"It took me a long time not to judge myself through someone else's eyes.- Sally Field": Charmaine's Story
This should totally have been Charmaine's motto!
I started taking pole
classes in October 2013 at another studio but felt that studio was lacking good
teachers and class options. Then in February 2014 I did a gGogle search and found
Brass Vixens. I immediately downloaded
their App and booked my first class and haven't stopped since! I keep coming to
Brass Vixens for the amazing teachers, sisterhood atmosphere and the abundance of classes.
The most important reason why I've stuck to Brass Vixen is because
of the vast improvement in my self body image and confidence. I know people
will be shocked to find out that I have suffered from poor body image since my early
years of dance training. I was always the only black girl with muscular legs, a
round booty and was the butt of many jokes from those who didn't share my body
type. As I went further and deeper into my dance career, I was still plagued by the idea of the "ideal body type" for a dancer- being long and skinny with a
flat butt. So, as can be expected, I dieted and did extreme things to try whittle down
to a size 0, but that never happened .
Fast forward to my adult years spent
with an amazing man who absolutely loves my juicy tush. He has helped me
immensely to over come my foolish body issues. Finding Brass Vixens and having
to wear as little clothes as possible to able achieve greater heights on a
pole, has broken down so many barriers for me. Also being around amazing,
gorgeous, talented woman of all ages, shapes and sizes reaching and achieving
the same goals has truly made my body issues dissolve.
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Charmaine and Tia!
I've danced and performed my whole life, doing dance
studio recitals as a kid, international dance competitions and a Broadway show
in my twenties. The past ten years of my life have been really difficult. My mom suffered a long
battle with cancer and eventually died. I had major surgery and a horrible miscarriage
at fiver and a half months pregnant. I guess I was in retirement for those years until the
wonderful Tia started a Pole Performance Troupe at Brass Vixens and I thought, 'Am I really
going to perform again??' I truly thought that part of my life was over.
The 'Skin' Troupe aka the 6:30 Troupe of Hotties!
Performing that night filled my soul with such happiness and hunger for performing opportunities and a realization that I hadn't lost it....this part
of my life was just on hold. My husband and friends absolutely loved our performance
night. My friends that came had never seen me perform like this and they were
completely blown away.
Goofing around: (l-r) Josie (kneeling), Veronics, Tia and Charmaine.
My favorite moment of the night was when my husband leaned over and whispered to me that he could feel the positive, sensual sisterhood that is Brass Vixens!! I expected that comment coming from
my girlfriends but hearing that from a man made me feel like, 'WOW! There is such power
in women supporting women."
Sleeping Beauty! Pole dancing is not just about the sexy.
I find I'm always having to explain the whole other side of
pole dance. I clear up the misconceptions people have about what we do at Brass Vixens, explaining the athletic side of training on the mighty pole. It's not all about strip tease. I show
them videos of the fabulous Tia doing her pole competition routines, as well as videos of
the girls and I in her choreo classes. I usually get, 'Ohhh, now I get it.'
Look at her go!
Brass Vixens/Pole Troupe has changed me by improving my self confidence and quieting my self doubt. I tend now to push myself more using positive reinforcement vs negative. My whole experience
with Brass Vixens has only been a life-changing one. Attending classes with so many women of all ages, backgrounds and body
types, coming together for a common goal on the mighty pole has inspired me to
push my womanhood to its full potential. Also, it has taught me that a woman's
sensuality isn't something to be ashamed of. In today's society, women who
express their sensuality outwardly are often called 'sluts' or 'whores', and are
considered weak. Since joining Brass Vixens, I've only drawn strength, routed in my sensual soul, that feeds confidence
into other parts of my life!
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"Help one another, is part of the religion of sisterhood. ~Louisa May Alcott": Madysun's Story
My extensive background in dance, and a desire to perform made me want to join Tia's performance troupe. After taking her Hip Hop Hotness and Pole Choreo classes, I was pretty addicted.
Best decision ever!! I learned so much, became much stronger and most
importantly found myself a part of a beautiful family. I have never been a girl
with a lot of girlfriends, but Brass Vixens has a way of helping you overcome even your
most deep rooted insecurities.
