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By Ana Santos, Contributor
Where can you work out your arms,
thighs and buttocks as you dance around a long hard steel rod in
your favorite three-inch stilettos?
Well, if you’re taking a pole
fitness class under Ed Aniel, such a work out need not be just in
your bedroom.
At the Movement Dance Studio in
Greenhills where Aniel teaches pole fitness, the studio/exercise
room is sparse and completely utilitarian in its setup. Besides the
mirror that fills the expanse of one wall, there are six long poles
that are at least 8 feet high stretching from floor to ceiling and a
silver disco ball hanging from the center of the room. Music plays
at respectable decibels on a CD player.
By making pole dance fitness a
work out that any everyday women can make part of her regimen to get
fit, feel sexy and empowered, Aniel hopes to elevate the seedy image
of pole dancing associated with dimly lit, cigarette filled bars to
a respectable and effective form of exercise.
Ed, once a member of the
Adrenaline dance group, had been dancing for years, mostly
specializing in jazz. Seeing the rising interest in pole dancing
abroad and its promise of the soulful benefit of unleashing one’s
inhibitions, Aniel thought about introducing this form of exercise
in the country. Using books and videos on pole dancing, the
self-taught Aniel incorporated his jazz moves with pole dancing
tricks and came up with a cardio work out which he first tried out
on his jazz buddies in 2004. Since then, he has been unlocking the
inner goddesses of many women—from the housewife to the corporate
powerhouse.
It is perhaps the lure of finding
their inner selves that has women in all shapes and sizes, from ages
16 to 40 and above, coming to Ed’s classes. Dressed in short
shorts and loose fitting tops, they come to class, stake their claim
to a pole and prepare themselves for 90 minutes of dancing along
side it.
Aniel will be the first to
acknowledge the trailblazing challenges of establishing pole dancing
as a legitimate form of exercise. He shares an anecdote about the
managers of a new club who contracted him to train their dancers in
pole dancing. The managers sold him on their grandiose plans of
opening a club, which they compared to the likes of Cirque de Soleil,
here in Manila. This club, supposedly already had several successful
branches in other parts of the world. Ed elaborates, “When I got
there, it was obvious that they wanted to open the usual bar with
‘exotic dancers.’ I politely declined the offer to train the
girls after seeing that.”
It was also for this reason that
Aniel founded the Pole Dance Fitness Association of the Philippines
that sets rules and objectives of pole dance fitness both as a sport
and an exercise. “We’re very deliberate about calling it ‘pole
dance fitness’ and further establish it as an exercise routine.”
He enumerates the physical
benefits of pole dancing, “It really defines muscles, tones the
arms, thighs and buttocks. It also improves core strength and
flexibility without putting on muscle mass. The routine teaches each
student muscle control, stability, balance and posture.” He adds
the psychological benefits of pole dancing with a sly glint in his
eyes saying, “Of course, the nature of the moves are quite sensual
and since you have to internalize being one with the pole when doing
these moves, you can’t help but feel sexy.” He has had students
who sometimes amaze even themselves with what they can do on the
pole and it brings out a realization of power and physical ability.
It makes for a thoroughly
challenging work out and not exactly as easy as what it seen on
music videos with dancers gyrating next to a pole, in which case the
pole is more a prop than an exercise tool.
It can be frightening to think of
the pole as an exercise tool than as a prop, but as Ed demonstrates
the movement to be executed, one can see how the pole and the body
come together in a fluid stream of grace and motion. Ed makes it
look easy and artful and patiently gives a step-by-step explanation
of each movement to guide the students.
Judy Gutierrez, a former student
of Aniel who has been pole dancing for almost two years, is now his
co-instructor. As he carries out each move in front, Gutierrez goes
around the class checking and correcting each girl’s form.
The first 20 minutes of each
class are devoted to stretching. As with any exercise, it is
important to warm up the muscles in preparation for the more
strenuous activities that will follow. The stretches in pole fitness
require you to hang on to your pole and use it to help you elongate
your back and waist. Ed explains, “These stretches let the
students get acquainted with the pole. The small movements help them
get over any inhibition they may have.” The anticipation builds up
as the class proceeds to the more complex moves of pole tricks.
The pole tricks are where the fun
really starts. By teaching the innocuous move of the “spin,” He
teaches the first lesson in pole movement. This is followed by
movements like climbing up the pole, hoisting yourself onto it,
supporting yourself only with your legs and then even turning
yourself upside down on it. All the while, He stresses the
importance of form, “Chest out, arched back to elongate the form.
Arms and legs should be uneven as you slowly glide down to the
floor. And of course, smile.”
The moves require a lot of upper
body and arm strength. But the students—all women—are having
fun. They laugh at each other’s failed initial attempts to attach
themselves to the pole, while those who are able to perform the move
quickly coach the others. The whole time, they cheer each other on
and applaud small accomplishments and the most minor of
improvements. It is an atmosphere of sheer determination, grit and
fun mixed with friendly cooperation. The girls even take pictures of
each other with their cell phones while on the pole to document
their “successes.”
After practicing the different
pole tricks, the lights are slightly dimmed and the mirror ball
starts to revolve. The girls slip on their stilettos for 20 minutes
of dancing—putting together everything they’ve learned so far.
Here, you start to see the transformation. From their easy-going
manner, the ladies put on an air of serious confidence along with
their heels. They look at themselves in the mirror as they strut
around the room and take control of the pole. Whatever inhibition
and self-consciousness disappear as they play up the attitude and
the sass. In the more advanced classes, Judy shares that the
students invest not only in work out heel but also in full costumes
like corsets.
It all ends with a cool down and
more howling from the girls, congratulating each other for a good
work out. As the ladies get dressed and go back to their usual
roles, they compare notes on what heels allow for more flexibility
getting on the pole and techniques on execution. They talk of trying
daring stunts next time and possibly getting a pole installed in
their homes to practice on and possibly perform for their partners,
lovers or husbands.
Aniel laughs as he recalls,
“One student wanted to have a pole installed in her condo. Her
boyfriend came to class one time to watch and told me incredulously
‘Can you believe, she wants to install a pole in her place.”
They say that nothing can make a
woman feel sexier than walking around in a pair of high heels and
having a slick long hard shaft to dance with and wrap your legs
around.
For details, visit Movement
Dance Studiois at third floor Promenade Building, Wilson corner P.
Guevarra streets, Greenhills, San Juan, or call 721-7711.
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