READY TO KICK UP YOUR HEELS! SPECIAL DANCE EDITION #2~!
Goddess Granny as promised just bursting to share more with you and hoping you too will be excited to possibly step outside your comfort zone and DANCE! I'm going to give you some incredible options I can personally vouch for and I double dog dare you to try and tell me you can't :)
You heard how it all started and now I'll cut to the chase and give you the BEST in inspiration,instruction,and insight that it's taken me 3 years,several long-distance trips,and more than a few sweat-filled hours to figure out...lots of options out there but there IS huge a difference when it comes to content and safety and you deserve the best of both!
I need to tell you how honored I am by the responses and messages I've received: Meg encouraged me to write about my "hobby" and honestly,I wouldn't have been so eager to show this "side" of myself without her support and absolute confidence that we're all in this together!
"Not strong enough, tiny living space, self-conscious, shy, too old or have physical liabilities, questionable responses from mate or others..."
I hear you on all counts! When I started, I was 51 years old, 25 lbs. heavier, had asthma and a bad knee, hadn't worked out seriously in 3 years, had no one to "play with" in a studio setting, hid under cardigans at all times,and wasn't about to chat about what I was doing over coffee with my family and friends. Honestly the only "fan" I had that thought I could have fun and get in better shape by dipping my toes into the world of exotic movement/poledancing was my husband and he not only understood my "needs" to start feeling good about myself again but also respected that it wasn't going to be "about him" as I began my trip to the sensual side 
This is a very personal choice: I know women who are super-skilled that have never danced for an audience and others who cannot wait to show someone after their first hip- swivel! What I can guarantee is that when you start, you will feel ridiculous unless you have a background in movement and feel comfortable in "your own skin." I can also assure you that little by little you will change: your will stand, walk, move, think,and feel more feminine, more confident, and a helluva' lot finer in every way! I remember bending over in Walmart to pick up a "Spiderman" thingy for a grandkid and as I stood up,I shifted my weight, flipped my hair, and stood up like...well...like a showgirl who knew her stuff! I was on " sensual-autopilot" at that moment and realized that I did indeed have NOTHING to hide regardless of my age or physical condition! Whatever had been "dead or dormant" inside was coming out into the sunshine again! I found myself bouncing to the radio in traffic with a knowing smile...walking with an exaggerated- strut in the grocery...becoming stronger by practice, leaner by effort, and more profoundly female as a result. I became a "made woman" who finally realizes her power and owns it completely!
I will never be comfortable flaunting but rest assured, I no longer wear cardys 
) You can choose to start with tiny movements or to grab a handful of pole for all it's worth but you WILL shed your skin and emerge renewed and revived like never before.
You just need to just kick the excuses to the curb and dive in: here are my suggestions for "how/where to start" and I hope you'll spend a bit of time browsing and considering: for me,this has been life-changing in many ways and even if you just have fun with your buddies on a Saturday night, you will enjoy the process! You do NOT need a large space or even a pole to get started:only some music that gets you "in the mood", some soft lighting that is "kind", (battery candles are great as are inexpensive paper-lamps) and something to wear (or not!) that you can move in and that makes you feel good! Mirrors are optional at first, you want to "feel" and not "see the flaws and judge" as we are all prone to do but as you progress you might benefit from a reflection to help improve and admire!
I have personally taken classes, workshops, private lessons, and advanced training from the 3 following sources and feel FREE to ask any questions you may have,I promise to try and smooth your way!
If you are fortunate to live in LA, (as well as other locations in CA) NY, Houston, or Chicago, you can check out what was my initial intro into in this fitness and art form: S Factor offers classes in lush studio-settings that are totally sensual and sororial: it's a "girl's only" club like no other and you'll be amazed at how many and how varied the women are who flock to learn from my friend and noted actress, Sheila Kelley and her devoted staff! You can also order her book and instructional DVD's which are excellent for helping you understand what it's "all about" to start with and for those with NO training or exposure to movement. You do NOT need a pole but if you'd like one,they sell have those too! :
http://www.sfactor.com/ ">S Factor (if you click on: to "Listen to us"/ then "Be amazed by the journey" about 1/2 way through, I'm chatting there too! ;)
For THE best in actual "online classes" YES! You CAN take actual instruction in movement and polework in all forms and levels online, my beautiful friend Lira aka "Yannori" is absolutely amazing! She takes this stuff to a whole other level personally. I have NO illusions that I will EVER be able to move as she does (and that's okay!) but her passion, grace, and ability to teach is contagious and she brings the devil to his knees when she dances! She authors a popular blog on the subject and shares her divine-talents via video on her sites and on YouTube. She's also one of the smartest, loveliest, women I know and has a wonderful and personal way of bringing out the BEST in all of us no matter what we're capable of:
Okay...I'm positively giddy over this: my friend Shawn Frances Lee is the "gold standard" when it comes to actual experience in authentic "exotic" movement, advanced aerial-arts and saftey-oriented/professional training. She has trained some of the "greats" including Lira above and until recently, it has been VERY difficult to connect with her for instruction.She is classically trained and honestly, a force of nature and so gorgeous to watch!
