Are We Empowered by Pole Dance?: How Today’s Polers Are Turning Feminism Upside Down

I have always proudly identified as a feminist. The daughter of a second-wave mom, I grew up scouring bookshelves full of Naomi Wolfe and Germaine Greer. By the time I hit university, questioning everyday encounters with both institutional and personal power through the lens of gender theory was second nature to me. So unsurprisingly, in 2005 I found my 18…

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Professionalism & Pole Dance

To come "out" as a pole dancer in your place of employment, or to keep it a secret? This is the question that seems to plague many of today's pole dancers that also work in a "professional" environment (aka, an office). When pole dancers explain what they do to non-polers, they often brace for responses such as "how do you…

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5 Years of Pole at the Arnold: Anniversary Interview with PCS President Lindsey Kimura

[INTRO Next (?month will be the six-year anniversary?) of the PCS Finals at the Arnold Sports Festival. And since there have been so many developments within the pole fitness world during this time, we thought it’d be a great time to talk with its Founder and President, Lindsey Kimura. ... ] Pole Press (PP): Now of course, the PCS organization is…

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Nina Zamora’s Malala-Themed Routine

Malala Yousafzai Interpretation by Nina Zamora The night before competition, I prepared myself to get on stage, I let go of my Frida Kahlo character,whom I interpreted months before at Pole Expo, and I put on my Malala' costume. Malal Yousafzai is the youngest person to win a nobel price of peace, she has put her life at risk to…

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Tara Meyer’s Winning Olympia Routine

The ineffable Tara's signature stunning lines and elegant presentation shine in this piece. As always, Tara's pristine classical ballet training underpins her movement, but in this particular performance, Tara uses her technique to focus the audience and judges' attention on her athletic prowess befitting the Olympia competition stage. Tara's clear sense of purpose and precise execution of both on and…

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54th Annual Olympia Hosts Its First-Ever Pole Fitness Competition

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Performer Spotlight: Jessica Anderson-Gwin

Since “Off The Floor” Jessica has created a home for pole and aerial under one roof with her studio Jagged Vertical Dance & Fitness. She has gone on to compete with her company members and has won 1st place in categories of doubles, group, and three solo Professional Championships including PSO’s Pacific Pole Championship, National Aerial Pole Art, and Oksana…

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