Photo Credit: Jezaira Knight

The first time I ever went to a strip club was in Las Vegas many years ago when we were there for a wedding.  Paul and I went to the club with a group of friends, male and female.  I didn’t know what to expect and I was in awe watching the female dancers move so gracefully and athletically on the stage and on the pole!  The way they danced in those incredibly high-heeled shoes, swirled around the pole, used their upper body strength to swing, spin, climb and work the pole amazed me.  My eyes were glued to the way their bodies moved gracefully, effortlessly and sensually in a style of dance I had never seen before.

Since that experience, I had learned of pole dancing fitness classes and had always wanted to take one.  Part of me thought it would be super fun and the other part of me was scared as hell to try it out.  I am not the most graceful woman, and I’m definitely not always comfortable in my body movements, but still I thought it would be a fun experience.

I recently learned that there is a pole dancing fitness class where I live in Santa Barbara.  My friend started taking classes at Seventh Dimension Dance a couple of months ago and I had been admiring the videos and pictures she posted on Instagram each week.

I finally got up the nerve to go on the Mind Body app and schedule my first class!  I was nervous and excited and had very low expectations for my personal success walking in that day.  And I definitely did not know what to wear!  My friend told me the studio had heels to borrow and to just wear workout clothes.

So, I walked in that Friday morning wearing my camo-crop tank top and Lululemon pants.  Hair in pigtail braids, I was ready to take it all in!  The owner, Harmony Varela, greeted me with a huge hug and I instantly felt welcomed and comfortable.  They had many shoes in different sizes and I chose a sexy, black, open-toed style that fit.  My first challenge was to make it from a seated position on the floor where I put on the shoes to walk onto the stage near a pole…without eating it!  Mission accomplished!

I found my way to a pole in the front of the room and class started.  There were 6 other women in the class of all ages, sizes and experiences.  Harmony was so warm and enthusiastic!  She assured me and the other new woman we would be just fine.  We started with warm ups on the floor then began learning the moves in the routine.

Despite standing well-over 6′ tall in the stiletto platforms, I found the heels to be helpful in performing the moves.  I didn’t feel particularly graceful, but I was able to learn the moves, do a few spins and I even felt pretty damn sexy throughout class! 

It was a great upper and lower body workout.  My arm strength was helpful in holding the pole for spins and my lower body was challenged in leg lifts, squats and lowering myself from standing all the way to laying down on the floor.

My biggest challenge was my hair!  Next time, I will know to wear it down so I can properly toss it around seductively.  It turns out that pigtail braids are not particularly sexy while doing a pole dance.

After 45 minutes we had learned the routine and performed it all the way through at least 4 times.  I had a blast!  Let me tell you though…if you wonder whether pole dancers are strong and athletic…the answer is YES!!!  That is not an easy workout, and moving around in the heels and also looking sexy and graceful…it takes HUGE talent!!!

I highly recommend stepping out of your comfort zone and trying fitness classes that challenge your body and mind. If you have a chance to try pole dancing, do it!  You will feel sassy, empowered and sexy!  I plan to go back…and to come back next time dressed for success with some hot pink shoes, booty shorts and hair down!!!