The faces of the Pole Dancing art form have varied over the centuries.  Throughout history, many dance forms have had to strive to gain the recognition and the respect that each deserves. Before they were widely accepted, dance forms such as ballet, the waltz and the tango came under severe scrutiny. Ballet, as classically conservative as it is viewed today was the pole dancing of its day. Any dance that highlighted the feminine form or physical contact was often viewed this way.  

Traditional African Tribal rituals have always involved females celebrating with dance movements around a phallus symbol which is still practiced today.

Ancient Sumerian times hold myths of the goddess Innana who descended into Hades to find her lover Damouz.  At each of the seven gates of Hades, she removed a veil and a jewel.  The Earth was barren for as long as Innana remained there; but when she returned, the Earth was again fruitful and abundant.  Innana’s dance lived on as the famous dance of the seven veils of Salome, who danced for King Herod in the Old Testament.  Strip tease in its many forms made its way out through Sumeria, Mesopotamia, Asia and west into the near East and southern Europe, via the Gypsies.

Then came the 12th Century Maypole Dance (Originally Pagan celebration of fertility).  Some believe the Victorians reformed the Pagan Maypole Dance by stripping the celebration of its sensuality to restore its innocence to the ribbons and lightness with the more familiar memory of it we remember today.  Although William Shakespeare may have successfully reintroduced the suggestiveness of these pagan celebrations in his Midsummer Nights Dream!

12th Century Mallakhamb (man of power or gymnasts pole). This is a form of Yoga which is practised on a wooden pole and on rope (Indian origins).  Today this pole is practiced by men and boys.  The rope aspect (Mallakamb) is the female practiced part.

Mallastambha (gymnasts pillar) was practiced by wrestlers and incorporates the use of an iron pole to build up strength, although it is not commonly practiced these days.

In the 1920’s US Great Depression arrived the “Hoochie Coochie” Dancers.  These came with travelling fairs with dancing that focussed on hip movement equivalent to our bump & grind, using the tent poles!

It is rumoured that the first real pole dance was performed by a dancer named Princess Pat, who worked for One Eye Tommy Fallon and Mom Fallon

Easily overlooked are the Ancient Chinese Poles.  These days this art form is found within the circus entertainment category.  Spectacular performances by the fantastic Cirque du Solei give a modern day flavour.  This is slightly different to metal pole work because these performers have their skin covered as their poles have sleeve of rough rubber allowing grip.  The techniques are similar to modern pole dance but a less fluid performance. 

16th and 17th centuries attitudes changed again and the only physical contact or self expression that was accepted in public was the occasional handshake or blush. The tangos, the latin sensual dances were very often linked to brothels.

1950’s Burlesque.

1960s’s Go Go Dancers.

1980’s Modern Pole Dancing/striptease. Starting in Canada, US finally reaching UK, Europe, Australia & New Zealand takin on North American model of table dancing clubs. The Dirty Dancing Movie also reignited the acceptance of sensuality!

Jump in 2006 – Loosing the taboo!  These days Pole Dancing is now an acceptable art form involving agility and athleticism and no longer merely a strip tease.  Competitions are held nationally and worldwide which showcases this spectacular ‘sport’ in a dignified and respectable non-nude display.  There are attempts being made to recognise it in the Olympics.

There are also recent tentative cross overs of aerial work from circus including corde lisse (a descendant of rope Mallakhamb) ant Tissu or silks.  Music performer Pink gave a show at the 2010 Grammys using the art of ‘silks’ which was viewed by a huge audience – role models such as this give encouragement to thousands of people that new skills can be learnt all the time.

Undeniably Pole Dancing will always be linked with sex & eroticism because it became a common feature of exotic dance clubs, but this isn’t a bad thing.  It just deserves a little more respect and thankfully is gradually loosing its association with sleaze.  Interestingly, many men are taking up this art form with competitions for them starting in 2010 World Championships.  As well as pole dancers being used in mainstream theatre productions, many corporate entertainment/night club environments are classing pole dancing as an acceptable professional physical art form.  Its becoming a well used form of fitness, artistry, sensuality therapy and stress release.

Pole equipment is now affordable to everyday people like other home fitness equipment (cheaper than running machines) and easily portable.

It’s a modern healthy form of expression for body, mind and soul (spiritually or not).  It is certainly not to be scoffed at.  Ancient traditions from all over the world have shown a happier existence can be simply maintained by keeping these three areas well looked after.  Our stressful and modern lifestyles require a fresh and modern approach…in my opinion, Pole Fitness has so much more to offer than a mere BOGOFF deal…this activity has multiple benefits!!