She has just finished producing what I believe to be a "ground breaking" DVD which is now available for pre-order and will ship in 4-6 weeks.TRUST me, EVERY WOMAN OUT THERE can and should do themselves the favor of learning what she offers on this! It's called "Slink, Slide, and Melt" and I was so fortunate to train with her in this exciting and FUN movement last year. It will absolutely change what you may "believe" you can do and it has NOTHING to do with a pole ;) Watch her intro and tell me you don't "want to be her!" No one else "does" what Shawn can teach!
Excellent, quality,sources for removable poles in all forms should you choose to totally indulge!
http://www.lilmynx.com/
http://www.xpoleus.com/
I could go on for hours but will end with this: something else really wonderful happens when you begin to firmly accept and embrace your own feminine-sensuality and inherent power: you are kinder and more complimentary towards other women, cheer harder for them, cry honestly with them, and accept them MUCH differently and with less jealousy or judgement secure in the realization that they too have their flaws and insecurities but that in a darkened room with sexy music playing, every one of us is BEAUTIFUL when we relax, enjoy, express and DANCE as only a woman can!!!
Please keep us posted and share if you too chose to DANCE!
- meg's blog
- Login or register to post comments
-
Reviews
MJSRED-You are a beautiful person inside and out. I admire how you seem to live your life and what you have shared with us here. I am absolutely going to check out your suggestions. And I am not sure what type of dancing I will try but it is going to be something! You are an inspiration. And I am ready to hop on the "shake your booty" bandwagon. It sounds like a great way to live!
I love it!! My boyfriend alwayz is laughing at me cuz my ass is alwayz shaking one way of another!! =D Dance Dance Dance!!! =D I was born in Orlando.. and now iam stuck in hicks ville New Hampshire where i can just imagine the OUTRAGE there would be if an S factor ever came to town... So i can only dream and pretend iam back in the big city with fun stuff!! Til then.. shaking my ass in hicks ville!!! <3<3<3
You are inspirational!
Inspirational is the word. I'm breathless and I haven't been doing anything more strenuous than sitting in my chair at my desk. Mind you, today that is a lesson, albeit unintentional, in exposing myself to the world. Perhaps not with the sinuous grace of a pole dancer, but still. You see, ever since I've been doing physical therapy following my knee surgery, I have been wearing skirts. It's easier to do PT in a skirt than it is for me to lug shorts around.Today I wore a new skirt for the first time. It is an Old Navy special, a $7.99 rayon straight skirt in cocoa brown. It looks far more expensive and pretty darned good. The only trouble is, it has a front kick pleat. So when I sat down at my desk for the first time, I looked down and said, "Oh, my."Do you remember Eddina and Patsy, those glorious AbFab girls? When I looked into my lap I remembered Patsy's remark that "the world's my gynecologist." Msjred, after that, a leap up to a pole seems far, far less of a stretch! It could happen!
I love that line from Ab Fab. I think it goes something like this "One flick of my wrist and I can raise hemlines so high the whole world's your Gynecologist"! God I love Patsy. I promised Samantha that the next time we have a girls weekend I'll rent Ab Fab and show her what funny REALLY is!Mjsred...I'm a confident booty shaker myself. I'm glad to know this can be done at home without a pole (even though my Frankie would install one for me in a HEARTBEAT if I asked) and maybe online. I'm checking it out! I LOVE to dance and this might be just the thing!
Love, hugs and shoes...Angie
Love ya Joan! And I am an AbFab geek!! I adore it. Not so sure of what I think about the US version coming this fall. We will see....
Ahaha! me and sweet.ass.gal were doing some baby shower favors the other night and we were in a goofy beyond goofy mood! i have no idea why but we started doing these british accents and we couldnt help but to bring in some abFab quotes in the mix
<3 Samantha
As the other ladies have already mentioned, you are an inspiration! I'm gonna check out those links when I get home tonight, and I think I might try to find the Carmen Electra videos that someone mentioned earlier.
