I want to start off by stating that anythingI say here is my personal view or opinion on a topic. I am not an expert on anything, except myself of course =) That being said...I want to discuss my love for this activity/sport/exercise.
Quick overview of my thoughts: Not sure I even want to refer to it as a sport because in my eyes it's more of an art form, but that's a different post all together. Two years ago I would probably have shrugged off the idea of pole dancing and maybe related it to a strip club. In all honesty I have never been a fan of strip clubs , and that's just my personal choice, nothing against men or women who work in one. Everyone has to make a living, I choose to make mine doing something I hate and die of boredom over (finance...blah blah blah). But I am not even sure if I associated pole and strip clubs with one another. Regardless, it's not something I would have thought I'd be so gung ho about (no pun intended). I mean I've always loved watching dancers perform especially ballerinas and gymnasts. You're probably saying gymnastics is not dance - but you get what I mean. I always wished I'd stuck with either or as a kid but if I knew then what I know now I'd be golden. Wouldn't we all? So here I am years later in my 30's taking up new hobbies and loving every minute of it. I realize now that pole dancing doesn't even need to be in the same room with the word "stripper." It's really just a challenging, fun, rewarding and strength building fitness regime that beats the hell out of the elliptical machine or the monotonous run on the treadmill. And let's not forget that anyone looks hot doing it and it doubles as a real self esteem booster. I've never been the sensual type of girl in touch with her own sexuality, but I am doing things I never imagined I'd be doing. Like dancing in a room of strangers (who are now my very good friends) and not feeling judged. I am wearing booty shorts and heels!! I don't think I've worn shorts since I was 12 and even then I hated my legs. I don't love my legs now, but I almost don't really care or think about them when I am doing this. I've seen girls of all sizes on the pole, and when they are moving slow and tuning out their everyday stresses, something magical happens. They become another creature and suddenly they look amazing. Sounds lame and made up....I know. I would have smacked me 2 years ago and said get a f'en life. Not today though. Anyway, my one time intro class turned into an obsession that I am glad I stumbled upon. Keeps me out of other every day troubles!!
Everyone is Someone: One reason I decided to further my pole obsession is because I saw a Felix Cane video. If you are reading this you are either my friend and making fun of me, or a serious poler and know the name Felix very well. If you don't know who she is, I encourage you to watch her pole videos. The very first pole dancing video I ever watched is Miss Pole Dance Australia 2006 winner Felix Cane. This video was absolutely breathtaking to me. I've never witnessed such grace, beauty, control and effortless fluidity by anyone or anything in my life - and in 6 inch platform heels. I was instantly a fan, instantly hooked and my attraction to this (sport??) grew immediately. I ordered my own pole before signing up for an 8 week session with S Factor; I haven't missed a week of poling since. Another video worth watching which has become #1 on my top 50 list of awesome pole videos is another Felix video when she won MPD Australia 2008. To me, she is untouchable. A true talent in this industry and anyone who has a bad thought regarding pole dancing should watch this woman dance and then tell me you didn't enjoy every minute of it. My own mother agrees with me!
I've done my research over the past few months and while I might be a late bloomer I definitely who's who in this business. A few other great talents which I love to watch are Jenyne Butterfly (1st place winner in the USPDF Nationals 2009 and a personal fave of mine mostly because aside from being an awesome dancer, she is an amazing aerialist who again makes every move look effortless); Karol Helms (Miss USPDF East Coast 09/10) who I've had the pleasure with chatting with on SV's Friday chat; Alethea Austin (Miss Sexy); Leigh Ann Orsi; Zoraya Judd; Becca Butcher; Mina Mortezaie, and the list goes on. What's really unique about this community of women (and some men) is that they all seem to bond and be fans of one another. Each dancer has something unique to offer and many of these pro dancers actually teach classes at local studios which makes it even more appealing and easy to love! In addition to my praise for these folks, I am so happy to say that I am booked in a workshop in 2 weeks with Jenyne Butterfly and one with Karol Helms. I can not wait to meet them and learn from them. I might be totally "pole struck." The few interactions I've had with some of these women have been so pleasant and everyone seems to want to help each other and share their knowledge and tips. It's surprising how nice and down to earth everyone is. One other awesome performance which landed a spot in one of my top 5 favorites is by Barbara Dial, an instructor at S Factor NY. This is a total must see and is one of the reason's I haven't quit S Factor yet, the grace and slow fluid movements are amazing and luckily it's one of S's primary focuses, more so than pole tricks. I prefer a balance of the two which is why I like taking classes at different studios. Definitely check out her winning performance at Pole Superstar.
I have a new respect for anyone who pole dances as a profession or just for fun. If you are reading this rolling your eyes, then you suck, what can I say. I never claimed to be politically correct did I?
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