Comments on: Pole Dancing Politics .. What's The Argument?

By: Jamie

Jamie — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:37:07 +0000

Everything Micheala said!

By: Jess Leanne Norris

Jess Leanne Norris — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:32:10 +0000

I agree with a lot of the above. There are 2 ways I look at it, firstly whether I’m right or wrong, there is a divide between the ladies who have been doing it years and the new comers. The ‘old school’ did create this new craze of pole dance/fitness and without them we wouldn’t be doing it so I think it is only natural they want to ‘claim turf’. On the other hand if the new comers didn’t join in it would faze out eventually, so what would be the point in an Olympic sport? Without competition there would be no drive to progress and all these new outstanding moves probably would have never been created.
I’m middle of the road with it, don’t really know many on a personal level but great to pass a few comments to each other and see how people are getting on in the pole world. With or without it doesn’t affect the running of my studio.
Take away politics and the arguments and look at why we all enjoy it so much..
That’s what makes ‘Pole’ so special; don’t let that be clouded by judgement.

I think there is a lot of work to be done to get it into the Olympics as there is nothing set in stone for the best way to do a move or even the name of it. I think this is when people will have to pull together to move it forward. Then again not everyone does pole for the same reasons, it’s a difficult one!

By: Michaela Roberts

Michaela Roberts — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:20:38 +0000

I have really enjoyed reading everyone’s comments and personal viewpoints. It’s fun to have the odd pointless rant that solves no particular issue or function.

However, if we are actually looking for a solution that will create long term balance and harmony within this Industry, I can make the following suggestions;

- no past problems exist in the present, so let past politics/gripes go…what’s the point in harbouring resentments. You’re only nurturing your own destructive ‘pain bodies’.

- do not allow your own personal happiness to depend on anyone or any situation. Too many people in this industry are worried about what their peers think of them. Who gives a f***!

- enjoy the moment. It’s the NOW that’s important. As an Industry, let’s not worry about the future, it really isn’t that complicated.

The NSPDS is a group that involves most of the UK Pole Industry’s main players within its Management Team. We all work really well together. If you’d like to be part of this(everyone welcome) please check us out on http://www.nspds.co.uk and join our Facebook group for updates.

Michaela
xxx

By: Mary Ellyn Weissman

Mary Ellyn Weissman — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:44:37 +0000

Every industry has politics! Life is all about politics…even neighborhoods have politics. I don’t think it will ever go away because it’s human nature.

I think one should ask themselves however, what they contribute to those politics? How many people can say that they never talk against anyone else? That they never judge another person or just carry on with their own business?

How many can say “I will support and be friends with ANYONE as long as their cause does not affect me or my personal beliefs”?

Who can say they are able to look past it when people who’s opinions conflict with their own and still work alongside them and support them when their visions are the same?

Who can say that they’ve disagreed with someone in some major way but are able to put that aside and work together if they find they have a common goal?

Who can say that it’s not about your friends but about who YOU are that matters to me?

If you’re really interested in ending politics or at least limiting it within your life, you do have the ability to make an impact!

By: Fairey

Fairey — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:58:37 +0000

I would consider myself 2nd gen according to Tiny’s comments and have to admit to sometimes feeling that the joy of pole is sometimes over shadowed by the politics. As others have said, with pole in it’s infancy there will be struggles and tbh I’m not sure time will do anything to allieviate those struggles.

In an ideal world we would all just get along but that doesn’t happen in the real world so do we really expect it to happen within the pole industry (predominantly consisting of women!)?

The whole turf war thing and sharing students does make me giggle though. I actually advise my students to learn with as many different teachers as possible. We all have something different to offer as pole dancing is such a unique and individual thing and I think this lies at the heart of most disagreements. We are all just so passionate about it.

I wonder how aerobics instructors cope with student sharing and other teachers on their ‘turf’. There still seem to enough students to go around in those circumstances – why can’t it be the same for pole?

By: uberVU - social comments

uberVU - social comments — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:05:32 +0000

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This post was mentioned on Twitter by MrAdamJay: Pole Dancing Politics – is there any? http://tinyurl.com/ycj3ftk...

By: Alena Downs

Alena Downs — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:32:31 +0000

Hmm…interesting..
If I follow the breakdown above..I am definitely a 1st Gen Poler…I have been poling since the early/mid 90′s. Unfortunately, the politics were around then…just a bit different form of competition…who can do it better instead of who is a better teacher/school.

Mentality wont change…it is a human mentality…and unless we become “no longer human”, we will face this always!

