Back in 2009, Danielle Cain came across a Facebook ad for a pole dancing fitness class and decided to give it a try. Thoroughly enjoying her first class, she researched pole dancing and the elite performers. Cain then uncovered how versatile and acrobatic pole dancing can be, and she pursued a new path, Passion: A Pole Troupe.
As for her own pole dancing, Cain receives her inspiration straight from the music. Having two degrees in music, she finds musicality is a large part of her dancing. “Choosing a song is one of the most difficult aspects of preparing for a performance, but once the right song comes along I just have to get the dance out on stage,” says Cain.
Cain and co-founder, Julia Burks, said they wanted to take pole dancing from the studio to the Cincinnati public sphere. “There are many misconceptions about the accessibility and quality of pole dancing as a performance art, and we wanted to educate and change minds while providing an entertaining experience,” explains Cain.
Classes for Passion: A Pole Troupe are held at Bella Forza Fitness, a women’s-only facility located on 4325 Red Bank Road in Cincinnati. All sorts of women of all ages take their pole dancing classes. Students range in age from 16 years old to over 50 years old and are college students, mothers, engineers and other various professions.
Cain teaches several types of pole dancing: pole fitness, sensual pole dance and lyrical pole dance. Pole fitness is similar to other group fitness classes with its structure and exercises with sets and reps as well as spins and tricks. Sensual pole dance is a cardio workout, but with the sexy side of pole dancing that Cain finds is empowering to the women in the class. Lastly, lyrical pole dance takes modern dance and combines it with the pole tricks helps to improve the “fluidity and musicality” says Cain. Free dancing is also incorporated, which is important for live dancers, such as the women in Passion.
Even without experience, students can expect to have a lot fun, but also be challenged. “In your first experience you will learn how to move gracefully around the pole, how to do a few beginner spins, and get started on the technique of climbing,” says Cain. She advises wearing short shorts and to not wear lotion so that your skin can grip the pole. Cain encourages people to bring a bottle of water and of course, consult a physician before a new physical activity.
Drop-in classes are available so people can try it out without a long-term commitment. “Once you see how fun it is, and how much of a good workout you’ll get, you’ll want to come back for more,” says Cain.
To learn more about Passion: A Pole Troupe, “like” them on Facebook.