The Summer I Started Pole: My Journey Back to Dance
I have been a dancer for most of my life, primarily in the styles of Modern, Ballet, Hip Hop, and Contemporary. However, life has been particularly life-ing these last few years, and I had not really danced or taken any classes since a little before Covid in 2020.
About three years ago, with the inspiration of a good friend, I started a vision board notebook. In there I put a variety of simple, immediate, and/or lofty goals from trying a local restaurant, to getting new tattoos, to traveling. In 2023 I added the goal of returning to dance. My mind and body were craving it. During the holidays in 2024 I made a plan to lose about fifteen pounds starting at the beginning of 2025. I had lost the plot of my body and what seemed to work and what no longer did since I had been living in a type of survival and vice mode. Food has always been exciting and delicious to me, but it became a bit of a crutch. I was not as happy with my appearance, and I felt easily winded. It wasn’t too long after that when pole training and technique videos started popping up on my social media explore page and I began envisioning myself executing those moves and gracefully spinning in the air.
Fast forward to late July 2025 when I took the leap and started Pole classes. I have attended at least one dance class each week (keeping recovery time in mind), mixing in Hip Hop or chair work here and there. There is no turning back now. Ya girl is officially, and unsurprisingly, hooked. Speaking of which, right now my favorite move is the Back Hook Spin. However, there are a plethora of moves and combos in Pole, and I am just getting started!
Returning to dance has been exponentially fulfilling and rewarding. The dopamine, endorphins, and oxytocin have been delicious. I have also learned that patience is key, which isn’t always easy for me. As a beginner, I only take Pole class once a week to give my nervous system time to learn all the new movements, gain strength, and to give my skin and muscles time to recover.
Mental Well-being in Motion: Dance as a Natural Antidepressant and Stress-Reliever
Dance’s physical motions have also been demonstrated to lower tension, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Dopamine and endorphins, neurotransmitters that are in charge of sensations of pleasure and happiness, are increased by physical activity.
Dance is a powerful kind of exercise that works your muscles and increases heart rate. By releasing certain brain chemicals during exercise, sadness and anxiety symptoms can be reduced. It also offers a means of escaping persistently unfavourable thoughts and problems.
~Elina Wisung
I have been fortunate to train with instructors that challenge and cheer me on and never hesitate to review a move or combination. These elements have been crucial as I realized very quickly that it is not at all glamourous when you are starting out. As with many things, there is a steep learning curve. While I always have fun, I have also had dark bruises form within an hour of class. Sometimes my arms felt like they were dissociating from my body. Pole Conditioning left me so sore the following day(s) that I was hobbling around like Cornbread in Sinners.
Pole Conditioning, specifically, feels like someone creating a boot-camp montage video in real time while Apole-o Creed (get it?) kicks my ass and I can’t help but ask myself, “am I the problem?”
In all seriousness, every aspect is necessary, important, and is helping to build a foundation for me to become strong, be safe, and thrive. Nothing worthwhile is attained without hard work and passion. I am extremely excited to see where this journey leads me and my progress this time next year.
Readers, have you ever taken a Pole dancing class? If so, what was your experience?