Despite the unnecessary stigma surrounding pole dancing, there's no doubt it takes a high level of skill and fitness, and can look stunning when done right.
Rosie Bui is a pole dancing instructor at the Pole Boutique, and a two-time winner of Miss Pole Dance South Australia. With the annual competition coming up at the end of August, Rosie takes some time to answer a few questions about the art of pole dance.
Explain a little bit of your history with pole dancing?
After high school, I started cheerleading for a gridiron team for three years. I had gymnastic experience when I was young, but no dance. Although I wasn’t really good at the dance aspect of cheerleading, I loved it. I left the squad and joined a dance studio, which offered beginner’s jazz and hip hop for adults. It was at this studio, a pole dancing instructor came in with her portable poles for a come and try class. After my first session, I quit jazz and hip hop and signed up to multiple pole classes at her studio! If she hadn’t come to the dance studio, I wouldn’t have ever thought about trying pole dancing!
What entices you about it?
I love the strength and grace of pole dancing, it requires an enormous amount of strength and skill to perform gracefully on and around the pole. I also enjoy teaching and watching students achieve new tricks, and growing both mentally and physically.
Image © Vertigo PhotographyWhat is the purpose and aim of Miss Pole Dance?
Miss Pole Dance is being able to put on a show incorporating tricks and dance to tell a story; engaging the audience.
There's undoubtedly a stigma around pole dancing, but it truly is an art form. What would you tell someone who was maybe feeling apprehensive about it, and wanted to know more?
I was actually someone who was apprehensive about pole dancing waiting for my first class due to the stigma. But I'm so grateful for my first instructor who came to the dance studio to show everyone that pole dancing is more than just for clubs. For anyone that is curious, I highly recommend just giving it a go. You only live once and you never know if it’s for you unless you try it.
These days there are places like Pole Gyms that people can go to, simply as a way to exercise. What do you think of this?
Go for it. Anything that encourages a healthy and active lifestyle in a safe environment is a tick in my books.
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What kind of training goes into this kind of competition? A lot of the moves require super upper body strength.
There is a lot of prep work and training required for a competition and it doesn’t happen overnight. Everyone has developed their own method over time. I’ve recently started crossfit at Crossfit Brawn to complement my pole training and to give my body variety. One thing that has helped me recently is changing my thought process and listening to my body while competing.
What's your favourite thing about pole dancing?
I love how pole dancing has given me many opportunities and challenges over the last five years. I've met some amazing women who I know will always be apart of my life. I became an instructor after a year of pole dancing at the Pole Boutique, performed at gigs and competed at a national level. I’m amazed by what my body is capable of doing and learnt to respect it by fuelling it and resting appropriately. I’m in the best health both mentally and physically. It has definitely changed my life.
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What kinds of things can people expect at the Star Theatre for this year's event?
There will be an amazing line up of strong, beautiful women performing on stage. Every year the tricks get harder and the standard is raised to whole new level. There will be past national and international champions performing and judging this year. Definitely an event not to be missed!
Miss Pole Dance SA takes place at the Star Theatre on 20 August.
