Concept pole dance It has changed a lot in recent years. Not so long ago it was considered a stripper dance. However, today it is part of the offer of a large number of fitness academies, and many people do it to improve both their fitness and their self-esteem. But there are also people who criticize it because it is a dance that objectifies women. Recently a feminist from Instagram Julia Salander He made several statements on the matter, which do not criticize the practice, but criticize the clothing used.
Compare pole dancers’ clothing to volleyball players. In this discipline, and even more so in beach volleyballAthletes usually play in very short pants, sometimes just shorts, and tops so short that they cover little more than the chest. This is not the case with their teammates on men’s teams, who tend to wear much more comfortable clothing and are less exposed. This makes it clear that wearing clothes that show so much body is not necessary because they already look good. Is this the case with pole dancing?
In his video, Salander gives as an example circus practicemade in ancient China, where artists wore much more clothing. This would show that you don’t have to dress the way these dancers dress. However, as some people have begun to argue on social media, the two disciplines are not comparable.
History of pole dancing
Possibly the antecedents of pole dancing go back to India in the 2nd century BC, where the sport, known as Mallakhamb. Like pole dancing, it involved performing dangerous tricks on a wooden pole. Today it is still performed in some cities in India and, unlike pole dancing, it is usually performed primarily by men. Indeed, scantily clad men.
Later, another discipline based on Mallakhamb, but with some innovations, arose in China, called Chinese bar. It was carried out mainly in circuses and consisted of performances acrobatics between two wooden sticksusually jumping from one to another. It is currently still being implemented. The acrobats are fully clothed, so Julia Salander uses them as an example of how you don’t have to wear little clothing. But this is where the controversy begins.
Clothes matter
The first acrobatic exercises, similar to today’s pole dancing, also appeared in circuses at the end of the 19th century. In the United States, including variety shows has become very fashionable. belly dance to the circus offer. Initially, classical dances were performed. However, some dancers wanted to innovate by dancing while climbing the poles of the circus tent.
In their case, they were dressed with bare midriffs and short or very flowing skirts. This type of dance was called Hoochie Coochie. This gradually became more famous and led to the current pole dancing.
And yes, it’s true that this has been done for a long time in striptease halls. Now this is no longer the case, although the clothes have changed little. And he didn’t do this because it is really necessary to wear little clothing.
Unlike pole dancing, in which acrobats jump from one wooden bar to another, pole dancing is performed rotating directly on a metal rod. It is necessary that the body adheres to the bar as much as possible. And for this it is important that there is some resistance between the surfaces. If the skin is covered with fabric, reduces resistance and it’s easier to slip. You can verify this with a simple experiment. Find a metal rod, such as a cutlery handle or pen, and run your finger along it. Then do the same by tracing the fabric of the T-shirt with your finger. In the first case, although it can be done, there is more contact, so better control can be established. However, the finger simply slides along the fabric.
Pole dancers (because yes, there are dancers too) take this into account. Not just when it comes to clothes. They also take great care to moisturize the skin, since dry skin slips more and adheres less well to metal. It is important that it is hydrated, but not wet, because this greatly reduces resistance and increases glide.
What’s with the heels?
Although dancers sometimes go barefoot, in pole dancing they also typically wear distinctive high-heeled platform shoes, the purpose of which is to lengthen the leg and improve grip on the pylon. Again, this is not about sexualization.
So pole dancing isn’t sexualized?
Pole dancing is not sexualized. No discipline does this. Those who sexualize are people. It is clear that this sport requires little clothing to perform correctly and is not comparable to volleyball. The problem is that there are men who sexualize pole dancers’ bodies the same way they sexualize bodies women in bikinis on the beach.
Therefore, the problem is not the discipline or clothing that dancers choose, but the eyes with which certain people look at them. This is what we have to fight.
Source: Hiper Textual
