[JenniferRothMiller]

Hello! I am 47. I started pole dance (and dabbled in silks, lyra, and chair dance as well) in my mid to late 30s. It was so empowering! I was the strongest and most confident I ever was. Unfortunately, my pole studio closed during covid and never reopened. Then I started belly dancing and doing burlesque for several years, which I also love. However, those styles aren’t nearly as challenging as pole and I don’t feel as strong. My belly dance studio fostered my growth as a dancer in in different ways though by giving me the opportunity to dance in amateur shows and choreograph. I recently moved to Puerto Rico and haven’t found a dance home here. I have to dance on my own and have chosen to go back to pole since I have my own pole and a heels collection! Since starting this program, I feel stronger and sexier already! There is something about pole dance and putting on heels that makes me feel confident and sexy even if I’m getting more wrinkly and I’m losing my eyesight. It’s horrible trying to dance with glasses now. The thing I really dislike about perimenopause is that my period hasn’t stopped yet, so I technically still have to worry about birth control and keep track, but pregnancy is very unlikely and on top of that collagen levels are dropping. But the good part is I can still feel hot when I pole dance and take my glasses off and I won’t see my wrinkles lol. I feel like the best exercise is maintaining flexibility and mobility. For me, I love the stretching and movement aspects of pole for aging. One last thing I wanted to mention is about the judgement and stigma of pole dancing. My brother in particular has called it inappropriate dance. It’s just ridiculous. Pole is empowering and a feminist act. I wish every woman could experience it! One question I have is what exercises help flatten a perimenopausal belly the most.