Monday, August 24, 2009
News Profile: Brianna MacDowell, pole dance instructor
Posted by Candace Wheeler on Mon, Aug 24, 2009 at 3:40 PM
Atlanta’s Brianna MacDowell offers training in a rather unusual form of exercise. As a pole dance instructor at Dance 411 studios, MacDowell transforms bodies while simultaneously increasing sex appeal.
What do you think are the greatest benefits of pole dancing?
Burning calories and building strength, because it’s definitely a lot harder than people think it is. It’s also a big confidence boost for women. It helps you come out of your shell. It makes you feel sexy and womanly and sensual.
What are the women like who attend your classes?
They are everyday women. People always ask me, “Do you get a lot of strippers?” We never really get exotic dancers. We get everyday women, working women, doctors, professionals, and executives. Some of them are married and have kids, then there are some that are single doing it for themselves — or for their boyfriends.
What do you think is one of the biggest misconceptions about pole dancing?
One of my biggest pet peeves is when people call the pole the “stripper pole.” It is not a stripper pole. It’s a pole. Over in Europe, it's an art form. You keep your clothes on. It's not even associated with strip clubs in places like Europe and Australia. They even have it in Cirque Du Soleil. Being in America — and especially Atlanta — the majority of people unfortunately associate it with strip clubs.
What do your friends and family think of your job?
My mom is very supportive; she thinks it’s amazing and beautiful. My friends all think it's cool; a lot of them want to take a class. I still get some people on Facebook that were old friends that will contact me and make negative comments.
What kind of shows do you do?
Every two months, Dance 411 studios does a show at Icehouse. The classes are offered in a six-week series, and at the end of every series all the ladies get to perform in the show, as well as the instructors. We have little performances that we do and we have cute costumes, and there is always a main theme to each show. It’s very cool because it’s everyday women, but everyone looks like a professional dancer.
What is your favorite trick to perform with the pole?
My favorite is the Gemini, where you're upside down and you’re hooked by your inside leg and then your outside leg hangs off and you can grab your foot and let go with your hands. It looks really pretty.
What is the experience like for you as an instructor?
Whenever you teach, it really helps you to learn, because it reinforces what you know. It makes me feel really good when I see my ideas and my choreography come to life — and other women do it better than I could even imagine. When I get people who tell me that my class has transformed their body or changed their life, it's just amazing.
What advice would you give to women who are considering taking a pole dancing class but may be a little apprehensive?
Don’t think too much about it and just do it. It will probably be the most fun class you’ve ever taken in your life. People are always so surprised; women will walk into a class and be shy and intimidated and by the end of class they are just killing it.
(Photo by Joeff Davis)
Comments (1)
Showing 1-1 of 1
i would like to have lessons with you as soon as possible. please if there a chance please contact me at this number
4049790604 cell
7705583940home
thank you, danielle fallen
like
dislike
Latest in Fresh Loaf
-
First Slice 2/17/12: Caterpillar's building a Georgia factory?
Official says plant will be located near Athens, create 1,400 jobs
-
5 things today: The Bodyguard, Kronos Quartet
Cineprov screens The Bodyguard and more
-
'Ex-gays' gather outside Atlanta this weekend 7
Meanwhile human rights groups fight the notion that "ex-gay" is a thing
- More »
