"It's Worth It" - Why I teach Pole

I’m sure that a lot of pole studio owners in smaller markets deal with a variety of criticisms, especially with the stigma that pole dancing has and I think it is definitely amplified in smaller towns. I wanted to share some experiences with all of you that I’ve had. It may sound like I’m complaining and I suppose that I am and that’s ok with me. People can be really rude – big surprise! BUT, it’s all worth it and here’s why….

Let’s see here… there was a time when I was at a Bridal Show and a woman walked over to my booth. I started explained what we did for Bachelorette Parties and she looked me in the eye and said “I don’t believe in that.” Last I checked it wasn’t a religion…

I’ve had people who bought a social media deal, came in and attend the first day of my classes (I do this in hopes that if they like it, they would stay on for the remainder of the session) and in the middle of teaching everyone, one of the ladies blurts out “Can you show us some of your awesome tricks, we brought our dollars with us!” Or better yet – there is the message that was posted on Face Book when I first opened the studio telling me that I was going to hell.

The point is that many of the people that are “against” pole dancing don’t realize how positive it can be. I am so proud of the fact that I have helped a lot of people.

Here are some things people have shared with me….

“This class was so much fun and I learned new things and exciting things. It makes me feel better about myself and my body image knowing how to look sexy and have a good time doing so. Thanks so much”

“Best 6 weeks of my entire life. I have never felt better about myself”

And there are many more testimonials that I could share. People of all ages and backgrounds have come to my studio and I have been honored to take them through so much more than just a pole workout. Pole dancing is like workout for your spirit. It helps you to discover an aspect of yourself that you might have never known existed. Our society has put so many labels and boxes around what is acceptable, good or bad, right or wrong that we might often feel “ashamed” or embarrassed about ourselves. There is nothing wrong with feeling comfortable in our own skin and as young ladies/women, we might either loose touch or need to get in touch with who we are and that is a discovery process. Pole dancing can be the answer for many ladies.

Pole dancing isn’t some BS activity that un-classy women do with the intent of streaking around in class, fondling themselves and shaking their titties – AND trust there are idiots out there that believe that is what we do in class. The reality is that we are decompressing from school or work, kids, - IT IS OUR TIME be with just ourselves for a change. A time and place where there is no judging going on, but rather a supportive environment with encouragement and smiles. Its about women who are having fun by not only building their self-esteem BUT more importantly their SELF WORTH.

And this is why I do what I do, despite all the crap. People out there may not agree with what I do and think that I am sending a bad message to the youth of America, that I am degrading women and their status amongst men. BUT statistics show that women who advance in their careers often feel great about themselves inside and out. If shaking a little booty and couple hair whips during a pole class can help make a difference in someone’s life, then I’ll be there.

~ Jennifer

Yoga does wonders for Pole Dancers!

Ok, so I wasn’t all that into Yoga until recently. I thought Yoga was boring and that I needed a workout that was really going to keep me excited. I took a private session with just myself and a pole buddy with the intent of learning some new stretches that would help with flexibility and thought – OMG! Why was I not doing this sooner? I loved it. It was relaxing; it made me focus on nothing else but in tune with my own body. My Yogi helped with our hip and body positioning/placement. It worked everything from my balance, to my stamina and of course, my flexibility. Granted our Yogi, did not start us off at the beginner level, but I was able to place my feet together, bend down and have my entire palm of my hand on the floor too - something that I don’t ever recall being able to do. I was amazed at what I had done. The breathing and executing various asanas in a specific order help me to achieve what I thought was impossible. I kept saying, “oh my body just doesn’t do that, my muscle structure isn’t built that way.” Only you can limit yourself from accomplishing the “impossible”. So now, I’m thinking… If I was able to do what I did in one session, there must be hope for my hip flexors! A center split has never come naturally to me. But, I believe that with more Yoga, I can get there.
Think about it, take a handstand for instance - if you are not a trained gymnast or professional dancer, then odds are you may not have the best balance. You might practice those handstands in pole class, but what if you did them in pole class and yoga class? Think how much better you would become! Hate cardio? Think how much endurance and stamina you would gain after attending yoga classes every week. Holding asanas (although not the easiest thing in the world) is great way to test your muscles. You may feel fatigued from holding one position for just 30 seconds, but imagine conditioning your body to hold for much longer than that. Can you see how holding positions on the pole would also become easier over time?
I sincerely believe that every pole dancer wanting to take things to next level needs to get into Yoga. Find a yogi you like, someone who educates on why you are doing what you are doing. You should understand what muscles you are working and how that will help you. You will get to know your own body and discover its strengths and weaknesses, allowing you to prevent injuries and keep you in overall better working condition. Us pole dancers gotta go the distance, so make yourself stronger inside and out.
~ Jennifer D'Ovidio

