This past weekend (11/1/14-11/2/14), I competed in Boston at the Northeast Aerial Arts Championship (NEAAC). I participated in level 1 senior devision and walked away with a gold medal. I would like to say a bit about the experience. I think the most important thing was the friendships that were made and solidified over the weekend. I belong to THE BEST pole studio that was ever to exist in the history of the world (Dakini Aerial Movement). And I have always known that the owner, Jeanine Caparoso, had created something that would bring women of all ages, sizes, background, education, and professions together to make a whole much greater than its parts. But the essence of what pole dancing and fitness is through the vision of Ms. Caparoso really became evident this weekend. Total of 9 pole dancers competed this weekend, and through every step of the way, they were genuinely supportive and happy for everyone and that had the balls to take the stage. We prepared as one, practiced as one, felt nervous and anxious as one, and celebrated as one. There were tears of joy when some of us won medals, and tears of what I can only describe as ecstasy when we watched our Dakini sisters perform their piece in sublime perfection. At the end of the weekend, we walked away with 2 gold, 3 silver, and 2 bronze medals. On my drive back from the NEAAC competition, I had a chance to give some thoughts to the entire experience as a whole. I do think that I was not prepared enough, and that I may even be opened to possible competing again at level 2 in the future. But no matter what happens in these future competitions, I would have already won because I was able to say that I rubbed shoulders with the best people that were ever to walk the pole world.
