Pole dancing is a fun, sexy, challenging sport that has changed my life. It can also be awkward as fuck. I never had to hold people’s hips with my face close to their butt to ensure they didn’t fall and break their neck before. So naturally, a pole dance class can result in some interesting one-liners. Here areÂsome things you only get to hear at a pole dance class. Or maybe my friends are weird?
Embrace The Weirdness
Pole is a weird sport. You constantly touch and see bodies in a way you don’t often do with people you don’t know that well. Plus, you are doing weird things to your body – exhibit A.
Sometimes, the weird things my teachers have said have been crucial in remembering how to do certain moves. A teacher’s idea to “smell my hand” while improving my flow in a Layout helped me stop throw my arm back, making my movements less jittery. Also, nothing improves your superman – making sure your butt is on the same level as your back - as your teacher saying: “THAT’S NOT A SUPERMAN! IT’S A SLUTTY DOLPHIN!”ÂIn short, pole dance classes produce really weird quotes that actually help you learn. And that will scar you for life.
#1 What’s Your Favourite Armpit?
Most pole dancers will have a preferred side to do tricks on. Other pole dancers, like me, have a preferred side for certain moves and a different one for other moves. So my life sucks because I need to study intricate ways not to look like a piece of meat awkwardly hanging off a pole. Anyway, this is why your teacher/fellow students will ask you what your favourite armpit/arm/leg is. If you want to invert, for instance, you might want the pole under your right or left armpit. You might then want to hook your right or left leg for an outside leg hang. And so on. More side action examples below.
See AlsoFind Pole Dancing JobsA post shared by Carolinaâ„¢ (Car-o-leena) 🇮🇹🤘ðŸ»ðŸ• (@bloggeronpole) on
#2 Vagina Vagina Vagina
There’s very little room for euphemisms at pole when you have to try moves like the Hello Boys or the Vagina Monster – exhibit A, from my former studio in Sydney, Sydney Pole. So be prepared to hear the word “vagina” a lot and embrace it, because chances are you either have one or like one. Or both.
#3 Pass Me My Foot
Pole dancing can be bendy business. You don’t have to be crazy bendy to do pole… but it sure helps. For those of us who aren’t contortionists, pole mates come to the rescue. Nothing like a pole mate passing you your foot to take a picture of a cool move. This, the bent leg Allegra, is an example. Couldn’t have done it at first without my instructor Nicole passing me my foot.
(Video) Shauna Takes a Pole Dancing Class | I Am Shauna RaeA post shared by Carolinaâ„¢ (Car-o-leena) 🇮🇹🤘ðŸ»ðŸ• (@bloggeronpole) on
#4 Look Up In Your Business
One of my favourite quotes by my teacher Ayesha. Forward rolling from the pole to the floor = look up in your business. Shoulderstands = look up in your business. IYKWIM. Classic.
#5 Spread Your Legs Wider!
Needless to say, the better your splits, the better your moves are going to look on the pole. The Hello Boys (the move I do in this video where I’m sitting on the pole and then I spread my legs) looks great if you’ve got an amazing box splits. I’m somewhere in the middle, so onwards and upwards.
#6 DO. NOT. USE. MOISTURISER.
I grew up in a house where moisturiser is a thing. My mum and I don’t pray before we eat, but we do put moisturiser on everyday. Well that had to stop when I became a pole dancer. When I started complaining about slipping down on the pole my teachers were like: “Did you put moisturiser on?” and then “DUH!” when I said yes. Moisturiser is a pole dancer’s worst enemy. Put it on when you’re gonna be off pole for a couple of days. Don’t overcomplicate your life.
#7 Don’t Open Your Legs So Fast!
You never know when it’s time to open your legs these days. At the moment I’m struggling with the Ayesha, a move that good pole dancers execute effortlessly but that is proving to be a struggle for me. To do it, you have to invert, slide your legs down and open them in an upside down straddle at a certain point. Apparently, I open my legs too fast, which doesn’t mean I’m too eager, I just lose my balance. Tips are welcome, but it looks like a subconscious problem. Video of my pole mate Elise helping me out.
#8 …And The Pole Needs To Be In Between Your Butt Cheeks.
The Titanic is a move from hell that also happens to look damn pretty. It features you looking like a figurehead with the pole in your butt crack. Even the best pole dancers sometimes hate putting it in a routine because even the pole bottoms you’re wearing might influence whether you get it or not. I don’t have any pretty pictures of me in a Titanic although I get it about once a month, so here’s a stunning picture by Eileen Woo.
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#9 Fuck The Floor / Floor Humping / Floor Fuckery
Floorwork is a key part of pole dancing, so much that it now has its own competition, the Aussie-born and UK-imported Floorplay. No floorwork/classique/sexy flow class is complete without some floor humping. The floor is your friend. You are encouraged to love it.
