Above, I take to the pole with my best “Come hither” sexy look. Tina Oppedisano, my instructor for the evening, shows me how it’s REALLLY done (below). If this mom of three weren’t so sweet, I might have to hate her for her killer body, which she credits to a lot of pole dancing.
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A Role Mommy Magazine l Holiday 2010
I stand on my tippy toes (I didn’t know I should have worn heels), swing my hips and shoot for my best “sexy” look as I follow my instructor, Tina Oppedisano (aka “Storm”) around the pole, basically a tease for what’s to come. You’re supposed to place one hand on the pole as you move your hips and use the other hand to touch your body starting at your wild mane of hair (no pony tails allowed!), around your breasts to the curves of your hips (and yes, ladies, I have curves) while dragging your toe behind you in a seductive walk. My girlfriends are clapping and laughing and of course, sipping big glasses of red wine. We are embracing our inner divas—feather boas and all—and it’s such a hoot that despite my initial hesitation I’m actually feeling like my pre-kids, prebulging stomach, pre-wrinkled self. “It’s all about releasing your inner you,” explains Tina, a mom of three who hosts pole dancing parties along with her friend/neighbor/fellow mom of three Erica Mollin (aka “Mia). Both women, clad in skin-tight black shorts, high silvery heels, bustier boosting shirts and leggings, admit that pole dancing is not only a tough workout, but a great way to gain confidence and accept your sexuality. “I love that this makes me feel seductive,” says Tina, who I’ve seen in jeans and a tshirt before but never like this. “It’s a way to bring out something in yourself that’s no doubt been dormant for a long time.” Not to mention, spice up your love life (more about that in a minute). The truth is, I hate exercising. I know I need to do it to stay healthy; my only problem is that I’m easily bored on the stationary bike or doing downward dogs at yoga. I like Zumba, but even that gets to be the “same old, same old” after a while. And so, with a push from my friend Beth (yes, Beth Feldman, founder of ProjectYou Magazine aka Tweetie), I opted for a night of pole dancing. The only caveat: She had to come with me, as did our Art Director Katie Schlientz (aka “Duchess Half Moon”). Needless to say, wine also had to be served (though warning: don’t drink too much or you’ll find yourself getting a headache spinning around the pole later). Tina and Erica do all kinds of parties for 30th, 40th