Instructors
Bendy
Bendy Kate is the creator of ‘Bendy Studio’ & also Bristol’s World Pole Champion and 3 time UK Champion. It’s been a dream of Bendy’s for the last 10 years to open a studio but was waiting for the right moment in her life and here it is!
Bendy specialises in pole, hand balancing, acrobatics, gymnastics, flexibility & floorwork
The Studio was built by Bendy and her fiancé Tom, you will notice so many handmade touches in the studio everywhere you turn!
For more info check out here.
Rach
Rach has studied circus at Aircraft Circus & Circomedia and is now one of Bristol’s most unique aerialists and instructors.
She has also been working closely with Bendy on the Bendy Brand for several years now.
Rach co-owns Cirque Du Bahe who run events and festivals all over the UK.
She teaches weekly aerial silks classes at the studio and is available for private sessions too.
Jack
Since graduating Circomedia in 2011 Jack has been working professionally within the circus industry. Touring around the world with companies such as Pirates of the Carabiner, The Invisible circus and Arcadia. His circus disciplines include hat juggling and handstands with a particular affinity to aerial rope. His style demonstrates dynamic movement as well as slow strength based control. After a year long knee injury Jack was inspired to investigate different ways of training and creatively exploring ground based conditioning for aerial.
Jack will be helping out with Handstands and Floorwork classes with Bendy.
Anna Frost
Frankie
Frankie found pole seven years ago when she attended her first class with her some of her friends. She fell completely in love with it and has been hooked ever since.
She has a background in dance and has found so much joy and inspiration in her time teaching watching her students having fun and gaining confidence through movement.
Frankie enjoys all styles of pole but her favourite has got to be spinning!
Suzy Pegler
Suzy teaches beginners, improvers and intermediate/adv. Improve your strength and hoop repertoire in a fun and encouraging environment.
Class includes all styles of hoop to make you a well rounded hoop athlete. From technique and strength work, to building routines, flow and dynamic hoop.
If you’re unsure on what level you need please email Suzy, at suzyptraining@gmail.com
Click here for her performance work.
Alexa
Alexa is an aerial performer from Bristol, specialising in aerial hoop. Since graduating Circomedia in 2018, she has worked within the performance industry internationally; as an aerialist, a circus teacher, a stand up comedian and a stage manager.
Having never touched an aerial hoop until she was 23, Alexa is proof that you do not need prior experience in gymnastics, ballet or dance to find yourself a home within the circus arts. Practicing inclusivity and kindness in all of her teaching, Alexa has worked with children and adults for Circomedia, Circus Stars, Linda Virgoe Dance Studio and Camp Lohikan.
Alexa also teaches regular kids classes at the studio!
Tee
Tee began her pole journey at university in 2018, and four years later graduated with a Masters in Mathematics – but it was pole that made the real impact! Since then, Tee has performed at events across the country including Boomtown Festival, Blackstage, and The Pxssy Parlour!
Discovering heels was a game changer for Tee finding her style, and she takes a lot of inspiration from strippers who made pole dance what it is today. Tee loves to embrace her sensuality on stage and hopes to share this confidence with her students through her signature slow and emotive movement.
Kelly Courtney
Kelly first discovered pole around 9 years ago at university. Having finally found a sport that she enjoyed, she was instantly hooked and began to discover new passions such as hand balancing and flexibility. Pole fuelled a confidence that she did not know she had and helped her move in ways she didn’t know she could. She is always striving to improve and looks forward to helping others do the same. She loves the welcoming nature of the pole community and is proud to be a part of it.
Kelly will be teaching beginners pole at Bendy Studio on Wednesdays
Suzi
Suzi is a pole dancer from Bristol and has been doing pole for 8 years. She wants to finally take her love for pole to a higher level and also start competing! Since joining Bendy Studio, she’s also found a new interest in other forms of aerial arts. She’s a newly qualified beginners pole instructor and can’t wait to show new pole dancers how amazing pole can be!
Hannah
Hannah discovered pole over 10 years ago and has been teaching on and off since 2017. She is originally from Bristol and has a background in classical and modern ballet but with a true appreciation for all dance styles.
She learnt everything she knows about flexibility from Bendy Kate, having admired her as an artist and instructor – before becoming lifelong friends.
Hannah has 2 young daughters but has made it her mission to ensure that pole is still a part of her life and is excited about coming back to teach. Hannah will be teaching Intermediate 1 on Tuesdays 6pm from Feb 2023.
Eloise
Eloise has worked in the fitness industry for 24 years. Formerly a fitness manager and personal trainer she left after having her 2 girls and took the plunge into teaching group exercise full time.
She stumbled upon pole accidentally in 2008 when one of the studios she worked at introduced it to their timetable. She quickly fell in love with it and shortly after began teaching beginners and hen parties. 16 years later she is more in love with pole than ever, she particularly enjoys spinning pole and splitty tricks and feels incredibly privileged to share her passion with her students.
Eloise is a Spin city qualified instructor and teaches beginners through to advanced. She will be teaching mixed ability daytime pole so there will be something for everyone!
Ari
Ari started her pole journey at the end of 2021 and instantly became obsessed with it. The challenge of improving her strength, the exploration of different movement styles mixed with the supportive atmosphere of the Bristol pole community motivated her to train more intensively than she had done with any previous sport.
She has come to see pole as her main creative outlet and confidence booster, discovering a love for choreography and performance she didn’t know was in her.
In early 2024, Ari received her Spin City Beginners Pole Instructor qualification. She is now looking forward to teaching others, excited to share her passion for the discipline in an energetic and encouraging way.
Nina
Nina started her pole dancing in 2018, but fell in love with contortion over lockdown. Having gained all her flexibility in her late twenties, she is a strong believer in safe, strong, body history informed flexibility training for all ages, and believes it is never too late to start training mobility, pole, and aerial!
Her classes have a strong focus on improving active flexibility to allow progression of flex shapes on equipment or on the floor! Since she started dancing, she has performed pole, aerial hoop, and contortion at various clubs, festivals, and cabarets across the UK.
Liwanu
Liwanu started circus when he was 6 years old and has been performing since then!
He loves the exploration of movement through the use of acrobatics and theatre to perform stories on stage.
Liwanu is our new kids instructor and will be teaching Kids Aerial Circus on Mondays with Alexa.
Safia
Safia is a mindful circus performer, and barre and yoga instructor.
She is also a new mum and will be hosting Child Friendly Aerial James every other Thursday.
Mia
Mia discovered pole dancing nearly three years ago, and has been passionately immersed in it ever since. With a background in ballet, she initially gravitated towards spin pole and flexibility tricks. But recently has been exploring various styles, including dynamics and low flow.
Performing in showcases and competitions is one of her favourite aspects of pole, as it allows her to bring her artistic visions to life on stage.
Pole has not only helped Mia gain confidence but also serves as an outlet for releasing stress. She’s so excited to start teaching at Bendy Studio and share her love and passion for pole dancing with all of you.
