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Read this post on Psychology Today about Pole Dancing
So, I read this on Psychology Today. I love most of the writers for this site but then there are some that just make you think how they got into the psychology field. This article amused me and thought I share it with you guys. I don't think I would want to have this psychologist as my therapist. It's sad that people who have a great outlet to share their thoughts don't give themselves the opportunity to see all sides of the story and see some good in all.
Here's the link to the article. Share your thoughts
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44 Replies
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This was a fascinating article and the comments in the discussion were just amusing. I can't help but chuckle with amusement at some of it. Yes, pole stems slightly from stripping, but that's only half the story. I don't believe she did enough research on pole dancing. Mainly only went with the route that it's used today as a way to empower women. There's far more to the history than that. Also, guys pole too! And its not all necessarily to be sexy. The fact that it was not mentioned in this article, tells me the research was not done thoroughly enough and just enough was written to satisfy the article.
All the same. I enjoyed reading it.
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Villainvixen, I totally agree with you. It bothers me when people in that position don't research and plant their opinions rather than facts. Too bad. I still need to comment on the blog. I'm trying to figure out right words so the writer can find some information and broaden her views.
We've got long ways to go………
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i commented! I didn't quite out everything I wanted. It'd be TOO long lol. But just enough.
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I find it so hard to find the words to describe the empowerment that comes from owning and enjoying one's sexual sensuality. This is especially true for this article as the tone implies she's already made up her mind. I realize not everyone is going to understand it, and that's ok. I decided instead to talk about the versatility of pole dance and the many ways it can be used as an outlet of expression. It seemed to me like she thought that the only way women pole dance is by grinding on the pole. *sigh*
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Love the quote "Just like nudity and sex… the artists intention and interpretation is what makes the performance true art… or in this case exotic dance".
She, like most people being new to the art, seems to be struggling with the public perception of pole – hope she goes and educates herself to a deeper level.
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I couldn't help but chime in too, lol. its nice to see so many pole dancers jumping in on that discussion!
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I read it, she's said to have had friends who've tried pole dance, but if her only visions of pole is grinding, then I would wonder where her friends went! I don't know of too many legitimate studios that teach you first to grind on a pole, bodywaves, yes, grinding, hmmm, not so much.
I will also add, and this might be a surprise, I'm tired of the word empowerment being connected to pole (I used it too). However, now I say….Be fit, Be sexy, Be Confident, forget the E word it's time for the B word! LOL That was sooo cheesy! But anyway, using the term "empowerment", still sounds like we're making excuses for enjoying pole dance or that somehow it will make women themselves more widely accepted!! Which is silly because we rule the world. lol Using the E word is as if we are trying to change peoples opinion of pole. In reality you can't change OTHER people, so it should only matter how Pole makes YOU feel! For me it's fit, sexy and confident!! Just BE! I'm much better at expressing myself through dance then words so I hope you get the idea. 🙂
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Listing not having to look “cute” as a plus point for female only gyms grinded my gears to begin with. This is just an opinion piece and I don’t see any evidence of research in her writing. I agree with the above comments regarding her use of the phrase “grinding on the pole”. C’mon, that’s such a cliché! If she’s not into trying pole dance that’s totally cool, different strokes for different folks. But why write an article suggesting there’s any kind of correlation between pole dance classes and rape culture?
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I normally never comment on a blogs other than SV. But her article just made me feel.. ugggh! So I spoke my mind. I wasnt nasty, but I wasnt as nice as usual 🙂
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HOLY SHIT! pardon my french!
But this (was till I sold it last year) MY studio! I was reading and read the names of the classes (meet me at the barre was my favorite name I came up with lol), those are MY names! lol This is Diva Den Studio in Portland. I started this studio way back in 2008. I sold it to my biz partner in March of 2012.
She obviously hasn't tried the pole classes, this is actually a pretty common reaction when people first come in to the studio. It's not as easy to convert the "fitness" people to "pole dance" people at the new place, as it's over 9000 sq ft and the pole has it's own room vs sharing with zumba and whatnot. When I had it in a 1600 sq ft one room studio, it was easier to get people used to the poles because they had to zumba around them.
The pole classes have changed quite a bit since I stopped teaching there from what I hear. They are definitely more "fitness/strength" based vs sultry dance with a few tricks as I taught.
But yea, this is par for the course here. I've seen many blogs and reviews with this exact tone. I was usually able to convert most of them to see that it's not what they imagine (people actually thought we stripped in class, like we would be topless or something! lol).
Summer
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Oh, and on another note, grinding the pole was the number 1 no no in the class, it's just ugly, manly and not sexy at all. I call it the drunk girl hump lolol
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I actually don't even know what 'grinding the pole' even MEANS. Is that, like, rubbing your crotch on it? FOR REAL, that's what people think? good lord.
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grinding is essentially "humping" like a dog humping a leg. You see drunk girls doing it at dance clubs all the time…which is why I call it the "drunk girl hump" lolol
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SMDH! This woman has zero clue about pole dancing. Not to mention she has friends who take classes and or teach, yet she has this very narrow view of what pole dancing/fitness is? They haven't given her much of an education IMHO. It's sad Psychology Today felt it was fit to publish this article.
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We’ve invited her to check out the site to see how pole dance can really change someone’s life.
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