Interview with Kristina Walker - UKPPC Winner

1.How and when did you first get interested in pole dancing and what made you become an instructor and performer?
I first tried pole dancing in 2007 when I was home from Uni during the summer- my old dance school had started doing pole lessons so my sister and I thought we'd give it a go for a laugh.  When I moved my new instructor asked if I'd be interested in helping out and teaching her beginners classes, which I really enjoyed and it's just gone from there.

2.What is it about pole dancing that you enjoy the most?
I like the creativity. You can take any style of dancing that you think of and incorporate it into pole to make a beautiful routine.

3.You recently won the Instructor Category at the UKPPC finals. How do you feel being a winner and will you be entering any more competitions in 2012?
I'm quite proud of myself and I'm very happy that all of my hard work paid off.  I will be entering as many competitions as possible in 2012- probably Miss Pole Dance UK and the British Isles Pole Dance Championships.

4.What are your 3 favourite pole moves and why?
1) Spatchcock- I like moves that show amazing flexibility and for Spatchcock you need a lot of flexibility.
2) Shoulder Mount - I don't know why I like these, I just do!
3) Gemini- I like that there's so much you can do with a Gemini both in to it and out of it

5.What are the main fitness benefits of pole dancing and how have pole dancing improved your fitness, strength or bodyshape?
Pole dancing is a great total body workout, it tones your arms, legs, abs and everything in between, and, you get a cardio workout when you start putting moves together!  For me, pole dancing has really strengthened and toned my arms.

6.Pole performers are athletes like in any other sport. What is an average day’s training for you?
I generally do sets of body weight exercises like press ups, sit ups and chins, a dance style warm up and then hit the pole to do which ever move/combo I'm working on at that time.  I also do kickboxing for a bit of variety.

7.What’s your favourite move for strength training on the pole?
At the moment it's lowering down through Iron-X, holding it and then pulling back up.

8.What pole performers do you admire or inspire you?
I like Sally Anne Giles' style of dance and I love Bendy Kate for her performances.

9. If someone has never tried pole dancing before how do they get started? They could have a look online for somewhere that they like the look of and then they can contact the person in charge who should be able to answer all of their questions and put any of their concerns to rest.  I think it's important for someone new to pole dancing to check that the school or instructor they approach is experienced, fully qualified, insured, using safe poles and so on so that they don't get put off by inexperienced instructors. 

10. What’s next for you in the coming year?
I'm going to keep training and hopefully do a few more national competitions this year.  I'm also going to be supporting some of my students who are looking to have a go at performing or competing as well.

Watch Kristina's winning performance here