Well, that's the first block complete - I am officially no longer a total 'newbie' to pole work.

Although still classed as a beginner, the pupils will all move onto beginner continued next Tuesday, which sees the impossible happening - backwards pole work.

Of course it is literally not impossible, as Melissa has ever so eloquently demonstrated the moves for us during our sneak preview of what next week would bring, but it still looks terrifying.

One positive is though, one of the moves - though painful - looks relatively simple to master, and should work wonders on the leg muscles!

So I'm off to attempt to perfect my main weakness - building my upper body strength via the medium of the dreaded push-up.

Come Christmas I'm told we'll be ready to hang upside down on the pole and support our body weight, so I better start practising!