Studio Botan

On a quest to try all the pole studios in the Bay Area before picking a place to train, I ventured into Pole 101 at Studio Botan.
I left disappointed.
The instructor, whom I will refer to as Regina (think «Mean Girls»), demonstrated no desire to teach me. When class started, she asked who had prior pole experience. I let her know I had some.
Regina then spent the remainder of class essentially ignoring me. She barely walked by my pole, which made me feel horribly for the pole virgin who was sharing with me, and did not adjust to my level even though she did for two of the other girls.
Star Breakdown (Y=yes, N=no)
Y — Facility: There are six 14ft poles in a spacious area and classes are capped at 10 students (2 per pole, 1 for the instructor) so everyone gets time to practice.
Y/​N — Price: One 1hr 15min drop-​in class is $ 35. There are some pretty nice discounts for class packs and members, but would I pay to be ignored for an hour and fifteen minutes? No, which brings me to…
N — Instruction: Imagine being taught how to pole by Regina George. Are you doing it? How about now? Yes? Okay, that’s what class was like. I do have to give her props for leading us through a terrific, albeit long (it felt like ~30m) warmup though.
N — Experience: More than anything else, my experience at Studio Botan makes me sad. Pole should be fun and positive, not uncomfortable.
Final notes: While writing this review, I got an email from Studio Botan announcing that management is changing. Beginning May 16^th, 2016, Studio Botan will be reopening as San Francisco Pole and Dance. One bad class does not a pattern make, so I will be stopping by then to give this place another chance.

I was having some conflicting thoughts while desperately attempting to grip the pole with just my thighs.
This is way harder than it looks! No dissension there.
It was indeed kind of pricey for a single class, albeit a small one. There were maybe half a dozen others in my midst that afternoon, plus the instructor. It just wasn’t fun though. There wasn’t much camaraderie in our group and the whole thing felt like, awkward.
At least there was flavored ice water.
But how many times would I have to shell out $ 30+ to pole-​burn my thighs before I would end up in one of the cutesy photos on the profile page?!
Some make it look so graceful. And there is this notion that pole-​dancing sort of correlates with open-​mindedness, adventure, and sex-​positivity…
But between ever again patronizing this business, and just attempting to become an exotic dancer, I’m afraid the latter is more likely.
A Monday stripper, I would be. A two-​thirty in the afternoon, moonlighting in the daylight stripper, in Sebastopol. I would start at the bottom of that pole and work my way up to Saturdays.
Why pay to pretend when you could be the real thing?

I went to Botan for almost a year. I even barted over from Oakland to attend classes here.
It’s not a *bad* studio, it’s just very conservative and the review below that talks about how they’re more restrictive than they are encouraging is fairly accurate. I get that they want you to be safe but isn’t that what signed waivers are for?
Also sharing poles is kind of a bummer when you’re paying so much for classes.
I was in 101 for a long time and was not challenged there at all. I was ready to learn how to invert but they wouldn’t let me because I wasn’t very good at mastering certain spins (still can’t, several months later at a different studio). I was eventually allowed into 102 but was mostly ignored as the other advanced students were shown more elaborate tricks.
I started going to atomic allure and if I want to focus on inversions I can go to a class just on that. If I want to do tricks I can go to a class to just learn that. Likewise for spins and combos and stuff. Separate classes for each thing you want to learn and you’re never told you’re not allowed to learn something. The studio itself isn’t as nice and the poles are scratched up but I’ve learned so much more than in two months than I did at Botan in a year.
I also found that the instructors at Botan were hit or miss– some were really cool and some weren’t very helpful. And maybe even a bit fake and weird. But once you find an instructor you like there’s really no guarantee you’ll get them again.
I do think the workshops are fun though. I did Pole Virgin 2 and learned a variety of stuff because Kaitlyn, the instructor, was awesome. If you want to spend the extra money, I would recommend the workshops.
I go to atomic allure now since its on the east bay and about half the price of Botan. I’ve also seen other students who used to go to Botan go to atomic allure now. Maybe the price of Botan is worth it for you, but I would recommend trying a few different studios around the Bay Area before you settle on one to call home.

I took the boudoir class a few months ago. It was a ton of fun, and the instructor was fantastic. I am docking one star because they are no longer on ClassPass. Their classes are pretty expensive otherwise, and it makes it too hard to drop in for courses every once and a while.

My coworkers and I took a beginning pole dancing class and it was SO fun!!! Only downside was that it was $ 35 a class which is a lot of money, but it was a great time. There is a max of 10 people in the class and we were 8 when we signed up, so no one else filled the other 2 spots. The instructor gave very thorough instructions and of course it was extremely hard, but we all had a great time.
I would love to come back here. If i wasn’t so expensive, I would buy a membership.

