Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Revol Ayn. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Revol thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

Growing up, I never imagined I would end up in the world of pole and aerial fitness. As a young dancer, I was aware of traditional dance styles like ballet, modern, jazz, and hip-hop. It wasn’t until I was older and found fun in fitness that I wandered into more non-traditional movement disciplines like pole dancing, aerial arts, and calisthenics.

Like many people, my previous understanding of pole dancing was what I had seen in movies and TV shows – a taboo profession relegated to clubs in dark settings. But when I actually tried a class and learned how much strength, coordination, and focus it requires, I was quickly drawn to the fitness side of it. Muscles were being used that I didn’t know I had. Pain tolerance was tested on a regular basis. And I was being physically and mentally pushed so that I could learn more and improve. I was able to build a solid foundation of pole skills and tricks that were supplemented by my gym sessions. Learning beginner, intermediate, and advanced tricks was definitely a challenge, but being able to transition between the moves and incorporate dancing is where I find my creative expression. During my pole path, I ended up picking up calisthenics and training weekly with a group in Dallas called Dallasthenics. And a few years ago, I wandered into aerial arts (silks, sling, rope, and lyra). I want to do it all!

I am a fairly quick learner, but I wouldn’t exchange proficiency for speed in learning, especially in a field where physical safety is important. As a student, I understand the desire to quickly level up so you can do the harder fancier tricks, but it’s so important to build the solid foundation of strength, flexibility, and awareness in each level that ultimately makes the harder stuff easier to learn. As an instructor, it’s important to me to relay that to my students and clients. Strength and proficiency comes through the struggles. And if you work through that, the speed of picking things up quicker will follow.

The skills listed above are very important: strength, flexibility/mobility, and body awareness. As a movement discipline that requires you to hold and throw your own body weight, it is important to build and maintain strength so that you can mitigate injuries. Flexibility and mobility is also essential to maneuver and contort your body into different shapes. And having good body awareness, especially when you start going upside down or are spinning helps with safety and learning more advanced moves.

Unfortunately, once I started to focus on instructing, my own learning schedule fell to the wayside. Being an instructor requires a lot of time and energy in planning unique lessons, researching new exercises and moves, and choreographing routines. When so much times gets spent on lesson planning, it can be a challenge to carve out time for myself to train. I definitely still try to learn when I can, and I appreciate my coaches that work with me in sling and silks. But burnout is also real. I got to a point where I was teaching almost 5-6 days a week and barely taking time for my own recovery or growth. Luckily, that is no longer the case now. I make sure to rest and let my body recover.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I am a performing artist, choreographer, and instructor specializing in pole and aerial fitness. I have been instructing pole since 2015, and more recently picked up teaching aerial on occasion since 2021. My previous pole competition experience and titles include: 1st in Amateur Division and best musicality at the 2015 Capital of Texas Aerial Arts Championship; 1st in Level 4 Dramatic at 2016 PSO Southwest; and 2nd in Level 5 Artistic at 2017 PSO Southwest. In 2019, I served as a competition judge for all levels.

My unique style of dance incorporates tricks, fluidity, and musicality, both barefoot and in heels. I teach group classes in pole fitness and dancing, where students get to build up their physical foundation or learn my choreography to a wide range of music. I offer private lessons in pole and aerial for students who prefer one-on-one instruction based on their desired skills and needs; some want to work solely on tricks and transitions and others want to build up strength and flexibility. I have also coached and choreographed for performers, whether it be for a studio showcase or a competition. I describe the work that I do as helping individuals build physical strength, emotional confidence, and mental endurance while sprinkling in self-expression and personality. And my artistry can be described as using the pole as the apparatus, the music as the background, and the dancer as the art.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

I think everyone has creativity in them. It may vary in degree, style, or intensity; but everyone has the ability to create, it just needs to be fostered and developed.

While pole (and aerial) has started to become more socially accepted, there is still a big uphill battle for the movement discipline as a whole, especially pole. As a creative in “non-traditional movement”, people who have not tried this form of exercise and dance may continue to have a very negative notion or misunderstanding of it. I would strongly encourage those who still have such thoughts to try out a beginner pole or aerial class or watch a competition routine. Much like gymnastics or rhythmic gymnastics, pole dancers just use a different apparatus as their “element.”

Don’t be afraid to create your own art, no matter the medium. Do it for yourself as a means of expression or therapy. Some people may like your style and others may not. It’s subjective and that’s ok.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My creative journey is driven by my desire to use movement and music to express thoughts, feelings, and emotions. Dancing and movement is my form of storytelling. But in a completely different sense, my creative journey is motivated by my desire to help other people find their own form of strength and expression through pole, aerial, and movement. These movement disciplines allow people to get fit while having fun and learning a unique set of skills along the way. Whether I am working with a group class or private lesson, I focus on helping my students and clients build their work ethic, self confidence, and mental & physical fitness. If I can help people become better versions of themselves through my creative journey, then I’ll maintain it as my mission and goal.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: RevolAynChoreography
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8q-mxnFKkREVFkpIfHMrrg

Image Credits
Cesar Collazo Alloy Images