The finalists of FloorPlay London!! Just such an epic night!!! 💖💖💖💃ðŸ¼ðŸ’ƒðŸ¼ðŸ™ŒðŸ¼
A post shared by FloorPlay (@floorplaycompetition) on
(Video) Offset - Clout ft. Cardi B (Official Video)
#10 You’re Filth – I Love It! (And other comments appreciating sexiness)
By now you’ve probably been wondering WTF is up with my #pdfilthyfriday hashtags on Insta. Filthy Friday is an Instagram account and a Hashtag started by the amazing Sabrina and sharing all the choreos and freestyles by pole dancers around the world. The pole community is just like that. It embraces all styles – contemporary, classic, lyrical, whatever – but it loves some good old filth. I like to see this embracing of filth as a recognition of creativity, power, sexiness, and of everyone’s different styles. So keep it filthy.
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FAQs
What to expect in first pole class? ›
You may struggle with certain spins. You will sweat. You'll probably be sore the next day. Arnica gels and products are a great way to aid any aches and pains you may be feeling after your first class and many pole dancers swear by their healing benefits.
Why do girls go to pole dancing class? ›Pole dancing helps women gain physical strength through intense resistance training. It's an incredible feeling when you learn how to hold and control your own body weight in the air. You stand up taller.
Why do pole dancers wear so little? ›Clothed parts of your body will slide right down the pole, they do not grip the standard makes of pole, which are stainless steel, chrome, brass, gold-plated or powder-coated. Hence legs are exposed to ensure grip, arms are exposed to ensure grip, and yes you guessed it, backs and stomachs are exposed to ensure grip.
What makes a good pole dancer? ›As a pole dancer, building your upper body strength is not enough. You need to improve your lower body strength, as well as increase your cardio endurance. When you're body is in condition, then you can perform to the best of your abilities.
How many calories do you burn in a beginner pole class? ›In a one-hour pole dance class, you can burn approximately 250-350 calories. According to Angela Edwards, owner of PoleLaTeaz, women who are 40-50 pounds overweight usually lose the weight in 6-8 weeks with pole dance fitness.
Should I shave my legs before pole class? ›If you can't get enough skin contact with the pole because you have too much hair, you might want to consider shaving. Some men have found that, while leg hair wasn't the issue, they still preferred how shaved legs felt, so you never know until you try!
Why do pole dancers wear skimpy clothes? ›Classical pole dancing clothes are revealing for a reason, since they prevent slipping and sliding down the pole, with skin tightly embracing the metal. Wearing less clothing allows easier and more fluid movement during the dance routine.
Can curvy girls pole dance? ›Plus-Sized Women Can Pole Dance Too
Pole dancing isn't just for skinny women and muscular men. It is an exceptional form of exercise, regardless of your shape or physical fitness level. Everyone, no matter their physical appearance, should look and feel good. Pole dancing is a great way to accomplish this.
Some people do not realize how challenging pole can be on a first attempt (re: every muscle in my body ached for days). In addition to bruises, pole dancers can experience shoulder or back pain with improper technique or overtraining.
Am I too fat to pole dance? ›So, in a word, yes! You can pole dance amazingly, even if you are on the heavier side of sizes to begin with.
Does leg hair make pole dancing harder? ›
BODY HAIR: IT'S A PERSONAL CHOICE
Body hair can create extra hurdles, especially for pole newbies, that can potentially hinder your pole journey. As you progress through your pole journey, more and more of your body will be used to grip the pole in ways you never thought possible.
There are no weight, age, or fitness requirements to pole dance. Saying you need to "get in shape" before coming to pole class is like saying you need to lose weight before going to the gym. Doesn't make sense! Pole dancing is a workout and will help with weight loss, toning muscle, and increasing flexibility.
What should pole dancers eat? ›Meals with veggies, greens, grains, and nuts are also nice and light enough to keep you from feeling tired. If you want to eat dairy and meat after your workout, make sure they are high-quality products or locally sourced for the best nutrients.
Do pole dancers have abs? ›As you practice and practice pole dancing, you build muscle and one of those muscles that really gets a workout is your abdominals or your core. This is because your core is what stabilizes you into doing those tough moves.
What do I wear to my first pole dancing class? ›Take jogging bottoms and trainers with you, as you are likely to do a warm-up and want to avoid being chilly before you begin. Take shorts with you. Shorts will allow you to use the skin on your legs to help you to grip on to the pole. Of course, you can wear whatever you like to your pole dance classes.
Is pole dancing difficult for beginners? ›Is Pole Dancing Hard for Beginners? No, pole dancing isn't hard for beginners, especially when you start with basic moves. There's a very good reason you might have this perception. Think about any performances or displays of skill you've ever observed.
What do you need to bring to an intro pole dancing class? ›- A comfortable, fitted outfit that shows some skin. ...
- A towel to wipe away sweat. ...
- A little help to improve your grip. ...
- A yoga mat for stretching. ...
- The right shoes for every part of class. ...
- A water bottle to help you stay hydrated. ...
- Bruise cream for when the pole leaves a mark.
Do: Feel free to wear indoor rubber-soled shoes or just bare feet. As a beginner you need to focus on learning all of the basic skills and your grippy rubber-soled shoes or bare feet will drastically help. Don't: We strongly urge you not to wear socks in your Pole Fitness class.