[lauries]

Hi there.  I think your idea is fantastic.  I have seen a few books while on ebay that may help you. 

One I'm sure that could help you is called Pole Dancing, Empowerment and Embodiment by Samantha Holland.  The Review: This book provides an international, multi-disciplinary empirical account of pole classes and how they fit into wider discourses about bodies and gender, and age and fitness. In particular, the book explores how women initiate agency and espouse liberation and empowerment through something as seemingly problematic as pole classes. Heres the contents Introduction Towards a Feminist Ethnography From Circus& Sex ! ! to Fitness& Leisure What is a Pole Class? What Not to Wear Diversity& Empowerment? A Thing of Beauty' The Pole Community: Opening Closed Minds Case Study I: 'Empowering women with confidence' Case Study II: Power Moves& Everyday Bodies Conclusions: A Positive Active Identity? Appendix I: Questions for online questionnaire and statistics of responses Appendix II: Websites of Instructors Who Took Part + Schools Mentioned Bibliography Index.

 

Something that isnt so much about pole dancing but more stripping and burlesque, (but could be useful) is The Happy Stripper by Jackie Wilson.  The review: If the burlesque stripper, with her bawdy spirit and unruly insubordination, has emerged for many as a new 'empowering' model for the sexually aware woman, then she also strikes horror in the heart of second wave feminism. Embodied by high profile artistes such as Dita von Teese and Catherine D'Lish, the explosive revival of striptease, burlesque and overt female sexual performance has proved no less alluring to a new generation of women artists familiar with the provocative work of 70's performance artists such as Hannah Wilke and Carolee Schneeman. Eloquent on 'prettiness' and power, desire and 'knowingness', money, sex and class, and with an extensive knowledge of burlesque's rich tradition, Willson raises long overdue questions about women's erotic expression within a 'postfeminist' condition. The 'new burlesque' demands above all a response – this fresh, brazen, provocative book at last provides it.

 

Two books that could be helpful historically are The Mexican Indian Flying Pole Dance by Helga Larsen and May-Pole Possibilities: With Dances and Drills for Modern Pastime by Jennette Emeline Carpenter Lincoln.  However I could not find any info on what these books are actually about.  But I do know that pole dancing has been linked to the may-pole. 

 

Im not really sure what focus you are looking to take (perhaps you dont either).  It may be helpful for you to go on ebay and do some searches in the books category. Some key words are stripper, stripping, exotic dance, strip tease, and burlesque. 

Hope this has been helpful 🙂

[lauries]

First off, i congragulate you for having the bravery to take that step!
A few pointers I have to offer, is to first, just be cool with it all. It sounds a bit stupid, but some of the most powerful, erotic, sensual and sexy moves that can be performed, are by a dancer who is not fussed by taking her time, and working each move. I would treat stripping as a job, as also a way to indulge in my own self. UI cant speak for everyone, but when i dance, i try and forget my thunder thighs, celulite, and ickly woggly bits (also insert own self-image issues), buh I get a glimpse of how some move I do, and then I go, ‘ok lets slow it down’ . I dont think I’m being clear, buh in les words Id say sexual confidence is like lying to children, if you believe it (*and if only half hearltyidly AT FIRST[ bcuz FUK, practice and actaully look at urself in the mirror, n you will gasp (and thats okO) at how sexya nd captizvating u are), your audience will believe you! Bcuz, men are at heart and soul, simple creatures! xoxox