The first 10 moves to learn

Walking circles around the pole with a hand-over-hand grip. It looks like nothing. It is everything. Pole walks teach you how your body moves around the apparatus and where your weight should sit in your shoulders and hips.

A spotted turn on the ball of your foot, hand sliding down the pole. Your first taste of musicality. Practise both directions — your dominant side will surprise you.

A back step that becomes the first half of every spin transition you will ever do. Beginners rush this. Don't.

Hands above head, knees gripping the pole, walking the feet up using the legs. The base of every climbing technique. Expect bruises on the insteps for the first two weeks — they go away.

Sit-in-the-air spin with one leg hooked and the other forward. Your first proper spin. The instructor will hold your hips the first few times. That is normal.

Faster, simpler, both legs together hooked around the pole. Comes after chair spin because chair spin teaches you how to grip the pole with one knee.

A static pose where you sit on the pole using the inside of your thigh. Painful for the first month, then suddenly easy. This is the foundation for every seated transition.

Combines fireman climb and sit. Your first proper sequence. The moment when pole stops being a series of tricks and starts being a flow.

A leaning-back pose with both ankles crossed on the pole. The first move that genuinely feels like pole dancing. Your first photo.

Going upside down with a spotter holding your hips. This is the doorway to every advanced move. Do not rush to do this unassisted — owning the assisted version is the prerequisite, full stop.