Our Instructors - Calgary Studio

Alena Downs	Sheryl Walsh	Tori Glasman	Monika Deviat	Karen Branford		Lynnette McDonald	Heather Halls	Lisa Corah

 

Alena Downs (Founder)

 

The Owner and lead instructor of PoleJunkies.

Being termed as the "Original PoleJunkie", Alena has taken her love and passion for the pole from the stage, and created PoleJunkies to share with others worldwide.

Known as one of Canada's Top Feature Performers for over a decade, Alena is renowned for her dance style, routine ability and pole dance skills.  She helps to put a personal twist on Pole Dancing.  She focuses on safety, body mechanics and graceful movement, and by applying personal style and creativity to safely practiced pole techniques...PoleJunkies was born.

At the age of 35, Alena decided to retire from the main stage, but was not willing to give up her pole!  Turning her years of experience of stage performance of pole and floor routines into step by step instruction...adding fitness and safety factors, Alena is able to pass this wonderful information onto her students, so they may all learn the art...safely, at their own pace.

With a home base in Calgary, Alena has advanced her instruction to include Fitness and Fun for men and women of all ages...from basic swings to aerial artistry.  Whether in the studio, or online in the comforts of your own home, Alena will make you feel comfortable again in your own skin!  She personally designs classes to accommodate the needs and requirements of her students.

A warm hearted mother of 2, Alena enjoys teaching people from all walks of life.  Her ultimate goal is to see the art of pole dance attain the level of attention and respect it deserves.

Join Alena Downs in our Pole Dance Community

 

Sheryl Walsh

 

Our General Manager for the Calgary Studio..and one of our Calgary instructors, greets her students with the warmth, and ease that is required with new, eager...yet nervous, students.

With AFLCA Certification, resistance training, and 12 years experience as a Personal Trainer, Sheryl utilizes her health and wellness knowledge to enhance the instruction of pole.  She was previously a cheer-leading coach, and was also an ABBA Figure Competitor in 2008.

Beginning her quest with the pole in 2007, Sheryl started with personal home parties, and became PoleJunkies first student after buying her pole from Alena.  Sheryl has been training for almost 4 years, and has blossomed into one of the most caring, detailed instructors with PoleJunkies.

With her 2 boys occupying the majority of her time, she revels in her "girl time" at classes.  Her mission...to ensure all students enjoy the art of pole dance...safely.

Join Sheryl Walsh in our Pole Dance Community

 

Tori Glasman

 

One of our Calgary instructors, and the youngest to the team, has an energetic approach to pole.

With Sports Performance, PFIC Certification, and a 3 year background in pole, her lust for fun shines in every class.

Tori began with PoleJunkies in 2008, and has grown up with us! Her abilities have enabled hundreds of women find the fun in fitness, while having the patience required to ensure everyone enjoys pole.

Her ambition to excel and compete have provided her with the ability to deliver more to her clients, as she continually seeks further instruction from every guest instructor who graces the poles of PoleJunkies.

While working in both the Calgary and Edmonton studios, Tori love the addiction of pole and all the addicts who support it!

Join Tori Glasman in our Pole Dance Community

 

Monika Deviat

 

One of our Calgary instructors, more lovingly known to us as the "First Heavy Metal Pole Dancer", has always taken...and been able to give, a very unique view of pole dancing.  She encourages everyone to be individual and bring their own style into the classes, which truly makes a great class.

With AFLCA Certification, resistance training, and BS.c in Physics, her knowledge assists in breaking down exactly what it is we are trying to teach the body.  Her student's safety is always at the forefront of her mind, and she ensures each student gets that personal instruction they need to flourish.

Monika first started pole dancing in early 2008, but unfortunately the studio she was attending was not able to provide her with the level of instruction that she expected.  She found PoleJunkies in September 2008, and has never looked back!

Join Monika Deviat in our Pole Dance Community

 

Karen Branford

 

One of our Calgary instructors, has an incredible knack of making the girls truly feel part of pole.

With AFLCA Certification, choreography, and training in Strippercise and Burlesquercise, Karen shows an incredibly creative side in class.  She personally dabbles in Yoga to help increase her balance for the pole.

Karen began with PoleJunkies 2 years ago, after receiving injuries from unsafe instruction in another studio.  The need for safe instruction has driven her to become a qualified pole instructor who strives to ensure her personal situation is never repeated by others.
A single mom, and a full time event coordinator, Karen's ability to encompass the classes with fun is very evident!

Join Karen Branford in our Pole Dance Community

 

Lynnette McDonald (Assistant Instructor)

 

Lynnette McDonald, one of Calgary’s assistant instructors, started taking classes with PoleJunkies in 2009 after searching for a studio that could work with her pre-existing motor vehicle injuries and resulting physical limitations.  After 2 years of the “most addictive form of fitness” she’s ever come across, she is excited to now count herself as part of the PoleJunkies team.

Having obtained a degree in psychology as her first love, Lynnette has a keen interest in ensuring that all her students take something positive out of their experience in class.

She continues to take advanced classes herself, so can truly empathize with her students on their pole journey.  Not having a dance or fitness background has not held her back as she makes up for it with a healthy dose of stubbornness.  Her philosophy is that if she can do it, there’s no reason why anyone else can’t. Lynnette is the girly girl of the group and the studio is one of the only places you’ll ever see her wearing pants, which just goes to show how much she loves the pole.

 Join Lynnette McDonald in our Pole Dance Community