Tag: sensual movement

BUILDING OUR SACRED RITUALS: Achieving Balance, One Little Step at a Time

By Kimberly J. Nobrega

In today’s world, so much of what we experience and consume is curated to give the illusion of perfection. Combine that with our calendars of endless commitments and it can be challenging to give ourselves permission to invest in, nurture, and celebrate our authentic selves. I will admit, prioritizing and valuing my authentic self is a daily practice, one I have found over the recent years to be unapologetically necessary. This personal growth required working through self-imposed guilt, making slight changes to carve out space and time, and the occasional sacrifice. I am better at this today than I was on Day One when I started because I found something that helped inspire me. That ‘something’ was Liquid Motion®, and it opened the flood gates of helping me reconnect with how I prioritized myself in my life.

Making movement part of our daily practice does more than just make us physically feel happier; it also benefits us mentally in so many ways. It is incredibly powerful to gift that to oneself, that feeling of a positive mind-body connection. As a Liquid Motion® instructor, I also have come to appreciate the power that I have in introducing this concept to my students and guiding them in their journey to unlock this for themselves.

The reality is that it takes a level of commitment to not only tap into our authenticity but to also do it consistently enough so that it simply becomes part of who you are as a person. Getting movement into our lives can be tricky with external demands of work, family, friends, and any standing commitments pulling us in multiple directions. Yet, when you want to do something, you will find a way; and when you do not, you will find an excuse.

This was something I had to learn, and I will be the first to admit that making this change is not easy. The demands of my full-time job, a robust teaching schedule and the balancing act of being a mother, wife and friend makes carving out time for myself nothing shy of a logistical nightmare most weeks. What I learned in this journey to prioritize the things in my life that gave me enjoyment was that I could not double down and go all in like I wanted. Instead, it was a slow process of taking a class one day a week any time my schedule allowed and then building the cadence and frequency from there.

Like any habit you want to build, this took time as well as some trial and error, including some negotiations on the home front. What they say is true, you cannot pour from an empty cup. As I saw the positive benefits of how giving myself this time made me feel mentally and physically, I also noticed how that made a big difference in other areas of my life, ultimately making this time, regardless of how much, a non-negotiable. You also must give yourself grace and recognize that not every week will be a perfect week and that is alright. This is a journey that is centered around your unique self-growth and discovery, so enjoy it and appreciate it for what it is.

What has been truly remarkable over the past few years is that we have had to evolve and adapt to the speed in which the world around us moves. Our access to movement methodology classes now expands beyond the brick and mortar; we can log in with instructors who support teaching online globally with just a few clicks. While the options of real-life or virtual real-time connections have more flexibility than ever, the concept of giving ourselves permission to incorporate movement methodology training into our lives really depends on whether or not we place it high enough on our priority list. The challenge often lies in making the time to do something just for ourselves, when it feels like so many other things need to get done. These little things we do for ourselves can become sacred rituals that give us joy and help us stay grounded, especially in times when life starts to feel overwhelming.

Liquid Motion® is part of my weekly rituals. I feel the most empowered and authentic version of myself when I give myself the time to move in this methodology. There is something sacred about the mind to body connection that grounds me on the most hectic of days and continuously challenges me both mentally and physically. This sacred feeling is what inspired me years ago to become certified and share this with my students. When I teach others, I am not just teaching a series of technical moves, I am teaching them how to embrace, fall in love with, and appreciate their own authenticity.

One of my favorite teaching outlines focuses on tactile cueing. Full transparency: this class focus was one I experienced early on as a Liquid Motion® student, and the day we did it, I could not have wished harder for the floor to swallow me up. How was I going to feel confident in touching myself as I moved? I was so worried about looking ridiculous that I nearly missed the point of this exercise. It is not about looking a certain way or looking as perfect as the instructor; it is about establishing the foundations of the mind-body connection that elevates the enjoyment of this movement methodology to a different level. I experienced this for myself, and I see it in my students every single time I do this class format. There is something magical about the breakthrough this creates when people realize that when they allow themselves to indulge in their unique individuality how much pure joy and power it gifts them.

