Not Just a Trend: The Nuances, Complexities, and Allure of Pole Dancing
What you need to know about this engrossing sport and my reflections on my personal experience. Stick around to the end for a fun bonus. ;)
From Hitting Bags to Buying Heels
In 2019, my friend asked me to join her for an “Intro to Pole” class she found on Groupon, something I didn’t even know existed in the suburbs of Chicago. Thanks to her courage and curiosity, I tried something uncomfortable that I never saw myself doing. And let me tell ya, damn did it feel good.
At the time however, I was living in the city for University. Taking more pole classes at that studio was never in the picture. Besides, I was in love with boxing.
The boxing club at my University was new and small, but strong. The inevitable outcome of cheering others on at practice is friendship and empathy. The short-term effect is motivation and mental strength. I mean, who wouldn’t want to feel supported when physically and mentally exerting themselves? During sophomore year, I was looking forward to sparring more, and dreamed about training hard for an amateur fight like another girl in the club had. Unfortunately, the pandemic cut all the progress I had made in my new form of release.
When I moved back in with my parents in the notorious March of 2020, it was a lot harder to train intensely by myself at home than at the gym with a team suffering alongside me. Shadowboxing in front of a mirror is only fun the first few rounds and when you know you’re going to be hitting mitts and bags later. I had to find another endeavor that beat the boredom of my at-home workouts.
Shadowboxing, yoga, basketball (by myself *tear*), and outdoor workouts with friends sufficed for a while. When businesses started opening back up in the summertime, so had I.
— Cue lightbulb moment —
WAIT A MINUTE. I thought. This is a super convenient opportunity to take classes at that pole dance studio 9 minutes away from your house!
Taking weekly pole dance classes at Flight Fitness Studio became my new form of amusement and exercise, and it sparked a fire in me. In the eight-week sessions based on level, there were designated weeks for choreographies, tricks, creative games, static and spin pole, heels, strength and conditioning, and more! I even dared to buy a pair of platform heels… a mere 5-inch black sandal. I fell in love, again.
(And yes, I definitely did hide this from my dad. I told him I was going to ‘dance’ classes but always avoided talking about the type. I was 19, still in college, and living with him and my stepmom. Telling the half-truth felt horrible, but it was honestly probably the best decision at the time. Disclaimer: he knows about my pole practicing now.)
Pole 101
This section is going to be me sharing some basic pole education. These are all general concepts and explanations that people should know as the sport becomes more popular. ‘More popular’ isn’t always a good thing, because the liberation of someone’s sensuality still doesn’t match up with the social environment’s acceptance of it. On the other hand, more exposure allows pole dancing to become more familiar and ‘normalized’ in society, as in less hidden and restricted. In many places and minds, pole dancing is stigmatized, and this could be dangerous for pole dancers in the workspace or at home. This section serves to spread light, information, and respect toward this incredible sport!
The most important note I have to add here is that pole dance is a sport with roots in stripping and sex work, which must be acknowledged and recognized! Some pole studios and dancers try to hide or separate themselves from the history and industry of stripping, while strippers and sex workers continue facing stigmas. The PR of some pole studios capitalizes on the ‘fitness’ aspect of the sport, intentionally differentiating themselves from, and not paying respect to, the pioneers of the moves they’re doing in their studio — who were strippers! Pole studios have the perfect opportunity to destigmatize sex work while supporting people’s bodily autonomy. Disregarding the pioneers of the industry and all the stigma the OG’s had to go through is exploitative and damaging.
*** funny thing happened here in this lil gap*** I tried embedding multiple posts from the Instagram account @poleflowberlin , but I’m told the URL doesn’t exist. I also noticed that I can’t search the account on Instagram, although it exists. I have to literally go through who I follow until I can find it. This is because, unfortunately, this account like many other pole studio or pole dancer instagram accounts are shadowbanned, meaning the app takes measures to prevent their account and photos from proper visibility, reach, and engagement. There is no nudity or pornography in any of their posts. This is yet another way social media censorship works against people’s freedom of expression, perpetuating stigma against the women, men, and gender non-conforming folks that strip or practice pole dance. Instagram is not only a place for sharing photos, but for marketing a business, and the shadowbans have made it nearly impossible for pole studios and pole dancers to have an equal opportunity at gaining more followers and business due to this restriction. Anyways, this insta account has great carousels answering common questions. Check it out.