That's it! Thank you, and thank your sweet ass! And kellie, I don't expect to check out the US version. I'm a Brit comedy snob. I have yet to see a single episode of the American 'The Office," not without my beloved Ricky Gervaise. Come to think of it, it's not just comedy -- I never watched the short-lived US "Life on Mars." Snobsnobbysnobsterfromsnobtown.
Excellent! This is inspirational indeed! Congratulations; keep on dancing!
Msjred you are an inspirational indeed! I so admire you and love the way you live life. You are such a great example to all of us here. I sure look up to you. I LOVE IT that you shared all of this with us. Your awsome and Beautiful. I signed up for zoomba dance class this coming Tuesday :) woohoooo..... Shake it!
You are an inspiration. If I had space and place for this, I would so get a pole!
You are awesome!
you are one kick ass grandma! hehe
<3 Samantha
This is so cool! Thanks for the info. I'm looking into new apartments and definitely want to try a pole to workout with in my new one.
You truly are an inspiration! <3
Oh My gosh! Goodness Granny what a amazing woman you are! I thought so before but WOW you are so WOMAN in every part of the way. At first I couldn't believe my eyes. Honestly. I was admiring your openness to talk about your passion. Then as I read I was starting to want to learn more about it. Music, movement, what could be better? Now it's been a hour... I've gone on to the sites. Not in Canada but then Ii googled it for my area. I think I need to it least try one class. Can't wait to bring it up to my boyfriend and see what he's going to say. lol.Artcandy
♥Robyn♥
great article. i wish there was something like that in our town. i have a friend that does pole dancing (classes) and she absolutely loves it!
as the other ladies said inspirational keep on dancing. im gonna check it out later
I love the idea of doing this. It is so cool that this is something you've taken the time to learn and be passionate about. I live in super small town and the online classes seem pretty tempting. I know my boyfriend would appreciate them ;)
MJSRED -- I want to BE you! Thanks so much for sharing your story with us. Like the others here, I am inspired. I don't have a great body image - even though I'm continuing to improve the actual body. I would love to feel more sensual, and you've convinced me to try. Love ya!And Joan - I've got to learn to stop drinking my tea or coffee while reading your posts. Almost had a spraying incident on my laptop when I read about your skirt issue!
Carole
I love it! When you wrote part 1 it reminded me how much I had wanted to get a pole for home or at least take a class. Now that you've written part 2 I'm all pysched again and want it even more. Good for you. What an inspirational post. Thank you so much for being so open and honest. We all love ya!
www.JenniferSuarez.com
You are an amazing woman and made me want to go try this. No place for a pole though so I will check into Carmen Electra. Thanks so much!!!! :)
GG: Do you think you could buy a pole at a local hardware store as the ones on the link are a over my budget? What is the diameter? What DVD's, one or more, would you suggest for an out of shape, but not yet a granny, should get for starting. This just sounds like a great way to not only get in shape, but relax. I can put the pole in my sewing room and dance when I need a break from designing purses.
Beste Hilsin
If I ever need validation of ANY kind again,I sure know where to run!!!Y'all are simply the best,in every way! :)Thank you all SO much for being so wonderful!A couple of things: Shawn Frances Lee above actually TRAINED Carmen for those videos,so I'd really suggest you look at hers first! Much more experience as a teacher...Carmen's are "fun" but it's a lot of hair-flipping and not a lot of "substance" shall we say? She's a beautiful girl though...You really have to be selective if you're going for a pole: I have 3, Lil Mynx (my first,from S Factor) then a custom one I have in my bedroom that is simply for strength-training as there's not much room to spin,and then an X pole,which is transportable and very cool!The poles can be anywhere from 1.5 -2.0" in diameter but here the thing,the "wall",ie,the thickness of the metal itself MUST be a specific diameter to avoid nasty accidents should it bend or break...it's very exaccting as you are fully supporting your bodyweight on it PLUS adding gravity!Also,you need to have chrome,stainless steel,or the latest trend,titanium.Mine are all stainless...different metals are "stickier" or not and you CANNOT use galvanized or other metal without risking a skin-reaction or not having enough "slip" to the metal so spins and such can be done safey and easily! Some metals will actually have tiny "burrs" and will shred your skin in a short period of time.It really is a science and an "art form" and the "tools" are specific...mountings,again,if youre' going for a perma-pole are very important,the X pole is designed to be removable and works well.My first pole is in my sewing studio as well,LOL! I often will take a spin-break from sewing as well...great minds! :)Best "starter" DVD's "off the pole" would be Shawn's if you can wait for the release or S Factor along with the book,it's an excellent way to sort through where you might want to go with all this as well as offering movements to strangthen and get you all ready to rock! I highly suggest you learn so fun and "easier to master" floor,wall,and transition movements...you'll be amazed at how many there are,becore you try a pole unless you have a solid background in dance or gymnastics.Most of us simply don't have the upper-body strength that is needed but trust me,you WILL gainit quickly with some practice!Steer clear of those DVD's (for now) that are strictly pole-oriented...you'll find out that the girls on those poles are HIGHLY TRAINED athletes of the finest degree for the most part and you'll become frustrated if you try to take on too much at first.You'll feel much more confident if you go slow.You CAN "make a pole" but you'll need to find a local source for "polished stainless tubing" and go from there,some online sources but shipping can be a beast...if you decide to go that route,let me know and I'll get you all the specifics!!!HUGS!!!
