<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Viva Studios]]></title><description><![CDATA[Dance and fitness studio, specialising in Pole Fitness. Based in Guiseley, Leeds. Offering beginner to advanced classes, workshops, hen do's and more!]]></description><link>https://www.vivastudios.co.uk/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Sat, 04 Apr 2026 03:40:22 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.vivastudios.co.uk/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Opening the Doors: Building a Pole Studio at Nearly 50 (and Everything That Comes With It)]]></title><description><![CDATA[The story of the new studio.]]></description><link>https://www.vivastudios.co.uk/post/opening-the-doors-building-a-pole-studio-at-nearly-50-and-everything-that-comes-with-it</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69bdb75fe108eb64bf212b2a</guid><pubDate>Fri, 20 Mar 2026 21:21:22 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fde744_97d66cd9bc06448e8aae81ff9c88b8c8~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Becky Priest</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[New Year, New Starts… and Finding Motivation with Pole Fitness]]></title><description><![CDATA[The New Year comes with a lot of noise. “New year, new you.” “Set your goals.” “Smash your resolutions.” “Be motivated.” And while I love the idea of fresh starts, the reality is… motivation doesn’t magically appear just because the calendar changes. For many of us — especially those of us with ADHD — motivation can be unpredictable. Some days we feel full of ideas, passion and vision. Other days, even the things we love, like pole fitness , can feel heavy, overwhelming, or just out of reach....]]></description><link>https://www.vivastudios.co.uk/post/new-year-new-starts-and-finding-motivation-with-pole-fitness</link><guid isPermaLink="false">697b37598c1a1f3a96548918</guid><pubDate>Thu, 15 Jan 2026 14:58:57 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fde744_b91e2e1b6a3e4f15a9fe9099cdd7420f~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_940,h_788,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Becky Priest</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[ It’s Never Too Late to Start Pole: The Ageless Power of Movement]]></title><description><![CDATA[When people think of pole dancing , they often imagine twenty-somethings in sparkly heels spinning effortlessly around a pole. But here’s the truth — pole fitness  isn’t just for the young. It’s for anyone who wants to feel stronger, more confident, and more connected to their body — no matter your age, size, or starting point. I’ve taught students from their teens right through to their 60s, and I can tell you: age doesn’t define your ability to enjoy pole. In fact, many older students...]]></description><link>https://www.vivastudios.co.uk/post/it-s-never-too-late-to-start-pole-the-ageless-power-of-movement</link><guid isPermaLink="false">697b37598c1a1f3a96548911</guid><pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2025 17:03:46 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fde744_b05e443e33434e0e8fe82820dfedccfe~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Becky Priest</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[ From Stigma to Self-Acceptance: What the Trump-Paracetamol and Autism Claim Really Teaches Us]]></title><description><![CDATA[Every now and then, something pops up in the news that makes my stomach twist a bit — the latest one came from Donald Trump, claiming...]]></description><link>https://www.vivastudios.co.uk/post/from-stigma-to-self-acceptance-what-the-trump-paracetamol-autism-claim-really-teaches-us</link><guid isPermaLink="false">697b37598c1a1f3a96548919</guid><category><![CDATA[Health and wellbeing]]></category><category><![CDATA[Neurodiversity]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 26 Sep 2025 11:16:16 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fde744_be417542c0a94015a00a046c6d89b477~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Becky Priest</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[More Than Just Tricks: Why Learning Pole Moves Builds Confidence Inside and Out]]></title><description><![CDATA[When people search for pole classes near me , they’re often expecting a fitness session where you learn a few spins, maybe work up a...]]></description><link>https://www.vivastudios.co.uk/post/more-than-just-tricks-why-learning-pole-moves-builds-confidence-inside-and-out</link><guid isPermaLink="false">697b37598c1a1f3a96548917</guid><pubDate>Fri, 22 Aug 2025 11:02:34 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fde744_2b0742040b004767bfb16ffacb9c7aec~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Becky Priest</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Why I Don’t Teach Pole Like a Drill Sergeant — and Why That Matters]]></title><description><![CDATA[What makes my pole fitness classes different? I’m not a drill sergeant — I teach with empathy, encouragement, and a deep understanding that strength comes from feeling safe and supported. In this blog, I share how I balance challenge with compassion, why some students come just for the atmosphere, and what makes my Guiseley pole studio a space where all bodies, abilities, and moods are welcome.]]></description><link>https://www.vivastudios.co.uk/post/why-i-don-t-teach-pole-like-a-drill-sergeant-and-why-that-matters</link><guid isPermaLink="false">697b37598c1a1f3a96548916</guid><category><![CDATA[Health and wellbeing]]></category><category><![CDATA[Neurodiversity]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 18 Jul 2025 12:00:59 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fde744_90f1e261507042a0bc23896708e56704~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_962,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Becky Priest</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Pole Dancing Just Makes Sense for Neurodivergent Brains (Like Mine)]]></title><description><![CDATA[Why pole dancing is a great workout for neuridivergent brains. Describes some of the traits of neurodiversity and how pole fitness supports these and is good for overall mental health.]]></description><link>https://www.vivastudios.co.uk/post/pole-dancing-just-makes-sense-for-neurodivergent-brains-like-mine</link><guid isPermaLink="false">697b37598c1a1f3a96548914</guid><category><![CDATA[Neurodiversity]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 12 May 2025 13:34:16 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fde744_3a61a3e6025a4e04be0152bf605e5f73~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Becky Priest</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How Pole Dancing Helped Me Heal (and How It Keeps Me Going)]]></title><description><![CDATA[For years, I lived under the weight of depression and anxiety. Always tired, always trying to keep up. I’d push through days feeling like...]]></description><link>https://www.vivastudios.co.uk/post/how-pole-dancing-helped-me-heal-and-how-it-keeps-me-going</link><guid isPermaLink="false">697b37598c1a1f3a96548912</guid><pubDate>Thu, 17 Apr 2025 13:30:12 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fde744_fe99c17859dc47d086cb295353c9e8db~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Becky Priest</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Why Smaller Pole Fitness Classes Make a BIG Difference!]]></title><description><![CDATA[If you’ve been searching Google for " pole classes near me" , you’ve probably come across a range of options—from large, high-energy...]]></description><link>https://www.vivastudios.co.uk/post/why-smaller-pole-fitness-classes-make-a-big-difference</link><guid isPermaLink="false">697b37598c1a1f3a96548913</guid><pubDate>Thu, 20 Feb 2025 10:26:49 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fde744_11cd65a738f2470a8e571d3984385ae5~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Becky Priest</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>