Cambridge Union Society is courting controversy with their newest addition to Easter’s termcard, in the form of POLE DANCING lessons.
The classes, billed as ‘pole-fitness’, will give members an innovative way to de-stress during exam term.
Four sessions are currently confirmed, and Union Ents Officer Juan de Francisco told The Tab that they will continue as long as there is demand.
The women’s-only weekly classes are set to start on April 25th at 6pm, in the Union’s Blue Room. No prior experience is necessary.
Private pole dancing lessons have long been available in Cambridge, but never before has the daring dance form been offered by a University society.
Members can partake in the provocative pastime for just £2 per hourly session- the same price as the yoga and pilates already on offer. Non-members are also welcome for a £6 fee.
The Union is no stranger to scandal, attracting international attention last year when right wing US radio host Michael Savage had an invitation to speak withdrawn at the last minute.
However, the Union are keen to avoid a comporable clamour, zealously marketing the risqué activity as harmless fun.
De Francisco told The Tab, “The classes are for fitness and well-being, and are not intended to be sexual. High heels are actually discouraged - the instructor has told me that attendees should wear trainers or go bare-foot.”
In his manifesto, newly elected de Francisco promised “to turn the Union into a fun refuge during a tough exam term”. Rumoured to be eyeing a Union Presidential run, he admits that pole-fitness is risky business.
He explained, “The idea actually wasn’t mine – it was suggested to me by a female member of the Union who takes classes by the same instructor.”
"I then went to the Ents Committee and asked for their opinions. I only received responses from the female members of the Committee" he continued.
Union Press Officer Rebecca Bailey told The Tab that pole-dancing lessons are “a way of empowering women, as well as being a fantastic way to exercise and have fun together with other women”.
She added, “Obviously the Blue Room will be off limits to all who are not participating in the class, and there is no way for anyone to ‘peep’ into this room.”
No criticism has yet been levelled at the initiative. Bailey explained that she had been led to believe that CUSU Women’s Campaign were not planning to take a strong stance on the issue.
Nevertheless, Bailey told The Tab, “To suggest that the Union is in some way guilty of condoning chauvinist attitudes towards women would be as insulting as it is ridiculous.”
Covering every base, Bailey also pre-empted allegations of sexism against men, explaining that separate classes for men could be introduced, if there is demand.
Pole dancing is an increasingly accepted form of exercise, with classes offered in many gyms throughout the country. A number of celebrity devotees helped popularise the ‘sport’ a few years ago.
The announcement that the Union is set to jump on the ‘strippercise’ bandwagon follows the news that one third of female students would “work in a gentlemen’s club to fund their degrees.”
However Charmaine Yeoh, 2nd year Queens’ lawyer, can't see infamous Cambridge lap-dancing den Talk of the Town snapping up many students as a result of the new classes.
She told The Tab: “it's not like we can get jobs during term anyway, so there's not going to be a massive influx of pole dancing clubs opening…”
OMG! this is suuuuch a good idea, I am stressing out so much for finals!! I also think its extremely good for womens rights!! RIGHT ON
'Women's rights'? I'm not sure you've fully grasped the concept…
I'm not sure you've fully grasped irony.
i actually think it's great that the Union is doing this. I can't wait for the classes!
I think this is a fabulous idea- what is all the fuss about! Obviously steps have been taken to prevent the lessons being viewed as sordid in any way… Is it really that different to any other form of dancing once the "sexual" aspect of it is removed.
Basically if this was any other University offering these courses it wouldn't be an issue at all, I hear Warwick already has a society dedicated to it.
Also if the ultra-feminists are going to go on a rampage over this, it should be noted that it has been asked for by women! Who are people to decide for us what we are allowed to do- after all, it is good exercise,
Claire
What fuss? The Union thinks it's fun, the tab is reporting it light-heartedly and even the CUSU losers aren't objecting, where the hell is the fuss?!
Dancing of any type is a sensual art-form, why do people have to insist 'it's not sexy'! – it is! – so what?!
To be honest, I don't see why this would cause a problem – they've made it clear that the classes will be female only, it's hardly objectifying. And if it's something people fancy trying out for a laugh, surely it's best to do it somewhere that's providing a safe atmosphere where the only people in the room will be students like yourself. I'm certainly up for giving it a shot.
In response to Claire's comment, I think it needs to be pointed out that, of course, it's absolutely true that no-one should attempt to decide for anyone else what they are 'allowed' to do. But by the same logic, no-one should attempt to decide for anyone else what kind of opinions they are 'allowed' to express. If women's choice to take pole dancing classes is to be respected and not interfered with, then women's choice to express their negative opinions about pole dancing classes should also be respected and not interfered with. Comment is an expression of freedom, not an attempt to curtail it.
it's GREAT exercise.
