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Greetings, I just returned from Las Vegas where I completed my Level 5 Instructor Certification with Fawnia Deitrich.   It’s always great to see Fawnia and learn from her. Luckily for me the certification was pretty much stress free.  I already knew most of the moves, which was nice, but I did pick up a few new moves (the Pyramid and Shoot the V) along with some great Pole Warm Up moves.  I get so inspired learning, and sharing, with other instructors.  I’m really looking forward to returning for Jamilla’s workshops next month!

I also got to spend a lot of time with my friend Val. We talked, had dinner, talked some more, went to breakfast and talked, hiked at Red Rock Canyon, talked some more. The “real” hikers thought we looked pretty funny hiking in our dresses and sandals but what can I say.  It was a spontaneous decision.  We weren’t necessarly prepared, but we had fun.  We were so busy chatting we never even thought about it until people started making comments to us. I wish I had a photo of us!  I think we both are close to having lost our voices! It was a great trip.  Viva Las Vegas!

Name: Cindy Coverdale

Born: Colorado Springs, Colorado

Siblings: 4 Brothers and 1 Sister–I’m the youngest.

Growing Up: I was a total tomboy when I was little, and having 4 older brothers made me pretty    tough! I loved to be outside… catching bugs, helping my brother work on cars and motorcycles, and    doing gymnastics.  Drawing and doing gymnastics were my two most favorite things while growing  up.  Oh, and organizing things! ha ha.  I still do that one! I lived in a neighborhood filled with kids.  We would ride bikes, play hide-and-seek etc. with whoever was available to play… until the  streetlights came on.

Present Time:  I would say I’m pretty much a girly-girl now.  I like all things pampering: massages,  nice hotels, traveling First Class! David has taught me all about the finer things in life and I’ve  adapted quite well! Ha Ha! I am all about making things easy and not stressing. The friends I have now laugh if I say I’m going on a school camping trip with Jasper.  (They know I’m 5 star.) I can handle it though, I just draw from my roots!  ha ha.

I love being married, being a Mom, and having a business to run. I have a very fulfilling life!

Age: Not Telling!

Children: 1 Son, Jasper.  He’s the best.  He’s an “old soul” for sure, and always teaching me things.  We have a wonderful relationship, which I sure hope continues as he moves into the rebellious teenage years! Yikes.

Pets: I have two kitties.  Riley and Lola. They are very sweet.  Still kittens.  And they love to play.

Hobbies:  Obviously, #1 is Pole Dancing.  It takes me back to my youth with my love for gymnastics and it allows me to express my creativity through dance. I feel strong, sexy and free when I dance. There was no money for dance classes when I was growing up and I remember watching my friend during her ballet classes just wishing so bad I could take a class.  Now I can! You really can try anything at any age… If you just give yourself permission to do it.  I started my dance studio Vertical Fitness to have a place where woman can experience trying new things (pole dancing, belly dancing etc.) in a safe and beautiful environment.

The inspiration for writing this book came from the many appointments Christine and I had with Real Estate Agents. Using Feng Shui principles, and a little muscle (we spent many appointments rearranging furniture on the spot) these “Feng Shui for Sale” appointments, as Christine liked to call them,  proved to be so successful we decided to write a book to share with all Real Estate Agents, and homeowners, so they could implement the tools on their own and only call us for the really difficult homes.  The “difficult” homes usually required a deeper level of Feng Shui such as clearing out negative energy. This is information that requires more training and a deeper understanding of Feng Shui so it is not included in the book.  Nine times out of ten though, the homes do sell without requiring our services!

So if you’re trying to sell your home, give a little Feng Shui a try.  I promise we made it simple and inexpensive to implement these tools.  Have fun with it and start planning life in your new home!

People always assume I met David at a show… Or something along those  lines…  But here’s the truth. I met David Coverdale in November 1990.  We were both getting our hair hi-lighted (he was blond then) at this little  hair salon in Reno, Nevada called Look n’ Good!  How funny is that?  When David walked in half of my head was covered in aluminum foil  packets.  Perfect. Just how you want to look when you meet someone  famous.  Or anyone for that matter! I knew who he was, of course, and  thought it was really weird because over a 2-3 month period before  meeting him, his name kept coming up. I guess it was our destiny to meet.