WOW those are some hot legs there, Goddess Granny! Maybe someday I'll work up to pole dancing... Right now I'm running, and I feel so good about my body because it can DO something! :) But it's not as sexy as pole dancing. Thank you for being so candid about it and nudging us Megheads to bring sexy back :P
♥ bluedevilkittyhttp://mtycer.weebly.com/
I KNEW THIS POST WOULD BE JUST AS AMAZING AS PART 1! This is so empowering! You are such an inspiration to me and every single woman reading this. I kind of feel like crying right now, I guess it is because you really know how to get to the heart of this issue.I FREAKIN' LOVE YOU MJSRED! (yep, that about sums it up)p.s. I find a cardigan can be very sexy when worn with nothing but a garter, nipple rings, and heels! Kidding! (sort of)
After living in Vegas for years I find it funny how many women actually go out and take these dance lessons. Interesting. Good for you!
I truly doubt my parents would appreciate me taking up pole dancing. My mother is a college professor and she's pretty librel, just not that much. I have noticed that I'm less klutzy and more graceful now that I've taken up gymnastics! Also my confidence has gone way up since starting cheerleading (laugh all you want, I'll have friends from the first day of school!)-Allya (http://paintedtips.blogspot.com/)
Stylemama...I love you back and I mean that! You're like a younger,cooler, me with a hot husband and great kids,LOL! I'm gonna' try that look for my next "revealing" post about myself and give you credit for being my stylist! :)Vegas DOES have some amazing beauties and bodies but honestly,as young ollie says,the CONFIDENCE that learning how to move like a siren can give you is life-changing! If you're someone who's not used to being "looked at" or even someone who's simply not as comfortable with herself as she might be(hey,we all have pasts and "reasons" to fee less-than from time to time...) it's one of the most affirming and amazing things you can try to change your body and your attitude! I'm not a person who buys into "trends" and am fairly conservativebelieve it or not: this has changed every nuance of my personality in the best possible ways!
What can I say...you really are SO inspirational! I have a story...there was no pole involved but it was a time in my life when I really felt sexy and I really could move my body well and on one occasion I publicly pretended that I was a stripper! I had a friend, who's dad was turning 60 and she told me she would pay me $50.00 (I needed the cash) if I would dress up like a stripper and come to her dad's 60's birthday party and do a funny stripper routine in front of all his friends and family who would be at this party large gathering! I think I was probably somewhere between late 30's and early 40's at the time. She told me I needed to do a 15 minute stripper act and interact with her dad. I debated hard - wondering if I'd have the guts to do it but I loved doing crazy things and I especially loved dressing up so...I made a plan. I used to go dancing all the time and I took dance classes too - I loved everything about dancing! I went to a used 'music' store and told the guy that I needed some 'stripper music' and with his help I came home with a bunch of great gyrating songs! It was a long time ago, so I got out my big boom box and I carefully made a tape of back to back music that included sexy moving songs which lasted 15 minutes. I went to several thrift stores and a store called Ragstock and I found myself several sensual outfits that I carefully layered and that I could easily peel off. I worked on my strip act for weeks. I realized I couldn't do it all alone, I needed someone to drive me and activate the music...so, I enlisted a friend of mine and I got her a nurse outfit and told her she was going to be my nurse and come to the party with me. So, I worked on that slinky dance stripper routine and taking off my clothes until I had it perfected and then the day of the party came. I never let anybody see my act because I was too scared! I put on a long sexy redheaded wig just about down to my waist and lots of makeup and my stripper ensemble and we drove to the party at the appointed time. The minute we walked up to the door, THAT was when I thought..."I can't do this!" I really felt sheer terror at what I was about to do! My heart was pounding out of it's ventricle and the instant fear I was experiencing was overwhelming! But I was committed so I rang the doorbell of the house where the dad's party was and they opened the door and someone said "Hey Dad! Someone is here to see you!" Then, my nurse assistant and I walked into the room and I looked around at ALL the people and then looked at the dad and said something like "Hi Sugar! This is my nurse and your family and friends all pitched in together to hire you a classy stripper for your birthday...but they didn't have a lot of money,so they had to go to a 'institution' to find ME, so with the help of my nurse, I'm going to get your party started!" So, my nurse pushed the button on my boom box and away I went into my routine! I