This year I decided to do the so called yearly “big” trip in June instead of the usual year end. First time going that part of the world during summer, it was a different experience and I loved the feeling of not having to brave the cold and bring a lot of winter clothing. But the heat is also pretty unbearable，the only good thing is its dry and you do not perspire much.
This time round I started with Greece Oceanman ( which I will write in another post) and followed by my ballot to the UTMB Lavaredo in Cortina Italy. So I began my search on Google and Instagram for the pole studios available in Athens, Milan and missed out for Venice as the last time round I realise there are not many worthy studios in Venice.
Athens Greece :
Website:https://www.polessence.gr/
Address:Odemisiou 1 και, Evrou 40, Athina 115 27, Greece
There are many studios in Athens actually but it can be hard to connect with them. My usual method is to Google search on maps for the studios and find one nearest to my accommodations. Then contact them via website or Socials. Usually I will get some response, but this time those that I have chosen did not get back to me. So on the very last minute, I managed to contact Poleessence on the very last minute to get a practice slot on the day before my Greece Oceanman. I originally did not want to do anything before race but thought that the more I did not want to do anything after the race and the race site was pretty far too.
Elena was the person who replied to my enquiry and she was very nice and friendly, so after a short rest in the AirBnB I went down to the studio to practice. The one hour session is EUR15 and the place was decent with 2 rooms , the waiting room I was in had other aerial apparatus too. The studio had a nice reception and also toilets and changing room. It occupied the first level of a building so it was not hard to find. The other one I found which I did not manage to get a slot was Black Box Movement, although I expressed interest online. They had a last minute change and I was not able to get my practice slot at 1PM. So I went for the Poleessence one instead at 5PM, the poles were not X pole but they were of the same quality and easy to grip also. There were other girls practicing on that day with me. I only practiced to on the dot and left as I need to go to the beach to collect the race bib. Overall I liked the vibes in this studio and the people are friendly enough to contact me back.
Besides Black Box Movement, I also tried SpinTop Movement but I did a walk in on this one not knowing the schedule, someone answered the door but she was not the studio person and cannot allow me to practice, so I also left.
Milan/Italy: MILAN POLE STUDIO
Website: https://www.instagram.com/milanpoledancestudio/?hl=en
Address: V.le Col di Lana, 14, 20136 Milano MI, Italy
Milan has many pole studios, in fact the Milan Pole Studio has a branch in Singapore also and they are one of the earlier ones to establish in Singapore. Do not really know what is the reason they chose Singapore as their branch. I incidentally joined their pre adv level class which was taught by teacher Hermes. As usual, sometimes male can do this sport better than women though we always thought otherwise. We did a very interesting trick outside leg hang , thread through to brass monkey and a knot in the end. The class is full and the girls are all pretty strong, there were a few more regulars and they were really good. This studio is the nicest and but for first timer might be difficult to find as the compound had many other buildings with mixture of residential and work.
POLE DANCING ACADEMY MILAN
Website: https://www.poledancingacademy.eu/
Add: Via Termopili, 25, 20127 Milano MI, Italy
I went for the hoop class in this one and was reminded how strength that hoop can be. The teacher was patient and we had a combined class with the silks girls. Only me and one younger teenager were doing the hoop. It was very fun , this studio again is quite difficult to find as it was hidden behind the Panasonic office. Took me a while to realise where it was and located at the third floor of the building makes it even more difficult to find. But this studio had a really spacious and large reception with a clothing store area for the pole wear. The toilet and changing rooms were also large. Teacher Chiara was also patient and spoke in English whenever she could to make me understand.
In short the Milan Pole teachers were to my surprise much friendlier and more cosmopolitan than the one I met in Venice. They were patient and gentle and willing to speak in English to make me feel blended in even though I am only taking one class.