A few days after meeting, he sent me a HUGE bouquet of roses with an  invitation to go out to dinner.  I was pretty much floored.  When I left my  job that day, I called to tell him “Thank you  very much, but I can’t do dinner.”  I was in the process of ending a  relationship, but it wasn’t quite finalized yet so I didn’t feel it would be  right. Blah… blah… blah… Honestly, I was also scared to death.  Let’s just say David was somewhat persuasive  and  I finally agreed to meet him.  I just started thinking, “You know, you just might end up being really good friends. What do you have to loose by meeting him?”   I grew up with 4 older brothers so it’s not like it was hard for me to talk to or be around  guys.  Then, on the way to that meeting “Is this Love” came on the radio. That really freaked me out. I had to pull over and breathe! ha ha.

We took things slow from there.  Both of us were traveling off and on so  we spent a lot of time on the phone getting to know each other before  seeing each other again. Which was nice.  I don’t think either one of us  really wanted t be in another relationship as we were both coming out of  somewhat dysfunctional ones. However… I think the angels had other plans.  Seriously.  David and I didn’t have a lot of choice in the matter.  We were supposed to  be  together.  And thank goodness we eventually gave in because we have  an amazing marriage and friendship now.

Being married to a rock star does have it’s perks.  You get to have someone  write and sings songs about you.  And there is nothing like  seeing your husband up on stage performing. That is amazing! I am in  awe of David when I watch his shows.  I love hearing David on the radio  and thinking, that’s my husband.  Wow. I am so proud of his  accomplishments. He is an incredible person. Don’t think I don’t know  I’m one lucky girl!

Feel free to browse around and see what’s been going onin my world lately.  I will update this site as often as possible… but TRUST me, my life can get crazy busy so no guarantees it will be daily or anything! I’m new to this blogging thing, and I’m a pretty private person (pole dancer or not!) so it’s very likely going to be a continual work in progress… All the best, Cindy

By Cindy Coverdale

I discovered Pole Dancing when I turned 40 years old.  I had just come off spending two years acting as President and creator of the Parent Association at my son’s school. After pretty much spending what would have been a fulltime job as a volunteer, I decided when it was over to take some time for me.  During that time my best friend was explaining this mysterious bruise to me that she had on her foot.  She said it was from a Pole Dancing Class. I was immediately intrigued and I knew I had to experience it!

That first class was all I needed to become absolutely addicted to Pole Dancing.  My background in gymnastics made it very easy for me, and it was unbelievably fun.  I was immediately transported back to my childhood when I would play on the bars. You couldn’t get me off those things!  Spinning… spinning… spinning.  Sure they were horizontal, not vertical like a pole, but the feeling was the same. Total Freedom and Joy!

As I continued taking classes I noticed another unexpected side effect.  Well two.  First of all, my core was tightening up and my whole body was getting more toned and strong.  I had tried everything after having my son to get my abdominal area back to how it once had been and nothing worked like Pole Dancing. The amazing thing to me was that it never felt like working out—it was just FUN, and a little bit challenging.  I had zero dance experience so moving with freedom was very new for me.

The second side effect was the magic of feeling empowered.  I noticed through claiming my femininity and sensuality I was able to express a whole other side of me. A very locked up and repressed side.  My confidence grew right along with my improved posture.   This was the piece that helped me decide I had to open my own studio and become an instructor.  I wanted to assist other women in experiencing this as well.

I find that women my age (30 and 40 something) seem to have the hardest time giving themselves permission to attend classes, and tap into their own creative and feminine expression.  I think some of it is because we have conditioning from our own mothers who were forced to be the “perfect” mothers of the 60’s.  Their sole job was supposed to be their family. They were our role models and our teachers. I know my own mother was not ever able to realize her full potential as a woman and creative person. She was supposed to be in sacrifice to her family.  That is what was deemed admirable.

