Undergrad by day, pole-dancer by night

Yes, this is exactly what you think it is. It is not, as perhaps the media-cynical reader might suppose, a provocative title heading an article which in fact transpires to be a badly-disguised pun on the latest expedition to the Arctic Circle.

Up and down the country, a small but significant revolution in exercise is occurring. Pole-dancing may not rival the celebrity-starred popularity of yoga just yet, but it’s certainly making its mark.

I took lessons with Liz Dixon of Pole-Positions to find out why. Leather boots (to prevent friction on your legs) in hand, I sidled furtively to a room advertised on a leaflet posted through my door. Like some clandestine, arcane witchcraft society, therein stood a small circle of nervous women. And in the middle of this gathering? The shiny necessity to this unusual sport – a pole.

Sexy walk

Liz herself, a stoic, experienced and motivating instructor, assured us that her pole-dancing classes were popular with students and housewives alike, both of whom wished to boost their own confidence, as well as tone their physiques. The First Lesson First things first – the Sexy Walk. To build self-confidence and put those high heeled boots to good use, we started off learning to walk in an exaggeratedly seductive fashion.

Exaggeration is the key word here. Envisaging you were Kate Moss in that White Stripes video also helped (although the mirror opposite gave something of a reality check). The right walk, though it initially made us feel slightly silly, was essential – there was no point approaching the pole as though it had teeth.

Once we had the walk conquered, the next stage was the Fireman, so-called for self-explanatory reasons. It was a simple move which required us to Sexy Walk (oh yes) around the pole to gather momentum, before jumping onto the pole and sliding down with both knees. And so began pole-dancing… The Image Pole-dancing is breaking away from its image of sleazy strip-joints in the city. Men and women alike are finding out that it is a fun and sensual form of exercise available to them in a safe and welcoming environment.

Camaraderie

Companies, such as Pole Positions, are springing up with the express purpose of offering pole-dancing as a keep-fit alternative for everyone – students, housewives and even men! Pole dancing takes endurance and co-ordination, as well as the sensuality which comes chiefly with practice and growing assurance within the environment. The pole itself is constructed of a lightweight metal and held in place by threading – meaning that much of the pressure of a pole-dancer’s weight is put on the ceiling and floor, and not on the pole itself. Just for Fun As the course moved on, there grew a feeling of camaraderie within the class as we all encouraged and complimented each other.

A course such as this is perfect for those who are shy and wish to boost their self-confidence – whether on the dance floor or for themselves. Whether you choose to let the information slip is up to you entirely… Courses with Pole Positions are available in Leamington Spa, Coventry and, more recently, Hemel Hempstead. Each one hour lesson costs £15, and the course runs over six weeks; more details can be found here.

Listen to Soapbox on the radio: Pole-dancing