Pole dancing offers fun, fitness
By Brittnee Flood, December 2009
Staff Writer

Photo by Ginger Hoil

Nyla Farraz demonstrates to her students what is possible to achieve in fitness from pole dancing.

Pole dancing is not just something that exotic dancers do to make money but rather it’s a fun way for women to get in shape.

“Seeing everyday women turn into vixens” is what drives Nyla Farraz, owner of Pussycats Pole Dance in Scottsdale, who teaches alternative fitness classes, such as pole dancing.

Farraz started out as an exotic dancer 15 years ago. She retired from exotic dancing in 2001 and has since opened up her own fitness studio in Scottsdale. Pussycats Pole Dance opened in May 2005 and offers a variety of alternative fitness classes for women from beginners to the most experienced of dancers.

Kristi Lemure, instructor at Pussycats Pole Dance in Scottsdale said, “Pole dancing is the best total body workout.” She explained that it works the upper body, core, arms and legs while improving and increasing flexibility.

“I love the way pole dancing makes you feel sexy,” said Lemure. With a background that ranges from gymnastics to martial arts, Lemure has been teaching pole dancing for two years.

“I had so much fun but I’m so tired,” said Reanna Flood after taking a two-hour pole dancing and burlesque class for a friend’s birthday party.

Flood explained that in their class they learned a routine on the pole and also several short burlesque routines.

“We got to dress up in sexy clothes and even use props to get into character,” said Flood.

Flood said that she would definitely take another pole dancing class and even wants to look into getting a pole for her house to really get in shape.

Farraz said that while there is no substitute for cardio when trying to lose weight, pole dancing three times a week can decrease the time in which you achieve your fitness goals along while you are “embracing sensuality.”