In my classes, which are promoted and designed as Pole Dancing for Fitness, I do my best to create permission for women to notice and appreciate their inner beauty and strength, at the same time allowing their femininity to be expressed through sensual movements.  When they reach that point, I feel extremely blessed to be a part of it. There is a magical transformation that takes place. A new sense of self-assurance is being projected out.

I think what sets Pole Dancing apart from other forms of fitness such as Pilates or Yoga is the piece of dancing and expressing yourself.  The workout piece is there, but there is also a very unstructured and flowing piece that is unique and individual to each person.  It is the creative essence of that person being expressed.  Nothing is more beautiful than that!

Side Note:

One of my missions to help me be the best instructor I can be is to learn from as many fantastic Pole Dancers I can.  I have had the privilege of learning from:  Fawnia Monday, Katie Coates, Jenyne Butterfly, Michula Nunez, Jamilla DeVille, Leigh Ann Orsi, Bad Ass, and Kitty Cadillac. I am AFAA Certified as Group Fitness Instructor as well as PDIC Certified from Fawnia.

I am a Pole Dance Instructor and the owner of Vertical Fitness in Lake Tahoe, NV. which I opened in July 2007. Ladies, I urge you to give Pole Dancing for Fitness a try!  Pole Dancing Studios are popping up all over the place.  I think it’s destined to become the new Pilates. I recommend you do a little research and make sure you find a good instructor with some fitness experience as well as dance experience.  Also make sure you feel comfortable and safe with them so you can really let that sexy side of you out. She’s in there I promise.  And if you haven’t had a lot of contact with her lately you are going to love playing with her again! Enjoy!

Food That Rocks” was co-written by Margie Lapanja and myself in 2004. Part entertainment, part cookbook our goal was to create a book that would be fun to read while actually preparing one of the artist’s recipes. In addition to delicious recipes, it’s packed with juicy tidbits like what do the artits recommend you listen to while preparing their favorite meal, and what do they require backstage during their shows. Our intention was to give the reader an opportunity to get to know the musician while they’re preparing their recipe!

Writing Food That Rocks

It was great fun to write.  We got some wacky recipes!  Many came handwritten without any ingredient amounts, or cooking times or temperatures. Thank goodness Margie had prior cookbook experience! Some of them are pretty funny as well. There are some really great personalties that shine through.  The musicians were so much fun to work with.  That was probably the best part of writing the book… For me anyway.

Margie and I split the writing down the middle.  We would write our intros and swap them for the other to comment on.  It worked very well for us. We divided other duties up.  Margie did the recipes and I took care of permissions, etc.

“Food That Rocks” was written for charity.  To benefit Freedom From Hunger. Our intention was to be able to give back in big way and present them with a large check.  Unfortunately, things didn’t pan out quite as we visualized, but we’re still hoping to give them a nice big check one day.  We ran into some obstacles along the way.

One of the biggest obstacles was having our publisher be sold half way through the writing of our book.   Our new publishers  inherited something like 50 books and only 1 extra staff person, so they were stretched pretty thin.  I also don’t think the “got” our book in the same way our original publisher did.  They thought it was a cookbook, which it partly is.  The problem is, bookstores want cookbooks to be all about the recipes and “Food That Rocks” is more about the musician’s contributing the recipes.  Some of the recipes are fabulous, some are kind of silly. They don’t necessarily compare with Julia Child if you know what I mean.

We had fantastic reviews and some extremely successful book signings. The book signings were great fun! Depending on the location they were held, we had musicians on hand to sign their recipe pages as well. We also did a lot of very fun radio interviews.  I remember having to be wide awake at 4:00 am to do live morning radio shows on the East coast.  Those were tough! It was pretty disappointing that our book didn’t fly off the bookshelves, but  I am proud of it and extremely grateful for the experience I had participating in the whole process.  I learned so much and I got to meet some wonderful people.

Cindy Coverdale & Margie Lapanja