During my first Liquid Motion® certification, someone said something to me that I will never forget. After a freestyle they remarked that when I moved, you could see me taking my raw emotions and playing with them. I had not recognized that in myself before, and in that moment of acknowledgement, I chose to embrace that about my movement. Our movement will tell the truest, deepest stories of the soul. I have used it to tell my pain, my deepest loves and my most euphoric joys where words would fail me and I have had the honor to witness countless others do the same over the years. As challenging as it can be to find or give permission to take time for oneself, embracing that Liquid Motion® is about being authentic and finding yourself through movement serves as a powerful motivation to make it part of who you are every day.

How to teach a great movement class

We have said it before, and we will say it again: teaching a great class is an art. It starts with passion, then preparation, and lastly execution. Below are more ideas and helpful teaching tricks you can (and should) use when structuring and teaching your Liquid Motion® class or any class! Remember a good teacher learns from their students.

  • Vantage Point: Think about what is the best vantage point for teaching the move, shape, or skill. Remember the best vantage point for viewing is not always the best vantage point for teaching.
  • Obstructions: Are there obstructions in the room? If so, do you need to alter your class? Do you need to split them into groups, or can you use that obstruction as a room cue?
  • Room Cues: Use your room for cues. Try not to use right and left, especially if you are facing your students. There is only one front door or one stereo. This will help you corral or navigate the students quickly.
  • The Body or Space: Are you using front as it relates to the room or the body? Is your front their front? For example, you’re lying on your belly, parallel with the mirror, top of the head to the door and your temple is on the floor, and you say “front.” What if your student is looking up? Their front becomes your overhead. This quickly becomes confusing. Specify your directional cues before you start.
  • Vocal Projection: How are you projecting your voice in relation to where the students are? Are you facing them? Are you lying down? Think about where you are in relation to them, and make sure they can hear you, especially if they can’t see you.
  • Heads Up: Are you going to be verbally cueing? Stopping the lead-and-follow during the warm up? If so, let them know so they don’t stop moving with you.
  • The Backwards Trick: Sometimes you just have that one student who just feels like they are too cool for school. If this happens, ask them to execute the move backwards, and don’t show them. We call this the “backwards trick.”
  • SHHHHHH: If you are new to teaching, keep your mouth shut. Don’t over-cue. Ask them questions. Let them guide you so you can see what they already know. Don’t be afraid to just teach them like you would teach a friend.
  • You’re not Alex Trebek: Know what the hell you are saying. If you are going to use a real technical term in any way, make sure you know what the hell you are saying. The best example I can point out is the misuse of the word “freestyle.” We have all fallen into this trap, as our industry misuses this word all the time. However, a true freestyle is just that. In a freestyle, there are zero rules or instructions; you are just free. What we usually do in pole dance classes, basing our movement exploration off of a sequence or idea, is actually called an “improvisation.”
  • Reactionary Movement: This is the action that happens as a direct result of another action. This is a great teaching skill as it helps you pick the most important cues to focus on.

Want to learn more about how to be a better teacher? Start your journey with us today! Live, group (virtual and in-person options) certifications or one-on-one on demand!

How to find the perfect pair of shoes for pole dancing

How Should They Fit?

You want your shoes to fit very snugly. How snug will vary from person to person, depending on the shape and size of their foot. While you do not want the shoe to cut off circulation, it should be tight enough that you aren’t able to slide any fingers between your straps and your foot.

We do not endorse ankle support products, as nothing in this manual will require that kind of excessive support. This is our preference at Liquid Motion®, and these products are not allowed in your training, unless you have an injury. Ankle boots also give you a very false sense of security and will hinder the strengthening of your ankles. However, when training for an extensive length of time, one might consider using an ankle boot if not wearing a shoe is not an option. But generally, we feel if you can’t keep the ankle stable in your shoe, then you need to go to a lower heel height or think about whether you are truly ready to dance in platform stilettos.

