Pole Dreams
I met Estefany during my first month back home in Cairo. I was attending a flexibility class at a pole studio when I told her straight up that I would not practice pole in a billion years (because hello, have you seen my non-existent upper body strength?) She replied with a sarcastic maaashi and told me to just try it out.
It took me a couple of weeks until I decided to give it a shot. I was very intimidated by all the spins and tricks and by the fact that I had to show so much skin. But Estefany’s contagious energy and no bullshit attitude got me intrigued. She knows when to push and challenge me, and when to encourage me and give my body the space it needs to adjust to the new moves. Training with Estefany has been simply a joy, so when I decided to create this series, it was only natural that I approach her for an interview.
Since she moved to Egypt and joined the Project Pole studio in 2019, Estefany has been teaching many girls how to spin and do tricks on the pole. She also happens to have been teaching me how to love my body and trust it in new ways I never imagined to be possible.
You can follow Estefany on her Instagram account here.
How did you decide to start pole?
I started pole four years and a half ago. I have always been a sports girl. But at some point, I had to stop exercising for a while and I was frustrated that I was not doing any physical activity. This was when a friend of mine told me about a pole studio close to my home. She encouraged me to go together and give it a try. At the time, I didn't even know what pole dance was. You know how most people know of pole dancing because of stripping? Well I didn't even know that!
When I went to the studio, I was surprised that pole was more than dancing. Pole is discipline and passion. I learnt so much from my coach and I think the way I am today is because of her. We did not really do the sexy moves people usually think of when they think of pole, because she was very sports oriented. At the end of it, it was the spins and the tricks that made me fall in love with the pole.
How did your family react to your pole journey?
My dad did not know I was practicing pole, he only knew during a competition. When he attended and saw my performance, he fell in love with the pole. He got so excited and told me he wanted to buy me one at the house so I can practice! With my mom, she was happy because I was happy and she gradually got more involved in my progress. Whenever I used to go home and show her my practice videos, she would start telling me to improve my posture or to not forget to point my toes for example. When I realized that my parents liked what I was doing, I decided that khalas I will keep pursuing this! I am here today because of my family.
How did you decide to teach pole in Egypt?
I was teaching part-time back home in Venezuela. But the situation in my country has been very bad. At some point, I decided it was time to leave. There were other opportunities that I was not interested in, such as waitressing or cleaning. But this was not the point. I wanted to leave but still continue doing what I love. One day, I received an announcement on Instagram from Project Pole saying they were looking for international instructors. I got so excited. But when I told my dad, he was about to pass out and said I was not going anywhere. But slowly, my family was on board. I made the move and joined Project Pole in January of 2019. When I first moved to Cairo, it was a bit hard because of the language barrier. I do not speak Arabic and I did not speak any English at all. I actually used to teach with a book in my hand! Everytime before the class started, I had to read and memorize to be able to say the names of the moves and body parts. But everything got better alhamdulilah. I am really happy with where I am right now!
Estefany Hanelsy is the winner of many national competitions: she won the 2nd place in the Venezuela Pole Championship 2018 Professional Category, the 1st place in the same championship for the Creative Section Semi Professional Category, 2nd place in the Venezuela Pole Championship 2017 Amateur Category, and the 1st place in the National Championship of Venezuela Category Amateur in 2017 (IPFS).
Has your relationship with pole changed in the past years?
I think my relationship with pole is way different now because I am coaching. I love coaching so much! I actually love it more than training. When I train, it is mostly to motivate my students and to put content on my social media accounts. But three years ago, I was competing. I used to train five days a week, and the sixth day was not for training but I was still at the studio. Now, as a coach, I meet around thirty or forty girls per day so I am always thinking about how I can improve the moves and how to make the girls feel more comfortable and welcome in the studio. Now I do pole. Before that, I was training but now I feel like I do something, I create something because I help people become good at something they enjoy, you know?
I love that! I have to admit that it takes time to be able to enjoy pole. It is a process to be able to trust your body and to believe it can literally hold you up in the air! Do you feel like pole training changed your relationship with your body?
I used to be way skinnier when I started pole. Although I have always been athletic, with big legs and abs and arms and all, when I started pole, my arms got way bigger. I did not expect that at all! At some point, I really needed to adapt my mindset and to start loving how my body was changing. It took time to understand that this arm is what is pulling me up. With this arm, I can do all the spins and tricks. Without this arm, I would not be able to do anything! But of course I still have some moments where I do not feel myself or where I avoid wearing something sleeveless for example. But overall, now, and even on bad days, I understand that because of these arms, I am who I am on the pole.
Do you see your students go through this same process in relation to their bodies?
There are different types of students. There is the student who comes to their first class in the tiniest bikini and a crop top and is ready to do it all. There is another type that feels like they need to cover their bodies completely and do not feel comfortable. It takes time. When girls are shy about showing their skin at the beginning, I always ask them to make the move so they realize there is a reason we wear shorts to begin with! It is not about looking ‘hot,’ it is about connecting with the pole and using your skin to grip the pole and hold yourself up.
When you put any hashtag of pole on social media, you will see all different types of bodies. From the small girl, to the big one, to the guy with one arm or one leg dancing on the pole. I think doing pole is all about what is happening mentally than physically. Of course it takes practice and discipline, but you just need to keep pushing and to always focus on the process itself and not the destination. Enjoy the journey!
What would you like to tell women who might want to try pole?
Just come and give it a shot! Maybe bring a friend, or make friends at the pole studio. Community makes it way more fun. At the end of the day, if you get the move, you know that everyone will cheer for you, and if you do not get the move, you know that it's okay yaani, you will definitely get it next class!
