| 06 October 2009
Pole Dancing is an extension of the age-old art of exotic dance. Its history can be traced back to the times of ancient Sumeria, where the myth surrounds Innana, the goddess of love, who descended into Hades to find her lover, Damouz. At each of the seven gates of Hades, Innana danced and removed a veil and a jewel. Her dance is known as the Dance of the Seven Veils of Salome, connected to King Herod in the Old Testament.
With the changes in cultural perceptions and expressions of sexuality over time, pole dancing has become a combination of feminine, sensual movements with acrobatic feats of strength, combined with dance movements. Pole dancing has evolved from something performed in a strip-related environment to an art form, and a fun and energetic way to get fit... some even consider it to be a sport, with competitions held both nationally and internationally.
This art has definite health benefits, and pole dancing is becoming increasingly recognised as a way to achieve fitness, which has brought about a huge interest in pole dancing, without nudity, as a “regular” activity for the everyday person. It is a beautifully natural and expressive— and a great work out for the body, mind and spirit. It greatly increases physical strength and confidence, and it really is alot of fun.
Interview with Tesse from Pole Catz
I asked Tesse about pole dancing classes for the ‘everyday’ woman?
“Often women are a little nervous when they arrive because they don’t know what to expect. Some expect us to be in stiletto heels, with G-strings walking around, prancing on a pole around a pole but it’s very different than that.
Our classes break down preconceptions of pole dancing because we are just a bunch of girls having fun, getting fit and learning some moves that encourage us to be feminine and strong. The dress code is normal three quarter pants or shorts, t-shirt, singlet and bare feet, rarely do we use heels because I don’t recommend it for beginners. It’s all about being comfortable. The feedback is incredibly positive, they all say they get the best workout from the classes because they go home with sore muscles and a sexy feel, and they love the giggles that flood through each session. We have some funny names for some moves, such as Money Shot and Hot for Fire... and the moves definitely increase the confidence for the women, in their own body and increases their comfort zone when sharing the dance moves with their men. It’s all about learning how to isolate your body, to slow down and feel rather than being insecure and disconnected from your inner rhythm. Pole dancing definitely empowers you as a woman, to be attractive and helps women relax... it’s a gentle and easy way to learn how to move in beautiful ways. The environment is safe, so there’s no need to feel insecure.”
Tesse says, “It’s a workout like no other. I love it, I do classes six days a week, up at my Gold Coast Studio and at my studio in Byron, and now at Spirit Gym as well. It’s definitely the best job I’ve ever had, I’ve never been fitter and each class is so much fun. After just a few months you can really see the changes because pole dancing is a complete workout. You tend to develop long lean muscles, increase core stability and co-ordination which helps you stay in balance... it combines dance, gymnastics, circus skills and stretches, so everything gets a work out!”
