MUMSCAST
Pole-dancing – yes you can do it too
‘Get used to opening your legs ladies.’ This is what Katya, our instructor, said as she described how to twirl down on the pole. The group of women looked utterly stunned. As the ‘oldies’, we just giggled. After all, when you’ve been through child birth, this sort of line does not really faze you.
We were at the 2 hour taster pole-dancing session given by Polestar. Katya is great and made us feel really at ease - well, as much as we could feel at ease in a pair of hot pants (don’t forget to wax) and high heels!
The evening starts with a warm up (a bit like a 5 minute aerobics class) and then the instructor performs a short dance routine to show how it’s done. She was amazing. We’ve never actually seen a ‘real-life’ pole dance before and when Katya climbed to the top of the pole, gripped with her legs and let go with her hands – wow! It was incredible to watch – it really is an art form.
You don’t realise how much strength and skill is needed to pole dance properly. No wonder it’s advised as a good way to tone up. And in such a fun way.
Then it was our turn to have a go! There were two poles in the class of 10 people and we took turns to practice the moves Katya taught us. Yes, in front of all the others. The first move (the one most women are nervous of) is where you jump on to the pole and slide down elegantly with legs astride! In all honesty, at this stage, we did feel a bit apprehensive and quite embarrassed. 
After trying a few moves, it soon became clear that some come more naturally than others. You also stop taking yourself too seriously and just get into the swing of it. The most difficult move was when we were told to think of ourselves as a ‘sexy diva goddess’ – this must have been the funniest routine we tried – imagine trying to be sexy with a pole. Yes, that means doing a few hip moves together with a sexy, come-here look on your face! A couple of glasses of wine would have made all the difference.
At the taster sessions, you get the chance to practice quite a few moves and really get a good feel for the real thing and whether you would like to do a full course.
There is a real feel-good factor about these sessions. Pole-dancing is not something we thought we’d ever do but we are so glad we did. What a great experience. We had tears in our eyes laughing at each other, we got a good work out (our arms ached for days afterwards) and we realised how much skill in involved. 
Pole dancing is also about improving your body awareness and confidence. It gives you a strong sense of your sexuality again. You remember? That feeling before having children! It’s about walking with a little strut and bringing out your fun, playful side again.
Even though we were the oldest women in the class, we were probably the least self conscious. It made us realise that our experience of motherhood, with all its challenges and its impact on our bodies, has also given us a different kind of confidence and ease with ourselves. We have achieved something amazing just by being mums and this, in a sense, has given us a self-assurance that we didn’t have before having children. Yes, youth is beautiful, but it is also fantastic to be able to live our lives without all those insecurities.
So the bottom line (well, yes the one sticking out of the hot pants too) is that this is a fun, confidence-boosting, sexy and toning experience. By the end we were swinging around that pole in full force and you couldn’t get us off it!
We are thinking about the burlesque class next. As ever, we will keep you posted. 
MUMSCLICK SPECIAL OFFER WITH POLESTARS
We are delighted that Polestars have offered MUMSCLICK members a 20% discount on all taster and full courses. Polestars are in Bournemouth, Brighton, Bristol, Bromley, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Peterborough, Reading, Sheffield, Southampton so there is no excuse! Click here to get your special MUMSCLICK code to take up this offer. Go with friends, with your teenage daughters (if they’ll go with you) or on your own. You won’t regret it.
Polestars also do pole-dancing parties (these cost £285 for up to 20 people – so it’s not too costly if everyone contributes) – great idea for a really fab girls night out. (the 20% discount doesn’t apply to the parties). Polestars have had a quite a few groups of mother's clubs from schools organise these parties with us and they have had a great time!
Click here to find out more and to book.
19 comments
samantha
I signed up for a free pole dancing lesson (then £12 a lesson thereafter .. not cheap!) but I chickened out! I just could not picture myself with high heels and shorts in public (or even in private in a dance studio!). I would love to give it a go, if I had someone brave enough to come with me though!
rita gl
sounds like a blast for the youngsters but not for someone like me - too inhibited i think - who is 51
Lee
I am in a hysterical mess even thinking of putting my wobbly bum into hotpants, let alone trying to balance on heels and swing around a pole - looks like its one of those, erm, activities that is delicious fun if you can just let go of yourself - bit like giving birth really....
paula c
Looked a really fun thing to do! I don't think I'm brave enough to even get into hot-pants, let alone shimmy up a pole!! Good on you girls!!