Kids Pole Dancing?

First off, can we not call it pole dancing? The reality is that we can’t erase decades of society believing and associating pole dancing with stripping and gentleman’s clubs. It’s often very hard for me to see why others are unable to re-program themselves and envision something differently. It’s very hard for a close minded person to understand how “pole dancing” could easily transition into an activity and form of exercise for kids.

Let me break it down for you – What makes pole dancing sexual in nature? Pasties?  Or maybe it’s the awesome flag move you just did one handed. I’m being scarcastic, of course.  Exotic dance mixed with pole tricks  and the removal of clothing has given it a bed rep. But what if you took out the removal of clothing and exotic dance? You’d have just tricks. Tricks/Stunts, whatever you want to call them, that are totally wicked! Kids go to playground all the time and swings on bars, horizontal or vertical – they don’t care. Kids are innocent, well – at least we’d like to think they start off that way. Kids don’t automatically assume that swinging on a pole is sexual, they may not even know about strippers unless you let them watch HBO. So what is the big deal?

I  love teaching kids and I would never teach them anything that I  would consider inappropriate. I have morals – although some people might not think so because I’m pole instructor (LOL).  I think that its important to protect their innocence. How fun would it be for a little kids to go to class and go down the fireman pole,  spin like tinkerbell and fly like superman? Can you see where I am going with this…..? AND – why couldn’t pole be mixed with other forms of dance like ballet or jazz?

Here is something that does concern me – Teenagers! For example, my 15 year old little sister came to my studio and learn a few spins, she loves it – BUT, here is the problem – that pic ended up on FaceBook and then all of her friends made stripper comments. Teens watch HBO, that must be it…. I don’t think they have a maturity level to not associate it with sexual content, in fact they may crave the want to be sexy and learn what the adults do. I have had parents ask me, can you do a birthday party for my teenage daughter and her group of 8 friends?  Uumm No mam, I can’t because crazy people will try and shut my studio down. I’m not here to train the next generation to skip college and become career strippers.  Teens are easily influenced.

My Conclusion to this topic is complex. Do I want to teach kids and teens “Pole Dancing.” Sure, I do. But let’s call it, Vertical Arts or VertiBar. Here’s an idea! – Call it Chinese Pole, like they do in the circus!

I wouldn’t even be surprised if gymnastic studios started to offer vertical bar within the next 20 years. Do I think its good timing to introduce pole dancing for kids to the general public? I’m not really sure… On one hand now is as good as a time as any and on the other hand, maybe it might be best to wait until Pole Dancing has been around a little longer as a mainsteam form of exercise. People have no idea that there are competitions all over the globe. People are still clueless. I’m not trying to negative, but in my lil ole town of RaChaCha, people really have no idea what to expect and its because they have no idea what to think, their imaginations allow them to think all sorts of crazy things. I think the pole community still has a lot of work ahead of it in order to truly introduce Kids “Pole Dancing”. But a good start, is change the name. You can’t change society over night, so lets start on somewhat of a clean slate and build up concept in a different way.