gyrated, and slithered and undulated and slinked to the music. I didn't have eye contact with any of those people staring at me, I just let the music move me like it always did and I got into the act! I sat on the dad's lap and I brought wine glasses and fed him wine and did the entire show down to whatever I had left on (it was still somewhat tasteful) and then I blew kisses to everyone and gave the dad a big kiss and my nurse and I went out the door! I was absolutely terrified during the entire dance I put on but at the same time, I KNEW I was moving very VERY well and because I added humor to all of it, it wasn't sleezy. Just before we drove away, a family member came out and asked me to come back in. The dad said it was the best birthday he ever had and he really thought I WAS a stripper! I got some great feedback! The most uncomfortable thing was that the dad's wife was sitting on the couch, with her arms folded tight and a huge frown on HER face! She was not as enthusiastic!The best part was, the girl who hired me said to her dad, "Dad? Do you know who that stripper is?" and he just kept smiling at me and said "No." And then she told him it's JeantheBean! Her friend Jean! The look on his face - well he was completely astonished and couldn't believe it was me - until I went right back up into his face and assured him it was ME the girl he took fishing once long ago. He loved it all the more. Her family all called me JeantheBean. The wife said I moved a little 'too well' for her taste! LOL! Validation!Moving your body in ways that a pole dancer does, it just makes you feel so enticing, so powerful and does a lot for a person's confidence! I wish I could still slink down these days, but my knees won't allow it. I really love that this (pole dancing) is an option for all kinds of women as an empowering way to exercize! Without question, years ago I would have read Goddess Granny's pole dancing experiences and been all over getting that pole and taking those classes! Back in the day, armed with pole dancing moves...oh girlfriend, the men would have all paused!
Jeanasina!
This is amazing. My mother keeps saying how she feels stuck in a rut lately (she just turned 48) and I think I might suggest this to her. She could really use some confidence and energy and it sounds like this is perfect! On the other hand, I'm not sure if she's quite as physically capable as you are, Goddess Granny. You are quite something.I personally have preferred hip-hop in the past, it's so much fun and gives me some cool moves to show off when I'm partying with my friends haha! On the other hand pole dancing sounds a lot more sensual and maybe I could benefit from some of that. I'll definitely check it out at least once.Keep rocking it GG!
Feeling good about your body and being toned is healthy on so many levels. Thank you for the inspiration. May you enjoy continued health and happiness.
I'm glad you wrote this. I think every woman should be in touch with her feminine side. Pole dancing is kind of a crazy new thing that everyone is into. I think this was just waiting to happen. Women would go to the strip club and on the inside wish they could do all the pole tricks for their man but now you actually can in a number of different ways. I encourage pole dancing just like you do. I hope you get a couple ladies to join a class or something!!xoTiera
fabuloushoodchick.blogspot.com
My dad lives in Vegas. I love that anybody can take lessons like this! Rock it!
I have wanted to try this for so long. I almost bought a "fitness pole" around Christmas time, but thinking I actually might get it as a gift I did not purchase it. To my dismay, I did not receive it. I am still wanting to get it. Definitely, after reading this I am going to the mall and buying myself this if it the last thing I do. I have wanted this too bad for too long. Thank you for posting this inspiration!
A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.
-Coco Chanel
My dream is to have a pole lol but my fiancé doesnt want a pole in his living room mehh=(
Hollywood http://thehollywoodheels.blogspot.com
What an inspiration. I would love to try something like this.
I wish i had the confidence to do this. I'm a somewhat self conscious about my skin and my stomach.. they aren't big but yah know!.. Thank you for posting this though.. today i walked around with a strut in my step thinking if you could be a sex goddess then so could i !
Me i go running for my body but Maybe one day I'll work up to pole dancing !!! ;)
You are inspiring, love what you had to say. I am checking the links as we speak.
Suzanne Bailey :)
Wow, I've been needing to get off my duff and do some exercise. I was thinking about yoga, but this is making me think about it again.I don't dance well enough to save my life, but something like this would improve that aspect, as well as make me healthier in general. I'll have to bookmark all of the resources you gave and give them a thorough going over when I've had some sleep and can read proper!Thanks so much for the info!
ready ready ready!
I love to dance! If only I was good at it:S