Although the first thing that comes to mind for many when it comes to pole dancing is the erotic form of pole dancing there is some degree of skill and a great deal of strength and agility that is required in order to successfully perform a pole dance. One thing that is often overlooked is that there seems to be a new fitness craze that involves pole dancing for exercise. Don’t knock it till you try it. You just might discover that this is not as easy as exotic dancers in the adult entertainment industry make it look.
Pole dancing in its current form was the brainchild of Canadian strip club owners during the 1980’s though many believe there is evidence to support that pole dancing goes back to Pagan fertility rites performed centuries ago. The origins date back to the 12th century though it has only been in the last 250 or so years that it is believed to have become more widely practiced in the form of Mallastambha, which is, quite literally, yoga that is performed on either a pole or a rope.
Today pole dancing is leaving the strip clubs and venturing into private homes and even circus performances (often on silk ropes though occasionally performed on poles) as more of a test of athletic or gymnastic prowess. There is also Mallakhamb, which is a style of pole dancing in which men and boy wrestlers use poles to help them build strength. Mallakhamb pole dancing for women in these instances is traditionally performed using ropes.
Of course there are some references that may indicate that pole dancing even predates Pagan times though there is, at this point in time, no definitive proof. In a major display of the new popularity that pole dancing is enjoying popular acts such as the Cirque Du Solei are incorporating Chinese pole acts into their performances.
When it comes to pole dancing in the exotic dancing sense of the dance there has been a tremendous growth in this particular industry to say the least when it comes to popularity. We are seeing more clubs including pole dancing routines as part of their regular offerings and more compelling and athletic shows as a result. In other words, pole dancing is gaining no small degree of acclaim as a form of dance in its own right rather than being a means of gratification for those who are watching.
If you’ve never tried pole dancing you might be a little bit surprised to discover that it is not at all easy to perform many of the manoeuvres. In fact, they are quite difficult and require a good deal of both upper and lower body strength. This is one reason that this is growing as not only an entertainment industry style of dance but also for those that are seeking new ways of becoming physically fit. It is more than possible to get an excellent workout by following a prescribed pole dancing routine. Be careful that you are following the instructions however and that your pole is properly installed in order to avoid potential injuries.
If you are wondering whether pole dancing may or may not be for you it may be a good idea to watch several of the videos and see if you can actually see yourself doing the moves. If nothing else you may find that you can either put on an excellent show for your partner or develop a great deal of strength, agility, flexibility, and a little bit of toning and definition for your muscles in the process. You never really know if you are going to like it or not until you try pole dancing for yourself. You just may find a few hidden talents.