When searching for images to accompany this article, the results for “Pole Dancer” overwhelmingly featured women in glamorous bikinis and high heels. This perfectly illustrates a common misconception I encounter when I tell people about my passion:
“Anangsha, do you dance in stilettos?”
Let me show you what pole dancing is really about.
Pole dancing is fundamentally about fitness, demanding core strength, flexibility, and unwavering determination. Sensuality is a minor facet, not the defining characteristic.
My pole fitness adventure began in August 2022 with a spontaneous class booking, drawn in by the captivating Instagram videos of the instructor. Pound Kakar, the founder of my city, Hyderabad’s sole pole studio, became my guide.
Initially, the studio was just a new destination for my recently acquired driving skills. Becoming a regular was far from my mind. Doubt clouded my initial foray:
- At 30, am I too old and unfit to even climb?
- Lacking flexibility, is my body even suitable for pole dancing?
- With its strip club connotations, what will people think of my new hobby?
Five consistent months later, I’m eager to share my pole fitness journey. This article details my challenges, triumphs, and the remarkable ways pole dancing has positively reshaped my life.
Month 1: Finding My Grip
Like any new fitness endeavor, the first month was the most demanding in my pole dancer initiation.
My first class remains vivid: a basic climb felt like an eternity of grappling with a metal pole. Bruises bloomed across my thighs, my arms screamed from supporting my weight, and my back felt like it had encountered a truck.
Yet, amidst the discomfort, I felt liberated. Discovering my body’s capacity to contort into incredible shapes and cling to the pole ignited a unique thrill. A surge of confidence washed over me – if I could conquer this, anything felt attainable.
Intending to try just one class, I immediately booked seven more, committing to a full month of pole fitness.
The subsequent classes brought rapid progress. My body seemed to remember the movements, and in the second session, the climb came easily. Encouragement from the instructor and fellow students fueled my motivation. By the fifth class, I achieved an invert. The seventh class saw me linking moves and spinning fluidly around the pole. I was hooked, eager to delve deeper into this newfound passion.
September to December: The Interruption
Vacations and an intense work period at the year’s end forced a four-month hiatus from my pole journey. During this break, Instagram pole dancing videos became a source of longing, visualizing my return to the studio.
I revisited videos of my initial moves and explored YouTube tutorials, deepening my understanding of pole dancing techniques. I focused on core strengthening exercises at home, anticipating their value upon my return.
However, staying away from the pole was mentally challenging. Excuses crept in, prolonging my intended break:
- Was pole dancing just a fleeting hobby? Is it truly for me long-term?
- Should I prioritize a gym membership for general strength training instead?
- Can I realistically fit two weekly classes and travel time into my schedule?
Yet, my strongest trait is overcoming self-doubt. The new year brought a renewed commitment to the joy pole dancing provided.
Months 2–4: Consistency Pays Off
January 2023 marked my resolution: consistent monthly pole studio visits, tracking my progress throughout the year. The potential for significant physical and mental improvement spurred me on, and I booked another eight-class package for the month.
Returning after the break was nerve-wracking. I feared losing all the strength gained in August, anticipating a return to square one. Sharing these concerns with my instructor, she reassured me:
“Your body remembers. Focus on conditioning and warm-up, and trust your muscle memory.”
Following her advice, after a 30-minute warm-up, my body surprised me. Moves returned effortlessly. Climbing was confident, and inverts were performed without slipping. The familiar bruises reappeared, but so did my confidence.
The following month focused on regaining strength, enhancing flexibility, forming friendships with fellow pole dancers, and building overall resilience. The questions that haunted me before my return were now answered:
- Pole dancing is more than a hobby; it’s a source of joy and confidence that I deserve to pursue.
- Gym and pole can coexist. Gym sessions can complement pole by building strength, enhancing my pole performance.
- My schedule can accommodate both, prioritizing mental well-being and self-confidence.
Consistency became my mantra, incorporating three gym days and two pole dancing sessions weekly. New muscles emerged, productivity increased, moods lifted, and a healthy glow became noticeable, even drawing compliments. Inverts became second nature!
Each class pushed my limits, leading to incremental improvements and an invigorating post-workout euphoria that lasted throughout the week. Pole dancing occupied my thoughts constantly. Conversations with friends invariably circled back to my latest pole achievement or my deep affection for this art form. Pole dancing had transcended hobby status; it was becoming a lifestyle.
Month 5: Setback and Resilience
Just as progress felt unstoppable, a setback occurred, potentially setting me back weeks, if not months.
One humid April morning, after an hour-long class, the instructor called for cool-down. Muscles fatigued, but adrenaline still surged, fueled by recently mastering aerial inverts. Confidence peaked.
Lost in the moment, I skipped the crash mat. Grabbing the pole, engaging my core, I executed an invert, transitioning into the “Pole Crucifix,” gripping the pole with my knees to free my hands for the final pose.
However, humidity, fatigue, and overconfidence were a dangerous mix. My knee slipped. I fell headfirst. Impact. Sitting up, a large lump formed instantly. My instructor, alarmed, rushed me to the hospital across the street. A CT scan and five days of painkillers followed.
Back home, pain was overshadowed by gratitude. Reflecting on the fall, the outcome could have been far worse. Stories of severe pole dancing injuries flashed through my mind. I was fortunate.
The incident yielded crucial lessons:
- Always use a crash mat for inversions, regardless of confidence level.
- Limit training to one hour, avoiding complex moves when tired.
- Heed instructor’s cool-down instructions.
- Mastering new moves takes time and patience. One successful attempt doesn’t equal expertise. Proceed slowly, with a spotter present.
- Engage your mind. Consciously consider limb placement and weight distribution for new moves. Be mindful of each step.
Post-accident, inversion fear lingered (and persists). Thankfully, pole dancing offers a vast repertoire of complex moves beyond inversions.
I’ve overcome the fear of climbing and embraced patience, allowing my body recovery time. Focus now centers on technique refinement and secure grips before attempting new challenging moves. This journey, though imperfect, has enriched my life immeasurably. Pole dancing is the perfect avenue for body toning, strength building, confidence boosting, and overall well-being.
Final Thoughts: Pole Dancing for Everyone?
Yes, pole dancing is an art form that cultivates strength, enhances flexibility and coordination, aids weight management, and builds self-assurance. Anyone seeking a novel fitness approach can experience its remarkable benefits.
Five months into my consistent pole studio attendance, I can confidently answer my initial doubts:
- Fitness or flexibility are not prerequisites for starting pole dancing. Determination is key; strength and flexibility develop naturally along the way.
- Age is irrelevant. Women in their 60s with grandchildren excel at pole. 30 is young.
- External opinions are secondary. True supporters will encourage you. If not, that’s acceptable too. Sometimes, pursuing personal passions for self-care and well-being is essential. It’s not selfish; it’s self-preservation.
I hope my pole dancing narrative encourages you to explore this captivating art form. If a pole studio exists in your city, consider a demo class to satisfy your curiosity. For any questions about pole dancing or my journey, please comment below.
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