Shameless or an artist? Pole dancing arouses passions. But he can do wonders with the body

"I once read that the roots of pole dance go back to India," says the owner of the pole dance studio Zuzana Kňavová. “A certain similarity can be found with the national sport of Mallakhamba, in which men practice on a wide wooden pole. Acrobats in circuses have been performing their art on high poles in the marquee since the beginning of the 20th century."

If we look at the specific origin of pole dancing without rose-colored glasses and romance, history will take us to strip clubs in the second half of the 20th century in the USA, Canada or Australia. At the very beginning, this sports discipline had a certain amount of controversy.

Sport or dance?

In the nineties, the pole began to be used as a tool to exercise and strengthen the body. This is how pole dancing as we know it today was born. "The most beautiful thing about pole dancing is its variability," says Zuzana Kňavová.

"In my childhood, I did gymnastics, then I danced stage dance for a long time, and I was suddenly able to combine both with pole dancing," she rejoices. It can appeal to those who are focused on fitness, as well as those who are more artistically based and like to express feelings or even stories with their bodies.

"Even before covid, our studio worked every year on a multi-genre project in the theater, where not only our dancers - course participants - but also artists, singers and theater actors performed."

For everyone and without excuses

Although pole dancing is more associated with women, it has become popular with men and even children. All over the world, including the Czech Republic, there are prestigious competitions in the categories of men, women, children, pairs and groups, which are further divided into different groups according to age and experience. "I have been in the world of pole dancing for more than ten years. Women are very attracted to this sport, but at the same time they cannot get rid of fear and prejudice," the coach points out.

“Some excuses are repeated over and over again. I don't have the strength to pole dance. It is only for soaked athletes. I'm very fat and I didn't even get half way through the bar in gym at school. I was never good at climbing. I am also very old. My body is no longer for show and I can't imagine that I will only train in shorts." The trainer dispels all fears. "You'll never know what it's like until you try it," she notes.

"Don't worry. We start by walking around the bar and simple points or statics. Don't worry, we'll let you hang upside down like a bat after about five months. We start slowly, step by step, so we have something to build on. In various dance studios, there are also so-called basic lessons for women who feel weak and have not exercised for a long time."

Weight, age, and quirks

Questions about weight are heard by trainer Zuzana most often. Women often think that if they have some extra kilos, for example after children, they are a write-off. It's not true. "Different types of women come to our studio. Of course, in the case of extremely obese individuals, this is a problem, I won't lie. You're always pulling your weight after all. The joints and back might not be able to take it. That's why we recommend combining exercise with a diet and an overall healthy lifestyle."

Unpleasant memories of gym classes and climbing a pole are also often an objection. The less physically fit pupils of them remained mindless even in deep adulthood. But even that is just a psychological block that can be removed. "I also hated climbing at school," admits Zuzana Kňavová. "I always had a worse grade in it than in any other sports discipline. And you can see how I turned out in the end," she encourages.

Age is not a cause for concern either. In competitions, there are also categories for seniors, and women over sixty are no exception. "It is interesting to observe how each woman perceives her age," thinks the coach. “I often get asked: What if I'm 30? Am I too old for this? At that moment, I smile and answer the person in question with a clear conscience: I am thirty-seven. You really aren't old enough to pole dance.'

Exercise version for everyone

Beginners especially learn basic walking, turns, spins and static elements on the bar such as sit, lie down and upside down positions. On the other side of the spectrum, of course, there are also very demanding positions that require considerable strength and flexibility.

You can choose from different levels of difficulty. The light version is suitable for overweight or middle-aged people who fear that they will not be able to handle the whole hour with others.

Teaching is focused more on dance elements than hand strength. It is not only practiced on the pole, but also next to it. "There is also the pole exotic discipline, in which it is necessary to dance in high-heeled and platform shoes, but we practice barefoot," reassures the coach.

At the beginning of the exercise, it is enough to wear shorts and a t-shirt or tank top, later a sports bra is required due to the support points on the side and abdomen. Leggings are recommended for warm-up to warm up the muscles and prevent injury during the lesson. The rod with a diameter of 40 to 50 millimeters is attached to the floor and to the ceiling, so there is no need to worry about poor stability.

Drop your inhibitions and go for it

Many women don't like to see themselves naked in the mirror and have trouble going to the gym in front of others in just shorts and a bra. "I always say to new women interested in this sport: In pole dancing, not only tops are thrown away, but obstacles are thrown away," smiles Zuzana Kňavová.

"We take off our clothes in order to stay on the pole. Otherwise it doesn't even work. Bare skin on metal holds best. Once you find yourself among other relaxed women of different ages and figures, you will see that you are in the same boat. The pretty blonde next to you is probably also dealing with her body, just like a mom of two.

This brings me to the most important thing that the courses mean to me. It's one thing, of course, to do sports, toning the body, increasing flexibility and pushing one's own goals, but the biggest benefit for me is a group of laughing, relaxed women who, for once, have thrown away fear and prejudice. They came for the first class, then the next, and finally it's been years.

Lawyers, doctors, students, mothers, grandmothers, entrepreneurs, teachers and cleaners come to us. They're in it together in shorts and sports bras," adds the trainer happily.