Honestly…stick all the 1st Gen Polers in a room…they could learn from each other.

Then stick the 2nd Gen Polers in the same room…compare…there is a huge difference.

1st gen wants this to work…and wants it bad..I know, that is me!
2nd gen…lots (not all) got into it because of the fun…there was no money in it yet!
3rd gen…loves what they do, but wouldnt have touched it before it came mainstream! 75% of my students are quoted stating they would have NEVER done pole dancing before it was popular, because it was just strippers doing it!

Realistically, pole is still an infant..even if I have been doing it almost 20 years, and teaching for over 10.

If you were a student in university…..
Would you snub your professor?
Would you tell them they have NO CLUE what they are talking about?
Would you steal your professors work..and claim it to be your own?
Would you steal curriculum from your uni and re-write it and claim it to be your own?
Would you look at your prof assistant, and say you are not a professional, because you are not fully certified/educated yet?

This is exactly what is happening in the pole industry.

Personally, I am tired of hearing I am a know it all.
Tired of hearing I dont know what I am talking about, because I was just a stripper!
Tired of being slammed because I want an industry I LOVE to succeed.
Tired of being told what I love will be turned into something so far from what it was!

I understand growing, advancement, progress, development, and change. But, it should be done in baby steps not leaps and bounds!

I am not the best…was not the best…probably will never be the best…But I was one of the first. I broke ground for the rest…along side many others!

I take pride in that! I take pride in the fact that I am able to assist the 2nd 3rd, 4th & 5th gen polers!

I am a true PoleJunkie! I open my arms, studio and classes, knowledge, training and experience to everyone…regardless of who they are or where they come from. I share in hopes that this industry does NOT take a turn for the worst and become what was predicted to be 10 years ago….a fad that will fade!

I have assisted studios by giving instructors class structure, move progression based on physical development, and assistance when ever asked. What do I get in return..see notes above.

It truly needs to change its mentality..of me, mine, first, best, #1!

We are all in this for the same reason…why can we not all band together for pole instead of split because of personal intentions??

By: Judith

Judith — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:29:27 +0000

I believe that any idea that is relatively new and exciting is going to undergo an inundation of people who want to do it – get good at it – and then want to start up on their own. Pole is getting bigger and as a result there are more and more classes starting up…more and more people teaching – some of them more ruthless than others and some of them more able to teach than others. People have had their ‘fingers burnt’ I have no doubt….but then all the more reason to try very hard to maintain integrity for everyone. I’m sure some people have invented moves and concepts and hope to be recognised for them and not have them ‘stolen’ or students ‘poached’. All the more reason to create a pole community that works with integrity and where teachers are not in any kind of ‘witch hunt’…..if not….then why bring pole out of the strip clubs and try and turn it into a fitness and dance regime that is really confidence boosting – really popular and getting everyone off the couch? It’s making women feel better about themselves in a lot of ways (I know men are doing it too!) so then maybe it’s a case of trying to stop the ‘witch hunts’ somehow – keeping healthy competition alive and making ‘pole dancing’ for fitness/fun even more mainstream.

Ooooh yes….curling is in the Olympics….what’s that all about for Gawd’s sake so why not Pole????

Seriously….I’m not totally naive but I see the need to keep the nastiness away – and I know I am not a teacher and if I had been shafted by anyone I’d be seriously mad but surely you have to start somewhere to obliterate the ‘poletics’ and make the industry less competitive and more ‘sharing’?

Or am I really just pole loved up????

Gawd I don’t envy you all…. just keep teaching us thanks!

By: felicity

felicity — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:27:12 +0000

newbies and students your naivity is wonderful to read, such innocence!
I really wish I had that innocence but having had my fingers burnt and witnessed the witch hunt between fellow teachers (who call themselves human beings) people laying claim to “this product” or “this move” or “I invented this concept” it is horrible. As students make sure you stay in your cocoon of pole love and ignore the politics (if you ever encounter them be careful).

By: felicity

felicity — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:42:17 +0000

pole politics are ridiculous, I have tried being everyones friend and it simply doesnt work. There are always people gunning for you and those who come to you for lessons, poach your students and then enjoy publicly slating you on social networking sites….too many ego’s, too many women and far too many biatches to overcome. Just because i cant do a one handed triple thingymebob whilst blindfolded doesnt mean i am fair game for others intent on inciting pole politics (its not actually politics its nasty playground jealous immature behaviour).

I prefer to sit on the fence and keep myself to myself, it would be like commiting public suicide business wise if you get drawn in to it all.

pole in the olympics ?? what a crock of shit !! ridiculous idea