This last year has been filled with a lot of tragedy and hardship for me.
I went through a lot but I always felt supported and able to grow with the help
of the girls I met at Brass Vixens. I've never known such an eclectic and empowering group of ladies.
The "Pour It Up" Troupe, aka the 7:30 Troupe of Sexies!
With our fearless and talented leader, Tia!
I stayed in Toronto because of girls like Merissa, Tia and
everyone else at this amazing studio. My experiences here have inspired me to pursue teaching dance, preferably at Brass Vixens (*wink, wink* pole and aerial? Maaaybe.) Plus my body is bangin' now that I pole all the time! Aerial helps too. And hip hop!!
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"Do what you love. F**k everything else. - Jobie Hughes.": Veronica's Story
Gemini, or Outside Leg Hang
heard about Brass Vixens from a work colleague. She's been pole dancing for a year and was persuading me to try it. She goes to a studio in Brampton. However, she had heard of
Brass Vixens and was encouraging me to start going.
I guess the combination of that and the fact I wanted to try something new in my life just pushed me to try it, and I haven't stopped going since my very first class. I love the people in
the studio, the supportive female community, and just the fact that it makes me feel
athletic, strong, sexy and amazing!
Pike!
I have a dance background. I did ballet for ten years, then jazz for four. I took a break while at university and then went back to jazz, hip hop
and contemporary. I was never a professional; just did it for fun! I love
dancing and have performed before. It's the absolute best feeling ever. Tia's Pole Performance Troupe was a priceless opportunity for me to do that again. I just had
to do it, especially since I'd be dancing with my lovely group of girls from the
studio!
I mentioned the performance to some friends and they all
wanted to come. But when the time came for me to get tickets for people, I
chickened out. I was scared that I would screw it up and people I knew were going
to see me. I didn't want to risk it this time around. But I've signed up for the Halloween troupe and I will DEFINITELY bring everyone that wants to come. I am really excited
about it!
Both Troupes! Look at all the sexy loveliness!
It is tough for me to pick a favourite moment from performance night; there were just so many. But I guess that rush- that adrenaline haze before it starts and when you
just listen to the very first notes of the song you're dancing to- that
thrill is just unbelievable. A close second is knowing people loved it and want to
learn to do what you just did with the best group of friends! It really is priceless!
For everything else: Mastercard.
Veronica and Charmaine!
I've definitely noticed changes since I joined Brass Vixens. I now have confidence in myself. My
self-esteem is so much better than before. I feel like I've started doing
something I'm kind of good at, which I have always been searching for. I hopelessly targeted other sports aimlessly in the past and failed spectacularly at them. When I was a kid, I wanted to do gymnastics and cirque, but
my mum never let me because 'I was too tall for that and wouldn't be good at
it'. So I tried volleyball. And failed. Then basketball. And failed (I couldn't handle the cardio, although I was amazing at scoring). Soccer, baseball, running, biking,
swimming. I failed to do well at these too.Now that I've found pole dancing, I've found what really
keeps me going. It's the perfect mix of dancing and strength training.
I felt so useless and weak before but now, I feel like I've
found that "thing" that makes me happy!
I know pole dancing can have something of a bad reputation. But I don't really care what people think of
what I do. There's always someone thinking, "Oh, look at her... Is she
turning into a slut?" Or "That just doesn't really say anything good
about your values and morals." But you know what? I DON'T CARE!
Sits and Superman!
In life, there's always someone wanting to criticise what
you do and hate you for it. It's mostly envy or lack of information. I'm not
doing anything wrong, so I refuse to hide it. Whoever doesn't like it needs to
'get with the program' and learn to live in the 21st century. If anyone says
something to my face, I just challenge them and make them feel ridiculous for even
thinking like that. I think that if we all confronted misinformation and the people who spread it, it would just
make it easier and better for all of us. I guess overcoming that there is a fear of confrontation and of 'what others think of you' but once you've overcome
that, it's all good!
Veronica and Tia!
I just want to say that I feel blessed to be a part of the
Brass Vixens family. I love our little family! And I hope to keep growing and getting better at pole dancing,
so I can help others do the same- boost their confidence, and get themselves
out there!
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