Áine
As the owner of Polemic Dance & Fitness Studio, I am passionate about practicing and performing pole in my own life and hope to share that passion with others. I began learning pole in 1998 and am completely self-taught. My extensive background in gymnastics (11+ years) and fitness training (over 20 years) has helped me understand the mechanics and anatomical stresses involved in the various pole skills. I started teaching pole to others in 2006 when I opened Brassy Butterfly, LLC. in Portland, OR. As an instructor, I believe strongly in building up underlying strength and flexibility to avoid injury when learning new pole moves. I have years of experience in spotting all levels, from Beginner to Advanced.
Emma Lynx
I have a BA in Dance performance from the University of Oregon and have done Modern, African, Ballet, Tap and Jazz most of my life. I have taught contemporary, jazz, tap, and zumba both locally and throughout the US since 2006, and have had the privilege of learning from broadway choreographers and various professionals in the modern dance world. After graduating, I began seeking forms of dance that were new to me. Pole dancing happened to be the main one that stood out to me. I fell in love with the athletic challenge pole dancing presented to me and continue to be amazed at all the power moves out there. I enjoy bringing my modern and jazz flavor to the pole. Mostly, I enjoy participating in creating a nonjudgemental space for our students to flourish. Dance is for everyone.
IG: miss_emma_lynx
Poppy Wyld
I started my pole journey in 2019, what started out as a casual fling soon grew into a full on obsession. Having no background in dance or fitness, I didn’t take to pole like a fish to water, I was more like a fish trying to take flight and my sole goal as a student was (and continues to be) to make it out of class alive. I quickly fell in love with how pole made me feel, giving me a new found confidence and love for my body. I was constantly surprised by what I was able to accomplish and when pole got tough and I wanted to quit, I kept coming back because of the instructors and my fellow classmates.
I started teaching my own classes at Polemic in late 2020. As a teacher, I understand and identify with the frustrations that come with pole and realize that pole is fluid, when it’s good, it’s amazing and when it’s hard, it’s really hard. Being a plus sized instructor, I strive to make my classes accessible for ALL body types, and making people feel comfortable and confident is my top priority. I love celebrating when students achieve their goals and helping to keep them encouraged and positive when something feels impossible.
IG: space_goonie
Jess
My pole journey started in 2015 in a small town in Kansas. I immediately fell in love with the art form and self-expression of pole dancing, and had to keep coming back for more. I continued training in studios throughout the Midwest and began teaching classes in 2017. I’ve been instructing at Polemic since 2019 and teach a variety of classes from beginner level to advanced pole, twerk, and low flow! I admire the smooth and seamless flow of pole dancing, as well as, the powerful and dynamic tricks. I love exploring movement concepts, low pole flow/floorwork, and transitions. I focus on strengthening foundational movements and seamlessly combining tricks and skills to gain confidence in freestyle dances and discovering your own personal flow.
IG: jess.x.pole
Kat
I started my dance journey at about 11 years old, doing group dance with All That Dance company. At the age of 14 I became a part of the first competition dance team at the studio and I danced with the team till I was 16. In 2016 I started taking classes at Brassy Butterfly after finding a love for pole while dancing in a club for 6 months. I worked with Aine weekly for about a year until she opened Polemic Dance and Fitness Studio where I began to teach basic spins and transitions, progressing to teaching beginner pole, and eventually intermediate pole. Over the years I have also had the honor of training with many pole stars including Olga Koda, Jenyne Butterfly, Bendy Kate, Eva Bembo, Kenneth Kao, Spinnin Shae, Andy Candy, Coco Ke Hong and many more.
In 2018 I quit my R&D chemist career to focus on teaching more pole, and lowering my stress levels. I competed in my first PSO competition in 2018 entering as level 3. I loved the environment and experience and thanks to my passion for creating choreography I have won a total of 6 medals in PSO competitions, 2 first place, and 3 second place and 1 second place for doubles. I have also been a judge for virtual PSO competitions and am happy to help students with choreography or preparation for competition.
In November 2019 I suffered a major MS attack which left me with grip strength struggles and intercostal spasms from a cervical spinal cord lesion which I manage through medication and regular mobility training. I became obsessed with the science of flexibility and how it could help me and I wrote a textbook called “The Science of Splits and Bridges” in a hope to create a reference guide for helping teach others.
I teach flexibility class at the studio as well as offer private lessons for those who want individualized help with beginner pole skills or a focus in specific tricks, putting together choreography for competition or performance, or a tailored flexibility sessions to help develop strength and range where you need to improve flexibility more quickly.
IG: polepixie_kat
Emalydia
After being a lifelong gym goer, I hit a slump. Gym workouts were no longer exciting for me, and I was looking for a new way to move my body in a group setting. I always loved dance, but considered pole to be somewhat out of reach for me, because I never really saw people who looked like me doing it. In 2021, I decided to give it a try anyway; I found Polemic and fell in love. As a student and instructor, I’m drawn to sensual movement that allows me to connect with my body and finding creative ways to modify standard tricks to make them more inclusive and accessible for myself and my students. My goal is to facilitate spaces where students feel comfortable and confident, especially for my fellow POC and bigger-bodied polers.
IG: emalydiaaa
Sara
I have done competitive gymnastics for more than nine years and dabbled in multiple fields of dance. I have experienced several injuries including dislocated joints, broken bones, sprains and strains to almost every joint in my body. Because of my experience with multiple injuries, I became a national certified personal trainer with an extra certification specializing in special populations. When I found pole, I fell in love again with fitness, wellness, dance, and body mechanics. I’m constantly studying body mechanics and pole fitness, and I hope to not only share the wonderful sport of pole with everyone, but also to help improve everyone’s life, mobility, and confidence.
IG: broz_sara
Kelsey
I started my pole journey in 2013 at a cozy strip club in Eugene. I instantly fell in love with connecting to my body in such an expressive, graceful and incredibly strong way. I continued to dance up in Portland before taking a break from stripping, but I continued to take classes at Polemic. I missed the sensual exploration and expression that stripping fulfilled for me, and so I cultivated classes that facilitate a safe space for students to move through their own journey of sensuality and sexuality. My curriculum explores intuitive touch and movement while integrating a sex worker positive approach to pole.
IG: anneranflow
V (Veronika)
I have been teaching at the Polemic since fall 2022. I began my Pole journey as a little trans egg. I moved up to the Eugene area because of Polemic. I had always wanted to try pole, but never had the confidence. I walked into my first class terrified and walked out excited. I knew pole was the sport for me. Polemic gave me a safe place to express who I was. Through the support of the amazing instructors and the beautiful community, I began transitioning and have become the woman I am today. Pole has given me so many opportunities. I have performed at the polemic recitals, competed in PSO, and made life long friends. I teach B1 and Mixed B1/B2 on Saturdays. I also host open pole on Sundays. Come hang out! The goal of my classes is to show YOU that YOU can do hard things. Most importantly, we have fun in my classes! When I’m not teaching I’m taking class: power pole, flexibility, and intermediate. When I’m not at the studio, I’m in the library studying math.