Farah Ihab is a Pole and Flexibility Instructor at Project Pole Egypt, a Clinical Pharmacist, and a Social Media Specialist. Farah Ihab first tried pole dancing 7 years ago upon the persuasion of her friend. Ever since then, Farah has been absolutely in love with it as a form of self-expression and a sport. She uses pole dancing as a tool to encourage other women to challenge themselves to discover their true body capabilities.
We sat down with Farah Ihab to talk about her Pole dancing journey and how it helped her mentally and physically!
What got you into a pole?
One of my close friends started pole dancing and tried to persuade me to try a class with her. I kept telling her for a YEAR that it would be impossible for me to pole dance as I was very weak and had never done any sports before. But the more videos she showed me of her progress the more I was intrigued and fascinated with it.
So eventually I gave in and went to a pole class. I was immediately hooked. 6 years later, I’m now a full-time Pole & Flexibility instructor and a full-time Pole fanatic.
Are there any misconceptions about pole dancing that you’d like to share?
There are a lot of stigmas surrounding pole dancing, and most people confuse it with stripping. I guess the stigma is not as pronounced as it is in western cultures as Pole Dance only exists in Egypt/Middle East as a sport in Ladies only studios.
Another misconception is that pole dance is “easy” hence it’s not a “real” sport. This is actually a common misconception among people who never tried pole dance before. Well, I’m here to tell you that it is not easy and it is very much real.
Lifting your body weight on a spinning metal while creating flexible shapes with graceful lines and artistic expression and making all of that look easy is not “easy”.
How does pole help you express yourself?
Pole is my catharsis. It helps me translate my emotions into my dancing, release any tension or stress I’m feeling, embrace my femininity, and reconnect with my creative side.
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In what ways did the field change in the last 5 years?
It grew and expanded immensely. Starting from 2 or 3 Pole studios in Cairo only; now there’re over 25 pole studios in Cairo, Alexandria, Hurghada & Gouna.
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5 years ago there were very few National pole instructors and studios mainly relied on international instructors. Now we have so many amazing, strong and experienced Egyptian Pole Instructors.
How did pole dancing shape you?
It made me more accepting of others. You are at the studio with so many different women from different backgrounds and different age groups. So, you find yourself getting along with all of them perfectly. You’re all cheering for each other and motivating each other and all of your differences kind of disappear, or they just do not matter anymore.
Pole has also made me more resilient. I fail so many times when I try new tricks on the pole. However, I always find myself coming back, working on myself, and trying to overcome whatever it is that’s stopping me from achieving this new trick.
I found myself adopting the “failure is part of the process” mindset when trying to overcome any obstacle I face in life.
What are the challenges you’ve faced during your journey with pole dancing, and how did you overcome them?
One of the first challenges I faced was my absolute lack of strength and flexibility. I started pole as a couch potato. I was not an active person, never did any sports, and preferred to lie in bed all day and read. However, my love for pole dance drove me to work on myself. I started training a lot and I took all kinds of classes for 3 to 4 months.
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When university started again I was facing another challenge. I had to find time to train while maintaining my status at University as a certified bookworm. So, I bought my own pole at home and started training during study breaks, before heading out to uni, or even when I couldn’t sleep at night. It was not the best training schedule but nevertheless, I made it work.
How did pole affect your own relationship with your body?
Pole Dancing has helped me overcome my body dysmorphia and become the healthiest version of myself.
I am not hyper-focused on how my body “looks” anymore. I am more focused on what my body is capable of.
My goals went from wanting to be skinny with hard rock abs to wanting to be strong, well-nourished, and healthy both physically and mentally.
What advice would you like to share with people who suffer from body image issues and hence are afraid to try pole?
In a pole class, you’re going to be surrounded by all sorts of bodies in shorts & tiny clothing (skin helps us stick to the pole). They are REAL bodies of strong women who are spinning and climbing on poles like it’s an easy task. You’re not going to be surrounded by posed, arched and photoshopped bodies.
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The people we are so used to seeing online that we forgot what real bodies look like. Real bodies fold, wiggle, and have stretch marks & bumps. All the flaws that make us human. Your body is so much more than how it looks. It is capable & full of surprises. Your pole studio is going to be your safe haven, a judgment-free zone and you’re going to be surrounded by the most supportive community of women.
Do you think pole dancing helps people feel more in touch with their femininity? If so, in what ways?
It definitely does. It helps you understand your body more and discover its capabilities and boosts your confidence.
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Yes pole can be a sport, but it also can be sensual and feminine. That’s the beauty of Pole Dancing, it’s extremely versatile.
What are your goals for the future?
I have so many goals that I’m actively working towards. One of them is to compete internationally one day. Another one, and most importantly, is to inspire more women to fall in love with their bodies (& pole of course!).