A Guide to Leveling Up at Essence
The Essence Approach
When it comes to separating classes by skill level and moving up, our goals are:
For you to progress SAFELY. This means ensuring your body has what it needs foundationally before attempting new and more challenging content.
Promote quality class experience. When a class’s skill level encompasses too wide a range, it’s significantly harder to give each person the attention they deserve for content that is challenging but attainable to them.
For you to find joy where you are and to not feel pressured about moving to the next level. Everyone’s timeline, journey, and goals are different.
We really look at the individual when assessing leveling up. Some studio’s may have a long list of prerequisites, but we feel that skill and ability is more nuanced. Here are some things that we look at when assessing if someone is ready to move to the next level:
Have you been exposed to enough content of the level you are currently in?
For the few prerequisites we do have for levels, can they be performed in a controlled and safe manner?
Do you demonstrate the strength, mobility, spacial awareness, and body awareness to be safely attempting the next level material?
What is currently the overall disbursement of skill level in the studio? The lines between levels can be blurred to better balance classes.
How do I know if I’m ready?
Tricks
Tricks Level 1: Level 1 is all about the foundations. It covers a specific curriculum and you will rotate through the content. When you get to a point where you can do several different moves with control and are maybe starting to see the same content again, you may be ready for Tricks Level 2. Just because the content is “easy” for you does not necessarily mean it's time to move up. Exposure to the curriculum is critical, and it does take some time to cycle through all of it.
Tricks Level 2: Level 2 is anything between the basics, building on those basics, and introducing combos. There is a TON of content here, you could exist in this level forever and still be seeing new and challenging content. If you’re feeling strong and secure in the things you’ve been doing and you can climb to a jasmine, you might be ready to move onto Level 3 and/or Inversions if you want to.
Tricks Level 3+ & Inversions: Multiple climbs to a jasmine is a must to take either of these classes. Inversions is more focused on the technique of getting upside down while Level 3 adds more intricate skills, tricks, and combos and may include inverted moves. These classes may be more specifically differentiated or they may be combined, depending on students needs and interests at the time.
Dance
Beginner Dance LVL 1: This class is all about getting comfortable with the concept of learning choreo and learning common movement patterns. If you find that the choreo is coming to you easily, you don’t feel like you’re getting tangled in your feet, and your spins and transitions feel strong and controlled, you may be ready for Advanced Dance LVL 2.
Spin Pole
Spin Pole LVL 1.5: Spin Pole LVL 1.5 is going to take foundational movements for Tricks LVL 1 and put a spin on them, literally. Spin Pole is a very popular class, but can be challenging very early on in our pole practice due to the nature of the spin. This is a multi level class, meaning you will learn what is appropriate for you. We recommend having some Level 1 classes under your belt. Ask your instructor if this class is right for you.
How long is it supposed to take?
There is no answer to this! Everyone comes with different backgrounds and different bodies! We all learn differently, and our muscles learn and grow differently. Doing more strength and mobility training outside of class, practicing pole at home, and taking classes more frequently will increase the pace at which you progress.
Do I HAVE to level up? And if I do, do I HAVE to stay there?
Nope! Especially if you feel like you are really in between levels or are nervous about the next level, alternating between the two can be helpful. It’s also good to sometimes take lower level classes where you more or less know the content, so then you can really focus on the atheists and nuances of the movements.
HOWEVER. Classes are segmented by level for a reason and while we absolutely give variations, options, and advancements, they will still only span a specific skill range. It is okay to take a class multiple levels lower than where you’re at as long as you understand you will only be receiving content or be permitted to execute content that is on par with that class's skill level.
How do I ask to level up? What if my instructor says no?
Just ask your instructor “hey I’m feeling really good, do you think I’m ready to level up?” Your instructor will probably not give an immediate yes, they will want to have a conversation with you and may want to check in with the instructor of that next class. You won’t get a “no”, but you might get a “not yet”, along with some more information about what you need to do to be ready.
Your instructor also may approach you about leveling up if they think you are ready! Same thing goes though, you don’t have to give an immediate answer nor do you have to say “yes”. Ask your questions and share your concerns so we can help guide you.
Leveling up is a priority for me- advice?
Have a conversation with your instructor to get an understanding of where you are currently at, where you would need to be to level up, and steps to get there.
Especially past level two, doing pole only one time a week will make progression very slow. At home practice and taking more classes will have a large impact.
Intentionally working to build strength and mobility off the pole will help you learn new tricks a lot faster and is one of the best things you can do to keep your body safe and healthy.
Your Essence instructors are more than ecstatic to point you in the right direction and assess your journey. You can catch us at the studio or reach us at contact@essencestudiopole.com.
