Pole Dancing Like Bridget Jones

Have you ever felt like Bridget Jones at a Tarts and Vicars Party, because you didn’t get the memo NOT to dress up? No? Me either. Well, except for last night, sort of. I’ve been taking pole dancing classes for the past eight weeks, and the eighth week is like a ‘graduation’ where everyone dresses up and takes footage of what they’ve learned. So last night I went to my ‘graduation’ and was the ONLY one in the class who got the memo that it WAS dress up week! Like Bridget Jones, I walked in, wearing my ‘graduation outfit’ that I bought for $20 off Facebook Marketplace and could’ve worn to a Tarts and Vicars Party… and everyone else was wearing normal clothes. I could've died, and thought, damn, I’ve dressed up on the wrong week!

Pole Dancing Like Bridget Jones- Can you spot the Tart and/or Vicar in the room?

Turns out it was a communication error and it WAS dress up week, but I was the only one who got the memo to dress up! So anyway, it was hilarious! If you’ve ever wondered why pole dancers wear minimal clothing, here’s your science fact for the day: your bare skin helps you to stick to the pole. I’ve tried it with leggings and you just have no grip. Seriously. Why the heck is she doing pole dancing classes, I hear you ask? Well...

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Apart from walking my dog and compulsory school Phys Ed, I haven’t exercised for my entire life. I thought I was one of those people that just didn’t. I had lots of excuses like, I don’t like it, and I don’t have money or time. Then last year I read SELF by Dr Linda Friedland and learned I could end up with osteoporosis if I didn’t exercise. So I’d been thinking about what sort of exercise I should do. I know normal people like my husband do Pilates or go to the gym, but that just didn't appeal to me.

Pole Dancing Like Bridget Jones- The only previous exposure I've had to pole dancing, is when I used to stay up feeding my first baby and the Pamela Anderson cartoon Stripperella used to come on TV late at night. For some reason, NO ONE ELSE has ever heard of this show?!

I saw a Facebook post about pole dancing classes, so I went to a $10 trial class at Flying High Aerial Arts Studio in Malaga. After all, singing and dancing go hand in hand. My husband was supposed to have the kids while I did my trial class, but as a volunteer fire fighter, he was called out to a bushfire, which ALWAYS happens at the most inconvenient times! So I took the kids with me they did the trial class too. It was an unusual school holiday activity but the kids loved it and were better at it than me!

Pole Dancing Like Bridget Jones- Stripperella would be proud!

I signed up for the eight week level one course. I told my kids it was like swimming lessons and I had to pass each stage. The goal for stage one was to climb to the top of the pole. I didn’t think I would be able to do it, because even Mr Burns could beat me in an arm wrestle. I suggested the teacher put a chocolate bar at the top of the pole. But by the end of the course, I was surprisingly able to climb to the top with ease. After my first class, I was sore for days, and couldn’t even swing my arms when I was walking. You know that ‘I’ve-just-been-to-Cable-Water-Ski’ feeling? I thought about quitting but was told I would get used to it and wouldn't be sore in future. I thought the teacher was lying, but it was true and I don’t feel sore anymore after classes.

Pole Dancing Like Bridget Jones- I swear I'm not making it up, this was a legit show on TV! Seriously does anyone out there remember this?

I have met some interesting people too. Like one of the managers at the Doll House, and no, they weren’t recruiting, they were actually just there to do the classes too! Also, I sprung a school mum. I was like, ‘What are you doing here?’ And she told me, that she had told her kids, that she was exercising, which isn’t a lie, but they thought she was at the gym! I told her, that her secret was safe with me, and pretend to act like I don’t really know her in school scenarios. My kids know a school mum goes there, and they are always trying to guess who?

Pole Dancing Like Bridget Jones- Costume idea for level two graduation?

So, exercise is really important, and if you haven’t been able to find your ‘thing’ try something outside of the box. There are other classes available at this studio like Floor Play, some floor dancing thing that I might try! Tammy the instructor is so encouraging and lovely and I highly recommend you at least do a $10 pole trial class for the bucket list. Maybe you're looking for an indoor winter activity? That includes you too mamas! There are even classes for mums where you can bring your littlies. Remember mums, that you're allowed to do things for yourself too! It would also make for a cool hen’s activity if you’re getting married, or you could even do the level one course as a flock of hens in the lead up to the wedding, complete with your mum, mother-in-law and nanna for some special bonding perhaps? Check out the Flying Arts Aerial Studio Facebook page HERE. I'm just going to leave this pole dancing fails video here... If you liked Australia's Funniest Home Videos you'll love this!