Antix Press
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Hi, my name is Michula Nunez. Most people call me “Mikey.” I am opening a fitness studio in Redlands, CA
that offers both conventional and alternative group fitness classes. The group fitness classes include SPIN®,
Mat Pilates, Pilates on the ball, core, and fitness fusion. Alternative classes include pole dancing – yes, pole
dancing! I would like to introduce you to myself and my studio, Antix Fitness, and inform you of the health and
fitness benefits of pole dancing.
I have been pole dancing for 8 years with the last five as a formal, certified instructor in Long Beach, CA and
Rancho Cucamonga, CA. Originally, teaching pole dancing began as a hobby. I had a normal daytime job of
teaching science to gifted children for six years. I taught kindergarten through 3 grade – a total of 240
students. My mission was to excite, nurture and prepare children so that they could excel in scientific literacy.
To achieve my objective, I designed an incredible hands-on, inquiry-based science program that was known
throughout Orange County. My program outlined the National Science Educational Standards and specifically,
the California Science Standards. It was understood (and expected), that my students would go well beyond
these levels. For example, my third grade students studied the cell theory and learn the anatomical structure
of plant and animal cells. They would learn about photosynthesis and use the microscope to observe the tiny
chloroplasts that are responsible for changing the sun’s light into a food energy for the plant! I thoroughly
enjoyed focusing and specializing in the most important subject (of course, I am biased!) for the elementary
grades so that I could make it the best program I could.
However, when my work day was over, I would go to gym and workout for an hour and go home to wait for my
husband to get home. I would wait a long time, for my husband is a firefighter. He often does not come home
for weeks at a time, especially during fire season. This time alone was agonizing. I then heard about pole
dancing classes on a morning radio talk show. I called the studio and inquired if they were hiring instructors.
Crazy, I know – a science teacher by day and a pole dancing teacher by night. Teaching pole dancing became
a gateway for me to also teach and become certified in other fitness areas – group fitness and SPINNER®
spin classes. However, it was the teaching of these other classes that revealed to me that pole dancing was
more than a sensual form of dance. Pole dancing for fitness and the teaching of theses classes became my
passion. Instead of teaching academics, I decided to teach the science (technical and health) and art of pole
dancing. Thus, the vision of Antix was born – my own pole dancing studio. I quit my job of teaching science to
open up Antix Fitness Studio. My new mission has become to mainstream pole dancing as a respectable
fitness alternative.
Pole dancing has been growing exponentially, primarily for women, who seek to improve their overall fitness,
strength, flexibility and confidence. It is becoming quite common for private fitness studios as well as the
corporate fitness centers to offer this form of alternative fitness along side of the more traditional group fitness
classes – step, cycle, and Pilates etc. However, it is difficult for some prospective clients to ‘strip’ (pun
intended) pole dancing’s from its sleazy reputation – and look at it from a new perspective – as a means to
better health and fitness. Let's look at pole dancing from a health and fitness perspective.
From a health and fitness perspective, pole dancing is an aerobic exercise (an exercise performed in the
presence of oxygen. It improves muscular strength and endurance, as well as, flexibility and coordination –
often an overlooked fitness element which includes balance, timing, and muscular control. It also helps to
improve overall posture.
It is a body conditioning and strengthening class. Pole dancing helps to strengthen the larger muscles of the
body: the core (abdominal and back muscles); shoulders and chest; biceps and triceps; and the legs.
Strength training is gaining recent popularity for its potential to aid in weight loss and weight maintenance.
The fitness components (cardiorespiratory, muscular strength and endurance, and flexibility are interrelated.
That is, improving muscular endurance improves performance in cardio respiratory training which helps to
achieve overall optimal health levels.
Now the fun part! What is all the fuss about the ‘stripper shoes?’ Physically speaking - isometrics! The
“stripper shoes” hold the flexed hamstrings, quads, and calves in a stationary position. Or rather, these large
muscles are engaged throughout the duration of the 1 hour class. Your weight is equally distributed allowing
you to maintain neutral spine during spins/tricks, transitions, and fillers.
