YouTuber Denecia Green slides into pole fitness

Pole dancing is a fitness art form, while simultaneously being one of the most taboo. But gone are the days where these moves are solely expected to be performed by exotic dancers in clubs. As the movement continues to grow in the fitness world YouTuber Denecia Green decided that she wanted to give it a spin.

Pole dancing is known for teaching technique and agility while increasing upper body and core strength as well as flexibility.

So how was Green formally introduced? Her friend, who attends dancehall classes at Fit Lab Studio, discovered that pole dancing was also a part of the curriculum. Relaying the information to Green, she decided to sign up and got far more than she could ever bargain for.

Starting in September of last year, with no prior pole or real fitness experience, she left her class with mixed emotions.

“I was very unfit. I had absolutely no upper body or core strength, which is needed to pull off a few pole tricks. During the pole conditioning sessions, I just could not manage to successfully complete one pull-up. I thought I was too heavy or had too much bottom,” she confessed.

Meanwhile, she watched in awe as the other girls quickly jumped into spinning and executing basic tricks. She felt out of place. But the instructor, Christina Evans, reminded her that it was the first class and that she shouldn’t be too hard on herself.

“I just wanted to learn a few basic pole tricks and perform a sensual routine for my YouTube audience. Little did I know that I would have fallen in love with the pole.”

The beginner suffered many pole kisses, better known as bruises, along the way, complete with sore muscles. She possessed sweaty palms so gripping the pole was a struggle. So too was managing her weight and operating what she defines as outside of her window of tolerance.

With the class open to all levels, it was easy to compare herself to the other women in her class. “I wanted to do everything they were doing instantly. But the moment I started to expand my window of tolerance at a steady pace or in ways that made me more comfortable, everything aligned,” she highlighted.

Five months later, she still considered herself a beginner, but at the start of the new year, Evans upgraded her to level two (intermediate pole). “I have improved tremendously in all areas. My body is more toned. There is improvement in my upper body and core strength and I am now able to execute a few pole tricks smoothly,” Green said.

She also shared, “I love how the sport allowed me to redefine how I see myself and increased my self-esteem. Even though it was already there, pole dancing helped me to unleash it even more. That freedom of self-expression, happiness, increasing my strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination, and helping me to burn that stubborn belly fat. Pole is my form of fitness.”

She attributes much of her success to the wonderful class environment. Everyone, she says, is warm towards and supportive of each other. “We all encourage each other to master at least one move at the end of those classes, especially when our bodies refuse to cooperate with the pole. I like how patient Christina is because I promise you, I will most definitely forget a move after every demonstration so she goes over it multiple times.” Her favourite move so far is the pretzel.

Here are a few misconceptions she realised while tackling the pole. You need to be fit to start pole dancing. While Green believes it’s a great asset to have, that shouldn’t be the reason someone doesn’t start the classes. “So many people delay a pole class because they believe they have to be fit, strong, or lean. Pole dancing requires absolutely no fitness background. Of course, if you work out or dance, you may progress a bit quicker than others. But this is not to say you need this background to start,” she revealed.

Flexibility isn’t a prerequisite either. Pole tricks look bendy to the naked eye. But the beauty is really within the angles. You’re not taught the hardest moves in the book initially so trust the process and watch the progression. Plus, there are stretch and conditioning classes available to get you up to speed.

The view that you have to be slim is also a myth. Once you can manage your weight, nothing, Green shared, can stop you from pulling off a trick.

And lastly, the classic stigma is that pole dancing is equivalent to stripping. Although she fancies the sensual tease and please approach to the pole, there are other styles and approaches.

Some classes do encourage you to embrace your sensuality and slink all over the floor, which is both fantastic and therapeutic. But pole studios also have different classes. There may be a sultry class, floor work, pole acrobatics, pole workout classes, pole flexibility, and more. At the end of the day, it’s best to do what appeals to you and bring your creative flair.

Keen on working towards mastering moves that require even more strength and flexibility, like the Ayesha, Iron X, air walk, and Phoenix spin, Green has already added aerial hoops to her fitness agenda. “I have no personal goals where aerial hoops are concerned. I just want to incorporate shapes I have learned from pole dancing and have fun,” she added.

krysta.anderson@gleanerjm.com