Performing Art of Pole Dance - Essay Example

Introduction Pole dance is a performing art, which combines both gymnastics and dance. Many people regard Pole dance as a form of exercise although it is performed in strip clubs. To perform pole dance, dancers should have endurance, flexibility, and tremendous strength. An intense pole dance increases muscle tone and strength because the body is used as resistance. Pole dance can be used as either anaerobic or aerobic workout (Holland 2010, p. 140). Pole dancing involves performing gymnastics and dance moves using a vertical pole. Dance poles are hollow brass or steel reaching from the ceiling to the floor. Pole dancers use the poles in performing moves such as backbends, spins, and climbs. Pole dancing is mostly associated with women, but men have begun to realize the importance and benefits of pole dancing. Nowadays men have been motivated by the push of pole dance to be recognized as a sport by different organizations and individuals. As a result, men have participated in many competitions internationally as they have realized that pole dance can be practiced by anyone. Unlike in the past where pole dance was performed in strip clubs, today studios and classes have been established to train performers. After training, the participants would compete with others from different countries nationally. Pole dancing competitions and classes has become more common in various institutions today as compared to earlier days when it was initiated. History of Pole Dance It is noteworthy that pole dancing has changed into exercise form, which is practiced not only by performers and experts, but everyone including gym goers, casual students, and the recognized pole athletes (Drury 2006, p.155-160). Pole dance is a fusion of Indian pole, Chinese pole, and another circus based as French and Dutch pole. Exotic dance also contributed to pole dance like other pole dancing and international influences are experienced in the travelling fairs of American depressions. Chinese pole dancing dates back to the 12th century, where circus professionals used a pole of about 3-9 meters in height. Chinese pole dance was less fluid than the performance practiced using the pole. This is because of the grip from the costume and the pole. Other tricks like hanging at an angle of 90 degrees on the pole and using the flag are still practiced today. In Chinese pole dance, the acrobats display sliding down, holding and stretching positions, and climbing using skill and strength. In these early days, the pole dancers would have burn marks on their shoulders as a result of the performance. Pole dancers would identify themselves using these marks within the art form (Wilkerling 2012, p. 117). Because of the marks, the dancers would respect each other when one of them spots the marks. Indian pole dancing originated in Maharashtra over 800 years ago. It is also referred to as Pole Mallakhamb. Indian pole dancing was practiced using a smooth pole having base diameter of 55cm and 35cm thinner at the top. The wooden pole was laced with castor oil to avoid friction. Pole dancers wear little and thinner clothes similar to swimwear. In addition, they do not wear shoes for the allowance of better skin to pole grip. Pole dancers with time became specialists and began to run from a distance and flip direct to the pole. It was not an easy task, as it requires a great deal of agibility and precision. Pole dancing was used in developing co-ordination, concentration, speed, and reflexes. This form of training helped the dancers to increase endurance, strength, and stamina. Pole dancing as a training was very important in practicing other games like Juda, horse-riding, wrestling, and athletics. Pole dancing improved rhythm, grace, flexibility, and swiftness especially for the gymnasts. Nowadays pole dance is practiced in 14 states in India and men dominate it because women cannot participate in the environment. In western world pole dancing has evolved to modern exercise where it is not for any selected sex or any professionals. This is because everyone irrespective of sex performs it. After Asia, United States, Australia, and Europe practicing pole fitness and dancing studios, classes, training spaces, competition, and academies have been opened worldwide. The modern pole dancing today is a combination of all the techniques used in the previous centuries. Modern pole dance mostly relies on fitness skills as well as dancing (Holland 2010, p. 86-88). The pole dancing known today is because of combining circus of Chinese, dance skills from a western world, and acrobatic skills from Indians. K.T. Coates initiated efforts whereby he was fighting to include pole dancing in the Olympics. The idea was strongly supported by Ania Przeplasko by highlighting this cause in many interviews. They are fighting to convince the Olympic committees internationally for the pole dance to be recognized as a sport. Pole Dance Implications In the past 10 years, pole-dancing classes have increased in popularity as fitness option for more women as compared to 12th century when it was initiated. The classes are offered in pole dancing studios, and local gyms in Australia, United Kingdom, and North