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| Photo of me courtesy of Adrian Vanderhoof Photography |
I’m a {blind} pole dancer and here are the 7 reasons why:
1. I’m stronger. Pole fitness makes you strong. You have to use
your entire body, and it shows. I’m stronger than ever when I’m fully immerses
in a regular pole fitness routine.
2. It’s stationary. One of the challenges blind people have
with sports, dance, gymnastics, figure skating, etc., is that finding your “spot”
or “position” can be challenging when you can’t see others in the formation. It’s
also a problem sometimes to spin and turn and end up facing the right
direction. On the pole, you know where you are at all times and it doesn’t
particularly matter where front it.
3. It teaches grace and poise. One thing I didn’t expect to get
from pole fitness was to become more graceful and elegant. My posture, dance
technique, flexibility, and over-all grace have improved drastically, this has
actually transitioned to my cane technique and traveling independently.
4. I’m more confident. When you accomplish a move in pole
fitness you have been working on, your confidence level goes through the roof—it’s
extremely empowering.
5. It’s very hands on. When I’m learning a new hold, or a new
skill, it is easy for my instructor to place my body into the correct position
on the pole. I have found pole fitness can be very hands on and interactive, if
you find a great teacher (which I’m lucky enough I did).
6. It improves stamina. My stamina flat out SUCKS. I run out of
breath so fast it is ridiculous (and embarrassing). Doing pole fitness has
helped my stamina significantly—more than anything else I’ve done fitness wise.
7. It’s fun. Last but not least is the simple fact that pole
fitness is just fun! There is something so exciting about getting to class and
perfecting a skill or learning a new one that’s just joyful. It’s hard, but SO
FUN!
As most of you know, I am a big believer in the capabilities
of blind people, I think we can do just about anything we want to (with the
right training and alternative techniques). Pole fitness is just one of the
many things blind people participate in every day. I am not saying everyone
should run to their nearest pole fitness class (although you really should),
but that everyone should find something (fitness wise) that works for them,
that brings joy, and that improves oneself in fitness and in life…I happen to
have found this in pole fitness.
What questions do you have about the sport? Let me know.
P.S. Thank you to the beautiful Annie Berry at Southern UtahPole Dance who made me fall in love with the sport, worked with me to figure
out ways to make pole work for me, and who encourages me in and out of the
studio.
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| Photo of me courtesy of Adrian Vanderhoof Photography |
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