Taking on the Pole
In a waiting room, ten minutes to spare, all I had for entertainment was a stack of old magazines. Always fun for a quick flip through, you never know what you’ll learn. With a familiar selection to choose from, I decided to dive into a fitness magazine…and check out the latest trend in the workout world. There it was, glimmering at me from the middle of the glossy, an article on pole dancing.
That’s right pole dancing. Apparently, it’s quite the buzz all over the continent. Hollywood is doing it, Vancouver is doing it, heck, even Oprah, is doing it. Don’t we live in a country where “strip” dancing is kept behind closed doors? Since when did it become mainstream? Apparently, according to Aradia Fitness, who has brought pole dancing to Kelowna, it is evolving as non-traditional exercise. A way for women to explore their sexy side.
So, I guess this is one of those trends that once I found out about it, I realized I was one of the few people still in the dark. I asked some other women, if they had heard of it before, and, to my surprise, it was quite common. Raegan Hall of Blonde confessed she is half way through her “level one”. Level one pole. Never imagined I would hear those words in a sentence, but there it was, right in front of me, and before I knew it, I was recruited. I agreed to try out an intro class, just to taste the experience.
It was refreshing to see the range of women who came to introduce themselves to the pole. All ages. All shapes. All different reasons for coming. The class demonstrated moves and techniques; the idea was to get comfortable with your body, build your core, and take on the pole. I had seen some professionals pole dance before, and I respect the strength it takes to dangle, slide, swing and maneuver around the metal post. I just never really pictured, me doing it.
After class, I asked some of the ladies, what it was about this phenomenon that was so interesting to them. One woman, said, she wanted to know what it felt like to move in that “sexy” way, in a safe space. Another woman said, she was tired of the same old fitness routine, and thought it would be fun to learn something different. Raegan said, if anything, it made her feel empowered as a woman.
For me personally, I am a little mixed on the whole pole-dancing thing. Originally, I went to see what the vibe was all about. But underneath, I also hoped it would teach me how to release inhibitions and exude a wicked confidence. Unleash my “sexy goddess” from within. Or something like that. But, in all honesty, I realized I don’t need a pole to feel sexy. And although I fully respect women who choose this way to express themselves, “sexiness” is totally subjective. It’s not about “walking like a stripper”, or “running hands through your hair” (although, I agree both of those things can be sexy), it’s about being comfortable with yourself in everything you do. In the everyday things, like the way you smile, or the way you laugh, or how you care for and love your friends and family. It’s how you feel about you. Express that, in powerful confidence…and that, my friend, is sexy.
That was my take on it, but for those of you who are intrigued by the pole, check out Acadia Fitness in Kelowna, www.acadiafitness.com.
© Desiree Daniel July 29, 2005
That’s right pole dancing. Apparently, it’s quite the buzz all over the continent. Hollywood is doing it, Vancouver is doing it, heck, even Oprah, is doing it. Don’t we live in a country where “strip” dancing is kept behind closed doors? Since when did it become mainstream? Apparently, according to Aradia Fitness, who has brought pole dancing to Kelowna, it is evolving as non-traditional exercise. A way for women to explore their sexy side.
So, I guess this is one of those trends that once I found out about it, I realized I was one of the few people still in the dark. I asked some other women, if they had heard of it before, and, to my surprise, it was quite common. Raegan Hall of Blonde confessed she is half way through her “level one”. Level one pole. Never imagined I would hear those words in a sentence, but there it was, right in front of me, and before I knew it, I was recruited. I agreed to try out an intro class, just to taste the experience.
It was refreshing to see the range of women who came to introduce themselves to the pole. All ages. All shapes. All different reasons for coming. The class demonstrated moves and techniques; the idea was to get comfortable with your body, build your core, and take on the pole. I had seen some professionals pole dance before, and I respect the strength it takes to dangle, slide, swing and maneuver around the metal post. I just never really pictured, me doing it.
After class, I asked some of the ladies, what it was about this phenomenon that was so interesting to them. One woman, said, she wanted to know what it felt like to move in that “sexy” way, in a safe space. Another woman said, she was tired of the same old fitness routine, and thought it would be fun to learn something different. Raegan said, if anything, it made her feel empowered as a woman.
For me personally, I am a little mixed on the whole pole-dancing thing. Originally, I went to see what the vibe was all about. But underneath, I also hoped it would teach me how to release inhibitions and exude a wicked confidence. Unleash my “sexy goddess” from within. Or something like that. But, in all honesty, I realized I don’t need a pole to feel sexy. And although I fully respect women who choose this way to express themselves, “sexiness” is totally subjective. It’s not about “walking like a stripper”, or “running hands through your hair” (although, I agree both of those things can be sexy), it’s about being comfortable with yourself in everything you do. In the everyday things, like the way you smile, or the way you laugh, or how you care for and love your friends and family. It’s how you feel about you. Express that, in powerful confidence…and that, my friend, is sexy.
That was my take on it, but for those of you who are intrigued by the pole, check out Acadia Fitness in Kelowna, www.acadiafitness.com.
© Desiree Daniel July 29, 2005
posted by Desiree Daniel @ 8:45 AM
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