{"id":75558,"date":"2023-03-07T12:58:26","date_gmt":"2023-03-07T12:58:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/?p=75558"},"modified":"2023-03-07T12:58:29","modified_gmt":"2023-03-07T12:58:29","slug":"i-am-not-a-stripper-i-am-a-sportswoman","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2023\/03\/07\/i-am-not-a-stripper-i-am-a-sportswoman\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018I am not a stripper, I am a sportswoman\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

People don’t appreciate the skills involved, says pole dancing instructor<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

STRENGTH, competition and skill are key parts of all sports. Yet when it comes to pole dancing people don’t always appreciate the fact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite pole dancing being recognised as an official sport by the Global Association of International Sports Federation, it can be dismissed as an offshoot of stripping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPole dancers are definitely ignored and disregarded as sportspeople,” said Lucy Bale, a pole dance instructor in Cardiff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPeople have such strong views. As a pole dancer, you either get called a stripper or a hooker. But it is fitness.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 25-year-old has been running classes at Pole Twisters in Splott for over a year but finds it difficult dealing with the stigma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAt my last job, I was confronted and called a stripper by my boss after he saw a photo of me online at a pole class. I was told I was ruining the face of the company,\u201d said Ms Bale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen I post photos of myself at classes, I\u2019ve had people I thought were my friends tell me to take them down as they think it is inappropriate. People don\u2019t realise, skin is grip \u2013 more is better.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ms Bale feels that stigma and abuse put people off from attending the classes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI’ve never been harassed on the way to our studio, but I know a lot of people have,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSome face catcalling and whistling just for entering the studio. If they don\u2019t react to this, they get called ugly or a stripper. I don\u2019t know why stripper is used as a bad term. It\u2019s not an insult.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Pole dancing has mental and physical benefits like most sports because of the endorphins released during a workout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince I started pole dancing, my anxiety has decreased massively. I used to have to take sleeping pills, but now I\u2019m fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“It is great to see the difference pole dancing makes to a person. People normally start as shy and nervous. It brings you out of your shell and you can see them grow in confidence and happiness.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other benefits include helping tone your shoulders and improve back posture. Dancers need to use the muscles in their hands to grip onto the pole, which helps keep those with arthritis active.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fitness classes consist of strength and conditioning training, which is shown off through dance routines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPeople don\u2019t realise how much fitness you need. They think it is just prancing around on a pole in lingerie.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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