Porsche is one of the strongest competitors in any competition. With a classic Ballet background, the Pilates teacher owns her own Pilates studio, has exquisite technique and performance skills as well as astonishing flexibility. She has had to forge a place in the industry with quiet determination. Her dedication to perfection is the driving force behind this impressive performer. Once she sets her mind to something there’s nothing that can stop her.
With a strong background in classical ballet, Porsche commenced her dance studies at the age of five. After studying ballet and contemporary dance at the University of Cape Town, South Africa and at Rambert School of Dance, London, she was accepted into Cape Town City Ballet where she danced as a soloist including principal roles.
In 2001, after deciding to finally hang her ballet shoes, Porsche moved to Sydney, Australia, where she turned her interest to Pilates and teaching ballet. Studying with physiotherapists, Porsche gained a vast knowledge in the areas of anatomy of movement, injury rehabilitation and corrective exercise therapy. At the end of her professional ballet career in 2001, there was something missing in Porsche’s life – something she could not place her finger on. It wasn’t until about four years later that she went along to a friend’s week 8 beginners performance at Bobbi’s Pole Studio in Sydney and discovered what the missing puzzle piece was! As luck would have it, Bobbi, one of Australia’s pole dancing pioneers, was performing on that day. Porsche was blown away by the beauty, athleticism, agility, flexibility and strength required by the art of pole dancing and immediately signed up for lessons.
Needless to say, many years later, what started out as a passion (and has continued to be), pole dancing became a lifestyle for her. Being the current Miss Pole Dance Australia, Porsche currently teaches at Bobbi’s Pole Studio and Bobbi’s Gold in Sydney. She is also an aerialist performing regularly on hoop and tissue as well as teaching private and semi-private Pilates sessions in Mosman Sydney.
Achievements of Porsche
- 2009 Miss Pole Dance Australia Finalist and 3rd Runner-up
- 2011 Miss Pole Dance Australia Finalist
- 2012 Miss Pole Dance Australia NSW Heats 2nd Runner-up
- 2012Miss Pole Dance Australia Finalist
- 2013 Miss Pole Dance Australia NSW Heats 1st Runner-up
- 2013 Winner Miss Pole Dance Australia
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.
Porsche is winner of Miss Pole Dance Australia 2013. She is in conversation with Namita Nayyar President Women Fitness
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You studied classical ballet at the age of five and with that background you reached the pinnacle of success in pole dancing where you stood 1st at Miss Pole Dance Australia 2013. What factors you consider were responsible that made you achieve that?
Ms. Porsche:
Ballet is a very strict artistic discipline. It demands respect for the technical and artistic skill requirements of the art and requires a striving for perfection through meticulous repetition and attention to detail. It also requires perseverance, mental focus and a determination to succeed. Artists thrive on constructive criticism and constantly reassess what is needed to refine their performance. Knowing that there is always room for improvement drives me to be better than my best in my fitness and artistic pursuits.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You studied ballet and contemporary dance at the University of Cape Town, South Africa and at Rambert School of Dance, London, at Cape Town City Ballet you danced as a soloist. At Sydney, Australia you focused your interest to Pilates and teaching ballet. You gained knowledge in the areas of anatomy of movement, injury rehabilitation and corrective exercise therapy. With this knowledge and experience you innovated your own mesmerizing style of pole dancing. Elaborate on this concept ?
Ms. Porsche:
There are many influences that have contributed to the pole dance performer and instructor that I am today. I saw my first professional ballet production at the age of fourteen. It was a production of ‘Cinderella’ and I immediately knew that one day I was going to be a professional dancer. The storytelling through dance was absolutely magical – the dancing, acting, sets, lights, costumes, makeup, hair and live orchestra. I devoured whatever ballet books I could get my hands on and watched my ballet videos over and over. As I grew a little older I was captivated by the strong technique and athletic style of the American ballet dancers, in particular those of the New York City Ballet under the directorship of George Balanchine. I loved the dancers’ clean technique, seemingly effortless agility as well as perfectly placed lines and extensions. This has remained the driving force behind my dance style.
One of my ballet teachers once said to me that there is a direct correlation between injuries and poor dance technique. She said that if you have good dance technique there is no reason why one should get injured. I took it on board and for this very reason, throughout my career I diligently worked towards understanding and exercising better dance technique not only for aesthetic reasons but also for the longevity of my career. Whenever I had niggles, this guided me to investigate, what the causes were and what I needed to do to overcome and prevent it in future. This ignited my interest in expanding my knowledge about dance technique and the biomechanics of the body as it relates to movement.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Your first win in competitive pole dancing came in 2009 when you were 3rd Runner-up at Miss Pole Dance Australia. What was that experience and how it fueled you with passion to succeed in pole dancing?
Ms. Porsche:
The first time I placed in the state finals of Miss Pole Dance Australia was the first year I competed in the competition. At this stage it had been several years since I last danced professionally. Returning to the stage in the NSW heats was an absolutely nerve wrecking experience and although I qualified for the state finals I could hardly remember my performance. I was that nervous. I had no expectation of placing. I simply wanted to showcase my routine with the knowledge that I did as best as I could and to conquer my nervous energy of the time before. I was ecstatic when I placed third runner up.
That year was also was the second time that Felix Cane, twice world pole dance champion, won. I clearly remember standing backstage trying to get a sneak peak of her performance. The audience were bursting with exhilaration. With the movement range of a contortionist backed up by a strong dance background and her unique sensual style, Felix performed her routine comprising of her unthinkable and never seen before signature pole moves.
