Nicole Braun has been poling for 7 years and instructing for almost 3 years. She teaches pole and Liquid Motion® at Flirt Fitness and is Pole Moves Level 1-3 certified and Liquid Motion® 1.0, 2.0 & Heels certified. She is also a married stay at home mom of 3 kids and 4 fur kids. Her background is in the performing arts including a BFA from Central Michigan University and MFA from Wayne State University.
1. You’ve been certified in all three levels of the Liquid Motion® training program. Tell us how you got started with Liquid Motion® and why you chose to take advantage of taking all three certification levels.
I had just become an instructor when the Liquid Motion® 1.0 certification was coming through my studio. I immediately signed up to give myself an opportunity to teach more at the studio and give myself a leg up. I immediately fell in love with the movement style and I’ve been teaching it ever since.
2. What is your teaching philosophy? Do you have a motto or mantra?
I firmly believe that everyone can find joy and freedom in movement. I don’t believe that we should measure our successes in the ability to do a certain trick or move. You should measure your success in the joy that movement brings you.
3. What has been your most rewarding teaching experience?
Anytime a student tells me that my class has made a difference in their self image and confidence I feel fulfilled. The benefits of dance are just as much mental as it is physical.
4. What has been your biggest struggle in your teaching journey?
I have to constantly remind myself that comparison is the thief of joy. Comparing ourselves to others is something I discourage my students from doing but we as instructors often need to be reminded of it just as often.
5. You just recently celebrated your 7th year in the pole world! Do you find that the Liquid Motion® methodology helps with other modalities, either as a student or as an instructor?
My pole abilities significantly improved as my understanding of the Liquid Motion® methodology grew. I began to use the same fundamentals on the pole as on the ground and my progress skyrocketed. I strongly encourage pole students to take Liquid Motion® to become better movers!
6. What are your goals in your own personal movement journey? Has Liquid Motion® had any impact in the way you approach these goals?
I aim to have new goals for my personal movement every year. This year I’m dedicated to becoming more confident in my heels thanks to recently becoming Liquid Heels certified. The Heels certification was wonderful and I want to continue to build on that knowledge and bring it to my students.
7. What’s your all-time favorite song or musician that makes you want to get Liquid?
A personal favorite is Two Feet. He has a sexy, bluesy, dark feel that makes me want to get on the floor as soon as I hear it!
8. Tell us something that most people don’t know about you.
I worked as a theatre costumer and designer in college.
9. You have an incredibly loyal and encouraging group of students and colleagues at your studio. They clearly love you! Do you have any tips for aspiring or new instructors who are hoping to build a clientele and a supportive community like yours?
Make yourself as well rounded as possible. Take all the certifications and workshops you can. Be yourself and love who you are as a dancer and others will appreciate you for what you can bring to the community.
10. What advice would you give someone who is thinking about trying out the Liquid Motion® class for the first time or thinking about taking a Liquid Motion® certification?
Don’t think about it, just go for it. Liquid is for everyone!
11. In one sentence, share a life lesson you’ve learned – maybe a piece of advice that you’ve always held onto or a random comment you heard in passing that stuck with you. What do you think everyone should hear at least once in their lifetime?
You will only regret the risks you didn’t take.
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