Hooked

You walk into a room of 8 other nervous women.  Some know each other, some are obviously here alone.  The room is full of intimidating equipment and you scout out the best place.  It has to be somewhere you can see the instructor, but still blend in.  Unfortunately, the only pole available is right at the front of the class.  Darn it.

Looking around, you realize that you'll be spending the next 60 minutes staring yourself as the front of the class is completely covered in floor-to-ceiling mirrors.  You begin to have second thoughts...

"Am I nuts?  Can I do this?  What was I thinking???"

Your bouncy and happy instructor takes her place at the front and the music begins.  Her hips begin to swing from side-to-side and she encourages you to do the same.  Looking around, you awkwardly begin to move.  It's somewhat soothing to realize everyone else is just as stiff and just as nervous.

She introduces herself as Kat and guides everyone through a basic warm up where stretching out arms and legs is necessary.  The core component is challenging, but so far it's a typical gym class.  With a smile on her face, the instructor guides everyone up onto their knees.  Things are about to get a heck of a lot more awkward.

" Alright ladies, it's time for our ponies"

You half wonder if someone is about to lead a number of small horses into the room.  Instead, it's the next exercise designed to strengthen our thighs and shatter inhibitions.  Kat spreads her knees and then provocatively goes from kneeling to being upright on her knees.  She bounces up and down in the position 3 times before slapping her butt.  Everyone giggles nervously and stares.  The class follows in suit and within minutes it becomes clear.  You're definitely coming back to next class.

In January 2014, I made myself promise 3 things.  One of those promises was to try pole fitness.  I'd sampled it in England, but hadn't really had much experience with it.  I convinced a friend to try it with me and after the first class, I was falling in love.

Why?

Firstly, it's liberating.  I'm not a small person and I somehow had it in the back of my mind that only skinny people get to be sexy.  Here I was, twice the size of some of the girls, doing the same things and getting to feel the same enjoyment.  No one was stripping off clothes, it wasn't demeaning and garish.  It was just a bunch of women coming together, with all of our personal insecurities, to dance.

I've attended over 20 classes now and can see the difference.  Not necessarily physical, though I've strengthened muscles I didn't know I had, but also in my self-confidence.  Those ponies don't intimidate me anymore and I often have to resist from showing off what I've learned.  Lol, people who aren't comfortable with pole fitness or my flirty dance might mistake what I've learned as a provocative and inappropriate peep show instead of the pride I feel in my accomplishments.

It started with a pole hold, and it has become an ongoing love affair with a tall, brass pole.

I'm hooked.