How to Not F*ck Up Your Students
Pole Dancing
This course is for pole instructors (both current and aspiring) who want to nerd out about the human body and movement.
There’s a difference between being a “certified” instructor and truly understanding how the body functions while pole dancing.
This gap has resulted in instructors:
Teaching how they were taught without understanding the “why” behind what they are teaching
Feeling like they are winging it while teaching
Avoiding answering student’s questions/concerns due to a lack of education.
This gap has resulted in students:
Not feeling supported due to their instructors’ lacking knowledge
Being injured by well-intentioned instructors
Believing that pole isn’t for them.
How to Not F*ck Up Your Students Pole Dancing
10-week online course
Starting Fall 2024.
What you’ll learn:
Week 1; Anatomy & Biomechanics of the Upper Extremity (shoulder, elbow, wrist)
Week 2: Anatomy & Biomechanics of the Lower Extremity (hip, knee, ankle)
Week 3: Anatomy & Biomechanics of the Core/Spine.
Week 4: The Science Behind Movement (exercise science principles that affect your student’s progress).
Week 5: Assessing your Student’s Capacity for Movement
Week 6: Addressing Common Limitations (exercises/drills to improve strength/mobility/flexibility)
Week 7: Designing a Class (progressions/regressions, progressive overload, skill acquisition)
Week 8: Working with Different Bodies (hypermobile, plus-size, older students)
Week 9: Common Pole Injuries & Your Role as an Instructor
Week 10: The Science Behind Recovery (sleep, HRV, nutrition, load management)
How you’ll learn
This course is module-based. Each weekly topic will have several short educational videos for you to watch before our weekly group Zoom call.
There will be weekly homework assignments for you to test your understanding of the material presented. These assignments will vary from online quizzes to you applying the information in your classes and reporting back.
At the end of the course, you will earn a Certificate of Completion if all the course material is completed.
Choose your track:
Accelerated: for those who want the information now.
This is a great option for the type of human who:
Wants to consume all the information at their own pace (fast or slow)
Who doesn’t need or want to sit in on another Zoom meeting
Who is comfortable connecting the dots between the presented information & their studio experience on their own.
This track will have access to the weekly group Zoom meeting, the course material and will receive a Certificate of Completion when the course requirements have been met.
Advisor Track: for those who want advice and accountability. Limited to 10 spaces
This is a great option for the type of human who:
Wants to go deep into the information presented.
Wants to have 1:1 access to Dr. Emily while learning the material.
Who knows they will have all the questions about the course material and relating it to their instructing.
Who wants/needs to have accountability throughout the course.
Wants to have a community of fellow instructors to connect with.
This track will have access to everything in the Accelerated track (weekly group Zoom meeting, the course material and will receive a Certificate of Completion when the course requirements have been met) AND an additional weekly small group Zoom meeting, access to Dr. Emily through Voxer throughout the course.
Selection: The first 10 people to enroll will be enrolled. There is no application or selection process.
Who am I?
If this is our first time meeting, Hi!
My name is Dr. Emily Rausch.
I'm a Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician who specializes in pole dancers. I've been pole dancing for almost 7 years (March 27th is my pole-anniversary). I combine my doctor brain with my pole dancer experience to help pole dancers learn how to not f*ck up their bodies and help them unf*ck them when they do.
When I started pole dancing, I had no idea it would end up being such a major part of my identity.
I was in chiropractic school when signed up for my first taster class. Like a lot of pole dancers, I quickly became obsessed. One class turned in to a pack of 10 turned into an unlimited membership.
This quick progression, coupled with sub-optimal training methods (turns out taking more classes isn’t necessarily better), I found myself laying on the studio floor with a dislocated shoulder.
As I underwent the frustrating and tedious journey of injury rehab, I swore to myself that I would do everything in my power to keep another pole dancer from having to go through what I went through.
The judgemental looks when I shared I was a pole dancer. The confusion about what I needed my shoulder to be able to do. The “then don’t do that” comments.
From this experience, I shifted my focus from general sports medicine to specializing in the reduction and treatment of pole dancer injuries.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will this course be run?
Each week will include modules for you to watch on your own. The weekly Zoom meetings will review the topic of the week & present an opportunity for you to ask questions.
What if I can’t attend the Zoom sessions live?
No stress! You’ll miss out on the interactive component but a recording will be sent & you’ll have access to it forever.
Who is this course for?
Pole instructors (both current and aspiring) who want to deepen their knowledge about the human body and movement. This is primarily an educational-based course with concepts being taught that you will have to apply to your classes on your own.
Who is this not for?
Pole instructors who are not interested in applying exercise science principles to how they teach. The course will be taught through Dr. Emily’s lens which is sports science/sports medicine based.
This course is more in-depth than the current in-person instructor courses. If you found those to be overwhelming, this course may be too much information for you.
What equipment do I need?
A device to watch the modules & zoom session on.
A way to organize your notes/thoughts.
You will learn off-the-pole exercises to help address student limitations. The equipment needed for the drills includes (but is not limited to):
A blank wall.
A foam roller.
A yoga block or 2.
Light or medium looped mini-band.
A light or medium tension long floppy band.
A set of powerbands. Rubberbanditz has a great set for pole dancers.
A dowel or broomstick.
A chair or bench.
Lighter weight for accessory movements.
Heavy weight for compound movements
Do you offer discounts or payment plans?
Those on the interest list will be offered an early action discount.
Payment plans will be offered. Please note that a payment plan is not a subscription that you can cancel. By signing up, you are committing to paying for the course in full, regardless if you complete the material or not.
NO REFUNDS will be given.
I’m not an instructor. Can I join the course?
Yes! But please understand that the information provided will be geared towards instructors. You may have to listen around the edges to have the information apply to you as a student.
What if I want 1:1 coaching about my specific situation/class?
Amazing! The Advisor track would be the best option for you. This track grants you 1:1 access to Dr. Emily through the Voxer (voice messaging) app as well as an additional small group (10 people max) weekly zoom call.
What people are saying
Dr. Emily is a wealth of knowledge and easy to talk to! I love how she doesn’t just tell you what’s wrong, but actually helps you develop a plan about why and how to make things better! - Megan
Emily is one of the most knowledgeable practitioners I've met in a while. She works to stay up to date in a fast changing environment which allows her to provide relevant and effective care. You are in good hands. - Justin
Dr. Emily is super knowledgeable and is happy to explain all and any details and questions. She is very kind and is patient for the both of us on days when my goals seem out of reach. She has always found an alternative and has helped me chance my mindset to focusing on what I can do rather than what I can't. - Ana