So, You Wanna Try Pole Dancing??

"Its a Bird, Its a Plane, no that's just one hot pole dancer!"

If you have ever seen a dancer displaying acrobatic moves on a pole, your first reaction was most likely some variation of "WOAH!", and if you're at all like me, you may have secretly thought "I wanna try that too!!!"

Well, the secrets out, because there are a lot of women out there that have turned to pole dancing as a method of exercise.  My first experience with pole dancing was after I saw a pole dancer at an exotic club.  Coming from a dance background (ballet for 12 years) I automatically saw the art and skill in it (yes I realize she was barely clothed, but you don't notice after a while I swear!).  So I went home and did some research on pole dancing, and found an amazing pole dancing studio in Vancouver called Tantra Fitness.

Tantra Fitness' mission statement is what spoke to me "...to create an open space for women to be playful and courageous while discovering their inner beauty through fitness and dance." How could I resist trying it out?  So after reading testimonials and most importantly what you are supposed to wear (regular exercise gear is recommended) I made my way to Tantra Fitness.  After entering the studio, a great space in downtown Vancouver, with its soft lighting, pink walls and friendly receptionist, I felt more at ease.  Tantra Fitness is an all women studio, and let me tell you, all the women there are the friendliest ones you'll meet! (Im not lying! Maybe its because we are all there for the same reasons: A lot of us were so tired of going to the gym with its monotonous workouts, weightlifting, running on the hamster wheel, but we all really wanted to do something active but fun at the same time.  They're all so supportive, especially the instructors, its like going to dance class with girlfriends!). 

Because I was a little nervous at first to go into a foreign studio and register for a pole dancing class, I started out with a lower key class called "Sexy Flexy" which focuses on strength and flexibility.  But after that first class I was hooked.  I dragged my sister along for Pole 101 (the first level) and we loved it, if not a little dizzy at first. Tammy, owner of Tantra and an amazingly talented instructor, led us through spins and basic pole moves that made me want to return the next week and the next to try out all the classes Tantra had to offer. 

With its mixture of high impact cardio classes such as Cardio Striptease or any of the Pole Dance classes (each level gets more intense), it gave me a great variety to choose from, depending on what I wanted to work on.  In no time I noticed a difference in the way my muscles were developing.  I can now go upside down on a pole and do some pretty acrobatic things I never imagined (and it feels pretty darn good!)

It was four years ago that I found this gem of a studio, and it has been amazing.  It mixes up my regular work outs and bonus, it incorporates my favorites, dancing and fitness.  Throw in some poles, high heels (optional) and hot pink (almost everything at Tantra is hot pink, love that!), it is an ideal haven for me to stay in shape, have fun and feel beautiful, how can you ask for more!?  That's my kind of Beauty Recipe!