Passion Profile: A Stranger Convinced Me To Pole Dance by Tina Tang

Profile of Ashley Popoli, owner of Vertical Addiction, Stamford CT

Interviewed by Tina Tang. 4 minute read

I’ve never pole danced and am fascinated by the women who do and what they love about it. I discovered Ashley via instagram (@VerticalAddictionCT). In fact, the devoted practice of the many women who love the aerial arts inspired my latest line of pole dancing designs. I asked Ashley 5 questions to uncover her path to pole.Pole came to me via a stranger's request. A woman at the gym, someone whom I had never met, regularly approached me during my workouts asking me to try her class. She insisted I would be great at it. I hesitated as the studio was a longer drive from where I lived but after several requests by her, I gave it a try. I found the class fun, challenging, and different. I decided to buy five more classes and then I was hooked. That was 6 years ago. I continued to take classes at that studio and got to a point where I had surpassed the levels of my teachers. So, I went to New York City where I continue to take classes from the owner of Body & Pole.I’m 29 now and discovered pole dancing when I was 23.My background is in competitive gymnastics. This is helpful in pole dancing as it requires a lot of upper body strength. Note that it is not necessary to have a gymnastics background for pole dancing. Some of the best dancers, like Natasha Wang, have no gymnastics or dance background. My exercise routine has changed since I opened up my studio as I am not able to train as much as a business owner. I go into the city twice a week to take a Body & Pole class which lasts 90 minutes. Fridays, after classes at my studio, several students and I work on things together. Three to four times a week, I run or go to the gym. I never do weights nor upper body work as pole dancing gives me plenty of focus on those parts of my body. I work on lower body exercises such as squats, weighted lunges, and plyometrics. I also do cardio. Cardio is an important focus because pole dancing requires endurance. I need to have the conditioning for a four minute routine. In total, I work out five to six days a week.Opening the studio happened organically. It was as if the universe gradually lined everything up to that final outcome. I was working at Lululemon at the time while learning pole dancing. My colleagues knew how much I practiced and frequently asked if I would one day open my own studio. Their consistent questioning planted the seed.

A Lululemon co-worker heard about an open space above the hair salon she frequented. She encouraged me to take a look! That space is now the studio I’ve owned for three years and nine months. Next week, we are moving to a much larger, 13 ft ceiling studio in downtown Stamford.

Opening my own business at the age of 25. It was a big leap to take. The most significant aspect of opening my studio is that I created a space that has become a community of great women. So many wonderful relationships and best friends have been created in my studio. A fitness class brought some of these women their most important relationships!

Having the courage to change my life after college. After graduation, I was alone in a city with no friends and in an abusive relationship. I decided that I was going to change that and allowed myself to be treated right. This is how I met my boyfriend who has become my biggest support and fan.

My pole dancing milestone is winning the first competition I’ve ever competed in. After 2 years of practicing pole dancing, I entered a competition and won first place!

Creating the first aerial arts showcase in Fairfield County which I organized in 2014. I was only 1 ½ years into my business when I created this widely successful event at the Stamford Hilton.

Ashley’s about to open her larger and more strategically located studio in downtown Stamford. If you happen to be there, drop by and give pole dancing a whirl! First timer class: $20 Vertical Addiction 575 Pacific Street Stamford, CT 203-883-8383 VerticalAddictionCT.com Iron Strong Jewelry designs inspired by the love for aerial arts: Leg Hang necklace and Extended Butterfly Necklace