I don't really see why there's a fuss about this– no one has registered any objections, and women I've talked to about it think it's a great idea! I don't think it's at all 'loser'-ish to be careful about how it's implemented though, like ensuring that it's women only and in a room that people can't peep into uninvited, and it sounds like it will be a really popular way to stay fit during exams! Well done Juan and Rebecca!
The only thing I have a problem with is the idea that pole dancing, when performed for men, is viewed as empowering. It just isn't. The idea that by embracing the culture of objectification, and playing into it, will somehow give women 'power' is ridiculous. The only power a performing pole dancer has is over her dance. She is still essentially an object on show for men. On the other hand, as exercise it's probably pretty good.
You can see why The Union are nervous though; they don't have the greatest track record, and they're such a prestigious society, anything like this could be very damaging for them if it goes wrong.
I think they're clearly trying to do all they can to prevent it being seen as somehow enforcing male chauvinism. Which makes me wonder, if it's clearly causing them that much anxiety, why put it on, when there are other instructors in the area for people to go to?
Juan for Union President! Can't wait! Yesssss
Hopefully there'll be a £1 option on a viewing gallery for the LADs rofl
Idiot.
Seconded
(the original post – not Sophie's)
I WANT TO SEE SOME ACTION
phwoar, i wanna see some sexy birds straddling a pole NOW.
Tab photographer needs to be there.
But seriously are the ladies not compromising anti -discrimination laws? If this is a female only club.
Frankly I wonder how long it will take for insurance claims for broken bones to start flying about?
Even if people could watch, what's the big deal? People can "watch" pilates/aquaerobics/yoga/swimming/football/dance classes and practices… audiences aren't actively encouraged, but windows aren't blocked up. And other Cambridge Dance societies make all their classes mixed-gender, why make this one female only?
To answer some points raised: The classes are closed to public view initially purely because many people feel self conscious about trying a new activity in front of prying eyes. Pole classes involve a lot of co-ordination and many moves look less than graceful when first attempted! To some people, just joining a class is intimidating enough, without worrying about how daft they look in front of other people, people who are happy enough to mock the class but not brave enough to give it a try.
Classes are female only for the trial period but if there is male interest in taking part then they will certainly be opened up. There will always be an association in people's minds between pole classes and the sex industry but this class is not teaching people to be 'pole dancers', it is teaching them some fun tricks on a pole; but if the idea of it makes them feel a little bit sexier, a little bit more confident in how they carry themselves, and encourages them to stay active, then where is the harm or the scandal? Come to a class and try it (or if you are a man, tell them you would like to!), if you dislike it, at least it will be an informed opinion.
No.
I personally think its a really awesome idea. I find it quite annoying that many sports that are connected to body contact or erotic movements are immediately associated with sexism! I think people who enjoy this and feel comfortable with it should have the chance to do this and im pretty convinced that it can really give you more self-confidence about your own body. good luck!
Get some proper exercise, instead of indulging in this sordid nonsense. But sloaney girls all over Cambridge will be wetting their pants in glee at the prospect of feeling 'sexy' and 'empowered' in front of their specially-selected-to-be-noticeably-less-attractive-than-they-are mates. You go girls! What banter!
JUAAANN!! Juanini for president!
it's funny i should read this article actually, because it totally reminds me of this time on my gap year? yah i was in the pigalle, and we went into this pole dancing club, and there was this moment where i caught the pole dancer's eye, and she looked at me with this sense of overwhelming empowerment, but also with a hint of sadness, almost as if she knew that she couldn't provide tangible evidence for the idea that pole-dancing is empowering, and wanted to finish her shift so that she could pay her rent, but at the same time was captivated by my ability to engage in her artform and work? And then I just CHUNDERED EVERYWHERE. Yah it was totally bant.
Great way to work out.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/apr/18/students-pole-dancing-david-mitchell
"Classes are female only for the trial period but if there is male interest in taking part then they will certainly be opened up."
why make the assumption that interest will be predominanty female? All that is doing is reinforcing the link between pole dancing and the sex trade. If the Union think that the classes they are offering are really not linked to erotic performance, they would have straight away opened them up to both sexes, don't you think?
[...] with beauty pageants, pole dancing and underpaid female Dons all popular at the University, and a City Council reluctant to improve [...]
[...] the hotly debated ‘Pole Fitness’ sessions in full swing, and acknowledged discrepancies within the Union in terms of female [...]
I Likw it!
Sorry?