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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.

Vertical Fitness is a Boutique Dance Studio offering innovative dance/fitness classes!  We believe working out should, and CAN BE, fun! All of our classes are designed to bring out your feminine and playful side…

We are currently offering fitness/ dance classes in:  Pole Dancing, Chair Dancing, Belly Dancing, Salsacise and Sexy Stretch…

On the horizon for Summer are: Hula and Zumba!

As women, it’s very easy to take care of everyone else and think about yourself last.  We urge you to give yourself permission to take care of you!  Do something that brings you joy!  Everyone around you will benefit.  Honestly, they may whine a bit in the beginning, but you’ll be surprised how soon they get over it.  You’ll be happier, more confident and way more fun to be around! If you’re in the Lake Tahoe Area please feel free to join us for a class!

We also do Private Parties & Workshops! Gather a group of your friends and try a Pole Dancing, Chair Dancing or Belly Dancing Class. Private Parties & Workshops are great for Bacheloroette Parties, Birthday Parties, to Celebrate an Event, or just to experience one of the best Girls Night Out evenings you could ever imagine.  We’ll work with you to make sure your party / workshop is customized to your group.

Alethea, Sarah & Jenyne Congratulations!!

Hi Everybody!  I just got back from New York where I attended the US Pole Dancing Championship. It was amazing! The dancers were incredible!  Photos were not allowed, during the event so I don’t have any great ones to share, but you can check out uspoledance.com  as they have them posted on their site.

I had two friends dancing in the show.  Jenyne and Michula. Jenyne took first place!  YAE!  She will go to Australia in September to compete in the World Pole Dancing Championship.

Unfortunately, Michula got injured (ouch) the night before the competition and was unable to compete.  It was so sad to see her watching the show with her arm in a cast. What a disappointment.

The organizers of the event, Wendy and Anna from New York Pole Dancing, did a fabulous job.  It was held in the Bleeker Street Theatre in Soho. I look forward to the next one!

Waiting for the doors to open.

The line outside.

US Pole Dance Championship 2009

Miss USPDF 2009:Jenyne Butterfly

Miss Trixter: Sarah Cretul

Inside the theatre

Miss Sexy: Alethea Austin

Here are some links to articles written about the event:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/extramustard/03/16/pole-dance-championship/index.html

http://gothamist.com/2009/03/16/vegas_woman_wins_miss_us_pole_dance.php

http://www3.timeoutny.com/newyork/tonyblog/2009/03/hot-recap-us-pole-dance-championship-’09/#more-14326

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Pole Dancing is my passion!  I love it!  It reminds me of when  I was a little girl and I used to play on the bars.  Spinning…  spinning… spinning… There wasn’t a day that went by that I  didn’t wear a pair of shorts under my dress so I could play on  the  bars! ha ha!

I took my first pole dancing class when I was 40.  Man I wish  I could have done this in my 20′s.  I’d be stellar I tell ya!  You  don’t need the same recovery time at 20 that you do at 40!  Dang!

After taking classes for about 6 months I knew I had to open  a dance studio so I could teach it to others!  I started by  scouting out studio locations and looking into what kind of  training and credentials I would need.

I got my group fitness instructor certification from AFAA and set about finding a

Receiving my Pole Dancing Instructor Certification from Fawnia

Pole Dance Instructor Certification program.  I found just was I was looking for in Las Vegas with  Fawnia Monday Deitrich– one of the premier pole dancers, and instructors,  in the US.  I learned a lot from Fawnia then and I still do!  I go back to Vegas now and again to take classes so I can continue to grow as an instructor as well as stay motivated as a dancer.  Plus it’s fun!

Pole Dancing can be athletic, slinky, easy, or challenging.  It’s really whatever you want it to be.  Whatever your style dictates.  That is one of the things I really love about it.  I personally, love the more gymnastics based moves.  The upside down aerial moves high up on the pole. The ones that require strength and flexibility. Those are my favorites!

There are some incredible pole dancers out there.  Fawnia, Jenyne Butterfly, Jamilla, Leigh Ann Orso, K.T. Coates, Mikey, Bad Azz, and Kitty Cadillac to name a few. I have been so fortunate to be able to study or dance will all of them!

Pole Dancing Classes in Lake Tahoe, Reno

I am the owner of a Dance/Fitness Studio called Vertical Fitness in Incline Village (Lake Tahoe) where I teach Pole Dancing… my passion! I took a class a few years ago and was immediately hooked. It reminded me of when I was a little girl and would play on the bars at recess. You couldn’t get me off those things! So,  check out my Dance Studio in Lake Tahoe if you’re interested in alternative fitness classes.

In addition to Pole Dancing, Vertical Fitness offers classes in Belly Dancing, Sexy Stretch, and Salsacise!  Come try a class!  Or you can get a group of your friends together and have a Private Workshop or Party!

We believe in getting fit the fun way.  Our classes are all designed to take the “work”  out of working out.  Instead, we infuse creativity and play into our classes, allowing you to bring out your feminine side. It’s innovative and different. You’re going to love it!

Veritcal Fitness Dance Studio

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!