5 Pole Dance Tips To Look Fluid and Seamless
Have you ever googled, “How to not look awkward dancing”?
Yeah, me too.
At some point in our dance journey, we’ve all felt that our movements are stiff, or cringed while rewatching a video, thinking “what the heck is my face doing?!” Looking effortless when you dance takes time and practice—and varying amounts for everyone—but sometimes, it’s the smallest adjustments that can quickly transform your movement.
Here are five pole dance tips you can start practicing today to enhance the look and feel of your flow:
Dance with your hands and fingers.
From tight-gripped claw hands to floppy teapot arms, dancing with your fingertips takes practice! Experiment with slow, fluid movements while watching your hands in the mirror, focusing on extending motion from your elbow while maintaining control in your wrist. Incorporate simple details into your pole routine each time you re-grip your hands. Consider whether your fingers wrap around the pole one at a time for dramatic effect or if your hands slide smoothly.
Shift your weight over the front of your heels.
Experiment with facial expressions.
Sometimes the most breathtaking moment in a dance routine comes from a simple *look* shared with the audience. To practice your facial expressions, choose a choreo you’re comfortable with or freestyle to a familiar song, allowing you to focus less on body movement. Experiment with smiling and other expressions that feel sexy, and identify those that don't (this is just as helpful to know!). Guide your audience's gaze by directing your own—looking down, toward your hands, etc. Most importantly, film yourself to review, learn, and adjust!
Know where your next move starts.
The secret to seamlessly flowing from one move to another lies in understanding the placement of your hands and feet. To minimise corrections that disrupt your flow, walk through your routine step by step. Take note of how high your hands need to grip the pole and where your steps should land to execute the following move properly. By mastering these placements, you'll remove the guesswork and set yourself up for controlled movement and fluidity.
Engage your muscles to defy gravity.
Incorporating these tips into your practice will elevate your pole dancing technique and help you move with better flow. Remember: watching yourself in the mirror or filming your sessions is great visual feedback and allows you to track your progress. It’s also so rewarding to look back and see how far your dancing has come!
Happy pole dancing—I hope some of these tips help! x
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