Pole Dancing Fitness Revolution!

Look out! Pole Dancing for fitness, already a hot trend in Los Angeles and Paris, has now taken on the form of a Fitness Revolution
and stretched into the small conservative towns of Mount Pleasant, SC, and even Jiangxi Province in southeastern China!

Remove the "taboo" aspects of erotic dance and what you have is a killer workout that not only shapes the body, but allows women to express their sensuality freedom.

History

The foundation of this dance technique is largely built through burlesque, gymnastics, belly dance, ballet and different forms of dance.  It is probable that it started in America in the 1920's depression with dancers in traveling shows using a tent pole as a prop and evolved from there.

Studios and Fitness

Many studios have opened across America, taking some of the dancers out of the strip-club and into a professional and safe environment, where they offer non-nude and non-stripping classes with the focus placed on the athleticism and artistry of the performer: 

An individual is taught a series of movements which develop in difficulty and require sweat and practice. A student goes thru a set of stretches, some floor strengthening exercises including push-ups and climbing the pole, along with dance moves and spins.... One of the dancers interviewed said, "Everything we do requires so much strength. You really have to train your legs and your muscles."  

What's Next?

This technique is nothing short of empowering - celebrating femininity and expanding horizons.   In fact, there is a new movement to try to get pole dance in the 2012 Olympics.  Opponents say that the "erotic" element can not be removed and would be questionable for the young athletes that would be training in the "sport."  There is still much controversy and "raising of the eyebrows" as the dance integrates into mainstream and challenges the values of skeptics, especially in China where urban youth is more open to changing ideas.

Dancers are confident though. Dance instructor KT Coates say  "We believe that like Rhythmic Gymnastic, the Horizontal Bar and Figure Skating, Pole Dance is acrobatic, gymnastic, technical and takes a great deal of physical skill and strength to master, earning it a place in the greatest sporting event in the world."

Either way, one should definitely check out this new fitness craze. Surprisingly, women of all sizes, shapes, and walks of life are having a lot of Fun and getting into shape with this alternative.

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