America. The fitness classes include yoga and aerobics. The lessons offered in pole dancing are differentiated from other forms by the exotic dance as a symbol. Many people both men and women spend their money and time in different kinds of leisure practices (Drury 2006, p. 149). Access to funds determines the types of practices they participate in, activities taking place, and free time available. Because of pole, dancing women are seeking to be empowered by purchasing sexy goods and services. This has been referred to as sexualization of culture or even striptease culture. Little research has been done on women consuming pole-dancing classes, but data from different studies shows that more discussions are held on women empowerment, because of pole dance class attendance. The empowerment is because of exotic dance being viewed as degrading, undesirable, and stigmatized career. In addition, pole dancing was seen publicly as an association with commercial sex work. How pole dancing fitness graze Since the beginning of pole dancing, many people have been influenced to embrace pole dancing and practice it. Today pole dancing has been a major form of practice every institution unlike earlier days when it was performed in clubs. This is because pole dancing is incorporated with other forms of games as a form of training. More attraction to pole dance was experienced when its classes were initiated. This gave room to women who were not allowed by environmental factors to practice it (Holland 2010, p. 68). There is no discrimination as children up 18 years are allowed to perform pole dance. In addition, pole dance is mostly offered in gym places, and everyone attends gym irrespective of gender. Training has been contacted to educate people about the importance of pole dance on body health and fitness. This has exerted pressure on many people leading to the spread of pole dance in different locations. People are advised to attend pole dancing for body fitness and figure. For example, people who have more fats can attend pole dance to prevent and eliminate some diseases. Other people for fan practice Pole dancing; this is because they enjoy doing it. In addition, other people have ventured in pole dancing as a form of business to earn a living. For example, pole-dancing classes where instructors are used are a form of business because people attend classes and thereafter pay money in return. Pole dance legitimacy Many people are still assuming that pole dancing is sexy, provocative, and has no room anywhere apart from strip clubs as strippers practice it. Enthusiasts are determined, and they are trying to take pole dancing to a new position, which is Olympics. Pole dance would have been performed in the London games, but the International Olympic Committee rejected it. The supporters were not disappointed as they are still fighting for it to be included as one of the in the 2016 Olympics. Some people do and belief that pole dancing is a sport, and it has emerged as fitness graze (Wilkerling 2012, p. 177). Pole dancing participation has increased tremendously for the last six years, and it has been pushed from dark dancing clubs to all over the world. Serious pole dancers compete internationally in various competitions. As a result, of this those training to perform in strip clubs have reduced. More has been done in fighting for pole dance to be allowed as a legitimate sport and for it to be accepted as one of the Olympic sport. International Pole Sport Federation hosted pole-dancing championship in London where participants from 25 countries competed before Olympics. In addition, pole dancing has adopted official pole dancing book and bylaws have been established to govern the sport. Men have tried to show that pole dancing is a legitimate sport. This is through their participation in the annual World Pole Dancing. This is also to prove that pole dancing is not for only women or club strippers (Drury 2006, p. 129-131). Transfer of pole dance from strip joint to Gym change The public welcomed and enjoyed the process of transferring pole dance from strip joint to gym. This is because strip joint was seen as a way of misleading people when they participate in clubs and can easily venture into commercial sex. This was mostly seen in the side of women because they were the major participants as strippers in the stripping clubs. The public appreciated the move because they viewed it as a way to save the strippers and other participants from the dangers of sex immoralities. Gym was seen as a form of business where someone would operate and earn a living at the end of it. Many people would be employed in the gym as instructors leading to improved living standards in the society. Participants who were willing to participate in pole dance, but were not willing to enter the clubs would get the exercise in the gym. This is because some participants are not comfortable in the clubs, and they would do it in the gym. Gym is opened for everybody and those willing to participate in pole dance after gym would get it in the same place without travelling. The start of classes, which were used to train people how to participate in pole dance, was a beneficiary to the community. In these classes and