June 19, 2008

Cirque du Soleil on a pole. This is how pole dancing instructor Mary Ellyn Weissman describes the combination of dance moves, spins and choreography she teaches at her Chicago Heights studio and now in New Lenox.

Weissman started her first four-week pole dancing class through the New Lenox Community Park District on June 5, and though that session is nearly finished, another beings July 10 and Weissman said the response has been nothing but positive.

"I had students tell me they didn't want to leave," Weissman said of her first session. The 48-year-old has taught pole dancing for three years and said though some people might initially have a negative reaction to the style, the dancing is really about building women's confidence.

"I love what I do," Weissman said. "I have students say that it's changed their lives.

"How good it makes them feel makes me feel good."

Weissman, who has never been an exotic dancer, said she was first exposed to pole dancing through her travels in London and Jamaica. She explained pole dancing is much more popular in other countries as a regular form of dance and once she saw it she "just fell in love with it." Weissman is self-taught and has her instructor certification and master-trainer certification through Pole Fitness Studio, LLC.

Weissman started with home parties and beginner classes before expanding to advanced techniques, and the New Lenox resident also teaches classes in Frankfort. Weissman said though her classes do contain many sensual moves, they are also very fitness-oriented and participants learn about body mechanics in addition to the attitude spins and inverted hip holds.

Weissman also focuses on confidence.

 

"I teach that dancing is for them, not for anyone else," she said. "We celebrate the body and what the body can do."

The married mother of two emphasized the sensual aspects of pole dancing are about empowerment and confidence, not exotic dancing. "This is something people do by choice and for fun."

Weissman also pointed out there is not a single form of dance that focuses on the face - the focus is meant to be on the body. She said she encourages women to "step outside the box and do something different."

Weissman said her classes are open to women of any age. Her oldest student was 68, and Weissman said in her New Lenox class the women range in age from their 20s to 50s. The park district's classes - and the majority of Weissman's studio classes - are just for women, though she said she has given lessons to men before.

Despite the negative stigma often attached to pole dancing, Recreation Supervisor Sue Kuzmuk said the response in New Lenox has been nothing but positive.

"I've heard nothing negative, nothing at all," Kuzmuk said. "We've had a huge response and I knew we wouldn't have any trouble."

Weissman agreed and said society has "really come a long way and the feeling has changed."

"I've really been amazed at the response from the park district," Weissman said. "It just turns into a party every week."

In addition to the second session set to begin July 10, Kuzmuk said fall classes are also being planned.