Excuse me, are you a pole dancer? Singaporeans defy stereotypes about who can take part
From building strength to finding confidence and friendships, pole dancers say there is much more to the activity than what outsiders might expect.
Singaporeans are breaking stereotypes about who can practice pole dancing. For many, it has become a way to build strength, confidence and forge friendships. When Ms Jaslyn Tan began pole dancing in 2019, she faced initial skepticism from those who expected dancers to be sleek and tall. Despite that, she persevered, even achieving a challenging "fireman spin" and now balances a career as a preschool teacher with managing a pole dancing studio.
Ms Tan's progress has been met with mixed reactions online, but she has also received encouragement from fellow plus-sized women who find inspiration in her example.
Pole dancing has evolved from a perceived novelty in the early 2000s to a diverse community today. Instructors and dancers emphasize that it's not just about performing sexy dance moves, but also about improving physical fitness and self-confidence. Ms Kellie Koh, who took up pole dancing at age 47, credits the activity with helping her overcome health challenges and stay active.
Seven years later, she teaches aerial hoop and hammock classes at MAD Dance Studio. Mr Louis Sue, a male pole dancer, opened the city's first pole dance studio in 2019 after being inspired by online videos of daring tricks. While he initially kept his practice private, he now proudly shares his passion with more than 125,000 Instagram followers.
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