I started pole dancing in 2010 while working at a club in CT and it quickly became my passion. A few years later I took up yoga in an attempt to become more flexible, and found that the results were not just physical but transformed nearly every aspect of my life. Since then I’ve continued to perform & practice pole as well as various yoga styles including Forrest, Vinyasa, Ashtanga & Yin. I have a bachelors degree in Kinesiology specializing in Exercise Science from URI, and am a 200hr RYT & certified Forrest Yoga instructor.

I opened RI Pole Space in 2017 with the intention of sharing my passion with others and creating a space that facilitates embodied, self-expressive and healing movement. My goal is to teach pole in a way that is safe and sustainable over time, and my class progressions are designed to help students learn to perform difficult pole tricks while also avoiding injury.

Nel holds over of pole dance and performance experience. She has a continued passion for learning and honing her craft, traveling often to attend various pole workshops and conventions around the country! She is an Xpert certified Pole Fitness 1&2 instructor and has also completed instructor workshops with pole legends including Marlo Fiskin.

Nel’s goal is to bring the joy of pole dance to others while offering a learning environment that is welcoming to all levels and body types. Nel currently teaches all levels of pole at the studio, as well as our stripper-style Filthy Flow class.

Knuckles is an avid lover of all physical and performing arts. She has honed her craft over 14 years of dance and theater training, a strong yoga discipline, 11 years within the Boston Burlesque and drag scene (including her current role in Somerville Theatre’s Slutcracker) and 7 years of pole/exotic dance.

The combination of Burlesque and Pole has helped Knuckles to find her own strength, power, and sensuality. As a teacher, Knuckles fosters a safe, fun, and encouraging environment to explore this empowering art form.