About Us

When I hear music it makes me want to DANCE. It's my passion. I have danced since I was 3 years old
and I plan on dancing until I am so old that I can't get out of my wheelchair. I have trained in ballet, tap,
jazz, clogging, gymnastics, hip hop, Hawaiian, flamenco, belly dancing, Tahitian, striptease, pole dancing,
and Latin dancing. I attended Purdue University and graduated in December 1996 with a bachelors degree
in accounting. Shortly after, I moved to Chicago and began my corporate career in August 1997. I
continued to take dance classes in my spare time, but always longed to become a dance instructor.

I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease on July 3rd 2004. This is an auto-immune disease that attacks the
body through the digestive system and joints. This has been a struggle for me and my family for most of
my life. My mother, sister and cousin suffer from the disease also. I have gone from teaching pole
dancing and performing to losing all strength and capability to even climb the pole after severe flare ups of
the disease.   Pole dancing has helped me build strength to help overcome the disease and bounce back
quickly from the fare ups. I hope to be in remission from Crohn's Disease one day.

In January 2006, I was driving on my way to ballet class. I was frustrated that there was no where in
Chicago to take pole dance classes for the average, everyday woman. Pole dancing has been such a
craze in so many other major cities and worldwide. Why was it not really heard of in Chicago? I decided
that it was time for Chicago to have a place where women could experience the rush of spinning on a
pole, letting go of all inhibitions, and feeling the inner diva that they never knew was there. I wanted to
offer quality classes so that more women can build strength and feel better about their bodies.

I started POLE VELOCITY Dance and Fitness in June 2006. I have been several times to Los Angeles, CA
for pole dance instructor training and classes, as well as training on my own at home. In August 2006, I
trained in Las Vegas with Fawnia Mondey-Dietrich for a 3 day private pole dance instructor certification.
Fawnia Mondey-Dietrich is very well known as a Professional Pole Dancer and Instructor. She was one of
the pioneer pole dancers to start lessons and instructional DVD's for everyday women to learn the art of
pole dancing. In addition, I received my Fitness Instructor Certification from American Fitness
Professionals of America in October 2006.

On Sunday, September 11, 2006 hundreds of pole dancers around the world attempted to break the
Guinness Book of World Records for “the most people pole dancing at one time”. Katie Coates of Vertical
Dance in the U.K. organized the event, and made a simple routine that was performed at the same time to
the same music by women all over the world.   I happened to see an article in the Chicago Sun Times
promoting the event and immediately emailed to see if I could join in. Mary Ellyn Weissman of
Empowerment Through Exotic Dance in Chicago Heights, IL organized 8 ladies from the Chicago area for
the world record event. We practiced the night before and then got up early Sunday morning to perform.
It was so much fun, and I met some great new friends. The event was such a success that the second
worldwide record breaking attempt was made on December 2, 2007 around the world. Mary Ellyn
Weissman organized a group of 28 dancers including one male dancer. The event took place at the Drake
Hotel in downtown Chicago with 3 pole dance studios represented including 3 students from Pole Velocity
Dance and Fitness.

In April 2007, I attended the teacher certification training for Pole Position Fitness Studios and received my
certification in June 2007 as a Certified Pole Dance Instructor accredited by ACE. I also had the
opportunity in July 2007 to train with Katie Coates, the owner of Vertical Dance in the U.K. She is a
remarkable pole dancer and a true inspiration. I teach pole dance classes at my home studio location
from Beginner to Advanced. I started teaching at my home studio in March 2006. I also hold classes at
Discovery Center on the North side of Chicago. I have been with Discovery Center since January 2008.

I received my ZUMBA® instructor certification on January 25, 2008, and I am very excited to begin
teaching ZUMBA® fitness classes. This is a great workout class that incorporates basic Latin dance
steps for a fun workout and dance class. It's a Party! Now offering classes on scheduled days.

I have been a student at Aloft which is an Acrobatic and Aerial Circus Company in Chicago since 2009.   I
am training on the trapeze, silks, and acrobatics. It's so inspiring and challenging. It really does work well
with pole dancing. I continue to train on my advanced pole dance moves and building strength day by day.

In August 2008, 2009, and 2010, Pole Velocity Dance and Fitness hosted a Master Class with Jenyne
Butterfly from Las Vegas, NV. Jenyne was the first US Pole Dance Federation Champion in 2009. She
placed 2nd in the World Championship in 2008 and has been touring all over the world. She is a
remarkable pole dancer and cirque de sole performer. She was so inspiring and we greatly appreciate
the opportunity to have a class with her.

In March 2010, I attended the US Pole Dance Championship in New York City. This was an amazing
experience and inspiring. I met fellow pole dancers around the world and trained with Jenyne Butterfly,
the US Pole Dance Champion in 2009 and Allegra King, Australian Pole Dance Champion for 2010.

I had the chance to train with Jamilla Deville in Las Vegas April 2009. Jamilla is a remarkable pole dancer
from Sydney, Australia and received many titles in pole dance competitons and has been voted pole
instructor of the year for the past 2 yers. It was great to meet new people and catch up with familiar faces
also. I also trained with her again in April 2010 on spinning pole and intermediate and advanced tricks.

So Far 2011 has been a busy year with a trip to New York City to the USPDF Championship competition and
workshops. I took 9 workshops while there and was able to train with Jenyne Butterfly which I ended up
being on TV for about 2 seconds for a promotional TV segment on CBS for the competition. I also trained
with Alethea Austin, Karol Helm, Estee Zakar, Kira Johanssen, Steven Retchless, Mina Mortezaie, and
Leigh Ann Reilly. This was one of the best trips I have had so far.

The second Midwest Pole Jam was held on May 21, 2011 in Frankfort, IL. Pole dancers from all over the
Midwest came to meet other pole dancers and practice and learn new moves from others. Alethea Austin
also held a workshop which I attended and I also was able to take a private lesson with her to work on my
pole moves.

I am looking forward to the 2nd Annual International Pole Dance Convention held in Palm Beach, FL on
June 10-12 2011. Pole dancers from all over wll be attending and I will be doing workshops with Jenyne
Butterfly, Felix Cane, Johnathan Nosen, Hanka Vaand Becca Butcher. There will be venders and
workshops and performances by many pro pole dancers. I am looking forward to a little time on the
beach too.

I am very pleased to announce that I was a finalist in the Rookie Division for The Great Midwest Pole Dance
Competition in Tinley Park, IL on August 27th. This was the first competition held in the Midwest and is
also my first time competing. It was a great opportunity to perform at the competition. I was so nervous
to perform and be judged by some of my most admired pole athletes. It was a lot of hard work and I was
so happy to have met all of my fellow competitors. Everyone was so supportive.

I am off again to New York in October for the 2nd American Pole Fitness Association Championship which
will be held on October 14, 2011. I am looking forward to also taking workshops with Marlo Fisken and
Steven Retchless, both winners from the 2010 Championship. I will also be taking workshops with David
C. Owen and the female winner of this years championship.

I am looking forward to many new adventures in the pole dancing world.

Best wishes,

Angela Reininga
Owner and Certified Instructor of Pole Velocity Dance and Fitness