EROTIC FITNESS
Wearing Spandex tights under a racerback tee, Natasha D'souza (name changed) wound her thigh around a pole, her black and yellow striped ankle high shoes holding the grip, while she threw her head back seductively.
The 28 year-old Mulund-based stylist is among a whole breed of urban Indian women who are ditching the tedious treadmill routine to adopt pole dancing, a regime that mixes fitness with sensuality. "I had been doing the Salsa for a while, but when that got too familiar, I decided to give Pole dancing a shot. It sounded exotic," she says.
Originally performed at strip clubs, combined with Striptease, and Lap dancing, this dance form has gradually sneaked into urban India's fitness market, with fully clothed participants using the pole as a workout prop.
Women join her out of curiosity
Shilpa Rane, Pole dance instructor at Gold's Gym, has been dancing since she was four, and has trained in London. "Burlesque dances have been a rage in the West, for years. Niche gyms in the US, Australia, even China, have Pole studios, so, I thought why not let Indian women try it," says Shilpa, admitting that she was surprised with the overwhelming response she received to her first class. "I had to make it clear that it was a fitness-based dance workout, and strip it off its dubious reputation. Striptease, Lap and Pole dance are only inspirations."
The Reebok certified fitness instructor has taught exotic dances to more than 180 students, tackling 10 students per class. While most believe that this is an elite pre-occupation, Shilpa says she gets middle class participants too.
Why women dance
Clinical psychologist and psychotherapist Dr Seema Hingoranny says erotic dances attract women thanks to the sex appeal factor. Which woman doesn't want to feel sexy, won't get excited at the thought of men, or the man in her life, long for her?
Women often drop in for quick sessions before they take off on a honeymoon, since boat parties synonymous with couple dancing, are quite a hit with newly weds. "Besides, dances like these help them get comfortable with their body, and that's great considering most of them are unhappy with some part of their anatomy. It ups confidence levels," she says.
It's their little secret
And perhaps that's the reason behind it being a detail they choose to discuss with a few. Natasha cannot discuss it with her parents because they "wouldn't understand". It would be impossible for her to explain to them, that what she did in class was nothing like what they've seen in strip club scenes in hollywood films.
Throw it in as a bonus dance
Nalina Talwalkar is a hot favourite with women in Bandra. Her workout sessions draw in members by the dozen, all of them hoping to acquire a toned body while dancing to hip hop, doing the Tango, and some some high energy aerobic exercises.
Sometimes, she throws in a Lap dance session as bonus! "The idea behind erotic dances is to shed your inhibitions and love your body the way it is. It may not be a substitute for a cardio workout, but it requires flexibility and hard work," says the instructor who's been teaching for 20 years.
An all-women's class allows participants to dance freely, often dropping their boring track suits for pretty blouses and leggings. "That leaves them feeling sensual even before they start. It's about getting your poise and posture right, feeling sexy," says Nalina, who tells you it's common for just-married women to demand a lesson in Lap dancing.
iTALK writer tried Pole dancing
The evening Pole dancing class at Gold's Gym, transforms the fitness hub into a fortress, while this only-women session gets ready to roll. Bedsheets are hung along the walls to make sure peeping Toms don't stand a chance. The class begins with a few stretching exercises that are done using giant exercise balls, that we have to clutch between our thighs, hold behind our backs, even sit on.
When the Pussycat Dolls begin to croon Don'tcha wish your girlfriend was hot like me... on the music system, you can't help but feel feline sensual. Shilpa Rane's cheerful go ahead to pick up our poles and "show me those moves" is enough to get us going. No annoyingly peppy chick calling out kicks, here, like at your average aerobics class. It's all about letting the languid moves, butt swirls, leg curls, wicked smiles herald the birth of the sexy kitten that's you.
Celeb choreographers kya kehte hain?
Terrence Lewis runs a contemporary dance and fitness academy at Juhu, has been choreographer for Bollywood films like Naach and Jhankaar Beats
Sensuous dance forms cannot be a substitute for a cardio workout. They are in demand thanks to the glamour that surrounds them. Women from the elite classes opt for these, rather than those from the middle class. I don't believe learning an erotic dance can make a difference to a jaded relationship. It's the chemistry that a couple shares that crucial. If you don't have it, you can't buy it.
Sandip Soparkar, Salsa expert, runs a chain of Western dance classes
Women today find dances that involve a fantasy element, exciting. It increases flexibility and can make the mundane, fun. Very few Indian women would opt for a Lap or Pole dancing class since expression of sexuality is seen as immoral in our culture. But, in some cases, it might just help add zing to a jaded relationship.
Would you like your woman to learn an erotic dance? No!, say desi chauvinists
It's not a workout
Mayank Rungta, 28, Software professional
Pole dancing, Lap dancing and Striptease are neither an art form, nor a workout. I prefer Salsa and Jive. You never know what they teach at these classes. I wouldn't want my girl to go for such a class. If she insists, I might allow, but I won't let her perform in public.
It's for women with empty lives
Chitrak Desai, 24, MBA student
I think it's an exciting trend. Women work long hours, and this is a good way to de-stress. I think these classes attract women from the upper strata who have empty lives. It might spice up a relationship, but there are other ways to do that. It's not for my woman, though.
Against our culture
Rajiv Sheth, 42, Businessman
My wife and I are fond of dancing but Pole dancing doesn't suit our culture. I wouldn't allow my wife to try it. She can try other decent techniques to stay fit. We are planning to go learn Salsa together.
Not for a housewife
Neel Shah, 30, Technical director at Breathelife Chemicals
I've been married for five years, and I am not in favour of letting my wife learn Pole dancing. In the US, it's performed by professionals. There's a huge difference between a sexy woman pole dancing in a mini, at a bar, and a housewife doing it for her husband.
The fad will fade
Nandini Sardesai former HOD of Sociology at St. Xavier's College
Dances like these let women get in touch with their feminine side, and that's great as as long as it doesn't turn into an obsession. The women attending these classes obviously belong to the upper strata, are open minded and desire to belong to a certain group by trying something different, that is. It is an in-group characteristic. But it's a fad that will subside over time.
iTalk's Top 3 hot dances
Pole Dancing: The earliest stories of pole dancing come from an African tribal ritual. The betrothed ladies of the tribe would dance provocatively around a wooden phallic symbol. This was intended to show their partner how they wanted to be made love to.
Essential Elements: Install a strong pole, put up mirrors since they make it easier to learn and create a wonderful atmosphere by adding light and illusion of space. Choose the right music so that it helps you spin around. Pay attention to attitude and posture; they must ooze confidence.
Lap Dancing: It's generally performed for a lover or partner, is a display of female sexuality that's enticing and flirtatious, but not pornographic and promiscuous.
Essential Elements: Before a performance, create an atmosphere using lilies or orchids. Allocate a seating area. Lap dancing is never performed in bright light. Dimmed lights in red or pink and candle lights work well.
Striptease: It's the art of undressing in an erotic way. The performer gradually removes her clothing, and it's usually performed in night clubs. The teasing involves slowness of undressing, with the man getting more eager.
