So, You Are a Pole Dancer?

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Are you a stripper? Have you ever been a stripper? You have to have serious upper body strength to do that right? You really do this full time? I want to try it but I am scared!

If I had a dime for everytime I got asked one of these questions, my student loans would be paid off and then some! To answer those questions; No, No, Yes, Yes, Just go for it! When I graduated college and moved to New York City, being a professional pole dancer was the last thing on my mind. I, like many other dancers, moved to the Big Apple with aspirations of being a backup dancer for Janet Jackson, Missy Elliott or anyone for that matter. Two years into auditioning, getting cut, making it to call backs and booking a few gigs I was starting to become frustrated and not loving the title I had been given of the starving artist. My friend suggested we take a Pole fitness class for fun because it was on the schedule at my local gym, Crunch! I was hesitant to try it out because like many others thought of pole dancing as something only strippers do. Boy was I wrong!

Let’s Give it a try?

It was love at first spin! I felt invigorated, sexy, strong and confident! About three months in, I heard through the pole dance grapevine there was a competition happening. Immediately I said where do I sign up! I was ready to take the few skills I had and put them on stage! After submitting my video, I got in! Lets just say I got my behind handed to me by the talent of the amazing men and women in the competition.

Full Time Poler!

Fast Forward a few years later, a full time work study position at the world renown Body & Pole in NYC, learning from some of the world's top elite pole athletes and tons of classes later, I entered into another competition and won First Place! I began teaching and honing my craft as both a performer and instructor. I continued to train and compete in competitions and now have 4 First place titles. I quickly stopped auditioning for jobs as a commercial and put all of my energy into teaching and performing pole full time. I have loved the stage since I was a child and being able to share a piece of me with the audience is something that is indescribable. I have gotten to travel the world as a guest instructor teaching pole. My parents favorite line in the beginning was “I can’t believe we paid $60k for your college education and you became a pole dancer!” Once they saw a few of my performances they quickly came to appreciate the sport.

The Evolution of Pole

Pole Dancing has evolved over the last decade. It has made its way into mainstream tv as well as behind major artists for tours and shows. I was blessed enough to pole on Saturday Night Live performing with the artist Lizzo! I remember She said one day during a rehearsal with us “I don’t want you ladies to feed into the stereotype of pole dancing for this performance. I want the world to see that pole has many sides and for you to show the athleticism of it” It stuck with me because I felt like other people besides those in the pole community saw the many sides of pole. The love and respect I have for strippers and exotic dancers is unmeasurable. There is no denying that the “club” is where this artform got most of its props. I have learned several skills and tricks from strippers who opened their own studios and started teaching classes. I know there is room for everyone to shine in the pole community. From the Stripper to the stay at home mom to the young artist from Ohio who wanted to give it a try, we all have a seat at the table!

You Can Do it!

I say this with a huge amount of confidence, Pole dancing is for EVERYONE! I have seen children, men, plus size and people with disabilities totally kill it on the pole. My youngest student was 5 and my oldest was 74! The hardest part is getting in the classroom. Once you are there, you appreciate the amount of strength it takes to execute the moves with grace. When people say to me “I don’t have any upper body strength” I always say to them, “You don’t go to the gym already strong, or the hair salon with your hair already done, so why would you walk into a pole studio already with upper body strength?” Like anything it takes time and patience. I promise, if you are consistent, both your mental and physical will transform. You will start to gain a confidence you didn't know was buried in you as well as build those muscles!

Suggestions

I encourage you to find a pole studio near you. Come with an open mind, workout clothes and no lotion so you don’t slip. You might love it and you absolutely might hate it and think its the worst thing ever but at least you gave it a go!

Thanks for reading Fam!