Pole dancing also helps to increase body image and self-esteem. Our nation is over-preoccupied with
thinness. My goal is broaden our standards of attractiveness and let fitness be about health! Pole dancing
loves curves! At the same time, pole dancing can help redefine some of the curves that are not so
embraceable. But I encourage you to enjoy fitness and reap its rewards, rather than the way it makes us look.
Let your confidence come from reaching a higher level of performance and not how you look.
Finally, as a fitness instructor, it is my nature to motivate and encourage you. So here it goes! Let pole dancing
motivate you to make a new commitment to exercise and achieve your optimal fitness level. Maybe you are
bored of traditional workouts and you seek a challenging exercise with choreography. Try it! In one class you
will come back wanting more! Embrace this form of fitness training and reap the rewards! Pole dancing could
even be your introductory experience to group exercise. Pole dancing is for all ages and for all fitness levels.
You don’t have to be ‘fit.’
So why choose Antix Fitness Studio to learn pole dancing? Our expertise and facility! As I previously
mentioned, My experience includes 8 years of pole dancing with the past four as a formal instructor. I hold two
national certifications with the next step as forming and developing my own certification. Furthermore, as a
former academia teacher, I am a teacher by nature. Some instructors are great dancers; however, they lack
the teaching skills of breaking moves down so that others can learn them. Some instructors also lack the
patience. Most fitness studios offer pole dancing as an after thought. That is, they use poles that are
removable (liability issues) that are made from a stainless steel material and they use a floor that is not
designed for the body’s demand from dance. At Antix, our poles are the original brass poles. (Brass poles
allow for greater friction.) The poles are fixed to grid section of beams in the ceiling created to hold the poles.
Our floor is a commercial grade wood laminate with a floating subfloor beneath especially designed for
dancers. The floating subfloor is made out of shock-absorbing foam to prevent joint and ligament injuries.
Expensive? Yes, but worth it. Safety is first!
Stay healthy and get your mind of the gutter! Pole dancing is for fitness and fun. I hope this helped to educate
you on the fitness benefits of pole dancing. More to come!
that offers both conventional and alternative group fitness classes. The group fitness classes include SPIN®,
Mat Pilates, Pilates on the ball, core, and fitness fusion. Alternative classes include pole dancing – yes, pole
dancing! I would like to introduce you to myself and my studio, Antix Fitness, and inform you of the health and
fitness benefits of pole dancing.
I have been pole dancing for 8 years with the last five as a formal, certified instructor in Long Beach, CA and
Rancho Cucamonga, CA. Originally, teaching pole dancing began as a hobby. I had a normal daytime job of
teaching science to gifted children for six years. I taught kindergarten through 3 grade – a total of 240
students. My mission was to excite, nurture and prepare children so that they could excel in scientific literacy.
To achieve my objective, I designed an incredible hands-on, inquiry-based science program that was known
throughout Orange County. My program outlined the National Science Educational Standards and specifically,
the California Science Standards. It was understood (and expected), that my students would go well beyond
these levels. For example, my third grade students studied the cell theory and learn the anatomical structure
of plant and animal cells. They would learn about photosynthesis and use the microscope to observe the tiny
chloroplasts that are responsible for changing the sun’s light into a food energy for the plant! I thoroughly
enjoyed focusing and specializing in the most important subject (of course, I am biased!) for the elementary
grades so that I could make it the best program I could.
However, when my work day was over, I would go to gym and workout for an hour and go home to wait for my
husband to get home. I would wait a long time, for my husband is a firefighter. He often does not come home
for weeks at a time, especially during fire season. This time alone was agonizing. I then heard about pole
dancing classes on a morning radio talk show. I called the studio and inquired if they were hiring instructors.
