curiosity in motion: A POLE journey though new Zealand

Kia ora, friends! Welcome to the land of Kiwis and Middle Earth. Ready to escape the ordinary and try something completely new? Maybe step outside of your comfort zone? If so, this retreat is for YOU. This spirited retreat combines pole fitness/dance, yoga, and super fun excursions for a well-rounded adventure, aiming to help you hit the reset button and unleash your child-like wonder. Whether you are new to pole, have some experience under your belt, or are just along for the yoga, fellowship, and scenery, you'll find exactly what you're looking for on this trip.

We will spend 9 days/8 nights on the North Island of New Zealand with an optional 5 day add-on excursion to the South Island directly following the retreat. Most mornings will begin with either a 3 hour pole intensive led by Meg or a rejuvenating yoga practice led by Laura before moving into the day with a mix of exploration, culinary treasures, sight-seeing, cultural activities, adventure, self-inquiry, reflection, and more!

What you can expect

Expert instruction and leadership: Learn from a skilled and experienced pole dance instructor, offering a platform tailored to all levels from beginner to high intermediate.

Connection: A loving and supportive environment in which you can connect with fellow attendees and develop deep bonds over a shared and enriching experience. 

Scenic location: Taking place across the North Island of New Zealand, you couldn't ask for a more beautiful backdrop. This retreat offers a perfect mix of education, adventure, and cultural immersion.

Wellness & Relaxation: After challenging yourself in the studio, unwind at the pool or enjoy some solo time before embarking on a group activity. Interspersed morning yoga taught by an advanced instructor, keeps you grounded and relaxed. 

Location/Activity Highlights

Auckland

Sky Tower

Rotorua

Hell's Gate - Mud Pools

Redwoods - Whakarewarewa Forest

Kiwi Hatchery

Te Puia - Geyser

Hobbiton

Waitomo

Glow worm caves

Raglan

Bridal Veil Falls

Ngarunui Beach

*See Complete Itinerary Below

Studio Manager & Pole Instructor - The Pod Kona

Meet your Guest Instructor, Meg: Pole Dancer and Performer 

Meg has spent the past seven years captivating audiences and empowering individuals through the art of pole dancing. With over 20 performances and an impressive 1,750+ hours of instructing, she has honed her craft and developed a deep understanding of the movements and techniques that make for strong, healthy pole dancers. Meg’s inclusive approach ensures that people of all body sizes, backgrounds, and ages can discover the joy and empowerment that pole dancing offers.

Her passion goes beyond the physical aspects of pole dancing. Meg thrives on finding creative and unique pathways within the discipline, stimulating not only the body but also the mind. Her classes are a blend of innovative choreography and skillful technique, ensuring a dynamic and engaging experience for all her students.

Beyond the Pole: When Meg isn't spinning and twirling on the pole, she immerses herself in the aromatic world of coffee as a professional (don't hesitate to ask her about it!). Her love for the performing arts extends to other disciplines as well; she teaches trapeze and performs burlesque, adding even more layers to her versatile artistic repertoire.

Pole Intensive

All 4 of the 3-hour pole workshops will be held at Altitude Pole & Fitness, a beautiful local studio space just a 6 minute drive from our hotel, where each participant will have use of their own pole to maximize progress throughout the retreat. Geared towards beginner and intermediate polers alike, you will spend 1.5 hours per day working up a sweat with your instructor as you dive deep into technique to polish the basics and sore to new heights. Classes are taught in a progressive nature, starting with the foundational aspect of the skill and building levels of difficulty on top of that. Progressions are like climbing a mountain, each advancement is a different peak, and you can decide how high you want to climb based on your own goals and capabilities. You don't have to reach the absolute summit, but each level you reach provides you with a new and exciting perspective. The exact curriculum will be customized to the level of the retreat attendees, so all are welcome. See just how far foundational moves like Jasmine, Figurehead, Pole Sit, and Climbing can take you by perfecting and progressing. You may just surprise yourself!

Participants will spend the next 1.5 hours of each workshop in a heels choreo intensive, building each session on what you learned at the previous class. The choreo will be a fun and challenging blend of sensuality, athleticism, and artistry, emphasizing flow, transitions, and graceful movements around the pole. We will incorporate elements such as pirouettes, squats, body rolls, leg twizzles, heel clacks, edgework, and hair flicks. On the final workshop day, there will be an optional outdoor videography session to capture what you’ve created! Each participant will receive one edited video of themselves performing the choreo, as the ultimate souvenir.

 Join Meg on this retreat to explore the exciting world of pole dance and beyond, where creativity knows no bounds and everyone is welcome to express themselves freely!