As a pole fitness instructor, I truly adore the sport of pole. I take joy from the challenge and athleticism of the tricks, and the freedom of expression that comes with dance. Naturally, I also love to talk to anyone interested in giving the sport a try. I could go on and on about the strength, coordination, poise, balance and enjoyment that can be gained from pole fitness. However, during these conversations I hear certain statements falling out of women’s mouths on a regular basis. The more common ones are, “I’d fall on my head!” and, “I’m so uncoordinated!”. It’s natural to feel nervous that you won’t be good at something. But you never know until you try. And for the record, it’s our job as instructors to make sure no one falls on their head, and we take it rather seriously.

Another statement that pops up again and again is this: “I would need a few drinks in me before I would try that!” It’s an annoying statement on a few levels. First of all, alcohol and pole don’t mix. Pole fitness takes coordination; something alcohol is a well-known inhibitor of. Also, do you really want to spin around a pole drunk? If you’re still interested, feel free to head down to your basement, drink a six-pack and spin around your foundation posts for an hour. (I’m not responsible for any injuries or damages incurred during this test!) The second thing that pops into my head is this: “Why!? Why do women feel as though they need to somehow disarm their inhibitions to try this sport?” No one says, “Wow, I’d love to try jazz tap, but I’d need a couple stiff ones!” or, “I need another margarita before I strap on those pointe shoes!”. What makes women uncomfortable are the perceptions they carry about pole fitness. Visions of scantily clad women in nine inch clear heels grinding on a pole dance in their heads. They feel inadequate, not sexy enough or just put off in general because they associate it with stripping, which is a completely different activity. Pole fitness is not about getting someone else to think you’re sexy, it’s about KNOWING you are sexy. Pole fitness is about embracing who you are and being comfortable in your own skin.

To set the record straight, women do not need to bring out their “inner slut” to pole dance, nor is this encouraged; we want women to feel sexy, and there are sensual aspects to pole fitness. But ladies, we have news for you: all dance is sensual. Putting a pole next to you won’t make you slutty, but it may give you a chance to be comfortable with yourself. As women, we have more fluid dimensions and natural flexibility than men. It’s as though we were made to look good while we dance. If you’re skeptical about that, go to the nearest dance club and take note of the amount of women dancing and the amount of men watching. Embrace your natural talent, ladies!

True sensuality is an acceptance and respect of yourself. This is how it contrasts with “slutty.” Respect your mind and your body. Don’t sell yourself short in any sense by taking away from the fact that you are a sensual being or that you are an intelligent being. We all struggle with insecurities. There are countless things all around us that are telling us how we should look and act. We are not thin enough, our clothes aren’t right, we aren’t the super women we should be. Most of all, we let our own insecurities hold us back from feeling beautiful or giving new things a try. To let go of the insecurities we have within ourselves is the road to confidence. And confidence is truly sexy.

Leah White is an instructor at Aerial Dance Pole Exercise LLC in Appleton. She is certified by the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America in group fitness and holds beginners and intermediate pole instruction certification from Empowerment Through Exotic Dance in Chicago, in addition to an Aerial Dance instructor certification. For more information email info@aerialdancepoleexercise.com or call 920-750-1441.