Pole Dancing: A New Take on an Old “Twist” By Brette Quale http://www.xaviersonline.net/pl_banners/banders.html

I wanted more than just a workout. I was looking for something that would strengthen me more than just muscle deep…. something to shake the dust off my inner sense of play and polish up my potential to feel happy, joyful and free.

When a co-worker told me about these pole dancing classes, I knew I’d found the cure to what ailed me. What I didn’t realize was that I was in fact in for quite the muscular workout.

Chelsea Celotto, owner and mastermind of Pole Play Dance Studio, looks cute and girly as she twists around the pole; but as she begins to defy gravity, one quickly realizes this woman is a first class athlete. A record placing gymnast for twenty years, Chelsea is a businesswoman with the strength that tops that of a champion bodybuilder.

I’ve taken classes from Chelsea at her beautiful studio for a year now and I can confidently and playfully say that my strength, both inner and outer, has increased as my stress level (thanks to my weekly adult playground) has decreased. Cheers to all the confident, successful businesswomen out there who aren’t afraid to be sexy while following their dreams!

In my interview with Chelsea, she explains everything that pole dancing is not (intimidating, forbidden, a stripper camp); and everything that it is (great workout, liberating, confidence boosting, fun).

Brette: What’s your story?

Chelsea: I was teaching school and I wanted to get out of the rat race. I didn’t want to answer to anybody, I didn’t want anybody looking over my shoulder, I wanted to work for myself. I decided to start my own business, which is something I always wanted to do, I just never had an idea that I thought would really fly. In 2005, I saw pole dancing on Oprah and I thought ‘I can do this, I’m a gymnast’ so I decided to quit my job teaching and open up a pole dancing for fitness studio.

Brette: You’ve had tremendous success with your studio. What’s your secret?

Chelsea: You have to be passionate about something in order to find success in it; otherwise you’re just going through the motions.

Brette: What would you say to someone who’s afraid to live his or her dreams?

Chelsea: You’ve got to start by first letting go of the fear that’s holding you back and then just do it! Do lots of research and planning and then just go for your dream.

Brette: What are the women who are taking your class looking for?

Chelsea: Most of them must want to have fun, and this is a fun way to workout. A lot of women are losing weight, toning up and getting in shape. They’re also bonding with the other women in class; this is their girl’s night out! It’s not just physical, it’s also emotional and spiritual.

Brette: Has pole dancing for fitness had an effect on these women that you can see?

Chelsea: I see a lot of women coming here with zero confidence. A lot of the women are moms who’ve devoted their lives to raising their children and they’ve forgotten about themselves; they’ve lost their self-esteem. This class gives it back to them. It’s very empowering and fun. Where can you go as an adult and play? They’re taking that sense of play and confidence with them and applying it to other aspects of their life.