After turning thirty, like many other women, I panicked. For over ten to twelve years, I never practiced any sports -maybe the usual twenty-five squats, and the twenty-five crunches that get you to feel a little less guilty, and a little more confident about your body image. But that’s it.
I’ve been seeing the rising trend of pole dancing classes taking over for a while, and I asked my self why not? I booked and at tended my first class, and I actu ally felt weak: I wasn’t confident wearing what the other girls were wearing, and I couldn’t even walk around the pole, but I loved it. It was challenging, and I took the challenge with arms wide open.
Once a week, twice a week, three times a week, and now three months later I go every day. It’s such a beautiful addiction; the good kind that forces you to love yourself because, God, we’re all gorgeous in our own way. But we never pay enough attention to our bodies, and what we’re capable of doing.
I have gotten stronger, more fear less, probably crazier and a lot more comfortable in my body.
It doesn’t matter how bad of a day I have had, pole dancing will make it melt away. But here’s the thing: the most amazing part of pole dancing is the people. They are so full of passion and are all incredible unicorns, butterflies, mermaids, and dragons in their own way.
The pole community I know is the one that goes to the ends of the earth if they feel one of their own needs help. They are the ones who scream their lungs out cheering for you; spot you when you need to adjust in a move, and even clean the poles for you to save your energy. Family.
Many may assume there is only one type of pole dancing -whis pers “strip-teasing”- but there are other styles such as “athletic” and “artistic”. Some may even tell stories through pole dancing, just like contemporary dance, that has nothing to do with dancing provocatively. Even though, just as pole dancing can have nothing to do with sexuality it can also be extremely sexual: “so hawt”. Pole dancing allows women to become more closely connected to their bodies, which helps them express their sexuality on their own terms and in their own way. There’s nothing more empowering than that now, eh?
It’s been the best four months of my entire life. Exhausting? Yes. Painful? Oh, yes. But just like my pole instructor, Nathaly Sabalza owner of Aerial Grace, always says, “No pain, no gain”. And while you’re upside down doing the dragon move, the grip is killing you and you feel every muscle ache, you point your toes and wear your biggest smile because that’s pole dancing and that’s life.
It is never too late to embrace a hobby. You are capable of doing anything at any time, and at any age. Pole dancing is like a blank canvas on which everyone gets to decide what it is. Whatever your shape, size, age, if you want to, you can do it and if you really want to, you’ll be surprised with what you’ll be able to do.
Here’s to more pole kisses, progress and never perfection.
