Angela S Reininga

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ANGELA S REININGA - STUDIO INFORMATION
Styles: Fitness-Influenced Dance (e.g., Zumba, Barre)	Also Offers: Group Classes Classes for Older Adults

About ANGELA S REININGA

When I hear music it makes me want to DANCE. It's my passion". I have danced since I was 3 years old and I plan on dancing until I am so old that I can't get out of my wheelchair. I have trained in ballet, tap, jazz, clogging, gymnastics, hip hop, Hawaiian, flamenco, belly dancing, Tahitian, striptease, pole dancing, salsa, and merengue dancing. Additionally, I have been studying Aerial Silks, Aerial, Trapeze, Aerial Lyra, and Aerial Hammocks. I attended Purdue University and graduated in December 1996 with a bachelor's degree in accounting. Shortly after, I moved to Chicago and began my corporate career in August 1997. I continued to take dance classes in my spare time, but always longed to become a dance instructor.

I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease on July 3rd, 2004. This is an auto-immune disease that attacks the body through the digestive system and joints. This has been a struggle for me and my family for most of my life. My mother, sister, and cousin suffer from the disease as well. Pole dancing has helped me build strength to help overcome the disease and bounce back quickly from the fare ups. I have been pretty sick and in the hospital several times. I have been at my ultimate peak in strength and stamina from pole dancing and then gone back to square one like I have never touched the pole. It's been very frustrating, and I keep having to tell myself that I have a condition that most people do not have, and I will have my good days and bad days on the pole. It's been a continuing struggle for 10 years and my students have been so supportive and understanding. Especially on my really bad days. Unfortunately, I have had a rough year with my disease. I was very sick since the beginning of January 2014. I lost 20 lbs from not being able to eat due to a blockage in my stomach and intestine which sent me to the hospital and I had to be on IV nutrition. I was so weak that I could not even do a simple spin or hold my own weight on the pole. In March, I had surgery to repair my stomach and have part of my colon removed. I was determined to gain my strength back over the summer to prepare for my second surgery in August to reconnect my colon. I was off from teaching until November due to some complications after surgery. I am now back to teaching and feeling pretty good. It will take some time to be at the same level I used to be, but I am very happy to be teaching pole and aerial fit again. I hope to be in remission from Crohn's Disease one day.