The Application of Pole Dancing for Treating Mild-Moderate Eating Disorders

The Application of Pole Dancing for Treating Mild-Moderate Eating Disorders

Christa H.  - TranZenDance Student and Dancer

HIGHLIGHTS:

· The mind, body and spirit all must be addressed for an individual to experience long-term healing from eating disorders

· At TranZenDance Studio, women find acceptance and practice mindfulness while engaging with a supportive community

· Dance can create a path through chaotic, obsessive thoughts to connect to ones true self

· Mindfulness and a connectedness to the self is facilitated at the studio, encouraging the dancer to live in the present

· A relationship with the body is developed through stretching, breathing and dancing without mirrors

· The dancer experiences empowerment through the body as a new way of movement is developed

· Community and connectedness is fostered through each class allowing women to connect with other women in an environment of openness and support

· Empowerment of femininity

Eating disorders are vicious mental illnesses that turn mind against body in an attempt to meet physically unrealistic expectations. On a daily basis, women deal with a barrage of images, situations, and expectations that can damage their self-image and self-worth. We see the symptoms of this throughout society. Stress, anxiety, panic attacks, depression, the list gets longer as the image of the 'perfect woman' becomes unattainable. Within a community of women, dance therapy can empower femininity and promote healing among women suffering from mild to moderate eating disorders.

Mention pole dancing and inevitably images of dark strip clubs and scantily clad women dominant the mental landscape. Toned women dance in serpentine fashion and dollar bills seem to float like confetti. There is a different kind of pole dancing though, one that is transformative and therapeutic. A dance that taps into the feminine not for an audience, but for the self. This dance utilizes a pole to develop strength and defy gravity, reaches deep into the spirit, transcending issues and setbacks to parlay with one's true self. Under careful guidance, this type of pole dancing can be a successful treatment for women suffering from eating disorders. The mind, body and spirit all must be addressed for an individual to experience long-term healing in the same manner that all these must be aligned to truly connect with the dance.

At the studio, there are no mirrors, no spotlights, and no stages. The lighting is dim and competition is nonexistent. Dance becomes a form of meditation and expression through movement. It becomes a personal challenge physicality and mentally. Women find acceptance and practice mindfulness while engaging with a supportive community. When these concepts are in harmony an individual can truly connect to the art form and fully embrace her femininity. These are the key components of a holistic approach to treating eating disorders.

Mindfulness is vital to dance and can be an important part of treatment. Stilling the mind and focusing on the present allows a connection to the inner self. Dance creates a path through the chaotic, obsessive thoughts that so often accompany eating disorders. Centering through meditation is difficult for the average person to attain. However, through a meditative warm-up, mindfulness and a connectedness to the self is facilitated before a single dance step is taken. The body goes through the motions of stretching and breathing, while the mind engages with the present. While grounded in the moment, past and future thoughts quickly become a hindrance to the concentration required for dance and fall away. Over time, as the alignment between the body and mind becomes more familiar, this mindfulness becomes habit and extends past the time spent in the studio. This alignment with the present becomes an important foundation for the journey to wholeness and healing. 

A realistic sense of self is also crucial. Body dysmorphia accompanies eating disorders as the individual obsesses over flaws or an unrealistic perception of her image. When dancing, there is a relationship the dancer must have with her body. This is developed through stretching, breathing and practicing without mirrors. This allows the individual to be the reflection of what is real. Body limits are felt and gently pushed through one more breath, one more try, one more reach. This develops a keen sense of self awareness and place. What the individual is capable of accomplishing is often more than they would have originally thought. Self esteem grows as the student can quickly begin to measure progress through the strength and flexibility developing. Ability and proficiency are attainable at all levels of the dance, further building self confidence and allowing the student to become more in tune with their body and self image.

 At the studio, there is a prioritization of artistry as well as a the development of each student’s stylistic development utilized in the instruction of pole dancing. There is a larger applicability to this sense of accomplishment as it also translates to each student's approach to life. While everyone approaches challenges differently, overcoming hurdles and limitations through persistence and hard work is the common denominator of most forms of progress. Telling this to someone suffering from an eating disorder is far less powerful than allowing them to experience this empowerment through their body as they learn a new way of movement.

Community and connectedness to other women cannot be underestimated along the path to healing. The studio classes are small, safe, and each group begins and moves forward together. A sense of camaraderie is a by-product of the value placed on encouragement, personal development, and risk taking within the class. No one walks in knowing how to dance in various orientations to the pole. It is through learning together and the support of each other that progress is accomplished throughout the group. A sisterhood is created allowing for the individual to connect with others in an environment of openness and support. While individual journeys need not be shared with the class, the student suffering from an eating disorder can express her story anonymously through the dance and be accepted and supported by other women all going through and expressing their own private journeys.

This kind of dance is powerful. This kind of dance is transformative. Utilizing it as an augmentation to other therapies can be beneficial for eating disorders as it empowers femininity and promotes healing on the journey to become reconnected to the mind and body.