I’ve taken a couple of classes here, and also just went to their spring showcase this weekend — my old pole instructor was doing a show here and I was excited to see her routine! and also because it’s a recital for the students, and I’ve always found it exciting when lots of people show up to watch what you’ve been working on :)
I’ve taken pole classes before in Boston, MA, where the instructors are really fantastic, taking the time to point out things each student is doing wrong and also giving support/​assistance to move your body to the right form so you know what it feels like. You learn a ton in each class, you get your own pole, and the instructors encourage you to strive and push your expectations, and never tell you «you can’t do that, it’s too hard» but rather «You want to learn that! Great, let’s break it down, and see how much you can learn». Classes were about $ 12/1.5 hours (I know, this is *ridiculously* cheap). I was only able to take classes for a short while, but I learned to invert and do some really fun poses in 8 sessions.
Contrast this with Studio Botan. I gave it a try and took two (very expensive) 1-​hour classes here — and I found them to be really, really mediocre — they taught very little, went very slowly, there were many people per pole, and the instructor was teaching two different levels at once, and wasn’t really paying attention to the beginner group. How are you supposed to learn things?
My opinion of Studio Botan is that it’s just a money-​making machine. Instead of introducing you to pole and showing you the extent of the things you can accomplish, and encouraging you to follow at the speed of your passion for pole and dance and really helping you every step of the way, they tell you «pole is really hard! I guess you just have to take more classes!» They set the mindset of «I can’t do this yet, I’m not ready», as opposed to being encouraging and letting you learn as fast as you’re willing to work — but I guess that means you buy more classes and pay more money. They don’t teach you much during each class. They set the expectation that you *can’t* learn pole except by paying lots of money.
Throughout the whole «spring showcase» recital, they spent more time talking about how awesome Studio Botan was, and how you should sign up for their classes, and take their 3 sets of 6-​week courses, than they gave their performers time to perform. It was disgusting. I want to see your students shine at their performances and show off what they learned! not listen to you prattle on about how you should take classes at Studio Botan.
Seriously, this place is not where I’d go to *actually* learn pole. Look elsewhere.

Botan has become my pole home and I think for those who can afford it/​budget for it, it’s a magnificent studio.
There are fans in the studio that you can turn on if you get too hot doing tricks! And Botan now has classes on Sundays and new classes which focus on choreo and the more sensual side of pole in addition to their wonderful fitness based classes.
This studio is the standard when it comes to pole studios in the area. It’s welcoming to men, will prepare you for performance or competitions if that’s what you’re into, and offers a variety of courses catering to every body. If you’re wiling to put in the work, Botan is willing to train you.

Full Disclosure: I am an independent contractor here
I started off my relationship with Studio Botan as a student years ago. I was very excited to find a studio in SF that didn’t require clients to identify their sex or gender identity at the door. This is a space where everyone is welcome!
I have now been teaching at Botan for about a year and during that time the space has moved. It is now in a much more BART and PARKING friendly location which is very important to me because i commute in from Berkeley. When i drive i almost always find a non metered spot directly in front of the entrance. it’s like an SF unicorn.
I love the Botan community and

I’ve been a part of the Studio Botan community for a few years now and it’s been so exciting to see it grow! It’s not only a beautiful pole studio with classes for recreational pole dancers to serious competitors, but also a wonderful home for people to connect and embrace one another.
The classes Studio Botan offers are really well-​rounded so that you can work on your strength and flexibility on the pole and off the pole. You’re constantly being taught new and different tricks, combos and transitions so you’re never bored or plateauing.
A few classes that I cannot live without: Anna’s Handstand & Flex class & Sean Michael’s 301 class. I feel incomplete at the end of the week if I miss one of those! Open Pole is so much to practice what you learn, meet other students and get inspired by what others are practicing. If you’re interested in pole dancing, this is a great way to explore it!
It’s been such a loving community to me — open, accepting, supportive and FUN! I’m so grateful to be a part of the community and can’t wait to see it grow more! I wouldn’t be the pole dancer I am without those at Studio Botan challenging me and encouraging me to do more. I love, love, love it!

I’ve been here a few times now, for pole and handstand+flexibility classes. The studio is well kept. It’s in a corporate or warehouse type building, but it has been set up nicely with large mirrors and 6 poles and some props, plus plenty of space for stretching and dancing and whatever. There’s no lockers or cubbies, but there’s enough floor space to stash your stuff. There’s a small changing area behind a screen, or if you’re comfortable enough you can just change in the main area — the times I went, it was all women, but this studio is open for both males and females. Bathroom is a short walk down the hall.
The pole class was not the first one I’ve been to, but it was the first time I’d come here. There was about a 2:1 or 3:1 student-​pole ratio. I guess that’s probably good if you get tired and want a break, but I think I would have preferred 1:1 for more practice time, especially in a beginner class where we weren’t doing anything too tiring or complicated yet.
The handstand+flexibility class was hard, but it was exactly what I was looking for. Anna is a great teacher and really encouraging and supportive. I had trouble with the handstands, but she was very patient and gave good tips. The flexibility part was hard and I’m definitely sore a day later, but it was perfect for me since I’ve been wanting to improve my flexibility for other classes that I’m taking.
I’m unsure if I’ll be back here for the pole classes since I’m currently focusing on other exercises/​skills, but I will definitely be back for the handstand+flexibility class! An hour goes by fast and I’m eager to practice some more

