Her eyes twinkle and her posture assumes a more self-assured pose. “Like the rest of you, I’m looking to improve myself. You’d never know it, but I have huge anxieties when having to talk with people. Not one on one. I thrive on that. Large groups, that’s when I fall apart. It presents a problem with my job.”
“How so?” I ask.
Pam looks down, rubbing her hands together in a nervous gesture. “One of my responsibilities, as an inspirational speaker, is to give presentations to large bodies of successful executives. I choke every time before I take the stage. Get so worked up that I feel like I’m going to either pass out or throw up. Tried everything: classes, tutorials and self-help books on how to calm yourself. None work. It’s always the same. I end up in the ladies room, following a presentation, praying to the porcelain god.”
“That’s awful!” Alicia says.
Pam smiles at Alicia. “I’m hoping this class can get me over that. I’ll try anything. Besides, it sounds fun. I’m an easy-going person who loves to have a good time!”
Pam stops to look at Molly. “I think you and I have a lot in common.”
Molly looks at her but says nothing.
“From your clothing, you look like an interesting person just waiting to discover herself.”
Molly surprises everyone when she responds, “How does that make us similar?”
Pam beams. “Because I, too, am that excited interesting person— most of the time.”
The slightest hint of a smile pulls at the edges of Molly’s mouth.
I can’t help but be encouraged by the bonds that have already begun to form amongst my students. My students. Wow! That sounds strange. Who would have thought I would be leading a class? One to help women feel better about themselves. Looking at the clock, I realize that class is half over and decide it’s time to shake things up a bit. “Okay, ladies, let’s get familiar with the pole….”
Flaunt It!
Several of the students look intrigued. One looks indifferent and Molly, as expected, looks downright terrified. “Now?” she asks. “We’re going to start dancing now?”
I offer her a reassuring smile. “No better time….”
“Ah, geez,” she mumbles under her breath.
Rather than get frustrated, I decide to soothe her. “It’ll be okay. First, let’s go over a few basics.” I survey each of my students’ outfits. Each took into consideration my wardrobe guidelines. “Let’s have each of you take off your shoes.”
“Why?” questions Trish.
“So you’ll be able to move easily without having to think about staying steady on your feet.” I note her heels. They match my own— the ones I suggested each woman get.
“I’d prefer keeping mine on,” Trish counters. “Make me feel sexier when I work the pole.”
Yeah, and probably superior. “That’s fine,” I tell Trish. As I speak, the remaining women remove their heels. Heading to the stage, I pass the bookshelf and start the music. Slinky rhythm-and-blues resonates from the speakers. I caress the pole. Mmmm…. Love its cold feeling. Always have. When I used to strip at Luigi’s Gentleman’s Club, some of the girls used to complain about the poles. Not me.
I grip the pole above my head with one hand. The other, I place on my thrust-out hip. “It’s important to connect with your audience when you dance.” Seductively, I circle the pole, locking eyes with each woman. I sense unease from a few of them. They wanna look away but are curious about what I might do next. I could string this along…. Make them squirm…. Done it before, at the club. But I won’t. Not this time. Instead, I allow my moves to become one with the music, and continue with the lesson.
“Maintain eye contact,” I say. “Use your eyes to tease. Seduce. Draw the audience into your world. You’re in control. Make them feel that from the way you look at them.”
Still holding onto the pole, I run my free hand across one of my breasts, and then travel the contours of my curves, mesmerizing the women with my movements. I can tell from the looks on their faces that I have them. They’re hooked, fascinated and a little appalled. Yes! Right where I want them. I close my eyes and roll my head in a seductive circle. As it returns to the center, I open my eyes—slowly, as if coming out of an amazing dream.
Hooking my knee around the pole, I spin around it. “The trick is in finding moves that accentuate the best attributes of your body,” I say. “I happen to like my legs.” Turning, I lean my back against the pole, welcome its coldness through my top and reach above my head to grab it with both hands, while thrusting out my chest. With purpose, I hike up my left leg and, pointing my toe, extend it, as I slide down the length of the pole. Throughout my demonstration, I don’t think a single woman has blinked. Excellent! Got them. Even Molly’s looking more relaxed.
Grinning, I stand up and look at my expectant students. “Before we get started, there’re a few things I need to mention. Guess they’re my rules. First and foremost, you need to be in the right frame of mind to be an effective pole dancer.”
“What does that mean?” Carol asks.
“That you check your modesty, inhibitions and worldly baggage at the door. Here, we’re all the same—beautiful, sexy, uninhibited.”
“Not me,” Molly mumbles.
“Don’t say that. Here, if you’ll allow me, I’ll make you feel beautiful. Size and shape are not viewed the same in this class as in the rest of the world. Here you’ll learn to embrace your appearance and who you are.”
Molly makes shy eye contact and asks, “How?”
I can’t help but smirk. “Practice makes sexy.”
“What?”
“In this class, we’ll spend a lot of time practicing in front of mirrors as we learn contemporary moves and explore new seductive ways to carry ourselves. We will scrutinize ourselves to determine who we are. Pole dancing is an art form of self-expression. Having the mirrors present allows each of you to view what is being expressed from within. The more time you spend practicing in front of them, the more confident you’ll become, allowing you to seamlessly flow from one move to another. By doing so, you’ll experience a sense of accomplishment and through that, your self-confidence will evolve.”
“But each of us is so different,” Carol says. “Some are more outgoing than others. How can we all benefit?”
“Glad you asked. We’ll take things slow in the beginning. Experiment with music, for example. Some will be inspired by heavy rock, while others may prefer slower, more soulful music. What you wear and how your day has gone will also affect how you dance.”
“You said we were supposed to check our baggage at the door,” Trish
