A New Spin On Life

So about two months ago I was looking for something new to shake up my gym routine as I was completely bored and felt like I wasn’t achieving much. I needed to be inspired and excited again about this whole keeping fit, healthy and losing weight thing most of us have to fight with.

So I took the plunge and crossed the threshold into the studio of Pole Dance Cape Town… yes you did just read that correctly, Pole dancing.

Now trust me when I tell you this ain’t for the faint hearted, my eyes were definitely opened after that first introductory class. And for the record I would love to see some strippers do what we get taught… this isn’t about shaking your bum and walking around a pole, there are some serious acrobatics going on here.

I consider myself relatively strong for my height and size and the fact that I’m a girl, I can lift some decent weight when working out at gym, and with all my running I would put myself into the fit category. Ha, laughable, let me tell you, after that first intro class, my arms didn’t feel like they belonged to my body the next day, I was stiff and sore in places I didn’t even know I had muscles, not to mention the array of bruises that were scattered around my body. But it didn’t matter I was hooked and it had nothing to do with the work out… ok well maybe it did because it’s seriously intense trying to lift your own body wait and work against its resistance… but more than that I just wanted to be able to do the things our instructor showed us and I wanted to make it look good.

So here I am two month down the line and a few less bruises, and Clark Kent has to defend himself a little less to our friends, but I still feel like my arms are made of lead. But I have accomplished a number of things I originally thought impossible, these include standing and sitting on the pole. Which doesn’t sound very hard in theory… well ok smart-ass I’d like to see you do it, and keep in mind that the only thing that holds you on the pole… is your skin. Now think about sitting with your legs crossed with a pole between them and if you aren’t strong enough to hold your legs hard enough together you slide… ouch!

I have also managed to go upside down, although I’m not confident enough to do it without a little backup from our instructor but I’ll get there. But what this entails is kicking your leg a body length above your head, catching the pole with your ankle and affectively doing a pole stand upside down and then sliding to the floor. Eventually we are taught to let go and do various tricks whilst upside down, but for know I’m sticking to the basic’s… but I must say it’s a serious adrenaline rush when you finally get it right!

Other than those acrobatics I have learnt a number of spins, some better than others, with names like, fireman, attitude, carousel, ski lift, V-leg and Peter Pan to mention a few. As well as transition moves as they are called to make everything look pretty when you put it together. 

Check out Miss Pole Dance 2010 in action...

~Practice, Practice, Practice~

The Social Scene

Other than being completely rushed off my feet at work, I have been up to a few tricks on the social front too.

Starting with a most magical evening at Madame Zingara. We were a group of 13 and I couldn’t have asked for a better bunch of people to have shared this wonderful experience with. We dressed the part in wigs, top hats and feather boa’s, shaked our bums, wined and dined ourselves!

I was completely astounded by some of the performances and watched in disbelief, who knew the human body could do such things… certainly not me!

The food was amazing, a real taste sensation. Not only is the Theater of Dreams a party for the body and soul but a party for your taste buds.  This all set in a staged South African Township, to give you that real proudly South African feeling.

Madame Zingara is a definite must see for all!

For more information check out their website here.

Following the high of Madame Zingara, the long weekend was a jumble of social engagements and good times, shared with good people. Which included these little gems found on sale at Nine West…

 completely perfect!

But to end it all off and in support of Woman’s day on Monday 9 August, Clark Kent, Gym Buddy, The lecturer and I ran a 10km race, supporting Woman’s day.

So we dragged ourselves out of bed at 06h15 trying to convince ourselves that it really isn’t that cold.

Well it didn’t work, it was bitterly cold and by the time we reached the start it was pouring with rain, with drops the size of golf balls. So we threw on some black bin bags for some slight protection from the elements.  However feeling was still lost in my hands and feet, and my legs were so cold they were stinging from my knee's down… we couldn’t help but think we were completely insane.

Non-the less we all did it and made it in good time. We didn’t set our personal best times but it was an enjoyable race once it was done. And we did our bit to support Woman’s day ☺

I must make special mention to Gym Buddy, who was really struggling with a boggy knee, Well done you did great and I’m proud of you.

~I’m proud of all four of us!~