Poles apart from seedy image

By Chen Anqi (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-12-06 08:03

Pole-dancing club has been associated with seedy strip clubs: erotic dancers walk on stage, take off their clothes and their moves on the pole are quite suggestive.

However, the once vilified pole dance is now a hit with modern feminists, who claim it helps them feel better and lose weight. Beijingers have already discovered the art of pole dancing, which is a mixture of ballet, gymnastics and weight training, according to Dannis, the lead instructor from Royal Sound International Dancing Center (RSID).

Pole dancing movements burn 400 calories per hour while toning arms, shoulders, abs, buttocks and legs.

"So pole dancing improves confidence, self esteem and body image," says Dannis, who was winner of last year's National Pole Dancing Championships. He even encourages his female students to wear high heels and hot pants, so they feel "sexy" during the routine.

Pole dancing can also help beat the winter blues. The physical exertion makes dancer's body release the happy hormones and let them feel better and more energetic.

"Actually pole dancing is suitable for people in all ages, male and female," he says. "People are easily hooked by amazing workouts that combine cardio benefits with muscle toning and flexibility." Dannis says many of his students have become so addicted to the exercise that they were buying poles for their homes. "I felt nervous at the beginning but by the end I was strutting my stuff," says Zhang Jie, a 28-year-old student. "I have so much fun and I don't even notice I'm exercising."

Beijing female office workers are paying 100 yuan ($13) per hour for a special physical fitness class.