Pole Dance

Pole dance is a form of performing art, a combination of Dance and Gymnastics. It involves dancing and performing acrobatic tricks with a vertical pole and is an increasingly popular form of fitness and dance, practised by many enthusiasts in gyms or dedicated dance studios.

Before the mid 2000s, pole dance mainly took place in 'Strip Clubs' Since then, promoters of pole dance fitness competitions have been trying to change peoples’ perception of pole dance and to promote it as a non-sexual form of dance and acrobatics.

Pole dance has furthermore been influenced by Chinese Pole, a form of acrobatics that is performed in Cabaret,Circus and Stage Performances in a Non-Erotic Environment.

The Pole

The Standard Dance Pole typically consists of a Hollow Steel or Brass Pole with circular cross section, running from floor to ceiling.
Another common pole is the spinning pole; as its name suggests, it is similar to a standard dance pole but spins using ball bearings. The purpose of this pole is to create better momentum and higher rates of speed to have a greater dramatic effect.

Pole Dance as Exercise

 

Pole dancing has gained popularity as a form of exercise, with increased awareness of the benefits to general strength and fitness.A growing number of men are incorporating pole dancing into their fitness programmes.In Australia, the UK and the US, dance studios are beginning to offer classes just for men.

 

Pole Dance Competitions

A wide range of amateur and professional competitions are held in many countries around the world. They are strictly non-nude and focus on pole dance as an athletic and artistic form of dance and fitness.

The first "Miss Pole Dance World" competition was held in November 2005 in Amsterdam and Elena Gibson(UK) won the championship.

In Australia, "Miss Pole Dance Australia" was started in 2005.

The first US Pole Dance Federation Championship was held on March 19, 2009, first place was taken by Jenyne Butterfly.

World Pole Sport & Fitness 2009 (World Pole Dance), which was held in Jamaica and opened to all nationalities, was won by Felix Cane(Australia)

World Pole Sport & Fitness 2010 which took place in Switzerland and was opened to all nationalities, was again won by Felix Cane(Australia)

World Pole Sport & Fitness 2011, which took place in Budapest and was opened to all nationalities and all continents, was won by Alesia Vazmitsel(Belarus)

Miss Pole Dance Argentina 2011

Competitors pose during the opening ceremony of the Miss Pole Dance Argentina 2011

Argentina's Maria Luz Escalante wins the Miss Pole Dance Argentina 2011

Chile's Laura Vasquez  in the Miss Pole Dance South America 2011 competition in Buenos Aires

 

Bolivia's Adriana Perez in the Miss Pole Dance South America 2011 competition in Buenos Aires

 

Brazil's Naara de Souza  in the Miss Pole Dance South America 2011 competition in Buenos Aires

Venezuela's Alejandra Ojeda in the Miss Pole Dance South America 2011 competition in Buenos Aires

Miss Pole Dance South America 2012
Participating Pole Dancers take to the streets to promote the event in Buenos Aires, Argentina