In pole position for strength and fitness

High-level exercise fills the day for Andrea James Lui, who teaches pole dancing, aerial hoop, acrobatics and yoga at Blackbird Aerial Fitness in Cheltenham. IAIN CULLEN spent the day with her, tracking her demanding output over several hours of rehearsal, practice and teaching. 

"Considering the athletic demands of Andrea’s profession, I wanted to capture her and the women she works with in motion – demonstrating that dynamism is important," Iain said. 

There were technical challenges – staying out of frame is tricky when the room is full of mirrors – and ethical ones, given the minimal clothing worn. The athleticism was never in question.

A DAY WITH A POLE DANCING TEACHER

Andrea (bottom right) and Gina (centre) warm up and prepare to rehearse at Blackbird Aerial Fitness, in Cheltenham. Their pole dancing routine, The Human Carousel, is to be performed in competition this July.

While The Human Carousel is still in the choreography phase, here Andrea (right), Gina (left) and Shannon (centre left) are still able to synchronise their movements during rehearsal.

Professional and competitive pole dancing is a form of performance art that requires an immense amount of strength to accomplish. Here, Andrea  strikes a pose as she comes to a stop on her pole, gripping on tightly with her legs.

Andrea  towels off and catches her breath after an hour of strenuous choreographing and rehearsal with her colleagues.

Andrea inverts on an aerial hoop at Blackbird Aerial Fitness, where she teaches the bulk of the studio’s Aerial Hoop curriculum.

Andrea in a blur of movement as she spins upside down on her hoop – practicing the sequence which she will be teaching in the evening.

Andrea (right) coaches two aerial hoop students (centre and left) through some inverted poses. Blackbird Aerial Fitness holds aerial hoop classes most evenings.

Andrea poses in front of the blackbird’s wings at the end of the night, after teaching three hour-length classes.