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Email Story to a Friend June 6, 2006 Misha Lansdown of Medford, foreground, and Rebecka Daye of Ashland practice the art of a pole hold during their pole-dancing class in Ashland. The exercises aren't just for strip clubs any more: Students across the nation are pole dancing for exercise and fun. (Mail Tribune / Roy Musitelli) The Poledance Experience Pole dancing, once associated with nightclubs or strip sites, has become a path to fitness in Southern Oregon, with classes that tone the body and build a can-do attitude By JOHN DARLING for the Mail Tribune Don't think they haven't already heard what you're thinking: Pole dancing? Isn't that for strippers? But the students in a Rogue Valley pole-dancing class are quick to point out that they aren't at all about the bump and grind. This pole dancing is about whipping you into shape — and bringing out an untapped "diva" femininity in the bargain. "It's very theatrical and sensual, but it's expanded a lot from that," says Alice Palmer, 45, of Ashland, a student at Poledance Experience, which offers classes in Ashland and Medford. "You have to build enormous upper body strength. I have to lift weights just to do it." "I was amazed I couldn't hold myself up for five seconds, so I had to build myself up with strength training at the gym — lots of ab pull-ups to build core strength," says student Misha Lansdown, 48, of Medford. "In two months, I was able to do 100 percent better." Far from just draping themselves around poles in alluring poses, pole-dancing students attack a number of daunting exercises, all using a strip-club-style pole. Spins are a big part of pole work, and the main moves are all variations on spinning about a chrome-plated pole. Advertisement Exercises like these are growing more common all the time outside their traditional venue. Poledance Experience owner Gwen LaShonse became interested in pole dancing at 49 after seeing it on "The Oprah Winfrey Show." LaShonse, a former instructor of ballet, tap, gymnastics and jazz dance, decided teaching pole-dancing was a career in which to "grow old gracefully, while staying sexy and in shape — and having a blast." Students attending her pole-dancing classes quickly find out that LaShonse means business, warming up with yoga, stretching, pilates and isometrics and progressing through a vigorous cardio workout. The stretching and resistance demanded of chest, back, abdominal and arm muscles is considerable. No small part of the equation is what LaShonse calls the "diva attitude." That comes not from saucy postures but from a "core strength of personal confidence," she says. "The diva attitude is a combination of attitude, posture and pointed toes, along with a great smile and eye contact," she says. "It's confidant, not arrogant, and it comes from a good place in the heart" but also says "don't mess with me." Pole dancers readily acknowledge the art's "naughty" origins, but note it enforces fitness without the boredom of repetitive aerobics, pilates and weightlifting workouts. "It's fun," says Cheri Suste, 53, of Medford. "You learn fun moves, and all the women are there with laughs and camaraderie, not being judging. "It's bonded me with my daughter, who takes it — and she said, 'Mom, you are so cool.' The naughtiness, no, that doesn't bother me, not with clothes on. You feel flirtatious and that increases your self-esteem." Suste's husband, Joe Suste, has nothing but praise and smiles for the regimen, calling it "a great idea, great exercise and great entertainment for us. It's an art form. It's beautiful." Much of the attraction of pole dancing lies in the desire of many women to overcome inhibitions about their own bodies and sexuality, says LaShonse, and "to do it in a place where no one is going to make fun of you. We all laugh at our mistakes and have fun with it." Her classes, apparently the only pole-dancing-as-fitness offering in the area, are not cheap: $200 for eight once-a-week sessions, with a twice weekly special for summer. LaShonse also sells $300 poles students can put in their homes so they can get daily workouts. Reach LaShonse at " target="_blank">http://thepoledanceexperience.com. "I can't tell you how many women come in here, very shy, and by the third time they want a pole in their homes," she says. "I've sold 20 of them. It's such a great source of entertainment with a partner or yourself — great on a Friday night. And as for stress management, 10 minutes on the pole and it's so gone." Lansdown compares the experience to that of belly dancing, "connecting to the music and flowing, yet still challenging my body. It takes so much energy, and I can't wait to jump up there and smile and feel good." John Darling is a freelance writer living in Ashland. E-mail him at [email protected]. Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Discount Hotel Reservations --> online casinos news Ashley Furniture HomeStore Send Flowers California Casinos GMAT Prep Windermere Van Vleet Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Entertainment Guide --> Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada Online Pharmacy Advertisement s Advertisement