What kind of shoe should I buy?

There are many different brands one can choose from; we do not endorse any one brand. You should try on a variety of styles and brands, as they all use different materials and fit differently. You are most likely going to blow some money until you find your perfect fit, and even then, you will blow through lots of shoes. Like any piece of equipment, it will be a continuous investment for you.

Where should I buy my shoes?

We don’t recommend buying your shoes from the HUGE online companies. Large companies that stock thousands of shoes do not always store overstock in the best conditions. Like anything else, the materials will break down over time, and sometimes break or even crack after just a few uses. (This also applies to  how you store your shoes in your own home.) We recommend buying your shoes directly from the manufacturers or a smaller third party that has a very high turnover rate. This way, you know you are getting newer shoes that are made with the most up-to-date materials. If something feels off, you should call the manufacturer directly, as they might have changed something in the design.

What should I look for when buying a shoe?

Your dance shoes should NOT fit like a street shoe. The activity you are doing in this footwear is completely different from your normal routine. As you break in your shoe, the straps will stretch out and start to loosen. The most common mistake people make is tightening the strap too much and breaking the lifeline. You may want to consider going down a size from your street shoe.

Don’t be fooled. There is no such thing as a half shoe size when it comes to platform stilettos (as of yet in the USA). If it says that on the website, it’s because they are measuring from a different point.

There is no standardization when it comes to sizing this type of shoe.

The first thing to consider is what you are going to be using it for. For those who will be doing a lot of upright dancing, 6-inch heels are perfect. The heel height is safe for beginners and will still give you a very different feeling than a regular street shoe.

For floor work, you have a little more leeway. We recommend a 7-inch heel to start. A 7-inch heel will give you about a 3-inch toe box. This is ideal for Clacking, Dragging and Threading. However, the 8-inch heel has an approximately 4-inch toe box and a slightly larger lip. This extra real estate gives you more stability when Staking and Undercutting, and yes – the bigger the box, the louder the clack. The 8-inch heel is also heavier. You will find that extra weight is not a bad thing; it actually makes for better use of momentum.

Closed toe ankle boots are great, as they protect your toes. This is important, as many people’s toes will hang over the tip of the shoe. Even with some techniques you will learn later, this may still be an issue. In that case, we do recommend trying a closed toe boot. Ankle boots will also give you extra ankle support, and you can even wear socks for a snugger fit. The downside of that is you will not build the much-needed ankle strength to perform more advanced techniques. Ankle boots should really be used in conjunction with a regular pair of platform stilettos.

Vinyl thigh high boots are fun, but they stick to everything, including themselves. Many people like to wear them to help stick to the pole, but that is not what they are designed for. They will rip apart almost instantly. These shoes are simply for fashion purposes.

To start, you may want to get a shoe with a D (sometimes called U) shape heel. This is referring to the actual tip of the stiletto heel. This type of heel shape provides more stability when standing.

You want a plastic compound shoe. Materials used to create the heel design include polycarbonate, PVC, Lucite and acrylic resin. We recommend vinyl straps, but you can also find them in leather.

Like this content? Learn more about how to walk, dance and teach in platform stiletto shoes in our Heels Certification! Sign up now.

How to do a Backward Shoulder Roll

Shoulder rolls are some of the most misunderstood moves in floorwork. They are often taught incorrectly without any discussion of weight transfer, shoulder rotation, shoulder activation and overall muscle engagement. Because of this, people quickly injure themselves, as they are forced to use momentum instead of technique. Shoulder rolls are not the same thing as a somersault. Somersaults are when you tuck your chin to your chest and roll over both shoulders at the same time utilizing a gigantic floor inversion and weight transfer.

Shoulder rolls, however, only roll over one shoulder or exchange from one to the other, meaning there needs to be an adjustment and slight pivoting action on the exit. In addition, a forward shoulder roll should always be taught first, which contradicts almost every other movement training.

