Challenges.

Every pole student has had the experience of coming to a class with a teacher whose style of teaching seems incompatible with their learning style. You end up frustrated, annoyed with your own inability to adapt and their insistence that you change your dancing to match their own. It's happened to me countless times. Sometimes it's easy enough to fix- attend a different class, find another teacher or hide in the back and let the instructor focus on other students. But in the past two years, two of my favorite instructors have left the studio or stopped dancing altogether. Other teachers have classes that don't match my schedule. Sometimes you're stuck.

Fortunately, this situation can be a really good time to learn your own weaknesses and get to know your instructor. In the end, you're paying for the class and their job is to adapt their teaching to every student. A good instructor will welcome feedback and even take a little pushback. Don't be afraid to speak up. Ask questions. Ask them to break the move down into steps, do it slower or try a new move altogether. Ask them to help you work on a move you already know well. Tell them if they are making you uncomfortable, physically or mentally. Especially if you're in pain! If the problem is simply that the instructor wants you to move in a style that isn't your own, or perform a move that you don't feel is appropriate to your level, let them know! Don't be disrespectful, but definitely don't be intimidated. Every good teacher wants their student to succeed. Every move can be adapted, and the instructor should be able to give you options. Even super beginners can do it. If the firefly/fireman spin/whatever isn't working for you but it's all you know, ask them if there is another similar move or a modification you can try.
Beyond communicating with the instructor, don't forget that learning to dance in a different style can improve your own style. Try doing it their way once- remember that you don't have to do it exactly like that next time. Learn it their way, take it home and make it your own.
I always struggle when learning from teachers whose style is very sexy and exotic. For me, pole is powerful and graceful. Yes, it's sexy, but the sensuality comes from the control and fluidity, not from heel drags, hair tosses or butt jiggling. Just not my style! However, more than once I've pushed myself to try the sexier style and for sure, I felt awkward and a bit frustrated in the moment, but in the end I came away with a move or two I could add to my own style. Even if it's as simple as the way the instructor tucks their head or where they place their leg or a pretty transition. I'm always looking for details that I can use.
Last thing. I get questions from a lot of my beginner friends who feel held back. I only know three moves, they say. The instructors say I'm not ready to move on but I'm frustrated! I want to do something else, not the same moves over and over. I totally understand the sentiment, especially when you feel that you're capable of doing more. But remember, you're learning to fly. It means not just learning the basics but mastering them. I love going to beginner classes because I can perfect the simple stuff. I can make those moves so impressive, so fluid, so gorgeous that when I put together a routine that includes less familiar moves, the audience might be so wowed by the basic moves that they will forgive my shakiness in the more difficult tricks. I'm building in breathing room. I'm forming combinations of simple moves that will become pretty transitions later. The dance is in the details.
The point is, don't let yourself get frustrated. Speak up, and challenge yourself!