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Meet our Team
Our friendly instructing team at Asteria Studio are dedicated to working with you whatever your current experience or fitness level may be.
They want to share their passion for aerial arts and create a welcoming community where everybody feels supported in a nurturing environment
Vanessa
Co-owner and Luigi's Mum
Hi, I'm Vanessa co owner of Asteria.
I've been poling since 2011. I can't actually remember the exact date but some time towards the end of the year... I think.
I've been teaching pole since 2019 and as an ex art teacher for well over a decade you could say teaching is in my blood. I love passing on my skills and seeing people grow in confidence and strength.
I'm not a naturally sporty person and hated PE at school. So I'm actually surprised I've ended up as a pole instructor and studio owner. That's why I love pole! It really is for everyone regardless of your fitness level, shape, size or gender.
My favourite tricks are any shoulder mount or ayesha variations. I love a fish flop even though they still scare me. I just think they look so cool!
I was definitely a pole fitness trickster gal for most of my pole journey but since dipping my toe into SS movement I'm definitely now obsessed with the slow and sensual style and love learning off strippers and sex workers. They are obviously the OGs!
I love performing and competing because I get to be a big show off!
I won the Sex Worker's Choice award at the Authentics Northern Heat competition. This is something I'm immensely proud of and it will always be my entire personality until the end of time. Oh and my fave colour is blue if it's not obvious when you meet me.
Sheryl
Co-owner
My first attempt at pole was around 20 years ago when my now husband bought me a 50mm XPole from an event in London. I couldn't really do much on it so it stayed in it's box in the loft until 2014 when I actually took my first class with an amazing instructor called Alison. She had me hooked from day 1! I love the challenging nature of pole - it feeds my chaotic brain. I love how exciting it feels to gain a new move especially one that's proven to be more of a challenge than first anticipated. I definitely have stubborn naturn and if I want something I'm going to work hard to achieve it.
I've now been teaching Pole for around 9 years and I still love it just as much as when I first started. I love seeing those new faces entering the studio with no idea of the wonder and excitement about to unfold. I love all aspects of pole, whether that's spin, tricks, combos, dance, heels - honestly just give me it all I'm obsessed!
Opening Asteria with Vanessa in 2022 was a dream come true. Dragging the dark dingy empty shell in to what you see today truly has our blood, sweat and tears engraved in to the walls. Building a community where everyone is welcomed has been the driving force and I'm proud to say I think we achieve that each and every day.
Carrie
Beginners / Improvers Pole Instructor
I’ve been doing pole since 2017 and was hooked after my first class. I started as a fun way to exercise, but pole has since boosted my strength, fitness, and confidence in ways I never imagined!
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Over the years, I’ve fallen in love with both Pole Fitness and Dance, attending inspiring workshops led by instructors from around the world. The confidence I’ve grown has even led me to perform at studio showcases and enter competitions - something 2017 me would never have believed!​
I now teach Beginner to Improver classes and love helping others discover their strength, confidence, and passion. Watching everyone support and celebrate each other is my favourite part!
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My favourite move is probably an Ayesha or any variation of it, because it took me ages to master. And my favourite pole dance move is definitely a body roll, which also took me ages to master!
Médéa
Pole Instructor
I’ve been poling consistently since December 2020 and pole dancing since 2021. Anything slinky and sexy is up my street, I also love tricks and doing combos and dancing through them!
When teaching I focus on breaking down technique and making sure that we make the moves work for YOU, so hopefully you leave not just having new tricks but also having had a fun, confidence boosting time.
I’m full of strange metaphors for moves and foul mouthed instructions which are (hopefully) sure to stick in your mind, more than anything I want students to leave class feeling good about themselves and their pole journey 💪
When I’m not at pole I’m either in front of the tv with my crochet or dancing while cooking wayyy too much food for my house!
Hayley
Beginners / Improvers Pole Instructor
I’ve been teaching beginners/improvers pole for 3 years in total (2 years at my first studio and one year at Asteria) and I am Spin City certified. I’ve been poling now for nearly 9 years in total.
I am dyspraxic which brings its own challenges, but I do also think this makes me a patient teacher and I’m always happy to break moves down and offer many options, because I’d want that myself as a student! Nothing makes me happier than seeing lots of happy faces in a pole class. I think it’s super important to celebrate every win and I get so excited and happy for my students. I am a solid hype woman!
True fact: I started pole in 2016 to get over a really bad heartbreak…My god, it was the best thing I ever did! It improved my self-esteem ten-fold, gave me confidence, allowed me to be creative, got stronger, an excuse to strut around in outfits and heels, I’ve met some amazing like-minded people… I could go on!
I continue to pole now for the same reasons, because it makes me feel good and it makes me feel like a badass. It’s been my constant resource of strength and positivity through life’s up and downs… it was never just about the act of poleing itself for me.
I hope I will still be doing this in another 20 years!
Luigi
Studio Dog
Hi! I'm Luigi, Asteria's studio dog. My main role is to meet and greet students on arrival. I'm always down for cuddles, especially if you're having a bad day. I might be nervous when I first meet you so please give me my space until I approach you. Once I know you I'll soon be stealing your socks and giving you cuddles.
I'm a Gemini and love napping.
Ready to book your next class?
All our aerial fitness classes are available to book online below or you can use the Gymcatch website or app to manage all your bookings and passes. Just state Asteria Studio as your provider on the Gymcatch app/website