Pole Dancing Classes

Pole dancing, obviously, comes with a stigma of flashing lights, little to no clothing, lap dancing and dollar bills. This mood is changing. In your local gym, you can now pass the door to Pilates, the jazzercise room and the yoga mats before you enter your pole dancing class.

Instead of wall-to-wall mirrors, repetitive music and bubbly instructors, you may be surprised when you go to your first lesson. Rarely will a pole dancing class have mirrors. It isn’t about step by step routines and following everyone else; it’s learning separate moves and tricks, then applying them in routines or free form per your comfort and skill level.

The music will probably vary week to week and class to class, as will the dress code and atmosphere. Pole dancing lessons are probably as far from a routine as you can get, which seems to be its draw. Women are taking classes to try something they’ve never tried before. They may start just to say they tried, they will stay because it’s unlike anything they’ve ever done before.

Depending on your venue, there may be one pole or many. Usually, with one or two poles, the participants cheer each other on as each member tries a new “trick.” Some classes are even held in clubs and bars during “off” hours, creating an even more relaxed, slumber-party type atmosphere. A class with many poles may allow you to be in your own world and use your pole dancing to unwind from your day.

Unwind, maybe. Relax, probably not. Part of pole dancing is learning to let go of your inhibitions. How else could you swing your body into the pole and let only momentum carry you around? The more you let go, the more your body might take a little friendly beating. Women proudly show their friction burns and odd bruises as marks of how advanced they are becoming.

Don’t let that stop you, though. Your first lesson will probably consist of twirling around the pole and getting used to your class and the basic moves you’ll need to get started. Before you know it, you’ll be using muscles you didn’t know you had. Hang in there, pole dancing will strengthen your upper body, legs, and tone everything in between.

Expect to be surprised. Expect to try new things. Expect to fall, and expect it will be expected. Most of all, expect results to show up, well, unexpectedly.

Written by Brannan Sirratt