studios, members of the community were employed, and this was a beneficiary. Training classes enabled those attending classes to know the importance of pole dance about health, and personal body exercise. This made the community and public embrace pole dancing without hesitation (Holland 2010: 96). Training was a preparation for those who were anticipating participating in various international competitions all over the world. Individuals who were attending the classes and practice pole dance were kept busy and thereafter preventing them from being idle that they can engage in illegal activities. This was crucial in the side of the youth as they were lucky not to fall on the wrong side of the law. Pole Dance Participants In the early days was practiced by women especially those who were going to clubs and act as club strippers. No one else was seen participating in the pole dance as it was performed in the clubs and those who performed were associated with commercial sex. The way strippers were wearing before participating was not interesting, and it discouraged many people from participating. The clothes used by the strippers were thinner as those used by the swimmers. Men were not comfortable with the environment where pole dancing was practiced. Today everyone from the athletes to the civilians practices pole dancing. This is because people have realized the pole dancing is not associated with commercial sex workers and club strippers only as they referred to earlier. In addition, the push to include pole dancing in the Olympics enables many people to recognize it as a legitimate sport. Those who participated in pole dance acted as motivators as they would compete with their colleagues from different nations and thereafter offered rewards like any other sport (Wilkerling 2012, p. 49-53). Both men and women participate in international competitions as a way popularizing the sport. This made the public be attracted to learning more about pole dancing and its benefits. People were educated on the importance of pole dance like body fitness, exercise, health, stamina, and body figure. Pole dance is also practiced by the participants of other forms of sports like athletics, Judo, wrestling, and acrobat as a form of training and exercise. Since pole-dancing classes have been introduced, the participants have increased because those attending the classes are encouraged to practice the dance as a form of learning. Studios have been set in different places, which led to an increase in the dance participants because they would be accessed to the classes and studios easily. Conclusion Pole dance as a combination of gymnastic and dance was seen earlier as an activity practiced by the strippers in the clubs. This is because the strippers were seen as entertainers to the clients in the clubs. To some extent, they were seen as being in the clubs to practice commercial sex in the name of stripping. This discouraged many people from participating in pole dance especially men. In addition, the environment where pole dance was practiced discourages men, as they were not comfortable to participate the clubs (Drury 2006, p. 108). The costumes, which were used during the dance, also discouraged men from the participation. This is because the costumes were tight and thinner that it was holding the body tightly. Pole dance was a combination of practices from China, India, and other western countries. Pole dance became popular when international pole dance federation and other individuals fought to make it recognized as a sport. They were fighting to make it recognized as one of the Olympic sports. This encouraged many people to participate in the event as those who participated were rewarded like any other Olympic event (Wilkerling 2012, p. 102-105). Pole dance classes and studios were established all over the world to train the participants. This was to educate the on the importance of the pole dance and prepare them to compete with other participants from different countries all over the world. This was another step, which made pole dance be recognized and made popular by other countries. Pole dance was to be included as one of the sports in London Olympics, but the international Olympic committee rejected the request. Those who were agitating did not lose hope, but they are participating in international events. At the same time, they send requests to the Olympic committee to accept pole dance as one of the sports in the 2016 Olympics (Holland 2010, 78). The public accepted the request after establishment of the classes and studios to train them on the importance of the dance. This is because they would participate in pole dance for body fitness, as it was free for everyone irrespective of the gender. In addition, pole dance was used as training to the participants of other events like athletics, wrestling, and Judo. Pole dance is practiced like any other event today though it has not been recognized as an Olympic sport. References Drury, R. (2006) Pole Dancing. London: Connections Book Publishing. Holland, S. (2010) Pole Dancing, Empowerment and Embodiment, United Kingdom: Palgrave Macmillan Wilkerling, J. (2012) Pole Dance and Fitness: Technique Manual, Germany: Tredition GmbH. Read More