Crazy, I know – a science teacher by day and a pole dancing teacher by night. Teaching pole dancing became
a gateway for me to also teach and become certified in other fitness areas – group fitness and SPINNER®
spin classes. However, it was the teaching of these other classes that revealed to me that pole dancing was
more than a sensual form of dance. Pole dancing for fitness and the teaching of theses classes became my
passion. Instead of teaching academics, I decided to teach the science (technical and health) and art of pole
dancing. Thus, the vision of Antix was born – my own pole dancing studio. I quit my job of teaching science to
open up Antix Fitness Studio. My new mission has become to mainstream pole dancing as a respectable
fitness alternative.
Pole dancing has been growing exponentially, primarily for women, who seek to improve their overall fitness,
strength, flexibility and confidence. It is becoming quite common for private fitness studios as well as the
corporate fitness centers to offer this form of alternative fitness along side of the more traditional group fitness
classes – step, cycle, and Pilates etc. However, it is difficult for some prospective clients to ‘strip’ (pun
intended) pole dancing’s from its sleazy reputation – and look at it from a new perspective – as a means to
better health and fitness. Let's look at pole dancing from a health and fitness perspective.
From a health and fitness perspective, pole dancing is an aerobic exercise (an exercise performed in the
presence of oxygen. It improves muscular strength and endurance, as well as, flexibility and coordination –
often an overlooked fitness element which includes balance, timing, and muscular control. It also helps to
improve overall posture.
It is a body conditioning and strengthening class. Pole dancing helps to strengthen the larger muscles of the
body: the core (abdominal and back muscles); shoulders and chest; biceps and triceps; and the legs.
Strength training is gaining recent popularity for its potential to aid in weight loss and weight maintenance.
The fitness components (cardiorespiratory, muscular strength and endurance, and flexibility are interrelated.
That is, improving muscular endurance improves performance in cardio respiratory training which helps to
achieve overall optimal health levels.
Now the fun part! What is all the fuss about the ‘stripper shoes?’ Physically speaking - isometrics! The
“stripper shoes” hold the flexed hamstrings, quads, and calves in a stationary position. Or rather, these large
muscles are engaged throughout the duration of the 1 hour class. Your weight is equally distributed allowing
you to maintain neutral spine during spins/tricks, transitions, and fillers.
Pole dancing also helps to increase body image and self-esteem. Our nation is over-preoccupied with
thinness. My goal is broaden our standards of attractiveness and let fitness be about health! Pole dancing
loves curves! At the same time, pole dancing can help redefine some of the curves that are not so
embraceable. But I encourage you to enjoy fitness and reap its rewards, rather than the way it makes us look.
Let your confidence come from reaching a higher level of performance and not how you look.
Finally, as a fitness instructor, it is my nature to motivate and encourage you. So here it goes! Let pole dancing
motivate you to make a new commitment to exercise and achieve your optimal fitness level. Maybe you are
bored of traditional workouts and you seek a challenging exercise with choreography. Try it! In one class you
will come back wanting more! Embrace this form of fitness training and reap the rewards! Pole dancing could
even be your introductory experience to group exercise. Pole dancing is for all ages and for all fitness levels.
You don’t have to be ‘fit.’
So why choose Antix Fitness Studio to learn pole dancing? Our expertise and facility! As I previously
mentioned, My experience includes 8 years of pole dancing with the past four as a formal instructor. I hold two
national certifications with the next step as forming and developing my own certification. Furthermore, as a
former academia teacher, I am a teacher by nature. Some instructors are great dancers; however, they lack
the teaching skills of breaking moves down so that others can learn them. Some instructors also lack the
patience. Most fitness studios offer pole dancing as an after thought. That is, they use poles that are
removable (liability issues) that are made from a stainless steel material and they use a floor that is not
designed for the body’s demand from dance. At Antix, our poles are the original brass poles. (Brass poles
allow for greater friction.) The poles are fixed to grid section of beams in the ceiling created to hold the poles.
Our floor is a commercial grade wood laminate with a floating subfloor beneath especially designed for
dancers. The floating subfloor is made out of shock-absorbing foam to prevent joint and ligament injuries.
Expensive? Yes, but worth it. Safety is first!
Stay healthy and get your mind of the gutter! Pole dancing is for fitness and fun. I hope this helped to educate
you on the fitness benefits of pole dancing. More to come!
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