Already one of the UK's most successful pole dancing schools, Polestars now offer burlesque classes, and most recently, can-can classes. The can-can is a high energy, calorie burning class, and being a self-confessed gym addict I couldn't wait to give it a try.
Our instructor Emma shows us
the traditional Moulin Rouge dance that we'll be learning, while explaining a
bit about the history of this risqué Parisian romp. Since the early eighteenth
century, the can-can has been providing a bit more than just entertainment,
since the performers wore revealing crocheted knickers, as a way of getting
away with striptease (illegal at the time).
Sleaze and sex aside, Polestars
classes are kept small and female-only, making for a fun and friendly
atmosphere. The first hour of the class involves warming up and learning the
individual moves, so the skirts don't go on quite yet. I stupidly didn't bring
a change of clothes, but I don't mind dancing around in my hotpants.
On the flyer it says that 'flashing has never been so fun!' which turns out to be quite true, as we are taught the aptly named 'bum reveal' move. Emma makes sure we get every move right, including the 'rond de jambes' which involves joining hands and skirts in a circle, and hopping in a clockwise direction while ‘stirring the porridge’ with the other leg – not as hard as it sounds! We also pick up some invaluable life skills, such as a can-can pose that is the most flattering way to stand (you'll recognise it at the next red carpet event) and sneaky pretend way of doing the splits.
Emma demonstrates each move clearly so we all know what we're doing, while giving plenty of tips and tricks to disguise it if we do forget what we're doing! We practice and perfect each move slowly, then speed it up with plenty of high kicks, skipping, running and jumping.
Not only is Emma a very clear instructor, she is also really funny, and her constant jokes put everyone at ease. We in some way do recreate the manic hysterical atmosphere as depicted in Baz Luhrmann's Moulin Rouge film – dancing around, whooping and screaming, and then falling about laughing.
In the second hour of the class, we put on the splendid skirts, with layer upon layer of beautiful red, white, and orange frills. As we go over the series of easy to pick up moves, we are amazed at how much we've learnt, and luckily someone has a video camera to prove it. Put it all together for our final performance and we're left with something amazing, we all watch the video in disbelief as it looks fantastic!
For those who shy away from conventional exercise, ‘can-canning’ offers an alternative that's so exhilarating you'll be burning calories without realising. While the gym addicts among us find it brings the fun back to fitness, and it still leaves you happily aching in all the right places the next day. The can-can works the crucial legs, bums, and tums areas, while all that laughing is better at toning abs than hundreds of sit-ups.
The can-can class is also a great idea for a girls night out. If you enjoy having a few drinks, making friends and showing off your dance moves, then this beats your local night-spot hands down. Polestars offer taster sessions, courses, and private parties – with male strippers and naked butlers if you wish!
Find out more about Polestars classes and take a look at the can-can video we made. Impressed or amused by Chloe's performance? Add Chloe as a friend and leave her a comment to let her know.
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