Pole Dancers Of Saudi Arabia Breaking Stereotypes, Says "Not Ashamed At All"

For years together Saudi women had lived under the restrictions that controlled what they will wear and where they could work. This also hampered their physical recreation. It also affected Nada, a yoga instructor, who took up pole dancing in deeply conservative Saudi Arabia. She attracted criticism and struggled to overcome the fallout ever since.

Ever since she began pole dancing in Saudi Arabia, a country that is fiercely religious. Thus, Nada battled to move past the aftermath. Family and friends in the Saudi city of Riyadh informed her that the pole dancing requires a certain kind of strength and coordination. Also, pole dancing is stigmatised and tarnished by its ties to the filthy burlesque and strip clubs as portrayed in Hollywood movies.

However, Nada continued to take this course, to break this stereotype. The 28-year-old joined a gym and started taking the training for most controversial acrobatic movements on a vertical pole. However, she could only convince her small group of pals that it is not as derogatory as they think.

In a AFP report, Nada said, "At first, they said this is inappropriate and a mistake. Now they say, 'We want to try it'." Nada also insisted on being identified by her first name only and not revealing her second name. This indicates that she and her other accomplice still have some work to do in Saudi.

The promotion of women's sports has recently been a part of a larger effort to open up Saudi society and project a softer image to the outside world. Last month, the Saudi women's national football team played their maiden games at home against Bhutan. Additionally, officials are pushing for more women to play golf, which is historically male-dominated sport. This has opened opportunities for sports gym to grow in Saudi Arabia. Few of these gyms also provide pole dance lessons. May al-Youssef, the owner of one such gym in Riyadh, said, "I feel that pole dancing has been given greater attention as it is new and girls love to try it."

Pole Dancers Of Saudi Arabia

Pole dancers are contended that there are no strip clubs and alcohol permitted in Saudi Arabia. Pole dancing may have negative connotations associated citing its origin, but for Saudi its different. One Riyadh pole dancing student said, she "wasn't ashamed at all to attempt it. That's how I would describe my personality. I don't feel guilty about embracing my femininity and sensuality. As long as I'm not causing harm to others. I have nothing to be embarrassed of." She was aware that not everyone will be comfortable.

However, she agreed to share her story only if her identity could be kept private. She believes that compelling evidence of its benefits can be found in the transformation of her clients. "With time they seem to like their bodies more," she said. "They say to themselves: 'I am feeling good in my skin'."

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