POLE DANCING FOR MODELS

A model needs a number of attributes – appearance, costume and clothing, good hair styling and make up, discipline and dedication – all of which are valuable, but there seems to be something else that makes just that difference. It is what I would call “graceful agility” or “animation.” It may be sub-conscious but it shows in the facial and body postures and their ability to manipulate their appearance.

Now I like to work things out – what is it that gives a model this ability? Well, I may have found something to answer this question. Of the models I know there appears to be a link to a history of performing in some way, either in acting or dancing on stage, or in sport or gymnastics, perhaps only in their childhood and only in a minor way, but nevertheless they have developed their natural ability to “exhibit” in a controlled way.

So, it brings me to what a model can do about it. A colleague with whom I share our photography studio in Darlington, who is a model and a burlesque dancer, runs pole-dancing classes there and with her help I have looked at what pole dancing exercise could bring.

I expect there will be people who would have a snigger at the mention of pole-dancing. Up to just a few years ago pole-dancing mainly took place in strip clubs. But the image is changing and promoters of pole dance fitness competitions are promoting it as a legitimate form of dance and fitness. I am told that a good session on the pole can burn more calories than a good session in the gym, and will certainly provide more muscle tone.

Pole-dancing is now recognized and accepted as a form of performing art, a combination of dance and gymnastics involving acrobatic and aerobic movements around a vertical pole. There is already a growth of studios for the amateur and in addition a wide range of amateur and professional competitions are held now.

Without going into technical details such as what are inversions, spins, aerials and climbs on a pole, what it does develop is body flexibility, strength and body awareness. Combine this with transitional dance it helps in the interpretation of musical movement, teaching how to keep the body graceful. It is this gracefulness that makes the difference.

It is also good for your health. It provides cardiovascular exercise, keeps the bones strong, the body supple and flexible, and works many different muscle groups.

This may be beginning to sound like an advert. You could try a combination of swimming and ball-room dancing to achieve the same but it strikes me that this would be something beneficial for a model to try.

You also may be thinking so far that this would only apply to female models. Males also require this agility or animation in their tool-bag of abilities and males are taking up this form of exercise more and more.