Pole Dancing isn’t just about the tricks
I was lamenting on the state of the pole dancing industry when someone asked me why I focus so strongly on being a pole DANCER instead of a pole TRICKSTER (someone who focuses on athletic pole tricks without transitions).
Although I recognize how wonderful pole fitness can be when a woman develops her gymnastic ability and strength, I am not in that camp. I do not and will not ever just teach a pole trick. I believe it is the transitions between the tricks that connect a woman with her sensual nature, not just the trick itself. If I cannot evoke an emotional response throughout my dance, then I’m not interested in dancing; and serial pole tricks do not evoke emotion in me.
Whenever I see a pole Trickster, I find my mind wandering. Yes, the flawless execution is impressive. Yes, the difficulty is obvious. But it’s still the same tricks, over and over and over again. Instead of noticing the way she accentuates the curve of her hip or the luscious shadow of the hair falling down her back, I consider her gymnastic execution; her fitness & stretching routine, her training regimen. Of course she is beautiful, impressive even, but I want to see the movement of life breathing through her, the spark of humanity, the hypnotic fire of creativity that burns through a dancer. I know it’s there, but I just can’t see it.
I certainly agree that being a pole Trickster is a great way to get in shape. It’s a phenomenal and powerful activity that many awesome and wonderful woman do with their bodies. But it’s not what I want. And to answer the question of why, I wrote this response to a friend of mine. It’s rather raw, and starts off with a doozy, but if you wanted butterflies and lily pads, you probably wouldn’t be reading my blog anyway.
Fuck pole dancing, but not in the way you think.
The pole is a prop, a gimmick. It’s the feeling of pure sensuality that I am after. The afterglow of the dance is like the afterglow of sex. I want to feel beautiful, luscious, delicious. Circles of erotic bliss. I want the space to be vulnerable again.
I tire of being hard. Hard at work, hard at home, hard in traffic. I am not a man and have no wish to be. I am the force that bends instead of breaks; the life that flows instead of shatters. My heart is transparent because my tears fill it’s soul.
Being at work fights my nature. No, I fight my nature when I’m at work. My lover requests for my return to dance. He wishes to see what only a woman in raw movement can show him. But this vision, this truth is available only when a woman remembers herself. She experiences life with flaws, weaknesses, strength, mistakes, emotions, and creation.
Reality is not about perfection; this is man’s lie, one he tells himself. The sun, moon, and stars have NEVER given us perfection, only natural cosmic coincidence. All things work in harmony because of their inherent chaos.
You want proof? — I am proof.
I am a living contradiction, strength and weakness personified in one body. A living mass of confusion that somehow remains in balance and lives — breathes even. Whereas a rock, a flawless diamond with the most intricate and perfect structure, highly prized for this logical and regular pattern of atoms, lacks a soul.
The one requirement of life is that it is NEVER perfect, never done. No matter how many times it has tried, life must continue the struggle or give up.
Enjoy your struggle, your dance of sensuality, and recognize the amount of passion you nurture to be truly ALIVE each and every day.
Twirl, Swirl, and Fly!
14 Comments
Jennifer
You put things so beautifully, Yannori! And it is such a privilege to watch you dance!
P.S. I was beginning to think I was the only one who gets bored to tears sometimes when I am watching just one gymnastic feat after another on the pole.
Yannori
Thanks Jennifer! I really appreciate your support of my dancing and this blog. xoxo
Kira Morris
I couldn’t agree with you more. This was beautifully, if not poetically, written.
Yannori
You have a lot of wonderful things to say about pole dancing too Kira. I’m glad to have your comments here. 🙂
Claire Griffin Sterrett
Mmmmmm I feel like arching my back, dragging fingertips across the curve of my breasts and letting my hair fall across my face. You, Ms. Yanoori, are a delicious poet. And I could not agree with you more. It’s about the emotion in the movement, the story that our bodies tell, the sensuality, the erotic feminine. Thank you.
Yannori
Exactly! A pole dancer follows her body, follows her breath. She doesn’t dictate each movement. She allows her sensual self the freedom to play & simply enjoys the ride. 🙂
Leela
Beautiful words Yannori…so eloquent and meaningful. As a teacher myself, I strive to help each woman find that connection with her sensual nature that you speak of. To see someone come alive and embrace who she is as a woman is pretty powerful, and to be a catalyst for that shift is an awesome responsibility I don’t take lightly. To assist her in becoming strong in body and spirit is a joy. I adore reading and relishing your work, it’s so inspiring. Thank you!
Yannori
I’m glad to hear that so many instructors are sharing the sensuality as well as the tricks. As teachers, it’s our job to provide the appropriate frame for our students, and help them find their own style. Let’s keep that going 🙂
Maria
Hi Yannori
I absolutly agree with you! You know, I had a teacher that the only focus she had was to teach us all the right movements and tricks on the pole. When asked about the sensual part of pole dance, the answer was, always, “I’m not really into that sort of thing. I like to climb the pole, and make tricks. I’m not the sensual type”. I changed class. I don’t have the physical skills, yet, to perform those tricks, but I also know that I’m not in the Cirque du Soleil!! I will learn all that, but I do think that the sensual part of a dance should be “mandatory” on pole classes! Helas, we don’t have enough teachers to tell us that, that’s why when I read something so beautiful and touching like you did, I go awwww, that’s my kind of girl, my kind of teacher, my kind of person! Why don’t I get one of you to teach me??? I mean, love what you do, don’t just do the tricks…
Yannori
I really like how you put that Maria…
“Love what you do, don’t just do the tricks…”
And I’m glad you listened to your own needs and chose the best instructor for you. Don’t worry too much about doing the really crazy advanced stuff too fast. If you let your strength build organically, you’ll find that your body is ready when your mind can wrap around the trick. There may still be hesitation, but not fear. xox 🙂
Kristen
Beautiful! It reminds me of my tirade a few months ago, but mine was not an eloquent blog. I think a huge part of this philosophy is competition vs non-competitive. My studio is non-competitive. We celebrate each and every one of us and have no desire to show off. I’m often asked to host other pole dancers and I always say no. They aren’t dancers to me, they are the tricksters who simply want to show-off to my students. I would rather celebrate the student who just perfected her basic spin with transitions. Pole students should all have the opportunity to have instructors like you who care more about their needs than about showing off your own beautiful skills.
Yannori
I most certainly agree that teaching must be about the student and never the instructor. And for that reason, I am respectful of my student’s wishes. If she prefers less sensuality, less dance, and more athletic/gymnastic pole exercises, I happily send her to a Pole Trickster. Her safety & enjoyment is paramount.
But within my own life, dance must always come before pole. 🙂
Fleur
I agree about dance being so much more than a series of tricks. This is one of the main reasons I have no interest in seeing pole dancing make it to the Olympics. It would no longer be dance. It would be sport. No thanks.
Yannori
I’m nodding my head too Fleur. I don’t believe pole dancing should be part of the Olympics. I don’t need it “legitimized” as a sport or anything else. Dance is Joy expressed as movement. xxo