So at the moment there is a lot of hype about getting Pole Dancing into the Olympics (Check out my recent post), but do you think as an active “doer” within the industry we actually have the right mentality and “togetherness” for it?

In one word, No.

This is my opinion from the 6 years I have been teaching Pole Dancing in London. Some of you may disagree, but I would favour the majority would be sitting on the same bench as me.  I have lost count the amount of times I have come across the term “Pole Politics”.  Every industry is the same and we are no different, but as we are in the “Olympic Limelight”, we may as well talk about it.  Where do you stand? What is your view?  Are you in it to win it, or just plain naffed off with all the silliness? (Please comment below!).

A lot of people will hold their tongue as they don’t want to offend or ruin friendships but a few will speak out and potentially ostracize themselves.  Each country is the same and we all have our own little groups we shelter in, and have spokes people for.  There is no doubt in my mind that we have different factions in the UK, some quiet and willing just to get on with their own business and some who are detrimental to others.  For me business relationships have come and gone and unfortunately so have friendships, which is the most upsetting part.

It seems that a lot of people over the Pole Dancing globe want to out do their colleagues and be top dog.  We will always have natural born leaders and their sheep, but how they lead them is a different matter. “Jedi or Sith?!” I hear you cry from the bench (ok maybe not), but that’s sometimes how it feels, a good side and a dark side. Why people have to choose I don’t know, just heed what the Stormtrooper said “You can go about your business, move along”. (ok seriously I have no idea why I am quoting Star Wars!!)  I am lucky to know a lot of people in the pole dancing industry and I hear (not made up!!) comments flying around all the time (actually, yes my apologies, some made up!).  Once a Rookie I would listen to the elders who had been in the industry and as a “sheep” would kinda follow but after so many years and admittedly after removing a few sharp items from my back, you start to listen to your own advice.

Whilst the Good & the Dark side both have their reasons it’s the people that have the “Actually you know what, F*%K them and their silliness, I’m just going to grow my business and do it my way”. To you, I commend thee.

So I open it up… where do you stand?

“Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!”

Edited on Saturday 13th March

Thanks to all who have taken time out to comment

Carly Wilford – Make Me Fabulous Tiny – Candy & Chrome Tak Miranda – Pole Affinity Joel for the Link at PumpsMag in New York Faye – Spinderella Pole Dancing Pippa – Polenastics Iina – 7th Heaven Dance Studio Jamie – DG Polers Judith Felicity – Bradford Pole Fitness Alena Downs – PoleJunkies Fairy – Pole Progession Mary Ellyn Weissman – Empowerment Through Exotic Dance Michaela Roberts – NSPDS Jess Leanne Norris – JLN Pole Fitness

Over the last week or two there has been an increased interest in whether Pole Dancing should be included in the Olympics or not.  I have sat back reading peoples views and verdicts as to what should or shouldn’t happen and I have to say, it’s been interesting !  To date there seems to be more people for it, but as time moves on more people are seeing the reasons why it shouldn’t be included (and those who think it’s just a stupid idea and would never happen!!)

A few people are leading this campaign, with one saying ‘After a great deal of feedback from the pole-dance community, many of us have decided that it’s about time pole fitness is recognised as a competitive sport, and what better way for recognition than to be part of the 2012 Olympics held in London’. Ok now I’m not one to be negative (if you know me then you know I’m a positive young chap !), but this will never happen! 2012? Cricket & Squash never made it, Baseball got thrown out after 2008, so it would seem a long shot that Pole Dancing would be included in these games.  After Barcelona in 1992 the IOC even stopped allowing “sports” to do test or demo events to prove their worth.  So what is the way forward?  It seems to date that the only thing that is moving forward is the petition with over 4000 names on it.  Not a bad feat but would a petition really help in this case?  Would the IOC consider it when that list lands on it’s desk or would they simply just push it aside with a puzzled look?

With being in the industry for 6 years it helps knowing what it’s all about and the reasons why people are pushing it forward.  Of course it’s nice to be accepted (which we are), it’s great to show the world how hard pole dancing can be (which is it) and to be able to stand shoulder to shoulder with some of the worlds other top sports.  But is it a sport?  It’s definitely a skill which requires endurance, strength, stamina, and choreography.  Is it different to gymnastics?  Actually no, not that much.  BUT there is one huge difference, and that’s the history.  You just can’t escape it.  No matter how hard people pitch this as fitness 100% through and through, there will ALWAYS be sexual connotations. Is that such a bad thing? NO! Some people love that the fact that Pole Dancing can make you feel good about yourself, and you don’t have to have the figure of an 18yr Polish Vault goddess.

So there really is no sitting on the fence with this one.  Whilst there is the gathering support of the petition there are also the voices against this pitch.  No matter how hard people try to explain and demonstrate the pure fitness element, the exotic soul will still be attached.  I am not saying it is wrong to try and change peoples minds, or let them see another side to the story, but for me, you can’t have the black without the white.

Others will compare Pole Dancing with what is already accepted, gymnastics. What “we” do is very gymnastics based, or at least a part of it is.  Even if Pole Dancing was to be accepted, some of the industry’s best would not compare to the transition a “gymnast” who has trained since she or he was 3yrs, would make.  So if this is the case, what have we achieved?  There is no doubt that Pole Dancers, as with any industry has their factions and at times I feel that we try to undo each others shoelaces, so how can we move forward?

I have included 2 links, the for and the against, so people can make up their own minds: (I hope using these links are ok)

Pole Dancing FOR the Olympics (The best link I’ve found so far)

AGAINST the Olympics (The best link I’ve found so far)

Here is the link for the petition also (I like to house both sides of the story)

http://www.petitiononline.com/polympic/petition.html

Over the next few weeks it will be interesting to see other peoples views and opinions on this,  Is it a valid pitch to join the Olympics?  Is it free publicity for the spokes person?

I’m sure this blog will carry on for a while yet