OonaK (Oona Kivelä) is a former gymnast who found pole few years ago in New York City. It was love at the first spin. Self-taught, OonaK wants to create and explore pole dancing as a form of art. “I am a dreamer and I always want to bring something new and experimental on stage”.
Oona Kivelä has changed the world of pole dance. Unbelievable musicality, flawless technique and unique moves are her trademarks which together has created a new form of art.
Oona Kivelä started doing gymnastics at the age of 9 and continued until the age of 24. In 2008 she visited New York and read an article about pole dancing. From that moment she knew she would have to try it. It really was love at the first spin. Oona Kivelä comes up with her own moves and it seems like nothing is impossible for her. She tries. She succeeds.
From Pole Art 2009 Oona Kivelä found a choreographer Marko Keränen. She trains everyday and once a week with Keränen to correct every ankle position and hand gripping on pole. They want to create a perfect show: Every rhythm has its own set of movements and every movement is made from perfect lines. The primary goal is to mesmerize the crowd.
Oona Kivelä works daily at her own Fitness Club for Kids and Youngsters called Gymi. The training along the work includes gymnastics, ballet, parkour and pilates. She teaches PowerPole -classes specially designed for pole dancers to improve their skills on pole.
When we ask her what is the best thing about pole dancing she immediately answers: “Flow”. This means to her attitude, musicality, creativity and surprises. Oona and the pole together creates a flow like no other pole dancer is able to do today and that makes her the most interesting pole artist at the moment.
Oona Kivelä is the current World Cup and Pole Art 2011 champion. She loves to compete and perform in front of an audience. Competition-wise the shiniest gold medal is a flow feeling that rarely happens to an artist. This goal makes her train and dream harder.
Achievements of Oona Kivelä
- 1st place Pole Art 2012
- 1st place International Pole Championship 2012
- 1st place Pole World Cup 2011
- 1st place International Pole Art Competition 2011
- 1st Runner UpInternational Pole Art Competition 2010
- 1st Runner Up European Championships 2010
- 1st place Finnish Pole Dance Championships 2010
- 1st place International Pole Art Competition 2009
- 1st place North-European Championships 2009
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Oona Kivelä is International Pole Champion 2012, Pole Art Champion 2012 and Pole World Cup Champion 2011. She is in conversation with Namita Nayyar President Women Fitness
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You started doing gymnastics at the age of 9 years and continued until the age of 24. In 2008 you visited New York and read an article about pole dancing, this was the catalyst that made you reach the pinnacle of success in pole dancing where you stood 1st at International Pole Championship 2011. What factors do you consider that were responsible that made you achieve this?
Ms. Oona Kivelä:
My gymnastics background had a huge impact for my pole career and made it possible for me to learn different elements on pole. The pole itself was a huge motivation also to get moving again and use my gymnastics skills in a new way. I was very determined from the first spin. I had a feeling that I could really rock this sport :). I learned to train properly at an older age and pleased that I didn’t have to do so when I was a young gymnast.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You with choreographer Marko Keränen has innovated your own mesmerizing style of pole dancing. Elaborate on this concept ?
Ms. Oona Kivelä:
We work together with my pieces that crave more artistry and it’s easy to work with Marko. We like the way “less is more” and I feel like doing my best under his eyes. Hi is a former dancer of Finland’s Dancing with the Stars and he is always filled with cool ideas.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine you shall like to share?
Ms. Oona Kivelä:
My favorite new training method is Training for Warriors, since I am a true training warrior :). We have a brand new TFW gym in Helsinki and I train there 2 times a week (60 min). Pole training I have 1-4 times a week depending on the competition season. Ballet class on Tuesdays and Yin yoga every Friday evening. Always eager to try new things!
It’s very important to find out where your comfort zone ends. I pretty much hate my ballet classes :). I hate the silence in the class and the fact that I cannot push my knees together even if I really try hard. On the other hand I see the results. I work hard for my body so that it can meet my needs on pole.
I basically take the best out of different sports – it’s important to plan your training so that it’s helping you achieve your goals. Setting goals is one thing – understanding what it takes to reach those goals in another.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Do you take some special diet or have a strict menu that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit?
Ms. Oona Kivelä:
I mainly follow the paleo diet – my stomach is the judge and this diet fits my needs at the moment. Nothing too extreme though – if I have a craving for something I will eat it :).
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Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Advice and motivational words to the inspiring and budding pole dancing girls who all are your fans, they shall like to know from you, what they should do for their climb to ladder of success in field of pole dancing ?
Ms. Oona Kivelä:
- Find music that makes your heart go boom.
- Watch videos that make you feel like a champion.
- Read about success stories.
- Dream about perfect execution.
- See the good in your doings and work extra hard on the less good ones.
- Don’t listen to people 🙂
- Warm up is the most important part of your training
- Sometimes you gotta lose to win again
- If you’re not having fun something is wrong
- Winning is an attitude
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
How did you feel before and after standing 1st at Finnish Pole Dance Championships in 2009?
Ms. Oona Kivelä:
Relieved. It would have been embarrassing not win that competition when you are going for gold in the Worlds. (Actually there was no finish champs in 2009… first one was 2010.)
My masterpiece moment on pole was definitely Pole Art 2010. I didn’t win but for me it was the best I have ever performed. I cried for 20 minutes after the show. The most elegant loneliness of my life.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Tell us about the activities of your endeavor Fitness Club for Kids and Youngsters called “Gymi”?
Ms. Oona Kivelä:
Gymi is a health club for children and teenagers, a growing franchise chain and an innovation from Finland. Our mission is to be a part of families’ lives and improve the health and wellbeing of young people. We offer a variety of instructed classes for children, from babies up to teenagers which include gymnastics, parkour, acrobatics, yoga and circus. All programs are carefully designed to meet the needs of today’s children. At the moment we are looking for the best Master Franchisees and Franchisees all over the world.
In a nutshell Gymi is about learning skills in a fun, safe and healthy way – just as my training! We believe this is the way for all children to be active and stay healthy. We are building a franchise chain and pursuing to find the best partners.
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Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Who has been your greatest influencer and motivator in your success in the field of your career in competitive pole dancing ?
Ms. Oona Kivelä:
I have not had any influential pole dancers in my life when I started. I was looking up to other athletes and dancers mostly. A finnish break dancer Johannes “Hatsolo” Hattunen was and still is a huge influence and motivator in my life of training and performing. Before every competition I watch his battle videos on Youtube. We share the same energy on stage every time we have the chance.
Baryshnikov is a long time favorite from the ballet world, Courtney McCool is the ultimate gymnast idol of all times and Mao Asada would I have to name from figure skating.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Tell us about the events that led you to win Pole World Cup Champion 2011 ?
Ms. Oona Kivelä:
Very simple factors actually – hard work! I was well prepared and ready to kill it! I had it all: an amazing new power spin, fast combos and perfect lines. And Gotan project to perform to :). Can’t go wrong with that!
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
What you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.net and message for its visitors?
Ms. Oona Kivelä:
Watch some pole videos! Get to know our world – cause we kick ass lol :). Pole dance is a fantastic sport and even greater sport to watch.
To catch with the latest about Oona Kivelä, Check out at: http://www.oonak.com
Women Fitness Team thanks Oona Kivelä for giving her valuable time for this interview and quenching the thirst of her fans to know more about her and made this interview happen.
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All content on this site is copyright of Women Finess and no part of any article found on this site may be reproduced without an express permission and highlighted, do follow link crediting http://www.womenfitness.net/ or preferably the original page as the source. This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.