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Masculine vs. Feminine pole dancing?
Hello everyone,
I’m a 23 year-old guy interested in learning to pole dance. I don’t have a pole yet, but I’m planning to get one soon. I’m waiting because (1) I want to lose a little bit of weight first, and (2) I want to make sure I’m really interested before making the commitment to buying an expensive pole – I want to be sure I’m not just being impulsive, haha. When I do get myself a pole, though, I’m planning to use the lessons on this site. They look really helpful.
Anyway, I’m wondering what makes for a more masculine or feminine style of pole dancing? Does anyone have recommendations for how to learn a more masculine style? I know pole dancing is typically geared towards women. I’ve seen some guys on YouTube pole dancing in a more feminine way, too (like Steven Retchless, or Anthony Platt). I admire their skills and I’m really impressed by what they can do. I think they’re extremely talented, but that style of dancing just doesn’t feel like it would suit me. At the same time, some of the male pole dancers I’ve seen on YouTube (like Carlos Franca) seem to just do a lot of show-off tricks, and it doesn’t really look artistic/dance-like. I’ve found two guys whose styles I really like: David C. Owen (although his style is sometimes bordering on more feminine than I’d like to be myself), and dancerdac. Any suggestions, or ideas for who else to look for on YouTube?
Thanks!
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16 Replies
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Welcome 🙂 1 get a pole it will help loose the weight a lot quicker then without one (personal opinion) 2. Impulsive it good!!
I personally find the most masculine style is Evgeny Greshilov partner of the stunning Anastasia Skukhtorova. Mark Buhantsov is another one. vid of engeny – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jnPMYULODM&list=UUV_Z3FZlHmMo83zOjN-3RRQ -
oh and Kenneth Kao is another one 🙂 hope that helps a bit
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Meg, thanks for sharing. I hadn’t seen Mark Buhanstov before–I really like his style–very cool (and masculine).
Papaya, welcome! I agree that there’s no need to wait on buying a pole if losing weight is your concern–might as well get started–the weight loss will come. I’m looking forward to seeing who else fellow Veeners will suggest, but I’m sure you’ll develop your own masculine style.
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Meg your link didn’t work for me so I’m not sure if I’m posting the same video as you but this is my Evgeny favourite. He’s amazing! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rr3_tsDzn_c
I saw a some great male dancers at the World Pole Championships in February so I’ll link a couple of them here. I did love Monika Ell, who came in 2nd place, but his style was perhaps a little more feminine than the others so may not be of interest to you.
Kristian Lebedev (1st Place) http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_4188945319&feature=iv&src_vid=t_yt_T5s4Ks&v=qM0qbfFKg-I
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Kate92 – I looked up Monika Ell, and I actually ended up liking him more than the others you posted.
Thanks everyone for the links. They all seem like excellent performers! Watching all of these, I’ve realized that maybe I’m wanting a more gender-neutral style. I’ve been watching some videos of women, too. The more ‘masculine’ videos (whether the dancer is a guy or girl) seem to be all about showing off strength, and some of the ‘feminine’ videos I’ve seen seem to be more about moving in more of a sexy way, again whether it’s a guy or a girl. I think I’m going to stop worrying about the spectrum of masculinity and femininity and just learn to do it in a way that suits me. 🙂 Thanks again for all the great links – I enjoyed watching them!
As for losing weight – thanks for the tips on that, too. I’m a swimmer so I’ve been getting back into swimming for losing weight, and I kind of wanted to save getting a pole for my big reward once I’ve achieved my goals. I may reconsider and get one earlier, though. 😛
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That’s great! He was my personal favourite 😀 glad to hear you’re feeling positive about pole, welcome and I hope you have a great time learning, whatever style you end up with – I think it’s likely that you won’t choose a style, but rather a style will “choose” you. Whatever comes naturally will always be best! Keep us all updated with your progress once you start!
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I would say first learn to train safely and enjoyably, as you learn more you will find out what you love and what comes easily vs what’s more challenging. You will also be able to choose the music you like and start to link moves to it. Whatever your natural dance/movement style is, you can find ways to highlight it when moving vertically! I mean, most women I know who take up pole don’t walk into a studio going ‘I want to move exactly like Cleo Hurricane or Jenyne Butterfly, they just want to learn how to do it and as they get more skilled and strong they develop a dance or movement style that is their own.
You might love hip hop and you might get a buzz out of working that style into your work, or yiu might find you enjoy doing awesome strength moves to classical music. Fast spins to techno; whatever
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Love this guy! One of my favs. I think besides the obvious pole skills, his personality comes shining through! http://youtu.be/1lmejPu2CPk – Vladimir Karachunov
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Dominic Lacasse is amazing; grace and strength
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ozIuqXsXRzw -
Ahh Write2Pole I love that video! Meant to link it but I totally forgot. Can someone persuade him to marry me please?
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Saulo Sarmiento is amazing too!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEybj34K9pE -
It has taken me two years for me to discover what style I love. When i first started I was determined to show strength only and had no interest in the dance side. Its only recently that I much prefer exotic and fluid dance style pole with less tricks than a style based upon tricks whih show strength! I wouldnt get caught up on how you think you want your style to be as it will appear naturally once you have learnt different things and come across different performers.
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Don’t worry about losing weight first. Pole will help with that. if you wait for the perfect body to start , you may never start. Life is too short. If you get a good quality pole, you can always sell it for a descent price if you decide later on that it isn’t for you. As far as style…. what you are is probably what is gonna come across. meaning, what is natural for your body. your style of dance off the pole will probably determine how you look on the pole. I think importantly, what you feel INSIDE is what will come across in pole dancing. if you feel feminine, that will be seen. if you feel masculine, that will be seen. I think watching other dancers who have the style you like will help to influence and shape your own style. but truthfully, and this may sound corny, but what is in your very core and soul is what will show. I wouldn’t even worry about your style. that may take years for you to develop YOUR style and as you progress , your idea of what you like will change with you. start now, life is too short! welcome!
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also, to me, Pole dance is where gender can become non-existent. it really transcends gender and highlights the strength and beauty of all bodies. gender can literally be turned upside down and inside out when it comes to pole dance. I’ve seen women do strength tricks that only Hercules should be able to do and I’ve seen men so flexible and fluid that it blew my mind that a man’s body could even move that way.
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lilredrobinhood – Very well said. A different example: I learned how to ride a motorcycle and anticipated that I would be a certain kind of rider. After I rode for a while I discovered that my expectations and what I wanted out of the sport took a 180 degree turn from what I thought it would be. As with pole, it’s about the journey. Enjoy and welcome. And by the way, when my lil brother (45 yrs old) heard I had a pole he admitted that he wanted to pole. Now that was a surprise, and a very cool one too!
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