Pole dance

Pole dancer performing

Chinese pole acrobats perform

Pole dance is a form of performing art, a combination of dance and gymnastics. It involves dancing and performing acrobatic tricks with a vertical pole and is an increasingly popular form of fitness and dance, practised by many enthusiasts in gyms or dedicated dance studios. A wide range of amateur and professional competitions are held in many countries around the world.

Before the mid 2000s, pole dance mainly took place in strip clubs. Since then, promoters of pole dance fitness competitions have been trying to change peoples’ perception of pole dance and to promote it as a legitimate form of dance and acrobatics. Pole dance has furthermore been influenced by Chinese pole, a form of acrobatics that is performed in cabaret/circus and stage performances in a non-erotic environment. Pole dance in competitions is increasingly performed in a non-erotic way and is combined with a range of dance styles or gymnastics.

Pole dance requires significant strength, flexibility and endurance. In a strip club setting, pole dance is often performed less gymnastically and striptease, Go-Go, and/or lap dancing is a part of the performance. The pole dancer(s) may simply hold the pole or move around it without performing acrobatic tricks. Proper pole dance involves athletic moves such as climbs, spins, and body inversions. Upper body and core strength are required in order to attain proficiency, and rigorous training is necessary.^[1]

Pole dance is now regarded as a recognized form of exercise^[2] and can be used as both an aerobic and anaerobic workout.^[3] Recognized schools and qualifications are now common.^[4]

History

A home version stage pole

Pole dancer using a street pole

Pole dancing probably started in America in the 1920s, when traveling show dancers used a tent pole as a prop in their acts.^{[citation needed]} The relationship to Chinese poles is unclear, Chinese troupes performed in Barnum and Bailey's Circus from 1914 but they did not perform on poles.^[5] Pole dancing gradually moved from tents to bars in the 1950s.

The pole

Standard pole

The standard dance pole typically consists of a hollow steel or brass pole with circular cross section, running from floor to ceiling. Affixing at the ceiling gives more stability, but is not always realized, especially at night clubs with higher ceilings or at transportable devices. In the United States, the diameter is usually around 5 cm (2 inches), allowing it to be gripped comfortably with one hand. In Asia, the diameter is usually slightly smaller at 4.5 cm or less.

Another common pole is the spinning pole; as its name suggests, it is similar to a standard dance pole but spins using ball bearings. The purpose of this pole is to create better momentum and higher rates of speed, in order to have a greater dramatic effect.

Home versions are available which may be used for practice or aerobic exercise. Materials of which poles are made include polished stainless steel, chromed steel, brass, powder coating, and Titanium coating. Poles can also be made of acrylic glass which allows use of "glow poles" with LED lighting effects. Each material surface has different gripping properties. Polished steel is one of the slickest materials, which provides for a faster, more fluid dance; brass poles provide more friction, allowing for an easier hold with hands or thighs and creating a slow, sensual dance style. Products such as "Dry Hands" or "iTac" may be used to help "stick" to the pole.

Poles can be held in place by using threading to brace them against a ceiling joist. There are also poles that do not require construction and can be set up using tension. Stationary, rotating, and switchable versions are available.

Show pole

There are now poles available for use in clubs that provide visual effects. These poles are made with clear plastics and contain water, glitter, and special reflective materials which stand out when used in conjunction with strobe lighting, as well as lighting hidden in their base joists. However, these poles are not favorable to a dancer wanting to achieve better pole tricks, as they bend slightly and have a tendency to create a friction burn when slid down with any sort of speed.

Pole dance as exercise

A public demonstration of pole dancing techniques.

Pole dancing has gained popularity as a form of exercise, with increased awareness of the benefits to general strength and fitness.^[6] This form of exercise increases core and general body strength by using the body itself as resistance, while toning the body as a whole. It is also generally reported by pole dancing schools to be empowering for women and to build confidence.^[7]

Pole dancing as an exercise is very similar to Mallakhamb, an Indian men's sport with no erotic component, but there is no evidence of a link.

A growing number of men are incorporating pole dancing into their fitness programmes.^[8][9] In Australia, the UK and the US, dance studios are beginning to offer classes just for men. And in China, 2007's National Pole Dancing competition was won by a man. Dance instructor Zhang Peng, 23, beat a host of women dancers to the top prize.^[10]

Pole dance competitions

A wide range of amateur and professional competitions are held in many countries around the world. They are strictly non-nude and focus on pole dance as an athletic and artistic form of dance and fitness. The first "Miss Pole Dance World" competition was held in November 2005 in Amsterdam and Elena Gibson from the UK won the championship. The following day Elena was disqualified by the organizer John Benner amongst much controversy and the title went to the runner up Reiko Suemune[1] from Japan.

