Your First 5 Basework Moves
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Your Lessons
Work through each move in order — you've got lifetime access, so there's no rush.
Welcome
These lessons focus on basework movements, designed to help you understand how to move around the pole with control, fluidity, and elegance.
To get the most out of this pack, I recommend working through the lessons in order, from beginning to end. In the final lesson, we’ll bring all the basework moves together into a beautiful flowy, graceful combo.
My teaching approach is very straightforward: first, learn the movement. Then, make it strong. Finally, we add layers of grace to refine the movement.
The Basework Moves you will learn in this pack are: Step Around, Pirouette, Showgirl, Diamond Spin and Log Roll.
Here is a warm up if you’d like to use one:
Watch the warm-up
I’ve included a cool-down as an extra, optional lesson. Cooling down is an important part of training, but you’re welcome to use your own if you already have one you like. This is simply here as an added support if you’d like it.
If you’d like feedback along the way, you’re welcome to film yourself and send your videos to hello@spinwithsophia.com.
- Dry Hands Grip Aid: Shop here
- Vegan Grip Aid: Shop here
- More Grip options: Shop here
- Knee Pads: Shop here
(Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — thank you for supporting my work).
Step Around
This lesson introduces Step Around, the first basework movement you’ll learn in this pack.
Step Around is a movement we use all the time in pole dance. In this lesson, the move is broken down from the start from both sides, helping you understand how basework connects movement around the pole.
Pirouette
Next is Pirouette.
In this lesson, the movement is broken down very clearly on both sides, so you can fully understand how the spin works.
We’ll focus on weight shifts, grip placements, and how to move through the turn with fluidity. These details make a big difference to how smooth and controlled your Pirouette is.
Once the mechanics are clear, Pirouette becomes a beautiful, flowing basework move that you will use forever in your combos and dances.
Showgirl
This is a back hook spin that slides down to the floor. In this lesson, we’ll cover the important aspects of the spin so you understand how it works and how to control the descent.
The focus is on understanding the balance between grip and release, allowing the body to slide smoothly to the floor rather than dropping or stopping abruptly. Once this balance is clear, Showgirl becomes a beautiful, flowing transition to finish a sequence or lead into floorwork.
The most important aspect of this move is knowing how to take all impact out of it, which we will cover in depth.
You might want some kneepads for this lesson if you find it uncomfortable on your knees on the floor.
Diamond Spin
This lesson introduces the Diamond Spin, a basework movement that 'floats' around the pole.
In this lesson, the focus is on slowing the movement down and learning it with control and correct technique before adding speed and momentum.
You may find knee pads helpful for this lesson as we are on the floor.
Log Roll
This lesson introduces the Log Roll, a foundational basework movement you’ll use often in pole dance- especially as a final, dramatic pose.
Log Roll is taught both from standing and from the floor and is broken down step by step to help you understand the mechanics of the move.
You may find knee pads and/or a mat helpful for this lesson as we do go down to the floor.
Your Graceful Basework Combo
In this lesson, you’ll work through a flowing basework combination designed to bring grace and fluidity into your movement.
This combo focuses on linking shapes together smoothly, developing coordination, control, and confidence close to the floor. Take your time with it and allow the movement to settle — this is about building strength and developing your choreo brain, not speed.
Cool Down
Cooling down is an important part of training, but you’re welcome to use your own if you already have one you like. This is simply here as an added support if you’d like it.
Thank You
Thank you so much for joining me, I really do hope that you enjoyed it and are excited to learn more pole.
My suggestion is that you have a look at the other lesson packs in the 'Your First' series as these really are designed to help build a strong foundation of movements across the different areas of pole: Spins, Tricks and, this one, Basework.
I also have lots of combos on my YouTube channel if you'd like to follow me there:
youtube.com/@spinwithsophia