Prior to Felix’s arrival on the pole dancing scene, it still had a stigma attached to it being associated with strip clubs. Felix changed the world of pole dancing forever, putting it on the map as a recognised competitive sport and art form requiring great feats of strength, flexibility, skill and finesse. She set a new standard well above what we at first thought was possible and I think this was what catapulted the progress of many aspiring pole dancers, including myself.
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Ms. Namita Nayyar:
What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine you shall like to share?
Ms. Porsche:
Pole dancing can be very taxing on your muscles, other soft tissue and joints. I, therefore, find it necessary to supplement my pole dancing training with various other fitness workouts and remedial therapies, including osteopathy and sports massages. This ensure that my body is in the best possible shape both from a strength and flexibility perspective. Different bodies need different fitness and conditioning programs.
There is definitely not a so-called one-size-fits-all fitness regime. Our bodies are very good at telling us exactly what it needs. I try to listen to my body as best as possible and depending on my fitness goals as well as taking into consideration where my body is at a given time I choose the most appropriate workout routine for my body. A pole specific personal training program for cardio fitness and strength as well as a conditioning Pilates program have withstood the test of time.
My advise to all pole dancers are that if you are looking at supplementing your training make sure that your trainer has an understanding of the requirements for pole dancing and its movement requirements. I too often see pole dance students going off to the gym and following a program that shortens and bulk up their muscles. Pole dancing requires strong but long, lean and flexible muscles. Regardless of your preferred workout choose a trainer that emphasise posture and quality of movement over quantity in order to establish good movement patterns. Work smarter not harder.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Do you take some special diet or have a strict menu that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit?
Ms. Porsche:
When I prepare for competitions or big events I am very strict on myself as to what I eat. I prefer an organic diet high in protein and fat. I try to avoid refined carbohydrates and have lots of fresh, steamed or grilled vegetables instead. I don’t watch how much I eat but I tend to snack on lots of small meals throughout the day.
Due to its physical requirements of weight bearing or lifting your own body weight, pole dancing burns a lot of energy especially if you train for a few hours at a time. I am very in tune with my body and during times when I train more I am very conscious of replenishing the energy my body has used. Failure to do so plays havoc with my energy levels and training program.
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. Porsche:
Pole dancing places great physical demands on our bodies. Your body is your instrument. Look after it as best as you can. The better you look after it the better it will serve you in the long run. It will also provide you with unlimited hours of pole fun and fitness. Be patient but consistent with your training and build a solid technical foundation.
Know your strengths and weaknesses. Find it within yourself what it is that makes you unique and develop your own style. Don’t place any limitations on yourself. Dream big.
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Porsche on WomenFitness: Women Fitness is beautifully presented online health and fitness magazine with many relevant, interesting and up to date articles. Above all Women Fitness is positive and inspiring. It is a must read for women who love themselves and their bodies!
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
How did you feel before and after winning Miss Pole Dance Australia 2013?
Ms. Porsche:
I competed in the finals of Miss Pole Dance Australia four times before taking out the title in 2013. The competition is fierce. So many talented dancers have their eyes set on the title and only one person can win each year. After competing for several years running I felt that my body needed a break from the intensity of competitive pole dancing. I wanted nothing more than a place in the state finals so I treated it like it was my absolute last chance.
I knew that I needed to pull out all the stops from the previous years and give it my all. The few months leading up the finals in November 2012 the competition became all-consuming. From the moment I woke up until I would fall asleep at night I could think of nothing else other than what I needed to do to better my competition routine and performance. Winning was an absolute dream come true to say the least.
The moment they announced my name will stay with me forever. Up till this day, every single time I think about it, it leaves me with a sense of ecstatic overwhelm and I feel proud. It is a wonderful recognition for the years of physical, mental and emotional energy that I have, with love, invested into my art and passion. Initially, I think there was the expectation that I would follow an international career. Although I love travelling and meeting new people this has never crossed my mind. I love Australia and its fun-loving free-spirited people. Austraiia is where I feel at home.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Tell us about the activities of your endeavor at Bobbi’s Pole Studio and Bobbi’s Gold in Sydney?
Ms. Porsche:
I have been teaching at Bobbi’s Pole Studio for the last 2 and a half years. I teach all levels, including Advanced. I also teach some specialised courses such as ‘Conditioning for Inverts’, ‘Technique,’ and ‘Flexibility’ as well as private pole lessons. Instructing pole dancing gives me the opportunity to share my love, passion and knowledge of movement. There is nothing better than witnessing the sheer excitement of a student who has just accomplished a nemesis pole trick.
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. Porsche:
On a personal level, my greatest influencer and motivator in winning Miss Pole Dance Australia was Cleo the Hurricane, Miss Pole Dance Australia 2012 and 2014. I was regularly taking classes with her up to 2012 and she has always been very supportive of my career. At the time I was training for the finals she was based in Germany. I would run my ideas for my competition routine through with her via video uploads and email and she would give me feedback.
Thinking back now I think that Cleo initially believed in my ability to win the competition more than I did. I set my mind on getting a place in the state finals. Cleo set her mind on me winning the competition and prepped me with her persistent support and motivation until I believed I could do it as well. I walked into the Enmore Theatre on the morning of the competition believing in myself and my ability to walk away with the crown. For me Cleo personifies mental determination and I am thankful for her encouragement, help and support in my career..
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
What you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.net and message for its visitors?
Ms. Porsche:
Women Fitness is beautifully presented online health and fitness magazine with many relevant, interesting and up to date articles. Above all Women Fitness is positive and inspiring. It is a must read for women who love themselves and their bodies!
To know more about Porsche: Check out at: https://www.facebook.com/PorschePolePerformer and http://www.primapoledance.com/profile-porsche.php
Women Fitness Team thanks Porsche 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.