Express The Sensual

In an effort to understand both sides of the Pol’ympics Debate, I decided to compile a list of the related articles that were written by people WITHIN our pole dancing community.  I ignored all articles outside our community, whether they were pro or con Pole Dancing in the Olympics, simply because the majority of them were either general news, studio promotion articles, or derogatory to pole dancing in any form.

What I found is rather surprising.  Although many people feel strongly about this topic, there are very few people who are speaking about it publicly.  Most articles for Pole Dancing in the Olympics were created either within one of the pole dancing federations or by a journalist who had read the petition.  What I have NOT found is instructors and performers giving THEIR passionate reasons for promoting pole dancing in the Olympics. This obviously concerns me.

I feel VERY strongly about this art form.  I feel VERY strongly about how it is portrayed in the media.  I know I’m not alone in these feelings of passion and concern (as evidenced by the reported 4000 petition signatures).  I certainly see other Pole Leaders speaking publicly about why they DON’T want Pole Dancing in the Olympics.  But, why can’t I find the impassioned blogs of those who DO want Pole Dancing in the Olympics?

Yes, I see the petitions … Yes, I see the politically correct documents… Yes, I see the press releases.  I want to understand your opinion, but more importantly, I want to hear it without the legal mumbo jumbo and PR material.  How can the Pole Associations expect to develop or standardize the pole dancing industry if they aren’t speaking to US, the pole dancers? More importantly, how will society (& the Olympic committee) respond to a petition when there is little to no PUBLIC discussion within our community?

Forget about the Olympics for a minute.  Many pole dancing associations are hoping to standardize pole trick names and develop pole safety regulations.  But how are you going to explain your reasons for defining one trick as a fireman spin instead of a skater spin?  How are you going to convince me to use a 4 inch thick pole mat instead of the aerial & gymnastic standard 6 inch thick mat?

How are these Pole Leaders going to communicate and discuss their platform or their opinions to the pole dancing community? I WANT to know the awesome ideas you have for developing, changing, maybe even revolutionizing The Art of Pole Dancing.  And I want to have a healthy, open debate about it.

So, whether you are For Pole Dancing in the Olympics, Against Pole Dancing in the Olympics, or On The Fence… if you send me a link to your blog with your Pol’ympic opinion (not an article written by a journalist please) then I’ll post it here.

I applaud those pole leaders who have posted their opinion no matter which side of the debate they are on.  My goal with this article is to encourage this discussion in an effort to build a platform of open communication… because Pole & Exotic Dance is a very young industry (compared to gymnastics, aerial, ballet, bellydance, etc.) and we’ve got a LOT to talk about. We’re all listening….

For Pole Dancing in the Olympics

• KT Coates – Pole Dancing in the Olympics
• Pole in the Olympics Teaser video – Pole in The Olympics
• Pole Fitness Association -  Olympic Effort
• Interview of Collette Kakuk – Pole Dancing Will Need a Makeover for the Olympics
• Kylea Killeen – Pole Dancing in the Olympics
  

Against Pole Dancing in the Olympics

• Jamilla Deville – Polympics
• Adam Jay – Pole Dancing in the Olympics
• Bubble & Facebook group manifesto – Pole Dancers who DON’T want Pole to be in the Olympics
• and my own article – No, I won’t sign your Pol’ympics Petition
• Kristen (Dolphin Dance) – Pole “Dance” in the Olympics

On The Fence

• Claire Griffin Sterrett – Olympic Size Debate
• PoleSkivvies – Pole Dancing in the Olympics
• Polespection by Journey – Olympics???
• Lori Meyers – Weighing in on the Debate
• Climb & Spin – Pole Dancing In the Olympics? Yay or Nay?
  

BTW, if you want to see some of the non-pole blogs I didn’t include because they were derogatory check out this link.  I caution you that many of these bloggers don’t understand our industry or our art form AT ALL.  But I’m including the link to be complete.

Please share your (respectful and honest) opinions in the comment section.

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Twirl, Swirl, and Fly!

