as Black Women. However, somehow we always find a way to be of service to others (children, partners, families, friends, etc.). But what I want to know is, what are you doing for you?? Seriously?! What are you doing?
If you need a little inspiration, you’re in the right place. Check out my top tips below.
We've seen it first hand while hosting Black Girl Pole Retreats and friends, it's not great! Listen to these tips to stay prepared! We've included our list of amazon travel items that are a must to stay sane while on the go!
Life can be so hectic and often doesn't slow down for anyone - least of all in the summertime. But even though our to-do lists are a mile long, we still need to make time for rest and relaxation. That's why today, I'm sharing my top tips for how to get better summer sleep tonight. By following these simple tips, you'll wake up feeling more refreshed and ready to face the day tomorrow.
To help you on your quest for knowledge, we’ve compiled a list of seven must-read books for entrepreneurs. These books cover a wide range of topics, from sales and marketing to mindset and productivity. So, without further ado, here are the seven books every entrepreneur must read!
As we all know, pole dancing is tough! Along with gaining strength and flexibility, comes injuries and fatigue. Our wrist and shoulders tend to wear and tear while training but there are ways to prevent it!
So you’re thinking about hosting your first retreat? That’s great! But let me tell you, there’s a lot more that goes into these epic tricks than one may think. You might be asking yourself, “how do I plan a retreat?” “what does a budget for a retreat look like?” “what mistake can I avoid while hosting retreats?”
Retreats can be so much fun and are a great stream of income for your business. Since starting retreats and getaways in 2016 I have learned A LOT! If I have heard this question once I have heard it 500 times…”How do you pick locations and plan your retreats? Check out these tips and questions answered that you all have asked!
If you’re like me and you’re someone who desires to have children, at some point you may have asked yourself the question, ‘How will a pregnancy impact my current life path?’
After taking a few months off from pole, I needed to find a way to become motivated again, so I signed up for my first Black Girls Pole retreat and my idea of community changed. I took a chance, became comfortable with being uncomfortable, and created authentic bonds.
Deciding to break the chains of trauma and demanding your happiness and freedom isn’t easy but once you start taking small steps, it can be revolutionary. Check out a few strategies you can apply to your life to start finding your happiness!
Structure is security…At least that’s what I’ve always thought. My entire life has been planned. After high school, college. After college, law school. After law school, associate attorney at a prestigious law firm. I followed this plan precisely. And then I found Pole Dancing…
Some of my most transformative moments have been situations that I stumbled upon. I have always valued stability, been resistant to change, and honestly allowed fear and self-doubt keep me from stepping outside my comfort zone. Change only occurred in my life when I was forced into it. But once I was forced into this change, I was able to see the very thing that I was holding so desperately onto was stunting my growth!
I began taking pole classes in December of 2015 to get back into shape after having my youngest. I tried going to the gym but I was looking for something more challenging and exciting. I didn't grow up taking dance classes or playing sports and never considered myself a dancer or an athlete. I have never invested much time in shaming my body and knew it was vital not to project any ideas of shame onto my daughter. I know what I want her to see: Her mother developing into an empowered dancer and athlete that she can be, too.
Entering the corporate world was both my undoing and my salvation. Here, I had my first taste of what visceral anxiety felt like. Initially, I had no idea what that feeling was. I just knew that it was a discomfort that first crept up into my belly. Over time, I grew to hate the toxicity of my workplace but, in efforts to quell the anxiety, I learned to build an invisible fortress of fake positivity around myself. The money was good, so I was a good girl and stayed in my prison. But I yearned for something different…
This has literally been my mantra to get me going in all areas of life but especially for pole during the pandemic. Pre-COVID, after using 2019 to rest and heal, I deemed 2020 my return back to the stage: a year full of pole goal smashing. I started the pole year off at the BGP Cayman Islands retreat in March; it was worth every last minute penny I paid to solidify my commitment to 2020. It was everything and I mean EVERYTHING! The week we returned home, COVID shut down began and as reopening was delayed I literally felt the pole momentum get knocked out of me. So what did I do?
We all know Pole dancers need pole wear. Some people actually start pole dancing just because of the cute outfits. Not only do polers like their outfits to be stylish, but they should also be comfortable and practical. One day when I was making a pair of pants I decided that I wanted to be a designer. It was so clear to me! I remember specifically saying that I wanted to design and make garments for women like me who are curvy and found it frustrating to fit into certain articles of clothing
Since my son was 6 years old it’s has mostly been just me and him. He was 7 when I started poling and in the years between 7 and 10 he didn’t know anything about pole. I would wait until he went to bed, put up my pole, practice, and then take it down. This went on for THREE YEARS, 2-3 times a week! Not because I was ashamed but I just didn’t really know how to explain it to my son.
Covid 19 has impacted our lives in many ways. Wether you have been under quarantine, practicing social distancing or isolation orders are enacted in your area, experts recommend planning ahead by considering how you might spend your time, who you can contact for psychosocial support and how you can address any physical or mental health needs you or your family may have…
This piece is an ode to our Black Pole Mamas and Aunties. You know who you are. You are the studio owners that affirm our bodies. You are Black Girls Pole Ambassadors. You are the ones representing our Black Girl Magic on Instagram to thousands of followers. You are the ones showcasing us in your shows….
You have had the bug to enter a competition for a while but haven’t voiced it yet. You are thinking “How do I get started? What song will I use? How do I make up a routine? What will my family say?” The anxiety to compete can be huge and nerve wracking but can also be very rewarding if you go into it prepared! Check out a few Tips and Tricks to get you ready!
Running a business is hard! Let me say that again...Running a business is hard! You will face challenges every single day. From clients, to landlords, to your own personal life challenges. I will say I have been handling the stress so much better than I ever expected...
I’m used to answering a lot of questions; How long did it take you to get your first invert? How do you manage to balance all the things (a young family, demanding full-time career, teaching Pole, owning and operating a Pole Studio and a social life)? Is that a wash-and-go? What products do you use? Where did you get that <insert Pole Wear item>…?One question that I find myself answering most often is; How do you make your Pole Life work for both you and your husband?
Can I be honest with you? When I first started Black Girls Pole, I always felt like a hot mess and like I didn’t have my $h!t together. I used to say to myself, “Who would want to follow Black Girls Pole? I am not good enough for people to follow this brand. I don’t know anything about running a business.” I did not realize it back then that this feeling had a name and it is called Imposter Syndrome.
When Black Girls Pole came on the scene 5 years ago, it was the void that needed to be filled in the pole community and I knew I had to be a part of it! I attended the first ever BGP Miami Retreat in 2016 and have been to a retreat ever year since! When asked why the BGP Retreats are so important and why I will always chose to spend a week with my melanated sisters, here is why!
For some of us, we wake up and immediately start thinking about the tasks at hand, which can cause us serious stress. Before springing forward and reaching your smartphone, grab a notebook and write upon waking up.
One day during class, you feel a slight pull on your shoulder...just one shoulder because let’s be honest how many of us are adamant about practicing things on both the right and left side.
It’s that time again. A new year is upon us and we are ready to dive right into tackling a lot of the goals and resolutions we have set forth for 2019…
After Covid and having over 65…yes 65 people with retreat credits, I spent this last year really focusing on how I can host a great experience and protect myself should anything as crazy as Covid happen again! Here are a few things I have learned along the way…