Pole classes, minus the dancing

Pole classes, minus the dancing

Ten years ago a broken-hearted Craig Hull was introduced to the circus art of Chinese Pole.

A decade later, he’s sure it was the thing that saved him and he’s keen to pass that inspiration on by starting a class specifically for people living with HIV.

Hull has already gained support from the Marrickville-based aerial arts school, Aerialize, to host the classes but is looking for further assistance from groups like Positive Life and BGF to help cover costs and garner some interest from the community.

Apart from the obvious health and fitness benefits to be gained, it is the ultimate sport for building self-esteem, Hull says.

Just the fact that you are doing something that most people can’t is such an incredible boost to your self-esteem.

It’s not like just going to the gym, where you maybe go up and down on a stepper or run on a machine. With this you develop your cardio and it involves real muscle building but in a way that requires you to be very in touch with your body. It requires you to really focus in on how your body and muscles are working and develop a total awareness of your physical being.

The main deterrent for people thinking of taking up the Chinese Pole is the idea that it will be too hard or physically demanding, but that really need not be a concern, says Hull.

I think the people I spoke to perhaps had some concerns that it might be too physically demanding, but honestly, that’s not the case, he said.

At the start, you are so focused on safety that you forget how hard it is and after a while you start to develop a rhythm to your moves and it honestly feels like you’re just floating up there. It really is the most incredible feeling of freedom.

At this point Hull is just looking for people to register their interest in taking part in an all-positive training class, which he estimates would cost around $10 a lesson. Further details will be announced once he has at least four or five interested participants.

info: To register your interest in taking part in Chinese Pole classes, contact Craig Hull at [email protected].

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