The two most common categories of pole dance are pole sport and heels-based pole dancing, often called ‘exotic’ pole (with a complicated and controversial history regarding the word ‘exotic’). ‘Exotic pole’ refers to pole dancing in 5 to 10 inch platform heels. Why the hell do we submit ourselves to potentially twisted ankles and foot soreness? Well, this platform helps with elongating the legs and creating shapes on the pole. On top of that, platform heels add to the physical challenges of movement. Crisp coordination and impeccable balance don’t come naturally — experienced pole dancers know how to make physically challenging movements look effortless and beautiful.
Pole sport, on the other hand, is usually practiced barefoot and involves combinations of acrobatic technique and strength-based tricks and transitions. Nevertheless, pole dance of all genres is a SPORT that requires meticulous full-body strength, mobility, and flexibility training, from your neck to your scapulas to your laterals to your hip flexors to your foot tendons. Every muscle is eventually used and needs to be properly understood and carefully trained to avoid injuries.
There’s many new styles coming out recently, from urban pole (wearing sneakers) to pointe pole (using pointe shoes). In Spain (and I’m sure in other places, too), there’s even pole sport classes for kids. There’s so much creative freedom in the industry and always room to learn new shapes and figures and transitions and styles. The evolution is endless!
Two more quick things to clear up — #1) the pole can be adjusted to spin or to stay static depending on the tricks you’re doing and affect you want, #2) the friction between skin and the pole is what keeps pole dancers in the air instead of breaking bones from falling off… skin-to-pole contact is super important and because of that pole dancers wear clothes that show off a lot of skin.
Effects of Pole Dancing
I definitely have my first studio to thank for the well-rounded beginner pole education I’d gotten, and the comfort I have today with freestyling and just dancing to dance. In fact, the most impactful part of Flight Fitness’ classes was the freestyle dance at the end of each class, allowing us to apply what we learned while exploring new movements. I learned that for me, freestyling is a therapeutic release for the body and mind. Freestyling was my key to actually unlocking the next level of confidence and empowerment. I’m grateful to have experienced this early on at Flight Fitness, because at the studios I’ve been to since then, freestyling has only happened on an individual basis at instruction-free open pole hours.
Pole dancing has changed a lot of things for me. I’ve become so much more comfortable with my body, my body’s self-expression, and most of all, my femininity. Parts of me literally feel like they have evolved. My confidence has shot through the roof and I’ve become so much more conscious of my self-worth and the internalized misogyny and rage I had been holding onto since childhood. However, what complemented these reflections were therapy and recovering from disordered eating patterns at the same time I started pole. Needless to say, this journey is very personal — the many moving parts supported each other and me to have the positive experience I did.
Social media researcher, pole instructor, and activist Dr. Carolina Are writes extensively about pole culture, and her research focuses on content moderation and censorship of bodies. I often resort to her blog — Blogger on Pole — when I want to learn more about the industry. In her critique on Netflix’s pole documentary, Strip Down, Rise Up, she talked about body image in relation to pole and the following quote resonated with me and the spaces I’ve been in:
“Pole to me is the celebration of strong, not skinny. It’s the living proof that if you can put on a show, you have won. It’s about being the best version of yourself, not confirming to an unrealistic beauty standard.”
Period!
The effects of pole dancing are unique for each individual, but there’s vast potential for mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual growth within this discipline.
Poling Abroad
Two years ago, when I first moved to Spain to the small city of Santander for an English teaching program, I was nervous I wouldn’t be able to find a pole studio, and would have to break up with, again, another sport that I loved. Coincidentally, I had found an apartment a mere 12-minute walk away from Fly and Free, the only pole studio in town.
Pole dancing has become a non-negotiable for me. Before deciding on which city I wanted to work in this year in Andalucía, I made a whole Google folder just for the pole studios that existed in all the major cities in southern Spain. And it honestly helped! Amongst other things, access to this luxury has become a criteria for any future migration.
I love the fact that pole dancing is different across the world, from Australia to South Korea to Russia to the United States and everywhere else, the styles and pole cultures are varied and unique. As I continue traveling, my goal is to continue poling and growing within the diversity of the studios I have the privilege to traverse.
Pole Competitions
A natural side effect of a pole-practicing obsession is an additional pole-competition-watching obsession. Instead of binge-watching Netflix, I often binge watch heels pole competitions on Youtube.
