The Body Wave, explained
The Body Wave pole dance move turns standing at the pole into dancing. A soft, rolling motion travels through your body, and suddenly even a simple pause looks fluid and intentional. It is one of the most useful flow moves you can learn, because it connects almost everything else.
What is the Body Wave pole dance move?
A Body Wave is a smooth ripple that moves through your upper body, belly and hips, one part after the other, like a wave rolling along the shore. At the pole you usually stand close to it and hold it with your hands, so the pole becomes a line you can move along. The wave can travel downwards or upwards, it can be slow and sensual or quick and punchy, depending on your music. There is no single right look: your Body Wave will always be a little bit yours.
Is the Body Wave good for beginners?
Absolutely. You stay on your feet, you do not need strength to hold your weight and you do not need flexibility. What the Body Wave asks of you is something different: letting your body move in a way it may not be used to. Many women feel stiff or a bit self-conscious at first, and that is completely okay. Training at home, in your own space, is a lovely way to find your movement without anyone watching.
Body Wave tips: what it trains
This pole dance move trains body awareness more than anything else. You learn to move your chest, belly and hips separately and then link them into one flowing line. That also wakes up your core and the muscles along your spine, and over time it makes your whole dancing look more connected. A helpful tip: put on music you love and let the rhythm lead, instead of trying to make it look perfect.
Static or spinning pole?
The Body Wave is usually practised on a static pole, because you stand in one place and the pole is your steady partner. On a spinning pole the pole may move a little when you lean on it, which can feel unfamiliar. For flow moves like this one, static mode gives you the calm you need to focus on the feeling.
How you learn it at POLEPLACE
At POLEPLACE every move follows the Floor-Stand-Air Method™. For a flow move like the Body Wave, that means you can feel the rolling motion on the floor first and then bring it to the pole standing, where it really comes alive. The tutorial guides you through the details, so you can let go of the thinking and enjoy the movement.
Combos and what to learn next
Once your Body Wave feels natural, it becomes a beautiful transition between other moves: after a spin, before a walk or as a slow moment between two figures. The Hip Roll is a natural partner, and together they give your dancing a lot of flow. From there, the Body Pole Wave, the Step and Slide and the Fan Kick add more options to your flow vocabulary. Every one of them builds on the feeling you discover here: moving with the music instead of against it.
