"The class was packed and the studio felt overly commercialised. The friction of the metal pole against my skin was straight-up painful and spinning around made me so dizzy I had to sit down to reorientate myself several times. Also, I kind of sucked at it. And if I'm being honest, that bruised my fragile ex-gymnast ego."
"Natural light streaked through the studio's windows, giving it a warm, homey feel. The owner and instructor, Luci, greeted me with a wide smile and a laugh that immediately put me at ease. Unlike my crowded first class, here I was the only pole student."
"I spent the afternoon learning fundamentals: walking around the pole, a chair spin, a climb, and pieced them together in a mini routine, all while being cheered on by my personal hype girl. By the end of the class, I felt proud of myself for giving pole another chance."
After a disappointing first pole dancing class in 2023 marked by physical pain, dizziness, and poor performance, the author reconsidered the activity years later while exploring new interests following a breakup. Seeking striptease classes for confidence and femininity, she was redirected to pole dancing at a different Sydney studio. This second experience differed dramatically: the intimate, naturally-lit space with personalized instruction from an encouraging instructor created an entirely different atmosphere. Learning fundamental techniques in a one-on-one setting and receiving consistent positive reinforcement transformed her perception. By the class's end, she felt genuinely proud of her progress and willingness to give pole dancing another chance.
#pole-dancing #personal-transformation #fitness-and-wellness #confidence-building #intimate-instruction
Read at www.theguardian.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]