Page 107 - Healthy (March - April 2020)

FITNESS

Pole

position

*Female Chauvinist Pigs: Women And The Rise Of Raunch Culture by Ariel Levy (Simon & Schuster, £5.99)
Forget what you think you know about pole female sexual power than an expression of it’.
Agreed, Levy. No degradation, dehumanisation,
dancing – it is empowering, feminist and objectification or male gazing for me, thanks!
shaking up fitness, says Jane Bull Fast-forward to 2019. I’m a pole performer,
certified instructor and judge. I co-own Electra
Productions, a pole art production company, and
work with one of the world’s largest international
pole competition teams. I’m still a feminist.
an you be a feminist and a pole dancer? I get that the idea of ‘feminist pole dancers’
1000 per cent YES. There is no doubt can seem confusing and even paradoxical. Pole
in my mind that pole dancing is one of started in strip clubs, where women were often
C the most potentially empowering and not empowered. Many dancers employed in clubs
feminist fitness activities women can do. Despite today are actively working to change this, but not
this, I’m never surprised to get a judgmental look everyone knows or honours that.
when I tell people ‘I’m a pole dancer’. I get it.
I resisted trying a pole class for years because EXPRESS YOURSELF
THE EXPERT I was a ‘good feminist’. My undergraduate course To unpack what makes pole feminist or
taught me about the patriarchy: female sexuality empowering, it might help to consider what
JANE BULL commodified by and for men. I like to tell the story female empowerment means. In my opinion,
is a pole performer, and an of one typical campus frat-style party in 2005, my when women are given permission, autonomy
instructor with the Canadian resulting rant, and a friend who handed me Ariel and a safe space to express themselves in a way
Pole Fitness Association.
Follow @ladyjane_dance on Levy’s Female Chauvinist Pigs*, saying, “I think that makes them feel confident, respected and
Instagram or visit poleart.ca you’ll appreciate this.” Levy wrote that ‘spinning honoured, this leads to empowerment. Any
greasily around a pole… is more a parody of subsequent dehumanisation or other negativity

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