In the post-Soviet space, the pylon dance causes quite clear associations with striptease and cheeky girls. However, times are changing - pole dance today has grown to the level of an official sport and has become a whole art that is not so easy to master. So what is a pylon? How is it used in fitness?
What is a pylon?
Pole dance, “pylon”, “pole dance”, “pylon dance” - this is a direction in choreography, which, in addition to the usual choreographic movements, also uses
acrobatic tricks in its numbers
. A similar exotic variety of dance was practiced by the Egyptians, Sumerians and Romans: using a wooden pole, ancient people not only performed choreographic numbers, but also built up muscles and hone their combat skills.
However, the modern art of pole acrobatics, rather, takes advantage of the achievements of such Indian practices as Mallakhamb - a kind of yoga on a wooden pillar. Then acrobatics on the pylon became one of the key numbers in circus programs - many elements that were invented by circus performers for their numbers are now actively used in pole dance. Moreover, artists with choreographic numbers on a pole perform in the programs of the most famous circuses in the world, for example, Cirque du Soleil.
In the XX century, strippers began to use acrobatics on a pole in their performances, which added “zest” to their numbers and testified to the professionalism of the dancer. But to put an equal sign between pole dance and striptease is fundamentally wrong. Strip plastic using a pylon is just a trend in such a wide dance direction as pole dance.
Technical equipment
A pylon (or in another way a pole) is the central technical element that is necessary for the performance of the pole dance number. It is made of various materials, but most often - stainless, well-polished steel. The diameter of the pole should be at least 40 mm, which provides a comfortable grip.
Stationary and rotating pylons can have either a rigid mount (either to the floor or to the ceiling), or a mount to the spreader. High mobility and ease of assembly of the pylon allows you to show numbers in any room, even outdoors.
Types of Pole Dance
What is a pylon - a sport or choreography, it is sometimes difficult to understand, since the pole dance numbers are very diverse. In general, the direction of the pylon dance can be divided into three streams.
- Pole art (artistic dance). A room in this style should differ not only in spectacular tricks, but also in a bright, memorable costume of the dancer.
- Exotic pole dance (exotic dance). Plasticity and musicality - this is what is important in this type of pylon dance. Tricks are present, but not many. Erotic dances belong to this direction.
- Pole sport (sports dance). In the numbers of the sports genre, only the physical preparation of the dancer and the complexity of the tricks matter.
Thus, the achievements of pole dance can be used by both athletes and artists performing in the circus or show business.
Pole dance and fitness
Since 2003, international pylon dance competitions have been held all over the world - pole dance is officially recognized as a sport. In addition, it is used as a fitness program for women. In this case, the pole plays the role of a simulator, and the basic elements on the pylon are performed in order to maintain health, flexibility of the body, development of dexterity, etc.
A pylon for beginner athletes and dancers can be a great opportunity to “pump” the muscles of the whole body, since acrobatic stunts on a pole fully involve not only the upper muscular section, but also the lower one.
Considering pole dance to be the lot of night strip clubs, most people do not fully understand what a pylon really is. But this unique combination of choreographic, circus and acrobatic art is a rather complex quintessence, which is held together by the artist’s musicality and plasticity. And not to admire the exciting and spectacular numbers of the pilots - it is simply impossible.