SAN ANTONIO -- Once a predominantly male entertainment business, pole dancing has become a trendy way of exercising.
- 23,000 women have participated at the Soft Senuous Moves studio
- Many women take pole fitness to recover from harrassment
Women say pole fitness classes are a confidence boost. Owner of Soft Sensuous Moves, Rene Mulholland, wants women to have a positive outlook on life.
"For women to have safe place for women to find their sensuality and sexuality again,” said Mulholland. “Build self-confidence, self-esteem plus empower them to get out there and do something that they have never done before or wanted to because they were too afraid to get out there to do it.”
The owner of the studio takes credit for boosting 23,000 women's self-esteem with her many years of experience.
"I get amazing feedback,” said Mulholland. “I have women who have had mental and physical abuse done to them, rape and incest and they feel that they are in a safe haven to find themselves again.”
She says many women she knows have been sexually assaulted or harassed. Mulholland created the pole dancing studio to help those women get back their sense of security.
"To me it's very important that people respect the history of pole dance and the fact that it did come from strip clubs,” said instructor and dancer S.T. Shimi. “The foremothers of pole dance wanted to take it out of the club and into studios because they believed women would get something out of an art form that had up until that time been just meant for just male customers.”
One student said these classes are a way of self-care.
"The sisterhood here is amazing,” said student Anne-Marie Ratcliff. “I've made friends since I started coming to this studio because it's just such a supportive environment.”
“This is one of the most supportive women I have ever met,” said Ratcliff.
"And that's what we need in this country,” said Mulholland. “We need people to understand.”
“Just come out and be your-self, have fun, be playful, have pleasure and enjoy life," said Mulholland.