Page 71 - Eden_4_5_2017

BĄDŹ FIT

TEXT: ElżbiEta bogusławska-Przybysz
Fitness around a pole

Until recently, pole dancing was associated with nightclubs only and many people were uncomfortable with its
performances. Today ideas have changed. It is now seen as approaching ballet and gymnastics, affording an artistic
experience. It became popular under the name of pole dance and for many people became an interesting part of their
lives. Stars of stage and screen have also been promoting the dance.

ancing around a pole has ganised classes improvement comes in and a half. - Pole dancing requires tre-
been known for a long time. small steps – but it often takes a lot of mendous strength and mobility, and then
a feathered wooden shaft time and many women are discouraged. it looks impressive. but the way to do it,
was danced around in the Especially when they see the lightness the workout, the need to unveil the body
Dspring by women in african and the apparent ease of the instructor (clothes slipping on the tube, making it
tribal communities to attract them to doing tricks that seem to them impossi- impossible to progress), building pain
prospective candidates for marriage. in ble. but in fact, it’s the head (the mind) resistance, suppressing fears (hanging
asia the 800 year old pole exercises were which hampers the tricks on the pole, head down) for many women is of great
reserved for men. in india these activi- not the body or lack of strength. if you importance as it shapes the character.
ties are still practiced under the name are sure of yourself then each figure as Perhaps leading to a better contact with
of Mallakhamb, and in China as Chinese you progress is easier than it seems. people and more individual boldness.
Pole. watching these almost acrobatic well-known Polish actress, Paulina it can also be a great skill with which to
shows always made a big impression on Holtz, practiced pole dancing for a year awaken femininity and courage. P
viewers, so the performances on bars
also crossed over to the circus.
at the beginning of the twentieth cen-
tury, pole dancing became more erotic.
in the usa and Canada, special shows in
tents were organized for men. over time,
pole dancing arrived in bars (burlesque),
and finally to nightclubs, where in the
1980s it was linked to striptease. it came
to Poland in this form. and it continually
evolved, with added elements of acro-
batics and interesting choreographies,
up to the 90s when it appeared in fitness
clubs as one of the exercise proposals.

Breaking the Barriers
angelika Przybyłek, who gives pole
dance classes (www.ironpoledance.
pl), emphasizes that this dance is today
a proposition for all ladies who feel
the need to move. “there are girls and
women of all sizes and skills,” says the
instructor. - it doesn’t hurt, no bruis-
es on your body at all, it’s the mirrors
which are the biggest problem during
the first month of training!
Experienced pole dancers make an
impression, but to arrive at such a form
need years, at least months of training.
at the beginning of sessions, muscles
are strengthened and stretched, with
basic so called exercise rhythms on
the poles, for example, sliding down
the pole which comes gradually. in the
course of time, new elements are added.
Muscle strength is very important,
because in some figures on the pole you
have to carry the weight of the whole
body for a few seconds. with well or-

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