Hi, everyone! I’m Stardust and I’ve been teaching exotic dance professionally for the past 8 years. From the day I started, I’ve been completely hooked and I have never looked back since!
In this article, I would like to share why exotic dance is not just my favourite pastime, it has become an integral part of my workout regime.
As someone with no prior experience in dance or fitness, exotic dance is a viable alternative to working out, especially for those who don’t mind trying something less mainstream.
First of all, what is exotic dance? Well, exotic dance comes in many forms ─ be it pole dancing, floorwork or even using a chair or stool as a prop: think J Lo in the film, Hustlers!
Although this exotic genre of dance may appear taboo with ‘stripper’ connotations, pole dancing can be a fun workout with numerous benefits!
Video courtesy of Bobbi’s Pole Studio Malaysia
Dancing is a fun way to do cardio
Dancing is a sequence of steps and performing airborne tricks or spinning around the pole does make it a cardio workout.
Just a few minutes on the pole is enough to get the heart pumping! Over time, your body will rise to the challenge once you get used to the tempo and switch to some fast-paced choreography.
By repeating dance moves and sequences on the pole, you’ll be able to build up the stamina required to take it up another notch.
Great for toning up and building core strength
Exotic dancing involves a lot of active muscle engagement, especially in your core and upper body, in order to hoist your body up the pole.
While other workouts may utilise machines or dumbbells, pole dancing makes use of our own body weight as resistance training.
This may seem daunting to someone who doesn’t work out, but everything begins with baby steps. In time, with necessary conditioning, drills and diligent practise, we’re all capable of lifting our own body weight.
In my teaching experience over the years, I have met women (and men) of all sizes, who were able to handle their body weight on the pole with the right technique and training.
Enhance your confidence
Exotic dancing is a form of expression where you can dress up and feel really good about yourself ─ it’s all about feeling like a queen in your own right!
I encourage all my students to embrace their bodies and to watch themselves in the mirror when they attend class. Over time, my students have relinquished their inhibitions and become more comfortable in their own skin when they dance.
If you are interested to give pole dancing or other forms of exotic dance a go, check out my Instagram account: @stardust_poledancer, or email [email protected] and quote *StardustxVibes* for a trial class at a special rate!
