Hi Students! Have you heard the term "reciprocal inhibition" and do you know that it can reallyyy help you improve and progress in your flexibility?! Read on :))

jamimah asked a really great question this past weekend, and it’s the perfect chance for me to talk about a really important concept in flexibility training. The fancy term for this concept is reciprocal inhibition.

✅ Simplified definition:
When one muscle contracts, its opposite tends to relax.
Example: flex your quad and hip flexor → hamstrings relax.

We use this in stretching to “communicate” with muscles so they release and let us go deeper.

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👉 For the lizard/runner’s lunge in Jamimah’s photo that she shared:

FRONT LEG
To open the glute and top of the hamstring on the front leg:

* Engage the front-leg hip flexor (think: gently pull your knee toward your chest).

* This tells the glute/hamstring to relax more and can deepen your fold over that leg.

✅ Cue: “Lightly pull the front thigh up to help the glute relax.”

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BACK LEG
To open the hip flexor of the back leg:

* Squeeze the back-leg glute. That glute activation signals the back-leg hip flexor to relax more.

✅ Cue: “Squeeze the back glute to deepen the back hip flexor stretch.”

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So in short:

* ENGAGING Front-leg hip flexor = deeper front-leg fold.

* ENGAGING Back-leg glute = deeper back-hip opening.

Let me know if that helps or if you want more cues OR if you want other examples for other stretches.

Thanks always to those of you that share questions here in the community feed. It helps us all learn <3

xoxo
Coach Steph

Welcome Das to the Community!! 🥳❤️🎉

Hiii beautiful students!! We're going something a little different but still fun this challenge!! Read all the deets below :))

🔄✨ June 23rd TWO Week Challenge: Flip it & Remix it, Babes!

Challenge 1: Flip It! (I know most of you will not like this one haha but I promise it's good for you!)

-Take a move you always do on your strong side… and try it on the other one 👀
OR

-Reverse a combo: start with your usual exit and work backwards (this one is fun!)

Challenge 2: Shape Variations

-Pick one of your fave shapes (like pole sit, jasmine, ballerina) and find 3 different ways to get in/out of it 💡

💕 A Few Friendly Reminders:

*Click JOIN on this post
*Use the App's pole move dictionary and tutorial library for inspo

* Share your flips & remixes in the Community Feed! You never know who you’ll inspire :))

* Tag me in your stories or posts so I can cheer you on!! I wanna see it alllll

And most of all—have fun!! This isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being curious, creative, and a little weird (in the best way)!

Can’t wait to see what you all come up with!!

xoxo,

Coach Steph

New YouTube Tutorial is Live! 🎉 (This was a requested tutorial from our app member, Sam! Thanks Sam for the request!)

In this video, I’m breaking down how to get into Hood Ornament from a climb on spin, and how to invert from that position—on both forward and backward spin!

So if you’ve been wanting to smooth out this transition or try it for the first time, this one’s for you ✨ Watch it now on YouTube! 💜 https://youtu.be/xCcjRTvbEYs?si=AoZnTQBYuV_J5Q1R

Hi amazing students! Coach Steph here 🌟

I’m so excited to announce that your brand-new 3-month gym program—designed specifically for pole dancers—is now live in the Pole with Steph App! Whether you’re craving strength gains, greater flexibility, or next-level balance, this program has got you covered.

What’s inside?
• 3 workouts per week for 12 weeks •
– A perfect mix of glute, hamstring, quad, push, pull, and core exercises—each chosen to support your pole practice.
– Progressions for both shortened and lengthened glute positions, so you build power and control at every range of motion.

• 2 weeks of “systemic training” (aka our “out-of-breath” weeks 😂) •
– Cardio-focused finisher weeks to boost endurance for longer combos and spin-heavy training sessions.

• 30–60 minute sessions •
– Tailor the weight and intensity to fit your day—quick sweat sesh or deep pump, you decide.

• Specially Designed for Pole Dancers•
– Built from my pole-specific coaching experience and the programming genius of @tiananicholetallant. We teamed up to target exactly the movement patterns and muscles you need most for pole.

✨ New! Track your progress
To help inspire you, we created a printable + editable tracker to go with your June–August program!
You can log reps, weight, and notes, check off each set, and reflect weekly on your progress and PRs.

Want to stay consistent and motivated? This is your new best friend. 📝💥

So, are you ready to crush your summer goals?
Tap into the June–August program now and let’s build those power, flexibility, and endurance gains together. No extra time commitments—just your app and your passion for pole! 🔥

See you inside,
xoxo
Coach Steph & Coach Tiana

P.S. Don’t forget to share your sweaty selfies and tag #PolewithSteph, @stephanietallant_pole, and @tiananicholetallant—we can’t wait to cheer you on! 🎉

🎉 For the next 24 hours only — get 50% off the Quarterly Subscription Plan with code: POLEBABE
Snag it here: https://polewithsteph.com/orders/customer_info?o=211357 —this is your sign to go all in! 💕

🎥 Videos will appear at the bottom of this post on June 9th
or tap here to go straight to them: polewithsteph.com/programs/june9challenge

🔥 Your Weekly Challenge(s):

I’m so excited for you all to dive into 2 brand new tutorials with me, Coach Steph! ✨

💫 Tutorial 1: A dynamic combo featuring Butterfly, Hangglider, Allegra (with plenty of variations + mods), and a Cradle Dismount.

👠 Tutorial 2: A creative, heel-optional low flow tutorial exploring unique transitions from a grand plié with the pole down to the floor.

Both tutorials are now live inside the Pole with Steph App (iOS + Android) and at polewithsteph.com! 💖

✅ To Participate:

1. Click “Join” on this post

2. Comment with a picture (screenshot is fine!) of:
   🔹 You doing something from this week’s challenge
   OR
   🔹 Anything related to your movement practice this week
   (stretching, warmups, gym sessions, etc!)

📸 Photo Uploads → via the app or the website
🎥 Videos → App only (on phone or iPad—not a web browser)

💡 Bonus Challenge:

Share a picture or video on Instagram and tag
@stephanietallant_pole + use #thebestpoleapp
And don’t forget to add me as a Collaborator if it’s a post or story!