Meet Kayla Richards | Owner, Pole and Aerial Sling Instructor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kayla Richards and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kayla, what’s something about your industry that outsiders are probably unaware of?
The pole and aerial fitness industry is becoming increasingly popular in the USA, but still is often seen as a very “taboo” practice. They are often unaware that Pole Dance as an industry is very vast, with many different styles. People are often quite surprised to hear that there are professional and amateur competitions-including acrobatic styles of pole, lyrical pole, pole theater (including drama and comedy) as well as the club scene and sensual movement. The industry is extremely common in Europe and Australia, and there are even classes for children.
We believe that pole is for everybody- we embrace and respect every style of pole as both an athletic sport and a beautiful art form of movement.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Pole and Aerial arts are the most challenging and life changing I have ever done! 9 years ago, my friend had a Groupon for a pole dance class and asked if I would go with her. I thought sure- that has to be a good work out right? OH man I had no idea what I was getting into. I was mind blown at the strength and grace of the instructors, and I failed my first class miserably. I had absolutely no upper body strength and was mortified to look at myself and my body in the mirror, but it lit a little fire inside of me and I was hooked. After a few months of classes I went to watch a competition and was absolutely awestruck at the superhuman athleticism- I was like “I HAVE to do that!”
Pole didn’t only change me physically, it built me from the inside out. I grew confident and empowered, and it filtered out people from my life who were judgmental and toxic, and brought in a group of people that celebrated each other’s success and celebrated the wins. Our showcase performances and competitions have been a beautiful place of expression and comradery and I am a completely different person today (both inside and out) because of this amazing art.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in Loveland CO, so my favorite places to go are on 4th street. I would start with a coffee at FeelLove, then go walk around the crystal and metaphysical shops, followed by dinner at Door 222 or Scalzottos, and end the night with drinks at Tom Davis or Wicked Tequila.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Vertical Fusion is more than just a couple of dance studios, it is a family. Over the years I initially attended as a student, then later became an instructor at each studio location, and finally an owner of a location of my own. VF has been a place where people can truly be accepted for who they are, as well as supported and empowered through our journeys. It has helped people find confidence, reclaim self love, been the shoulder to cry on, and held a whole lot of laughter.
Vertical Fusion was initially founded by Melanie Piek (who started this amazing place from her basement!) And has built an incredible little empire from the ground up.

Website: https://Verticalfusionlongmont.com

Instagram: Verticalfusionlongmont (business) Lil.missfitt (personal)

Image Credits
PSO Central 2022