Dance and fitness have always been closely related. When we watch a professional dancer perform, we usually see a muscular, athletic body. However, there has been an undeniable shift in the past 20 years. Dance has taken the world of fitness by storm.
Fitness professionals have combined different dance styles with traditional strength and conditioning exercises in group fitness settings, and dance teachers have created classes that are accessible to all fitness levels to help you lose weight, gain strength, and ensure flexibility. Many people who have struggled to relate to traditional exercise attitudes have found their niche in some form of dance fitness. The most obvious of many reasons for this is simple: It’s fun. From cardio-oriented classes like the Latin-inspired Zumba to strength and core-oriented pole dance fitness, there is something for everyone.
Born like this
In 2010, a study conducted at the University of York found that infants moved their bodies in response to the rhythm and tempo of music. The study also found that the more a child’s movements were synchronized with the music, the more they smiled. It seems that we are born with a natural tendency to dance. The youngest category to gain popularity in mainstream fitness is the dance category, which I will simply refer to as “sexy fitness”. I’m talking about twerk workouts, pole dancing, and choreographed heels classes, to name a few.
As we’ll see, there’s a lot more to each of them than just being sexy, but the fact remains that they are. And for each of these musically motivated modalities, there seems to be a common benefit for participants of all body types and athletic dispositions to feel sexy and confident.
A new sport on the scene
While many people associate pole dancing with strip clubs, it wasn’t until the 1980s that its use in adult entertainment became popular in the mainstream. There are more than a few influences that helped create pole dance. Some of these are the Mallakhamb sport, which dates back to the 12th century in India and is typically performed by men, and the Chinese pole, which uses two poles between which the performer would jump and jump. If you watch a few video clips of these sports, you will notice many of the familiar moves that we see in modern pole dance. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, acrobatic pole performers from the Middle East appeared in side shows, circus tents, and eventually burlesque clubs.
In the 1980s, pole dancing was best known for erotic entertainment in men’s clubs. However, the circle is coming full circle and since the early 2000s pole dancing has been on the rise as a form of fitness, art and competitive sport. Today, in large sports clubs, small studios, and easily accessible online, you’ll see pole fitness classes ranging from erotic to purely athletic! The fact that pole dancing produces body changing results makes it attractive to people from all walks of life, both men and women.
There are also different types of pole fitness. Some styles focus on the acrobatic element, others on the artistic element, and some on the sensual. The point is, you don’t have to wear 8 inch stilettos to work the bar and it just might be more work than you thought it would be.
Twerking into transcendence
Fitness with a sensual side doesn’t only occur on the mainland. Here on Kaua’i there are many professionals in the community who bring dance and fitness together in a very powerful way! One of them is Sara Folsom, owner of the Fit Lab in Princeville. She has been a wellness and fitness executive and educator for a long time, but in 2020 she started creating something very unique. Her personal journey with Kundalini Yoga, months of research and development and the integration of dance came together in a program called Twerk Rising. Don’t be fooled, a Twerk Rising class is so much more than an opportunity to shake it, although we love this part. No, Sara describes it as “equal parts fitness, dance and energy work”.
If you are wondering about this last part, energy work can be any exercise that directly focuses the mind on the internal or non-physical aspects of oneself, such as yoga, meditation, and breath work. Sara defines the energy work done in an aspiring class of twerk as “visualization, attention and intention”. This can take the form of a mantra, an affirmation, a breathing technique or a movement. I recently witnessed this amalgamation of physical exertion with inner attention myself in a class. I found that in the dim lighting and all-feminine environment, I could enjoy a safe, supportive space to move and love my body without barriers or judgment.
I learned a lot in just an hour. I received pointers to understand how, just like in yoga, certain movements affect our emotional state, hormones (including libido!), And brain function. In the class, these effects are tied to the 7 chakras; Regardless of whether your interest is spiritual, scientific, or both, the benefits will be felt. Sara makes it very clear in Twerk Rising that there is no right or wrong. In fact, personal expression is key and we are encouraged to listen to our intuition and bodies throughout the class.
Another unique aspect of the lesson is visual attention to itself. We are encouraged to look into our own eyes and focus there on ourselves rather than others. While I was skeptical at first, I soon felt my confidence build and my vigil wear off as the class became more and more personal. In the end, I was completely absorbed in my movements, my breath, and my body. In our conversation, Sara noticed that dancing and specific shaking (not just our backs, but other parts of the body as well) have profoundly powerful effects on the mind and nervous system. Like many of her students, she often feels intense emotions and emotional release during her practice. When I asked Sara what she would say to someone who tried it for the first time, she said, “You do NOT have to know how to work.” I can testify to that personally! To learn more, schedule a course, and view an example, visit twerkrising.com.
Heels in your gym bag
I wanted to get a different take on “sexy fitness” for this piece, so I spoke to Lea Miyashiro, who teaches a flirtatious, powerful dance class known simply as Heels. I don’t have to tell you why. While the paragraphs aren’t mandatory and Lea’s attendees include some who opt for sneakers, it’s easy to see why you’d feel sexy and confident in their favorite pumps. Combine these with the right song and an enticing dance routine and you have a heels class.
On Lea’s Instagram handle @heelskauai, you can see pictures and clips of her classes at the Kaua’i Athletic Club that include standing routines as well as chair choreography. We might have thought that heels had no place in the gym bag, but in the age of sexy fitness, they could just live there all day! I asked Lea what made her teach heels. “I’ve always focused my fitness on dancing. One of the best things about dance fitness is that it is accessible to all fitness levels.
Growing up in Kaua’i, I learned that dance classes are very limited, especially for adults. I wanted to offer something that was tailored to them and the heel dance has become very popular. She also noted, “Even though it’s called heels dance, you don’t have to wear them. It’s more about the style of dancing than what’s on your feet. “The hour-long course includes stretching, a quick warm-up and learning new choreographies. Then the participants split up into groups and appear for one another. I like the way she described some of the benefits: “In this dance class, you can discover new things about yourself. At the beginning of the class everyone is a little shy, but at the end we all dance together and cheer each other. It’s very empowering to be in a room full of people who share the same passion. “
I asked Lea which song she was really looking for at the moment and she said, “My favorite song to dance to, to keep changing, but this week it’s Gas Pedal from Sage the Gemini.” Currently, the heels classes are held on Mondays at 6:30 p.m. at the KAC in Lihue, and your first class is free!
It’s sexy
What I really appreciate about fitness programs like the ones outlined above is that they promote healthy self-image. It’s not about training hard so you can be sexy “later”. The bar, twerk, and heels beg you to see yourself for who you are, sexy right now! This fitness trend is all about a mental change of perspective where you have to hug your body and skills and express your sexy self fully and freely!
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Cynthia Fowler is a Certified Personal Trainer (NASM), Corrective Exercise Specialist (NASM), Registered Vinyasa Yoga Teacher (RYT 200), Certified Enhance Fitness Teacher, Group Exercise Teacher (TRX, Indoor Cycling, HIIT, SMR etc.) and Owner of FoundationUp Fitness, Blogger and Health coach. Cynthia can be contacted through her website at Foundationupfitness.com or directly at Cynthia@fullyfreely.com.