Gill
I'd need a reinforced concrete foundation on a pole before I could hoist myself up... but respect to all pole dancers out there....pheweee.
Caroline
Don't I know it Gill! Hoist being the operative word believe me!!!
dee72
o wow
damask7
Hi all a I am one of the teachers who work with katja teaching you ladies how to do it. I love my pole no gym fees I can do it when I want put on my own music. Yes it can be hard at first especially with upper body strengh but once mastered great fun and a great way to tone the body. Give it ago bit I also know it is not for every one:-)
craftynclothy
Hehe I'd love to have a go at this, can't afford it though and have no-one to go with :-(
I could do with some exercise!!!
Sam
Wow you guys are brave and look pretty fabulous doing it too! I have heard that poledancing is brilliant exercise... and good for making you feel quite sexy too!
Hertsgirl
I bet its fantastic for a workout session but there's no way I'd put on hotpants in public! lol
Ela
Well done to you all!!!
I have a friend who did a course for a Valentine's day surprise for her husband. I believe it worked..............
anne brand
High heels and hot pants! I love it! I think just getting dressed for the class may remind us of a few things we've forgotten since we've had kids... I reckon it's a great idea. Otherwise we're going to land up being one of those women who only ever dance at other people's (our children's) weddings. You know who I'm talking about: your uncle and aunt grooving to Creedance on the dance floor. Yikes! Don't let it happen to you...
Pilgrimine(Ruth)
Would absolutely love too. think it's confidence building and great fun. However, being a single mum etc, it would be quite hard for me financially and childcare wise. Great idea though and hope you all have great fun :)
dmasih
I'm well disappointed...it seems that he message I left wasn't published....probably because it was a negative concerning pole dancing rather than a positive!!! I never expected the posts to be censored in such a way...shame on you Mumsclick. Aren't I entitled to my opinion too??!! I shall now sign off and reconsider my membership of the site!
mandy c
Hi everyone. Well I gave pole dancing a go and although I loved the atmosphere, the music etc, I felt like a flabby old woman (Im 45) as everyone else there was at least 10 years younger than me. It would be lovely if there were classes for the over 40's!! Then I would definitely go back!! I have terrible upper body strength and my arms are pathetically weak but I would love to have the chance to improve my figure,lose weight and tone up - just not as the crinkly one in the joggers!! I was aching afterwards and badly bruised my inner thighs trying to mount the pole so to speak - eeek!! Ive never been confident at pe lessons so I just launched myself at the pole in the hope that my turn would pass quickly and unoticed by the svelte young hot panted girlies watching me with a mixture of pity and amusement. So its back to the pilates class for me where at least I can hide my wobbly bits!! Love Mx
Ingrid
I think if you have the time and the finance go for it! In fact i think if we really wanted to find the time and money, we would, no exuse really, i went to the gym yesterday for the first time in months as i kept finding excuses for not going, work, child, studies, shopping..... I am 35 and realise that as we age we need to exercise, although most of us if working tend to settle into a less physical job and hence the reason for the pounds piling on 'tyres' forming around the waist - which is what i am trying to get rid of! Any advice on getting rid of tyres would be appreciated. I will look for local pole dancing club and at least give it a try!
MUMSCLICK
Hi dmasih. Thanks for letting us know your comment is not displaying. We don't remove posts unless they do not fit in with our policies (for example if they are abusive or offensive) and not because they have a contrary view - if you look through our cafe you will see lots of healthy debate. Just so that we are clear, your post was not removed by us and our technical department has searched our database and can't find any record of it under this story. We will email you too to let you know this just in case you don't see this comment. And to everyone else, keep those comments coming please - thanks for your contributions.
MUMSCLICK
Ingrid - if you do look, don't forget you get a 20% discount off with MUMSCLICK. (see the story above for details of how to claim your discount).
And if you go - let us know how you get on. xx