My name is Ali London—a pole dancer, server, bottle girl, bartender, festival vendor, content creator, and (my favorite role of all) pole instructor.
If I had to sum it up in one sentence, I’d simply say: I’m obsessed with pole dance.
I love how pole brings feminine and masculine energy together, and how it blends grace and strength at the same time. That balance fascinates me.
I first discovered pole dancing in 2021 at a small strip club in San Diego, California. At the time, I was incredibly shy and reserved. Finding pole didn’t just bring me out of my shell—it brought me into a sense of divine confidence. I was completely self-taught until I found Girl Next Door in April 2024.
I moved from San Diego to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in August 2023. The move alone was challenging, but losing my connection to pole made it ten times harder. Then in April, I downloaded the ClassPass app and saw an open pole class. I booked it immediately. Being back in the studio reignited that burning desire to reach the flow state I always felt while dancing.
The very next day, I received a message from the studio owner, Salis, about an opportunity to teach. I truly believe I was meant to walk into Girl Next Door that day.
By June 2026, I will have been poling for five years. I’ve learned so much and feel incredibly grateful for all of my teachers and mentors. As I began teaching, I discovered the skills I naturally gravitate toward—leg hangs being one of them. I’m drawn to flowy, old-school style, as well as exotic, dreamy transitions within combos.
Some of my inspirations include Hang With Julia, Estefania, Baby Rain, Redd, and Angela Aerial. Honestly, though, I’m inspired by the entire pole community. I truly believe you can learn something from everyone—whether it’s a simple line, a shape, a hand placement, or a transition. That’s the beauty of this space.
Moving slowly requires an incredible amount of strength, and it mesmerizes me. Strong basics create a solid foundation for soaring into advanced movement. As I’ve stepped back into the role of student—training multiple times each week—I’ve learned just how essential that foundation is.
Leg hangs are a huge part of it. A solid leg hang opens the door to countless transitions that connect a combo. Even a simple leg switch can create beautiful fluidity in a sequence. That’s why I’ll be hosting a leg hang workshop on March 7th, 2026 at Girl Next Door Studio
My teaching style combines auditory, visual, and hands-on instruction—and don’t worry, I always ask before I touch.
When we go upside down, our thinking can flip too, and verbal cues alone can get confusing. With permission, I’ll guide you into the correct contact points and placement. I’ve seen so many “aha” moments happen from one small adjustment—when the body finally connects with the mind and the move just clicks.
To new polers, I want to say this:
Let yourself be bad at first.
Stop being so hard on yourself and give yourself grace. Allow yourself to enjoy exactly where you are. Starting is beautiful—and continuing is even more divine. Everyone is “bad” when they begin, and that’s part of the magic. The more you show up, the more skills and techniques unfold. Showing up again and again alchemizes into growth and success.
There were many moments when I wanted to quit. We all have those thoughts:
“Am I ever going to be good at this?”
“I sucked today.”
“I can’t even climb.”
“This hurts.”
Trust me—we’ve all been there.
But over time, you begin to see improvement not only physically, but mentally. Watching that transformation in my beginner students is one of the most beautiful cycles to witness.
If you’ve been thinking about trying pole, I encourage you to give it not just one chance—but many.
You can learn and become extraordinary at anything you’re willing to return to, again and again.
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