Long before Body & Pole had a physical home, the roots of its existence were formed. A passion for dance and expression lived inside both co-founders Kyra Johannesen and Lian Tal Lebret from early childhood. However, this passion led each down very different paths. Kyra to pursue a professional career in dance. And Lian first the Israeli army, then to a career as a video editor. 

The pair met in 2006 as teacher and student. At that time, Kyra had already developed a widely popular pole dance program at a large NYC gym chain. Lian happened to be there taking a yoga class one day. She left midway out of frustration and noticed there was a pole dance class happening at the same time. The students looked strong and graceful. But more importantly, they looked like they were having a blast. She made a mental note to return the following week. She thought, ‘Why not take a chance?’

She did return and found herself inside Kyra’s classroom. She discovered there was a surprising substance behind its initial allure. The class was extremely difficult while still being addictively fun. Strength and ability once unimaginable now seemed within reach. She was hooked.

Lian soon began teaching out of her apartment. Word spread and before she knew it, she had dozens of regulars lined up. Demand was so high she decided to rent a small room in an existing yoga studio in Nolita in December of 2009. At that point, Lian knew she could not continue growing Body & Pole without Kyra by her side. And together, on New Year’s Eve of that same year, they knocked down a wall and expanded the tiny space. 

Their combined talents and skillsets led to a unique partnership, and in April 2010, Body & Pole found a home all its own in a single room studio located on 5th Avenue. From the moment they first opened their doors, classes were at capacity for months out. It was then they realized, they were building something bigger than a pole dance studio. They were impacting lives by providing a space where self-discovery through aerial dance was possible, and attracting highly gifted instructors to help lead the transformation. They were going to need more space.

Finally, in January 2012 Body & Pole moved to its current Chelsea location and added aerial classes to the schedule. In 2013, they expanded to take over the building’s storefront and basement floors. Body & Pole had grown from a small home-run pole practice to the largest pole and aerial dance studio in NYC located in the heart of Chelsea in a sprawling 10,000 square foot space. Bringing together some of the most talented pole dancers and aerialists in the world. Building a community of athletes and artists. Equipped to bring anyone willing to walk through its doors along for the ride. 

Through this journey they have found that aerial is a sport, an art, but also something more, it's a medium for change - this change starts within and who knows where it will go.