Pole dancing is shimmying off its sleazy image and emerging as the
fitness program of choice for the hip young ladies of Beijing.
The Beijing Morning Post reports that more than 100
white-collar ladies subscribed to one class at a pole-dancing club
in the capital city to get themselves fit and charming.
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Luo Lan is the club owner and teacher of the class. She said most
of the students are in their 20s. Half signed up for the class over
the internet because they were too embarrassed to admit they wanted
to learn pole dancing to anyone else. But she says the taboo is
misplaced because the only difference between the class and
traditional aerobics is the use of the metal pole for dancing.
Pole dancing is famed for the role it plays in sleazy venues,
but experts say it can realty help people improve their overall
fitness. It's great for increasing both upper and lower body
strength because it requires people to support their whole body
with either their arms or legs.
It can also help women who spend most of their time sitting in
an office to release themselves, increase their self-confidence and
sense of musical rhythm.
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(Xinhua News Agency January 22, 2007)
