10 Ways Pole Dancing Prepares You For Motherhood

[Kimmie Fink | Romper]

Let's play a little word association game. I say pole dancer and you say, stripper? That's my guess, and it's a problem because our society has presented a limited view of the aerial arts. (Not that there's anything wrong with exotic dancing - no stripper-shaming here). Pole dancing, however and thankfully, has recently become more mainstream. People (women and men) are checking it out as a fun way to exercise, express themselves artistically, and get in touch with their sensual side. As it turns out, pole dancing prepares you for motherhood, too, so the benefits truly are endless.

I was first introduced to pole dancing at a bachelorette party. When the celebratory group showed up to the studio a little early, I watched a bit of the advanced class taking place before ours. Now, I wasn't very interested in the sexy stuff (just not my speed), but I really wanted to learn those badass Cirque de Soleil tricks the advanced class members were pulling off. I took the intro class and, well, advanced through several levels. I bought my own pole to train at home (I even took it when I moved to Honduras) and started performing with my studio's troupe, eventually competing. I loved seeing my body get strong, my teacher and mentor who pushed me beyond what I thought I was capable of, and my pole community of badass women.

Courtesy of Kimmie Fink and Alloy Images

Once I got pregnant, I decided to quit pole dancing. Some women continue to pole while pregnant, but I was too sick and worried about potentially falling. Still, throughout my pregnancy and later as a new mom, I often found myself reflecting on the many ways pole dancing helped me prepare to be a mother, including the following:

It Gives You Strength

http://gph.is/1GIjlul

It's not an exaggeration to say pole fitness (if you really commit) can help you tone and strengthen muscles. That was certainly the case for me. All those muscles you're building while poling? Totally helpful in this mom business.

Your abs of steel will be a huge asset during childbirth, and you'll need those core muscles when caring for a newborn while simultaneously recovering from labor and delivery. The upper body strength it takes to haul your ass up a 16 foot pole? Yeah, that'll come in handy as you carry that sweet baby around (and the things that sweet baby comes with).

[READ MORE]

The post 10 Ways Pole Dancing Prepares You For Motherhood appeared first on Pole World News.