Meet the gorgeous Whitney, a 23 year old Australian Chinese working in Human Resources. This beautiful bombshell talks about being a female in the corporate world and how hanging upside down gives her the confidence to do anything.
How long have you been dancing Lyra and Pole?
I started learning Lyra eleven months ago, and began Pole ten months ago.
Did you feel nervous before your first lesson?
Absolutely! I was so nervous that I even called Katia about attending classes. This was back when the website was still under construction and the studio was being renovated. Luckily, I had time to convince a friend to go with me if not I don’t think I would have ever enrolled.
What obstacles have you faced as a female working in a corporate environment? How has this impacted on your self-love and body image?
Being a woman in the corporate world has numerous obstacles. You find yourself in the middle of a men’s club and having to work harder to be seen as an equal. There have been many times where my confidence has been rocked. It really affects your self-love and you can’t help but think "am I too young? Am I in over my head? What did I get myself into? Am I good enough?". Despite this, I have been so lucky to be surrounded by people who support me and care about my development. Pole and Lyra have only helped improve my confidence and the love I have for myself. You always hear about the fitness benefits of physical activities and it’s easy to forget about the way it affects a person internally. Whenever I find myself in a difficult situation I always think, if I can hang upside down from my legs at least 2 metres up in the air, I can do anything.
How does Dancing on the Pole and Lyra make you feel?
It makes me feel a variety of amazing things. When I’m still learning a move or routine, I feel so awkward and fear that I lack control. But when I accomplish a move or finally nail a routine it makes me feel strong and confident.
What do you enjoy most about coming to class?
Everything! The environment is so supportive and all the teachers are caring and attentive. I love coming in to learn new things and seeing the improvement I make each week no matter how small it is.
How would you define Self-Love?
Self-Love is being able to look at yourself in the mirror and feel comfortable and accepting of your own skin and who you are. If you can’t see and love the beauty in yourself, no one else will be able too.
What is your most beautiful physical feature, and why?
My eyes! I had a friend ask me a similar question and I gave him the same response. He said my answer didn’t make sense because my vision is a perfect 20/20. But your most beautiful feature doesn’t have to be perfect. I love them because they are perfectly imperfect.
What advice would you give a Pole or Lyra virgin who was nervous about signing up?
Take the leap! Everyone starts and continues at their own pace. I was the weakest student in my very first class. I hated the thought of going upside down and my body was so sore the next morning. But I’ve been hooked ever since. Now I love to hang upside down from my legs and when I’m sore, it means I’m still learning and improving. You won’t regret it.