Comments on: Our Community Speaks: Pole Dancing in the Olympics pt2

By: Pole Dance | PoleSkivvies - Pole Dancing Clothes, Pole Dancing Clothing, Pole Dance Clothes, Pole Dance Clothing, Pole Fitness Clothes, Pole Dance Shorts

Sun, 24 Jul 2011 14:19:35 +0000

[...] parts focused on the Olympics. That’s fine, but I think it’s the same issue raised in Yannori’s post on pole dancing in the Olympics, in which she points out the profound absence of commentary from the bulk of pole [...]

By: Yannori

Yannori — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 15:35:04 +0000

That’s an awesome point Sasha! I totally agree that it is a double standard in our society that men can do sexy things in the open, but woman have to hide their sexuality behind closed doors and dark corners.

I’m still not sure I’d like to see it in the Olympics, simply because I prefer the sensual performance aspect more that the competitive aspect of pole. But thanks for sharing your opinion!

By: Sasha

Sasha — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 14:14:17 +0000

I think it would be amazing to see a very femenine sport in the Olympics. However I’m afraid it will loose the sexuality, which is really why I started. I feel if it goes into the Olympics it will be stripped of the sensuality – which would be awful. Thing is, in the Olympics the things men do are hot (boxing – two men shirtless, hot bodies, fighting each other and pouring with sweat, come on!) and I would love to see a sexy woman sport, that would be fantastic. I think it would make people take us more seriously but again the sexuality is a big part of it and I feel without it, it wouldn’t be the same. If it can get in and we can get through the ctiticism of how hot we look it would be a miracle! So I still think, support!

By: Jamilla

Jamilla — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:02:29 +0000

First of all, I’m happy to see that in our industry we have free-thinkers and that we are able to raise discussion together like this.
I’m happier still to see that we are also an industry of free choosers, and not a bunch of sheep ready to be told what we must and must not do, without thinking it through ourselves first.
I’ve read some of the most sensible and honest comments here and find the most reason (and spirit!) in them. Pole dancing for many of us, both fitness and dance/art styles, is about empowerment. Physical empowerment, and the confidence and self-esteem that goes along with that. I don’t think anyone can deny that! Well, what is empowerment all about if not validating onesSELF, recognising onesSELF, and knowing that there’s nothing to prove, no one to impress, to be anything more (or any more “legitimate”) than we already ARE.
NEXT – it saddens me that we are having the notion of pole dancing being a sport pushed at us like this. Not everyone sees it or uses it in that way, but we are apparently supposed to be convinced that because some of us do, the rest of us should follow?
Each to their own. For myself, I love beauty in life and I don’t find much beauty in the way that this is being pushed on the community.
We won’t make it to the Olympics, the leaders of the pro-discussion have made that clear. They’ve freely admittd it. They are just vying for publicity, they agree. Meanwhile they are creating a certain public perception of pole dancing. As we’ve seen, a lot of it involves ever more ridicule.
We ARE legitimate. We ARE powerful. We are already wonderful just as we are! And some of us don’t WANT to be lumped in the sports category! We are artists. The Olympics is only one direction that we could head towards (and not a likely goal in our careers, or perhaps even our childrens’, you can be sure). Is it really the “ultimate” or the best direction to head ourselves in? There are many who beg to differ. Is pole dancing really a sport, a race between competitors, simply a collection of tricks to be scored by Olympic judges? We are free to say yes to this, but there seem to be an incredible number who DON’T see it this way at all. Perhaps there are other goals we can choose, other directions, which will uphold ALL of the values in pole dancing. There’s definitely space for more discussion there!

By: Kylea Killeen » Blog Archive » Pole Dancing In the Olympics

Kylea Killeen » Blog Archive » Pole Dancing In the Olympics — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 17:03:33 +0000

[...] read more opinions on this topic go to: http://www.expressthesensual.com/2010/03/01/our-community-speaks-pole-dancing-in-the-olympics-pt2/ Filed under: Dancing, Industry News Comment [...]

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 01:26:01 +0000

The more I think about it, the less I believe this is about “legitimizing” pole – and the more I think it stems from wanting to separate out the good girls from their whore-y sisters.

Even the concept of “legitimizing” is weird. Does anyone have to make tango legit?

I also find the usual dichotomy in this debate: if they want it to be so legitimate, how come they still keep teaching lap and strip and wearing those platform heels? Which comes back to the whole virgin/whore divide again. When will we be allowed to be good AND sexual?

Just my two cents …

By: Yannori

Yannori — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 23:55:32 +0000

Awesome insight Noelle. It would be a great shame to lose the sensual & beautiful nature of this movement. I hope the PFA & other Pol’ympic supporters can develop a clear distinction of “Pole Sport/Gymnastics” in the media.

By: Noelle Wood

Noelle Wood — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 23:21:13 +0000

Although I fight everyday to have our sport accepted as an athletic performing art, I no longer believe that Pole belongs in the Olympics. We have many opportunities to compete right now, win recognition and be both sensual and artistic. I would hate to have my artistry taken away from me and strongly believe that Pole is more than tricks. Then we might as well call it vertical gymnastics. I’m also afraid that bringing it to the Olympics would eliminate the empowerment that Pole brings to women. Only certain body types and certain weights would be accepted. I only hope this discussion makes mainstream society aware of our art and we receive more acceptance from everyone!

By: Yannori

Yannori — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 22:00:22 +0000

Hi Bubble. Sorry for the mix-up. I fixed the article & linked to your site. Yes, please send me the links to KT Coates’ comments. Just use the “Ask Yannori” link above or add the link here. Thanks!

By: Bubble

Bubble — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:50:22 +0000

Hey Yannori
It was me who made the Facebook group!

I’ve read some interesting comments today from KT Coates. I can email them to you if you like?

By: Yannori

Yannori — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:04:19 +0000

Thanks for chiming in on this discussion Kiki! And I agree that the pole competitions are a great way to honor all sides of pole dance as long as we maintain that spirit.

By: Kiki G.

Kiki G. — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 20:41:49 +0000

My gut reaction is this: no, pole dancing doesn’t belong in the Olympics. It doesn’t need to be a “legitimate” sport. Just like other types of dancing, it is athletic. Period. I think that the current pole dance competitions honor all sides of pole dance: sensual and athletic. Both pieces should be present in this type of dance. Maybe the inclusion of pole dancing in the Olympics would suck all of the sensuality out of it. And not in a good way! It’s not all about the tricks, people. It is a sensual, physical expression of dance. Leave it out of the Olympics and keep it sexy….as goddess intended!

By: Lori Myers

Lori Myers — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 06:12:41 +0000

http://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2010/03/weighing-in-on-debate-pole-dancing-in.html

I guess I’m a waffler…on the fence?
.-= Lori Myers´s last blog ..THIS IS NOT BRAIN SURGERY =-.