By: Sebastian Nunez

Some have asserted this to be the origin of modern striptease, but other influences may have come from Parisian times and the Moulin Rouge striptease through to Middle east belly dancing and Yank burlesque.

Another idea of where pole dance actually started is associated to the Maypole. The earliest recorded pole dance was in 1968 with a performance by Belle Jangles at Mugwump strip joint in Oregon.

Present-day’s pole dancing fever is thought to have started in Canada in the 1980’s in exotic table dancing and lap dance clubs. Fawnia Mondey, originally from Canada, is one of the worlds first pole dancing champions. In the 1990’s Fawnia started schooling pole dancing to each day women. She produced the first instructional pole dancing DVD.

Pole dancing quickly spread to the US followed by the rest of the world, helped by multi national corporations such as Spearmint Rhino. Pole dancing is accepted across the world including Europe, Australia, Middle east, India and even parts of China.

Pole dancing as we all know it today involves dancing around a vertical pole. The old ancient strip provoke changed into a forerunner to the modern updated adaptation. Pole dancing offers a display of acrobatics and strength, mixed with a combination of sensuous, flowing, feminine dance movements to form the art of pole dancing we now know and recognize.

The modern form of pole dancing has only been documented since the 1980’s, yet the origins appear to go back many years before this. Only lately has pole dancing become more acceptable. The discredit associated with this art may be one of the explanations why the dance appears to have tiny history documented and appears to have been ‘underground’ for many years. Pole dancing has now really taken of in the UK. There are now many pole dancing clubs all over the UK. Now that pole dancing has lost it stigma young ladies and women of all ages and sizes are buying poles to stay fit and to enter championships.

Pole dancing kits are now very affordable.The most popular pole is made by Vertical leisure called the X Pole. The X Pole is ideal for professionals and amateurs. The X Pole is purchasable in Chrome and Titanium. Titanium is best if you suffer from sweaty hands. Although most poles that are sold are Chrome. The X Pole is also available in two diameters 45mm and 50mm. If you are a dancer with petite hands the 45mm is recommended. If you have standard or large hands the 50mm is recommended. The standard X Pole is suitable for a ceiling height of 9ft. However if your ceiling is higher up to 12ft extensions can be purchased.The X Pole is totally movable and can be put together or dismantled in less than 10 minutes. The X Pole can be packed away into two carry bags for convenience, Plus a informative DVD which includes some basic simple moves.

Once you have your X Pole the best way to to learn how to use it is to join a local pole dancing school of which there are now many. Do a little research on Google to find your local class. And I am sure it will not be long before you see pole dancing competitions on TV.

And maybe even the Olympics.