Oh, The Sexy Has Been Broughten...or Something Like That

Last week, I posted about UPA's Bringing Sexy Back Week.

Today, I present to you my video:



I believe that "sexy" means different things to different people.  I don't really think I embody the popular sense of the word.  But what makes me feel sexy is being comfortable in my own skin and being able to turn down the lights and dance like no one is watching.  This free dance was kind of hard for me because I had a few people in the studio watching while I taped it.  I also felt like I danced a little stronger in my first attempt, but I slipped a little during a spin then laughed, so I scrapped that one.  I taught class then filmed my second attempt between classes after I was all sweaty.  I was a little more tired but I also think that helped me slow down a little bit (and I feel like I still need to slow down even more).

There is a battle being waged on Facebook.  This week, I have seen Pink Pole Power's posts about bringing elegance daily.  I don't know if it is directly in response to UPA's Bringing Sexy Back Week, but the timing would indicate that it might be related.  (Side note: even though I started this sentence talking about waging war...I didn't mean to indicate that Pink Pole Power was the one waging the war.  I am referring to some conversations I've had with other people on Facebook.  No disrespect meant to PPP, I love them!)

My friend brought up on Facebook that she was tired of hearing about the pole fitness versus pole dancing debate.  She personally wasn't interested in the sexy side of pole dance but she liked that pole dance was versatile enough to embrace all types of dance.  But she also didn't like the debate because she thinks everyone should be accepted.  I don't want to blame the Olympics push, but there are definitely some groups that would like to see a little bit of a divide so that they can distance themselves from the strip club roots.  And I feel like this debate will continue to happen, along with other growing pains, as our industry becomes more mainstream.  There will be those who need and want pole dance to be more like gymnastics -- very tricks-based and not sexy whatsoever.  And there will be those who remember the roots of the sport -- and actually dancing around a pole. 

I am not saying there is not room for every kind of pole dance.  But I do not believe that this debate will be going away any time soon.

I know the quote from Claire at The Pole Story has also stirred some controversy:


If for some reason, the idea of your dancing being connected to the strip club scene is upsetting to you, if you desperately need to distance what you do from what those “other girls” do, if you truly believe that you are doing this because it’s just a really good workout, then I strongly suggest you spend some time thinking about why you chose pole dancing.  Because there are a million ways to get fit without putting on six inch stilettos, a bikini and swinging sensually around a pole.

So what about those girls who don't wear six inch stilettos and tiny bikinis?  What if you don't dance "sexy" at all?  While I understand that dancing in shoes, or dancing sexy in general, is not for everyone, I don't believe Claire means specifically that every single pole dancer has or will strap on six inch stilettos and dance like a stripper from a rap video (and, I am not speaking for Claire here, I am only telling you how *I* took her quote).  To me, she is saying, if the stigma attached to pole dancing bothers you so much, maybe you should find another source for exercise.  

So the debate continues.  I know I am instigating it by continuing to write about it.  But the topic interests me and the number of people reading these posts seems to indicate they are interested as well.

Please tell me how you feel about the debate.  Be kind to your fellow pole dancers, though!  Every type of pole dancing is accepted here!

Bringing Sexy Back!

Directly on the heels of my Chinese Pole post (and hopefully no one thinks I am disrespecting it), I am going to post about Bringing Sexy Back.  There HAS been a push to take "the sexy" out of pole and focus on strength-based tricks in order to get pole into the Olympics.  That is okay for that crowd.  It doesn't make it wrong for those who still want to dance sexy!

United Pole Artists has declared the week of July 9-16, 2012 Bringing Sexy Back Week (Read Annemarie's blog HERE)!  That's  next week so I didn't want to wait to post this.  They are challenging pole dancers to post videos to YouTube with "Bringing Sexy Back" in the title to show support for those who do love the sexy part of pole dancing.

If you need an example, Alethea Austin embodies what it means to be a sexy, hot, strong pole dancer:



I get that not everyone wants to be sexy in pole dance.  I get that not everyone CAN be sexy in pole dance.  But I do value that side of pole dancing.  So, if you are ready to bring the sexy, post your videos to YouTube and share the links in the comments section below!