Single or Multiple Studios?

karebearstare started this discussion · 10/1/2011

Just wondering how many here are currently dedicated to a single studio or mutiple? I am with 3 to 4 studios atm, which may seem a lot but I have yet to find a one stop shop to get the variety that I like which is aerial, spinning, dance and tricks. In my opinion, every studio has its pros and cons and I like to take advantage of all the pros in each one I go to :) I enjoy the variety of elements they all provide and I really feel like I gain the most out of mixing it up. For those that are studio owners or instructors, would you find it strange or betraying in anyway to know that your students sought other studios for training/classes?

9 replies

Cinara · 10/2/2011
Hey there! I go to three studios, plus StudioVeena so you're not alone. They all know about each other and seem fine with it. I'm not really comfortable with the concept of loyalty when it comes to studios. This is based partly on my experiences in high level sport. I have serious concerns with the traditional "guru" system of training, where you have a close relationship with one trainer/group who acts as an authority figure and is just as invested in your sucess as you are. The way I see it, I'm an adult, and only I should be responsible for my sucesses and for how my pole journey takes shape. The studios I go to are tools to help me in my journey and keep me connected with others and I reciprocate by paying for classes. But at the end of the day I like that they're only interested in my money and my positive attitude, not when, where or how I train, what moves I learn, or whether I compete. (Not saying other studios are like this, just that in my head I associate this attitude with loyalty to a studio). I figure as long as I pay what I owe, respect each studio's intellectual property (routines, etc), and don't badmouth one studio to another, I'm okay. I try to be friendly with everyone and stay neutral to any points of contention. I think if you're honest, ethical and friendly it shouldn't be a problem. Any studio that has a problem with me training elsewhere probably doesn't have the right sort of perspective for me anyway. I guess I'm just lucky three studios in my city are compatible :)
nymphdancer · 10/2/2011
you both are very lucky to have 3 studio's close enough to go to! until a year ago we had none in this area, now we have one.
Veena · 10/2/2011
If you have access and can afford to learn from more than one place I think it can be very beneficial. For example we have studios that refer their students to my lessons here to continue their training at home! As long as there is respect for all parties involved then go for it. ❤️
Mary Ellyn · 10/2/2011
I don't go to other studios at all as I don't have the time between teaching my own classes but I have many students who travel to several studios including mine. As Veena said it can be beneficial to learning and it's good as long as there is respect among all parties. Some of the studios around here are catty but most are pretty good and we all welcome each other.
karebearstare · 10/2/2011
Cinara - thanks for your insight on this and what you say makes complete sense. I feel the same way about the traditional type of training which is why I train at different studios. nymphdancer - yes, i sometimes underestimate the amount of talent and variety of choices I have around my location but I am certainly thankful for it. Veena - thank you for your comments as well! I actually forgot to count the site as one of my studios so that actually makes it 5 :) KittyNyanNyan - sorry to hear about the issues you're going through. That's really unfortunate that drama like that happens. We are all here to learn and have FUN with pole!!! Empyrean - thanks for the insight from an instructor point of view. I'm going to continue what I am doing and make the most out of the studios I go to.
JBStarryEyedGirl · 10/4/2011
Hey there! I currently only go to my studio for regular classes, but I have taken some privates, and I would love to make time to drop into other studios too! I think it's cool that each place and person teaches differently, I love using SV or YT for videos too. I would LOVE to have a pole guru! My studio only has been open for a year, and I'm pretty much the most advanced person there, so I would love some more advanced help!
kissingaudrey · 10/5/2011
I go to one studio regularly, but I sometimes take classes or workshops at a few other studios in town. I don't see any problem with it! All of the studios around where I live (I am lucky to live in an area with a LOT of pole studios!) have different attributes to recommend them. I mainly stick to one studio due to the relationships I have with the instructors & the other ladies who go there- which definitely makes me feel some "loyalty." There is only one studio locally that I will probably not ever take a class or workshop from, & that is basically due to me feeling uncomfortable because of some conversation I had with the owners about the studio I normally pole at. I really dislike cattiness & competitiveness in this arena & see no reason for it, so any studio who would be negative about another one.. I don't want to go there!
karebearstare · 10/5/2011
JBStarryEyedGirl & kissingaudrey - I too have a main one then a few others for speciality type stuff. I too dispise cattiness and I try to avoid it as much as possible. I feel like every studio has some of it to a certain degree. Some more than others. I try my best to keep my distance or kill them with kindness :) Just yesterday I cheered on someone that hit a trick and complimented the boots they were wearing and I swear I heard crickets. Erks the crap outta me - just don't understand why some girls are plain mean!
Charley · 10/6/2011
I think it's very beneficial to learn from different sources providing all of the sources are giving correct and safe information and progressing you properly. I personally do not like students taking from other instructors, even instructors at one of the studios I work at, because not everyone is safe, not everyone provides proper progression and not everyone teaches the moves well...so then I am left picking up the pieces when I tell someone they are doing something incorrectly and I can't allow them to perform the move without supervision until they are doing it correctly..so then I'm the bad guy. I'm not trying to be the move nazi - but if something isn't being done correctly it's my responsibility to fix it and I can't just let someone go doing something that will eventually get them hurt. So it's dicey from that point of view. I probably sound pretty awful right now...but I've had many of these situations and I really hate having to be the bad guy - particularly if the other instructor works with me. On a different perspective I work at multiple studios and I like that because each studio is uniquely different and they attract different kinds of clients - so it keeps things fresh and challenging. Nothing wrong with mixing it up - so long as everyone is on the up and up. Also, if you do take lessons elsewhere - it's important to let the other places know - particularly if it's regular so that each instructor can make sure you are learning and being challenged the way you should be.