1. It makes you feel sexy
2. It makes you look as sexy as you feel
3. It develops super strong core muscles
4. It builds amazing arms
5. Booty bouncing is acceptable and ENCOURAGED
6. You can learn to fly without a plane
7. Hanging upside down can actually help realign your spine
8. It teaches you the balance of ballet and the coordination of hip hop dancing
9. “There are short-cuts to happiness, and dancing is one of them.” ~Vicki Baum
10. You can build the deepest, most amazing friendships while wearing only your bra and undies.
11. It gives you a great reason to buy NEW SHOES
12. It’s the only exercise class where you are SUPPOSED to let your hair down.
13. Writhing on the floor is part of your performance
14. It gives you the perfect reason to appreciate your inner thighs
15. You can actually learn how to do death defying stunts
16. You’ll become so flexible that pretzels will be jealous
17. Your husband, fiance, boyfriend, ex-boyfriend, fuck buddy will do almost anything to get a private dance from you
18. It improves your sex life
19. “Life is a dance, from one stage to the next.” ~Anonymous
20. It helps you loose weight
21. It helps you build a curvy feminine body and sensuous strong muscles
22. It’s not boring, EVER
23. You can do it in your living room, instead of the gym
24. You don’t need a fake plastic step or a smelly guy sweating next to you in order to get your cardio workout.
25. You can workout in 6 inch platform heels, 5 inch thigh high boots, 4 inch GoGo Boots, 3 inch pumps, rubber soled jazz shoes or no shoes at all
26. Your hips, thighs, and ass will never feel the same again
27. You can use a shiny metal pole instead of waiting around for a dance partner
28. You can integrate your favorite styles of dance: latin, hip-hop, ballroom, flamenco, bellydance, jazz., popping, locking, erotic, exotic, …
29. You can do it alone, in a duo, in a team, or in a troupe
30. You can take classes with your best friends or complete strangers
31. You can pretend to be someone you’re not
32. You can explore who you truly are
33. You can learn that you are stronger, smarter, more beautiful and more capable than you ever though possible
34. “Stifling an urge to dance is bad for your health – it rusts your spirit and your hips.” ~Adabella Radici
35. You can dance in pants, shorts, undies, or nothing at all
36. You can learn to feel more comfortable naked than fully clothed
37. It can open your heart and mind to the beauty inherent in every woman
38. It can help you learn to stop self criticism and self doubt
39. Once you learn how, you’ll never forget how to give a lapdance
40. You’ll be able to tip a stripper with a better understanding of how HARD that trick actually was.
41. You’ll be able to get a lapdance and enjoy it while studying for new moves
42. You can finally go to strip clubs with your guy friends and HAVE A GREAT TIME cheering at the dancers
43. “Remember, Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, but backwards and in high heels.” ~Faith Whittlesey
44. You can learn how to sling your g-string across the room with your toes
45. You can be the center of conversation at any party
46. You can keep your HOT & SEXY secret all to yourself
47. You can win $10,000 at PoleAPalooza or share your talent for free on YouTube
48. You can learn to pole dance with routines, improvisations, or just do crazy aerial tricks
49. Its the only dance class where you slide down a 12 foot pole into the splitz on purpose
50. You can open the creative center of your body and let your life flow through your hips every moment of every day
51. “I see dance being used as communication between body and soul, to express what is too deep to find with words.” ~Ruth St. Denis

What first convinced you to learn pole dancing? What is your favorite reason to maintain that pole passion and dance inspiration? Share your ideas in the comment section!

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Twirl, Swirl, and Fly!

Last Friday (May 1, 2009) the notorious Better Than Cheesecake gang executed a planned attack of the Redlands Underground Bar.  These scantily clad, but tastefully dressed ladies swept in at 10pm, and held the crowd hostage with their cuffs, whips, and illegal stunts until the midnight hour.

Beginning with a luscious lapdance and ending with a flying pole duo, the Better Than Cheesecake gang filled the night with swirling hips, pole acrobatics, and feminine beauty. The audience particularly loved the shiny black boots and whipped cream wall dance to the sounds of Cream by Prince .  Fabulous performances by Kitty Zipper, Ima Honey, Lady Mystique, Nurse Nightingale, Kitty B Dangerous & Mississippi Jackson kept the house cheering until the final Shotgun show.

Check out this tasty morsel from Sweet Cheeks….

BREAK

As a special treat, Alethea Austin, titled Miss Sexy & the runner up at the inaugural 2009 USPDF championships, gave a solo filled with feats of flexibility, strength, and grace. She currently teaches at BeSpun Gym in Hollywood and has a workshop coming up at AntixFitness in June.  For some awesome videos of Alethea, please check out her youtube site here.

I love pole dancing because it combines my love of music that moves me with raw sexuality and acrobatic ability — Alethea Austin

Better Than Cheesecake is the performance troupe formed by the ladies of AntixFitness.   Mickey, alias Sweet Cheeks, leads the BTC gang and keeps her ladies in fit, fabulous shape.  AntixFitness is known throughout Redlands, CA for their PoleDancing Fitness classes and kick-ass Core’n’Sculpt workouts. Check out their website, www.AntixFitness.com, for more information about classes, workshops, and showcase events.

PS, as promised, I also added my pole skills to the showcase.  Just in case you missed it, here’s the video and a big THANK YOU to Mickey, AntixFitness, and the Better Than Cheesecake Banditas for letting me join in the festivities.  I hope to see you lovely ladies again soon! xoxo

How was your last performance? Do you love pole dancing showcases? Share your ideas in the comment section!

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