Back in Chicago, I got to volunteer at a Pole Sport Organization (PSO) pole competition as a stage monitor. My role was to make sure everyone was on time for their performance and being in charge of backstage traffic. This was such an inspiring experience. Not only was it my first time watching pole performances in person, but I was also able to console and support the nervous, anxiety-ridden dancers backstage before they stepped out for their show.
A similar highlight from my life recently has been going to see the Exotic Generation Spain pole competition in Marbella. Exotic Generation is one of the most renowned heels-based pole competitions in the world, and being able to attend Spain’s rendition of it was such an exciting and magical experience. I felt second-hand excitement for the performers, especially by the end of the night, when the winners would accept their gold, silver, or bronze 8-inch platform-heeled trophies. The event started in the afternoon at 5:30 PM, and didn’t officially end until about 1:30 AM! If I wasn’t eyelid-heavy tired, I would’ve been able to watch their hypnotizing performances until the break of dawn.
Exotic Generation Spain is divided into five categories — amateur, semi-pro, professional, stars, and doubles. Within the amateur, semi-pro, and professional categories, the performances were divided into four styles — old school (sexy stripper style), low flow (focus on floor work and the bottom half of the pole), exotic hard (acrobatic and fast), and theater (storytelling, usually with props and a theme). These styles are the general sub-genres of heels-based pole. The contestants in the ‘stars’ category have the freedom to vary their style or sub-genre because of their previous titles and performances that have proven them as “the brightest representatives” of the exotic pole industry.
If you’re curious, I highly recommend taking a peek at Exotic Generation Spain’s instagram (@exoticgeneration.spain), where lots of dancers have been sharing parts of their performances and talking about their experiences!
Spot Me Mentally, Spot Me Physically
Individual sports like boxing or pole dancing still require a support team that cheers the other on and is there for them at practice. Sure, there are also opportunities to train by oneself, and those days are necessary, but the supportive people behind the scenes are gifts along the process. In the ideal pole studio, there exists an accepting and compassionate community of people willing to grow and defend each other (if/when the time comes).
Competing one day is definitely a dream of mine, and the thought of becoming an instructor who inspires, motivates, and supports people on their pole journey sounds like such a rewarding experience! But damn, is there a long way to go!
And yet, the beastly bruises and painful palm calluses are sooooo worth it.
Thank you for this relationship, and the lovers that came before it. Thank you for the physical potential of getting stronger, more flexible, more coordinated, more lyrical. Thank you for this perfect body for allowing me to put myself in such unthinkable positions and create with it such a beautiful art form.
BONUS BLESSING OF BADASSERY:
My 5 Fav Pole Performances Ranked
#5 : Mischka - Exotic Generation Australia Flow Winner 2022
The ease at which Mischka flows with the music and background makes her literally look like a mesmerizing mermaid. I mean she held that handstand for how long?!?! This choreo is the definition of creative and effortless.
#4: Anastasya Pletnova - Exotic Generation Moscow Old School Winner 2019
The first time I saw this choreo by Anastasya Pletneva was when I was just starting to pole dance. I became OBSESSED with this old school choreography! It’s also to Lana Del Rey… and the amount of Lana Del Rey songs I’ve mentally choreographed to is uncountable.
#3: Aimee Guthrie - PSO Gateway Exotic Level 4 Winner 2018
Aimee Guthrie’s isolating body movements perfectly hit the robotic cues of the music. This performance makes me reflect on how pole choreographies can incorporate many different styles of dance. This blend of genres is so well done, and a great example of the wide range of creative freedom a pole dancer has!
#2: Haritini Taktikou - Greek Pole Dance Festival Exotic Semi-Pro Winner 2023
There’s a difference between dancing on top of the music and dancing with it. Haritini flows with this dark and eerie song like the staff on a sheet of music — it’s hard to imagine one without the other. This performance is an example of how the whole body interacts with the music and audience. Not only is she transitioning flawlessly between movements, but she uses the innate tools of her hair and facial expressions to seduce her audience.
#1: Suen Lee - Exotic Generation Moscow Exotic Hard 2019
Suen Lee (@suen9920) leaves my jaw dragging across the floor every time I watch this performance, and yes, I’ve watched it many times! You’ll get what I’m talking about. Her musicality never fails to shock me. Also… what does one have to do to get her clock-hand knee mobility?! Simply astonishing.
Hope you enjoyed my passion dump and learned something new about an up-and-coming sport. Perhaps you feel inspired? That’d be the greatest gift of all!
With peace, love, and compassion,
Tea