FAQs and Studio Policies
FAQs
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I've never danced before...is this for me?
Yes! Most our students (and instructors) had no background in gymnastics, ballet, aerial, etc. If you love what you're doing and work at it, you'll improve. No age/size/gender/physical background limits your success here.
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What should I expect from classes?
Expect to be surrounded by a group of encouraging pole dancers who are enthusiastic about their training. Class syllabuses and structures vary, but our main focus at Dollhouse is training pole dancers not just pole tricksters, so we cover trick technique and will help you advance as far into pole dancing as you'd like, but we also place a lot of focus on free-dancing, no matter your style. Don't worry, we won't ask you to freedance in your first class--we begin with trick technique and choreographed routines until you feel comfortable enough to turn the music up and freedance your day away in our beautifully-thrown neon lights.
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But I'm nervous...
Don't be shy; we love beginners! Try INTRO TO POLE, where you'll be surrounded by welcoming and encouraging students who feel the same as you do. INTRO TO POLE is a 4-week/60-min workshop. Several INTRO TO POLE workshops begin monthly, so you'll always find one that works with your schedule. But these are mighty popular, so register quickly so you won't have to wait a while.
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I'm convinced! How do I start?
We have two tracks to get you started: drop-in classes or Fundamentals workshops.
Drop-in classes are single and specific classes, focusing on one element (such as flexibility, tricks, dance, choreography, etc). These are great if you're looking to try this pole dancing stuff out, or your schedule doesn't allow you to commit weeks in advance.
Workshops are a progressive series of classes, and our most comprehensive: they include elements of all our drop-in classes, and run on a continual and leveled basis. Most our dancers begin their journey in INTO TO POLE, and continue throughout our 90-minute POLE FUNDAMENTALS workshops. We also sometimes offer "one-off" workshops, or specialty workshops guest-instructed by champion pole dancers.
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What do I wear?
Whatever makes you feel comfortable--whether that's a sequin bikini and 8" heels, or yoga pants and a hoodie. Keep in mind you'll need leg skin to grip the pole, and the more clothing you wear, the hotter you'll get and the more you'll sweat. We suggest shorts and workout tops for pole classes (barefoot or heels) and layers for workout and flexibility classes.
What you should NOT wear is lotion: the greasy residue will leave poles slippery and dangerous for yourself and others.
WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH HEELS? They make some floorwork moves easier (by sliding on the tip of the platform), extend the line of your legs, and emphasize a great toe point, but they make aerial skills more difficult because they add weight to your workout. Generally, whatever you get used to (barefoot or heels) is what you will prefer. We suggest going barefoot for your first few classes, then if you want you can begin wearing heels.
Heels are suggested for our SEXY POLE FLOW and SEXY FLOORWORK classes. Street shoes/street heels are not allowed in the studio; "real" pole dance shoes are the safest, and if you need some, we stock a rainbow of shiny, colored 7-inch stilettos with clear straps in sizes 6-8, and can special order any style or size you want from Pleaser!
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How do I make up a missed class?
If you miss a Fundamentals workshop class (excluding "specialty" workshops), you can make up your missed class in the following manner:
-Pole Fundamentals: Intro: Make up with 1 Open Pole credit. Maximum 1 missed class can be made up per session.
-Pole Fundamentals (or any non-specialty 90-minute workshop): Make up with 2 Open Pole credits. Maximum 1 missed class can be made up per session.
Only 1 missed workshop class can be made up per session.
The Fine Print
General studio policies
Our classes are for students 18 years of age and older.
All sales are final.
We are a cashless studio! Please bring your credit card for payments or save your credit card to your Mindbody account for easy breezy transactions.
Cancellation and waitlists
Single Drop-In Class credits expire **3 MONTHS** after date of purchase
5- and 10-Class Packs expire **3 MONTHS** after date of purchase
Don't apply lotion or greasy oils at least 24 hours before a pole class--for your safety, and the continued safety of everyone using our equipment. Don't wear rings or bracelets, these scratch up the poles, and scratched-up poles = slippery poles
Minimum of 3 students signed up at least 12 hours prior to class is required in order for a class to happen. You can see how many students are signed up on our Schedule page. You should receive an email if your class is cancelled, but sometimes our emails are eaten by spam filters, so please check the schedule before heading to class!
Single and class packages are nontransferable (this means you can't buy a 10 pack and split it with a friend. It also means you can't bring a friend to class using one of the classes on your 5-Class Pack. But you CAN easily pay for your friend or family member at checkout (SEE INSTRUCTIONS HERE).
If you arrive more than 10 minutes after the class start time, you will not be able to join the class. You will be considered a "Late Cancel" (see cancellation policy below). Every class requires a warm-up. If you are late, then you are missing an important part of the class. The warm-up increases muscle efficiency, reduces potential for injuries, and prepares your body for the movements being performed in class.
WAITLISTS: Many of our classes sell out in advance, however, it is common to be added to the class from the waitlist, especially on the same day of class. If/when a spot opens up, you will receive an automated email notifying you that you are now signed in the class. You can be moved from waitlist to class up to 2 hours in advance of the class start time. Please make sure you are opted into emails or texts so that you receive the notifications.
EARLY CANCELLATION: Cancelations made more than 12 hours before the class's start time will post the class credit back to your account for you to use at a future date.
LATE CANCELLATION: Canceling your spot in class less than 12 hours before the class's start time. You will lose that class credit, but late-canceling allows waitlist and stand-by students the opportunity to attend an otherwise full class.
Series and workshops
Specialty workshops (guest instructors and holiday events) are refundable or transferable until 14 days prior to the start date
Series (Intro & Pole Fundamentals) are refunded or transferable until 5 days prior to the start date
By transferable, we mean you can transfer the cost of your workshop to other classes, workshops, merchandise. Not to another person.
We send email notifications to remind you of upcoming workshop enrollments, so please remember to check your email! If you didn't receive a confirmation email after you enrolled, it means we're being tragically digested by your spam folder. In that case, add support@dollhousepoledance.com to your contact list.
If you miss your entire session without contacting us beforehand, we unfortunately cannot offer refunds, or transfer your past workshop payment to an upcoming session. But with enough notice prior to your workshop's start date, we can move mountains...or just your workshop! Contact us ;)
WAITLISTS: Most of our 4 and 6-week series sell out in advance. If a series is full, you can sign up to be on the waitlist. It is common to be added to the series from the waitlist, especially as we get closer to the series start date. If/when a spot opens up, you will receive an automated email notifying you that you are now enrolled in the series. You can be added to the series automatically up to 8 hours in advance of the series start date.
EARLY CANCELLATION: Cancelations made earlier than one week will post the series credit back to your account for you to use at a future date. If you are on a waitlist and you know you cannot make the series, please remove yourself from the waitlist to avoid being automatically enrolled and charged if/when a spot becomes available.
LATE CANCELLATION: Canceling your spot in a series less than 7 days before the series start date. You will lose that series credit, but late-canceling allows waitlist and stand-by students the opportunity to attend an otherwise full series.
Make-ups
If you miss a series class (not including specialty workshops), you can make up your missed class in the following manner:
Intro to Pole (or any non-specialty 60-minute workshop): Make up at any OPEN POLE session. Maximum 1 missed class can be made up per session.
Pole Fundamentals (or any non-specialty 90-minute workshop): Make up at any 2 OPEN POLE sessions. Maximum 1 missed class can be made up per session.
Only 1 missed workshop class can be made up per session.
Make-up classes are only applicable DURING the session of your missed workshop class.
Private lessons
Please book privates directly with your instructor. We can connect you with an instructor if you email us!