Wow!  It’s incredible to see the new shows on television!  I guess you could say Biggest Loser may have paved the way, the arrival of Oxygen’s Dance Your A** Off and Fox’s More to Love signal the arrival of more real sizes on TV!  Now what you think of these shows is another story…

I watched Dance Your A** Off the week of pole dancing.  I am a huge fan of this movement but I felt the show and it’s choreography fell flat in terms of presenting pole dancing as a tasteful and meaningful movement option.  What struck me most was the reaction from the judges about “not using the pole enough.”  Right…

Skills on the pole do require upper body strength, but it also requires the knowledge and understanding of what could anatomically be possible for the larger body.  One female contestant was able to successfully maneuver a “swirl” down the pole, but unfortunately, many of the other contestants were left to gyrate in ways that I honestly believe could have been much better choreographed.

Sexy, sensual movement is a cornerstone for any person’s movement program.  It can make you feel powerful, seductive, attractive and alive.  The movement has to feel right on your body and have a deep sense of connecting from within.  Many of the movements originate in the pelvis and flow up and out.  Without this connection, the movement can appear, and at times feel, haphazard and silly.

I don’t know how the contestants learned their movement for the pole, but the authenticity seemed to be lacking – no fault of theirs.  In my opinion, pole dance teachers have to assist the person in bringing the movement out and creating a piece that works best with his/her body.  Throwing oneself around the pole without a connection from within can lead to injury and further disconnect from an incredibly sensual experience.

I’m thrilled to see dance as an expression of movement for all people.  I’m thrilled to see real bodies doing the work.  I only wonder when a contestant throws herself onto the floor in a split without any professional training, if teachers are after the shock and WOW factor without any thought to the overall physical health of the contestant. 

I’m looking forward to seeing more of the shows…and Emme will be a beautiful host for More to Love.  Stay tuned!

I would love to hear your comments…