Pole Dancing: New Excersise Craze.
A long time ago, in a far away land, there lived a beautiful princess but this princess was mute, an object to be looked at and generally constrained by the rulings of the prince. Tired of this, she fled the kingdom in search of equality and the freedom to live as she chose. In the 60s and 70s, the women’s movement was born and women worldwide took to the streets to campaign for equal rights.
Needless to say, it seems today’s society has reconfigured this notion in what novelist Ariel Levy has coined ‘Raunch Culture’. Our princess now emerges to a world in which eroticism takes centre stage. Pornography has been removed from the seedy- underworld and now plays a part in the every day lives of women and girls. Sex shops and strip clubs are no longer confined to back alleys but openly displayed around the Country. It is in this setting that new trends such as belly- dancing, cardio strip tease, burlesque dancing and the relatively new phenomenon of pole dancing appear. I took to examine whether such activities belong to the seedy- world of gentleman’s clubs or are a valuable form of exercise.
Apprehensions
As I made my way to Donnybrook, my mind raced with visions of something reminiscent of a Pussycat doll or Britney Spears’ music video: platinum blonde’s frolicking around in three inch heels and hot- pants. I have to admit, I was apprehensive, scared even. To my surprise the reality was somewhat different and just as glamorous as a day at the gym. Twenty girls crammed in to a poky room, dressed in sweats and laughing hysterically with each attempt to spin on the poll.
The Reality of Pole DancingNeedless to say, it seems today’s society has reconfigured this notion in what novelist Ariel Levy has coined ‘Raunch Culture’. Our princess now emerges to a world in which eroticism takes centre stage. Pornography has been removed from the seedy- underworld and now plays a part in the every day lives of women and girls. Sex shops and strip clubs are no longer confined to back alleys but openly displayed around the Country. It is in this setting that new trends such as belly- dancing, cardio strip tease, burlesque dancing and the relatively new phenomenon of pole dancing appear. I took to examine whether such activities belong to the seedy- world of gentleman’s clubs or are a valuable form of exercise.
Apprehensions
As I made my way to Donnybrook, my mind raced with visions of something reminiscent of a Pussycat doll or Britney Spears’ music video: platinum blonde’s frolicking around in three inch heels and hot- pants. I have to admit, I was apprehensive, scared even. To my surprise the reality was somewhat different and just as glamorous as a day at the gym. Twenty girls crammed in to a poky room, dressed in sweats and laughing hysterically with each attempt to spin on the poll.
First off, it’s hard work, the strength required to spin around the poll almost made me think it was an activity best suited to the male species. Despite this fact, the classes are great fun but if you plan to come out an expert after the first class, think again. More likely you will arrive home bruised, tired, and still unable to accomplish what the instructor calls a basic move. However, with practice, as with everything else, it gets easier and you will certainly feel the effects of each class.
If nothing else, it makes for a great girly- night out, filled with plenty of laughs and excitement. You will certainly tone up and may even make a few friends.