The Backward Shoulder Roll is a direct result of understanding weight transfer, shoulder rotation, and shoulder activation. Just like with the forward roll, we have a different approach. Keep in mind the Liquid Motion® Backward Shoulder Roll to Knee (Look Away) is a more advanced version of a traditional backward shoulder roll, as it focuses on body awareness and front orientation. You must master a traditional backward shoulder roll first.

Looking for how to do a forward shoulder roll? We recommend you master that first! Check it out at this link.

Step by step instructions on how to do a backward shoulder roll for floorwork:

  • Start on your back, parallel to a mirror or a definitive front. Your legs are straight out in front of you and your arms are down by your sides.
  • Tuck your pelvis to peel your knees to your chest, continuing into a full plow.
  • Turn your face to front; you will be rolling over the back shoulder.
  • The tops of your feet should be on the floor, shoulder width apart, and your legs straight.
  • Execute your weight transfer by swiveling at the hips so your feet are splitting your back shoulder.
  • Start to drop the back knee to the floor and activate the back shoulder, driving it into the floor to continue the rolling action.
  • Finish snaking your head out, maintaining eye contact with front.
  • Continue traveling backward, bringing your booty back until it is sitting on your foot.
  • You will end on the back knee with your front leg extended out to the side.

Common Mistakes:

  • Looking over the wrong shoulder
  • Rolling over the wrong shoulder

Like this content? Learn more about how to do, improve and perfect your backwards shoulder roll in our 1.0 Certification! Sign up now.

Our New On-Demand Option is “so well organized and well taught!”

We know it’s hard to carve out time for yourself when you’re juggling work, life and everything!

We also know that there are so many people who are interested in taking our certifications around the world but few can attend a US-eastern time zone-scheduled certification.

That’s why we created the on-demand option for our popular virtual certifications and intensives using the awesome self-paced tool Thinkific… and people already love it!

“I just completed the replay option for Liquid Motion®’s 4-hour intensive using their new replay option since I was unable to attend the live virtual training. Wowo!! So well organized and well taught! I loved how the replay training was structured and I feel like I received a really in depth conceptual understanding of the new material.” –Karen

How does it work?

Certifications and intensives are organized into modules that you view at your own pace. Stop, start, and rewind whenever you want. The content is bite-sized so you can do a short module and then take a break and come back refreshed without missing anything. Quizzes help break up the information and allow you to digest the information easily and completely, which can sometimes be hard in a live class!

All on-demand certifications also qualify for the same continuing education credits from NASM and AFAA. If you took one of our certifications prior to 2021, you are not eligible to claim these credits from your previous certification BUT you can retake any Liquid Motion® certification for 50% off and then earn these CEUs with NASM/AFAA. These CEUs can be applied to renew any NASM/AFAA certification such as Personal Trainer or Group Fitness. If you don’t have or don’t want these types of qualifications, don’t worry about it! This perk doesn’t change anything about your credentials if you are not a member of these organizations.

Watch this video from Jeni to see exactly how the new system works:

 

I’m interested; when can I start?

All levels of our certifications are currently available on-demand right now. Click here to sign up and start immediately. Please note, you must have taken our 1.0 certification before taking our Heels or 2.0 training.

Our Liquid Motion® on the Pole 4-hour intensive is also available on-demand now. Click here to sign up and start immediately.

If you haven’t taken our 1.0 certification yet, a live virtual version is coming up on October 9-10, 2021! This is a great condensed virtual option if the On-Demand option doesn’t work for you.

Got questions? We’ve got answers! Email us today.

Get NASM/AFAA Continuing Education Credits for your Liquid Motion® Certifications!

We are so excited to share this news with you!

Liquid Motion® is now officially both NASM and AFAA approved continuing education provider and our licensed members can now receive continuing education credits or units (CECs or CEUs) for their Liquid Motion® 1.0, 2.0 and Heels certifications.

This is a huge boost to our company, as it gives us a major stamp of approval from the world’s most recognized fitness organizations. It shows that we mean business! AND we are the only recognized heels provider of CEUs!

