Today we’d like to introduce you to Keisha Forbes.
Hi Keisha, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I always hated the gym but I knew I had to work out.
One day, one of my friends was teaching a pole class and she invited me to try it out. Once I got on the pole, I was a natural, I didn’t accomplish everything the very first time I tried it, but everything about this sport (yes it’s a sport!) made sense to me in a technical manner.
A few months went by and I began taking pole classes and I kept falling in love with pole dancing because of how it made me feel. I felt sexy, I felt confident, I was really feeling myself. At that moment, I knew I had to share this experience with those that felt broken, shy, and awkward in their own skin.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road to getting here was definitely character-building.
The biggest struggle was opening a business in the middle of a pandemic. I received so many rejections because people still have stigmas towards pole dancing.
The other struggle was finding high-quality instructors. A lot of people can be great at pole dancing but being able to explain pole tricks is a completely different story. Luckily I have a strong team of competition and performance trained instructors that have an addictive love for teaching.
As you know, we’re big fans of Vertical Addicts Pole Studio. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Vertical Addicts located on 71st avenue behind North Perry airport on Pembroke Rd is a pole fitness studio that specializes in transforming individuals through movement and community. Those that become members of Vertical Addicts, with persistence, transform into confident, strong, and sensual individuals that stand tall inside and outside of our studio.
We are an all-inclusive studio with a strong woman-based population. 95% of those that began pole dancing at Vertical Addicts had absolutely zero experience or upper body strength and now they are doing moves with their body that they never thought could be possible.
What sets Vertical Addicts apart from other pole studios is our focus on both masculine and feminine energy. We make it our business to guide you to acquire the strength needed to do basic poles moves. Once you feel comfortable in those moves, that’s when that feminine, sensual energy starts to develop. Our Exotic Gawdess class and our Liquid Motion floor dance class are prime examples of utilizing our dualities. We all need that feminine and masculine energy in order to have balance.
I’m most proud of seeing all the women transform. So many people come in and are shy, need some sort of emotional healing, or lack confidence. Knowing that I helped that individual transform and find happiness is the ultimate flex!
We are open 7 days a week and we accept all levels. No experience? No problem! We offer classes in flexibility, strength training, floor work, pole choreography, yoga, chair dance, twerk, and of course, pole fitness.
Any big plans?
In the future, we definitely plan on expanding to other cities.
Pricing:
- Intro to Pole (4) Week Series $125
- $160 per month for unlimited classes for 3 months (contract included)
- $140 per month unlimited classes for 12 months (contract included)
Contact Info:
- Website: www.verticaladdictspole.com
- Instagram: @Verticaladdicts
Image Credits
Indy Melo
