Today, I began a beginning-intermediate pole course. I’m more of an advanced-intermediate poler but I’ve been off the pole for a few months so I want to back to foundational stuff.

The instructor saw that I had more skills than would be expected of someone in a pole class like this. I think she was actually an intermediate poler herself and I got the feeling that our being at the same skill level made her uncomfortable because I got a twinge of sass/attitude from her during class (body language/facial expression).

(I hope this doesn’t come across as sounding pompous from me! I wouldn’t even mention it if I had not noticed some discomfort on her part...)

Anyhow, after the class, she asked for me to not use the “forearm” grip when climbing during class as it’s a more “advanced” climb (versus climbing where you pull yourself up by both arms without using your forearm to take some of the weight off)...

By the way, is the “forearm” grip considered an advanced climb at your studio?

I can understand her not wanting other students to pick up on my using the forearm grip when they’re not ready for it... though I still couldn’t see that happening but she’s the instructor and I have to have respect for her teaching style...

At the end of class, she also suggested that I consider moving up to a more advanced series... That surely made sense but I still got the vibe that she was slightly uncomfortable with my being there... with the attitude, her asking me to “climb regular”.... I felt bad, as if I had done something wrong.

This was my first experience like this at this studio. And I like this studio a lot.

Has anyone had something similar happen to them? I just feel dejected and ashamed right now even though I didn’t do anything wrong...

I guess all instructors aren’t “perfect angels” although we normally idealize them in that way! :)