What does this mean for you?

If you already hold a certification through NASM or AFAA, such as a personal trainer certification or a group fitness certification, you can now use your Liquid Motion® 1.0, 2.0 AND Heels as a recognized continuing education credit to keep your certifications with NASM/AFAA active.

All NASM/AFAA certification holders must conduct a specific amount of continuing education before they can recertify and keep their certifications active. If you do not already hold one of these certifications, then this information does not apply to you.

If you took a certification anytime in 2021, you can claim these CEUs. To claim them, you need a PDF copy of our updated 2021 certificate with the appropriate information to submit to NASM/AFAA when you recertify with them. Reach out to Danielle to get your new certificate. If you took a certification prior to 2021, then this is unfortunately not retroactive. BUT you can retake any Liquid Motion® certification for 50% off and claim these CEUs with NASM/AFAA. All you have to do is log into your account on the Liquid Motion® website before signing up; our system will recognize your certified status and the discount will automatically apply at checkout!

How many CEUs can I get?

Each organization is slightly different, here is the breakdown:

NASM CEUs:

  • 1.0 training = 1.9
  • 2.0 training = 1.5
  • Heels training = 1.6

AFAA CEUs:

  • 1.0 training = 15
  • 2.0 training = 15
  • Heels training = 15

Ready to start your journey with us AND claim CEUs that you can apply to your other fitness certifications? Sign up now!

 

What is Sensual Movement?

How do you define sensual movement?

The definition of the word “sensuality” (according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary) is “relating to or consisting in the gratification of the senses or the indulgence of appetite.” This is what we help our students to understand and achieve.

The definition of the term “sensual movement” (according to Liquid Motion®) is as follows:

If you actively use all your senses, you will undoubtedly have a heightened sense of awareness in all areas, including body awareness. To be a successful mover in Liquid Motion®, you must have total body awareness. If you have that, you can create successful movement that your body understands – or what we call Sensual Movement.

If one understands how we perceive the word “sensual” as it pertains to movement, along with the actual definition of the word, then it is clear that the confusion lies within modern culture.

We believe the problem is not fear of sensual movement itself, but rather a misunderstanding of what it really is.

Society has created confusion between the words “sexuality” and “sensuality.” The confusion reaches so far that it parallels pornography or adult entertainment (whatever the hell that means). Because of this, anytime the general public hears the word sensuality, they cringe. Within our own industry, this word has been so watered down, that no one even takes it seriously any more.

We at Liquid Motion® are determined to reclaim the term “sensual movement” for what it really is…

The Activation Of The Senses To Create Total Body Awareness.

It is only when you understand this heightened form of body awareness will the exploration of your body’s natural movement allow you to embrace your individuality and confidence, not only in dance, but in life.

Definitions can begin to collide. As you will quickly see, many of our practices and ideas may challenge or contradict what you have learned about sensual movement up until this point. Leave your preconceived notions at the door. Be open to a new perspective. Don’t let expectations inhibit your movement journey with Liquid Motion®.

Understanding Liquid Motion®

The ability to fully understand how your body naturally moves and what that feels like will ultimately give you the fluidity and Liquid style that you are looking for. Liquid Motion® does not teach you to be sexy, but it does teach you to be sensual and to be proud of it. We are in no way limiting you or telling you that other forms of movement, whether sexual or not, are wrong or right. We are simply leaving that exploration up to you and giving you the tools to keep exploring. We want to make sure you understand how we as a movement culture understand Liquid Motion®.

To understand Liquid Motion® is to be able to recognize and apply our methods. The ability to understand how the Liquid Motion® methodology changes movement is what truly gives you freedom and confidence to create your own Liquid Motion®. That is the final goal, and that final goal will take time. First, you need to learn, understand, and apply our Five Fundamentals and our Five Techniques, as these are your foundation!

Like this content? Learn more about how to access your sensual movement in our 1.0 Certification! Sign up now.