Zena JarjisPole dancing, once exclusive to strip clubs, is now a common way for both men and women to keep fit. It’s not as seedy as its reputation might lead you to believe- it is a legitimate form of dance and there are even pole dancing competitions. It has many benefits to health and fitness: the weight bearing involved helps build strong bones which is especially helpful in preventing osteoporosis. Being a combination of dance and gymnastics, pole dancing is considered both a cardiovascular workout and a means of toning muscles, especially in your legs, arms and bum, in a way so much more interesting and fun than any spinning class or gym session.
Like most forms of dance, pole dancing helps increase flexibility but in a way that is natural and encourages your body to loosen up gently. It also builds strength as it requires you to use your own body weight as a resistance, resulting in lean muscles far more elegant than the bulk built up from weight training.
Pole dancing is an intense exercise which helps to build core strength and endurance- the most important parts of any exercise- as many of the moves involve you rotating or inverting your body. The core does not just consist of abdominal muscles but of loads of muscles the entire length of the torso which stabilise the spine and pelvis. When core muscles are given a workout, a solid base of support is created and you are able to do more powerful movements.
As well as being a great physical workout, pole dancing can increase confidence and self-esteem. It’s an empowering experience for women and a form of self-expression like any other form of dance. Learning to perform and looking good while doing it will help anyone’s self-confidence and it looks a lot sexier than running on a treadmill! It’s also fun and rewarding as the more skilled you are, the more extreme moves you can do.
Pole dancing lessons are based around choreographed routines which focus on teaching the dance element combined with the athletic moves. The York Pole Dance Academy offers classes at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels in the Stockton on the Forest Village Hall, so use the pole to burn calories, tone your muscles, increase strength and flexibility and look good doing it!