A group of advocates are even pushing for pole dance to be represented as a test event in the 2012 London Olympics.^[11][12] But because this is a relatively new trend, scoring for competitions is not standardised, while names of the techniques vary among different clubs in different regions.^[13]

In Australia, "Miss Pole Dance Australia" was started in 2005. Felix Cane took home the first prize in the latest 2010 (named miss pole dance 2011- for the coming year) competition [2], .^[14] The first US Pole Dance Federation (USPDF) Championship was held on March 19, 2009, first place was taken by Jenyne Butterfly.^[15] The 2010 winner of "Miss Pole Dance Canada" was Crystal Lai, who went on to win the People's Choice Award at the worlds.^[16] Miss Pole Dance World 2009, which was held in Jamaica and opened to all nationalities, was won by Australian Felix Cane.^[17] Miss Pole Dance World 2010 which took place in Switzerland and was opened to all nationalities, was again won by Australian Felix Cane.^[18]

Pole dance in the media

Like other trends, pole dancing has its share of celebrity following. Actress Sheila Kelley was so taken with the sport, which she learned while preparing for her role in Dancing at the Blue Iguana, that she launched her own pole-based exercise programme.^[19]

Rima Fakih's victory at Miss USA 2010, including the fact that she had won a pole-dancing competition three years earlier, attracted media attention.^[20]

Pole dance has its own media, the magazines Free Spin and Vertical.^[21]

See also

• Go-go dancing
• Mallakhamb

References

1. ^ Pole Dancing is empowering Performance Art, http://www.wbur.org/2010/04/02/pole-dance
2. ^ Pole dancing: It s not just for strippers anymore, http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/pole-dancing-strippers-anymore/story?id=10168196
3. ^ Pole dancing for exercise, http://www.kpsplocal2.com/Content/Special-Feature/story/Pole-Dancing-for-Exercise/iao4iYWMV0qNfw1OP6b3Sw.cspx
4. ^ Cambridge University society offers pole dancing tuition, http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jNVin7NeCHRArbeJRkTPdttX8QzQ
5. ^ [ Displaying Abstract ] (2010-09-05). "Barnum Bailey Circus opens in Madison Square Garden 1914". New York Times. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9F02E3DE163BE633A25754C0A9629C946796D6CF. Retrieved 2010-09-27. 
6. ^ Stripping Off The Weight, CBS News website, retrieved on 8/20/2007.
7. ^ "Cambridge University society offers pole dancing tuition". AFP. 2010-04-13. http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/cambridge-university-society-offers-pole-dancing-tuition/story-e6frfku0-1225853143529. 
8. ^ Wong, Amanda (2010-01-27). "Pole dancing for men?". Straitstimes.com. http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_482709.html. Retrieved 2010-09-27. 
9. ^ Men's pole dancing better than just hanging around, http://sydney-central.whereilive.com.au/news/story/mens-pole-dancing-better-than-just-hanging-around/
10. ^ "Watch out, men on poles". Asiaone.com. http://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Showbiz/Story/A1Story20081201-104787.html. Retrieved 2010-09-27. 
11. ^ Pole dancing could be recognized as a sport and headed to the Olympics ,http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/2010/02/23/2010-02-23_pole_dancing_could_be_recognized_as_a_sport_and_headed_to_the_olympics_.html
12. ^ Recognize Pole Dancing as New Olympic Sport, http://www.bhsjacket.com/node/420
13. ^ Get ready sports fans, pole dancers eye Olympics, http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/news?slug=ap-goldenpoles
14. ^ "Miss Pole Dance Australia". Miss Pole Dance Australia. http://www.misspoledanceaustralia.com.au/index.php?c=mpd&m=about. Retrieved 2010-09-27. 
15. ^ http://www.youtube.com/v/8_NJiwIVu6k?fs=1&hl=en_US
16. ^ "Miss Pole Dance Canada". http://www.misspoledancecanada.com. 
17. ^ "World Pole Dance Championships Jamaica 2009 - World Pole Sport Fitness". Worldpoledance.com. 2009-04-25. http://www.worldpoledance.com/2009.html. Retrieved 2010-09-27. 
18. ^ "World Pole Fitness Championships 2010 - World Pole Sport Fitness". Worldpoledance.com. http://www.worldpoledance.com/2010.html. Retrieved 2010-09-27. 
19. ^ Pole-dancing: Do you have what it takes?, http://www.ellecanada.com/living/health/pole-dancing-do-you-have-what-it-takes/a/24943
20. ^ "Miss USA 2010 Winner a Pole Dancer - Rachel Uchitel Poses for Playboy". National Ledger. May 17, 2010. http://www.nationalledger.com/artman/publish/article_272631825.shtml. Retrieved May 19, 2010. 
21. ^ http://jezebel.com/5800119/yet-another-pole-dancing-magazine-hits-the-stands

External links

• Miss pole dance World
• Miss Pole Dance Australia: Finals! - slideshow by Life magazine
• Mundo Pole - Brazilian Pole Dance Fitness Blog (www.mundopole.com.br)