This place has the worst customer service ever. My friend and I were planning to attend. She was going to use Class Pass but in case she couldn’t get in, she called them and they said it would be ok if I signed up and cancelled later and I could get a refund. As expected, she wasn’t able to get in so I cancelled. They would not let me get a refund though, despite what they had told my friend.
Weeks later, I realized I had this credit that I should use as they had already charged me the $ 35 and wouldn’t refund me. I go to try to reserve a new class and it won’t use my credit. When I email, they say it expired.
Seriously, they are thieves that will just steal your money. I cannot believe how horrible their customer service and rules are. 1 star for you and I’m going to open a credit card dispute because customers should get what they pay for. It’s expensive enough as it is to live in this city without me making donations to your rip off of a studio.

So my friend and I bought a class to do together because WHY NOT I MEAN IT’S POLE DANCING.
Anyway, it’s the bay area so we got busy and had to reschedule and then reschedule again. When we were finally able to find a time that worked for both of us a month later the studio said our FULL PRICED classes had expired. We asked if they could extend them. They said no, that we would have to buy new classes.
WTF?!?

I’m not sure where I would be if I hadn’t found Studio Botan 2 years ago. Pole dancing has literally changed my life. Forget everything you thought you knew about pole dancing and come try a class!
I grew up as a ballerina, and those of you who can relate know how clique-​y and standoffish the dance community can be to newcomers. Not at Studio Botan. I have never felt so welcomed and supported by a group of dancers, and because the classes stay small (I think 8 ppl is the largest group I have ever seen) the atmosphere is very friendly and welcoming.
The instructors here are very professional and most of them compete nationally in Pole Dance competitions. While classes are already divided into levels based on difficulty, the teachers are really good at both breaking down more complicated tricks for new polers, as well as progressing a trick’s difficulty for veterans.
I can’t imagine a better studio!

Great studio with high ceilings that gives it a very SoMa vibe! The only other pole studio I have been to is Entangle and Sway, which has a slightly different atmosphere. Entangle and Sway emphasized getting in touch with your inner diva and setting the mood. My first class at Studio Botan was definitely «sexy» too, but more than that… it was a damn good work out! My arms and shoulders are still sore today as I am writing this review — in places that I didn’t know I had muscles! I consider myself an athletic person, having played lacrosse growing up and being an avid runner, but Studio Botan’s Pole 101 class worked me out!
Natasha, the instructor, was able to work easily between the two different levels of students in one session without neglecting either group. Her voice is very sweet and encouraging but stern enough /​persuasive enough to get you to do the moves! If I had a girl crush, it would probably be on her.
If I can get into another class easily, I would do it! Last time I waited until the class was available and signed up right away because it filled up quickly!

Studio Botan is a wonderful place to train if you’re ready to be challenged and grow stronger than you’ve ever been in your life.
In general, the pole world is divided into three factions: sensual, artsy, and fitness. Botan is all about the fitness and trick-​based side of pole. In your first class, you will be taught how to climb the pole for instance. This isn’t normal, most pole studios don’t teach climbing until a couple of lessons in. However, it is the very first step in learning how to do impressive tricks up the pole.
Classes are hard because you have to be strong to do tricks. If you’re coming from a crossfit, rockclimbing, or weight lifting background, you will advance faster at Botan. If not, it’ll be hard for you BUT it’ll be rewarding when you finally land the move that you’ve been working toward.
The 14 ft poles are competition height and the highest I’ve seen in SF. The new studio is absolutely beautiful although it seems to trap heat and get hot when it’s too hot outside. Otherwise, it’s great!
The instructors will push you to do your best. They will challenge you. You will get pole bruises, aches in weird ass places, skin peeling off, and the like. But if you get through it, you’ll become better at pole.
One caveat to Botan is that since it is more fitness based, the choreo can be a bit stiff and forced. Another caveat is that classes are pricey! Pricier than other places in the city. However, if you come here focusing on building your upper body and core strength and landing moves on tall poles, it’ll be perfect and worth the $$.

Much prefer this location vs. the former Finance District locale!
The new studio has high ceiling, far more spacious and is surrounded by other creative businesses like dance companies and theatre studios.
Very convenient location — and very close to some of my fave drinking establishments. Look forward to continuing my classes here!