Who are we
About us
Pole Dance Bulgaria is one of the countries’ first centers of pole dance training, where in an entertaining, efficient and safely manner you can keep fit and toned, enhance your strength and endurance, challenge yourself and push your limits. Pole Dance Bulgaria has three fully-equipped halls, situated in key spots in the capital city, ready to provide you with an amazing experience. The poles themselves are three types: spinning and static and the brand is ‘Pole4you, X-Pole, Lupit’, the worldwide leader and #1 manufacturer of professional dance poles.
History
How and why did Pole Dance emerge?
Back in 12th century India ‘Mallakhamb’ was already being practiced – an ancient art representing exercises on a wooden pole. For the execution of the exercises great physical endurance and muscle strength were needed, hence making it popular mainly amongst men. The word “Malla” means a fighter, and “Khamb” literally means a pole. “Mallakhamb” is officially recognized as a sport 250 years ago. Prior, only fighters practiced it to perfect their strength, agility, speed and focus. Nowadays, there is a national “Mallakhamb” championship, in which 14 Indian states take part. The pole which the athletes use is 55mm in diameter and narrows down to 35mm at the top. Their clothing is scarce, inspired by yoga. Also the participants are barefoot.
In search of the roots of Pole Dance as a sport and an art, we venture to one more exotic location, namely China. Again in the 12th century, circus acrobats used 3 to 9 meter poles, coated with rubber material for better friction with the skin, on which they performed complex exercises, fully clothed. A lot of the exercises (elements) still performed to this day, like the human flag (where the body is parallel to the ground supported by a vertical bar, for the execution of which are mainly required back and arm strength) came about then. The specific bruises left from the contact with the rubber pole were considered a privilege – only those who practiced this spectacular art had them.
Erotics or sport?
The first thing that comes to mind when mentioning Pole Dance, is still striptease. The latter has its roots from ancient Sumerian times, with the goddess Inanna myth. She danced and removed an article of clothing or a jewelry before every of the 7 gates of hell to find her beloved one. Influence in forming the term ‘exotic dances’ has the Eastern culture with its belly dance, Latino culture with rumba and tango and Western world’s cabaret dances respectively.
It is thought that the modern erotic interpretation of Pole Dance appeared amid the twenties of the 20th century, when an ensemble of dancers travelled around America to entertain people in tents, dancing on a metal pole which supported their weight. Acrobatic dances on a purposefully mounted pole originated from striptease clubs in Canada in the 1980s.
Pole Dance: Hobby and Fitness
In 1994 for the first time a woman decided to hold a class in Pole Dance outside of the stage. Since then, around the whole world annually pole dance academies are established and competitions are organized. Acrobatic dance on a pole gradually earned the glory and status of an internationally recognized sport. Practiced by men and women of different age, it combines the beauty and grace of dancing, the strength and coordination of acrobatics and the flexibility of gymnastics.
There are two types of poles on which the athlete can practice: static and spinning. Further, there are four variations in the pole’s diameter: 40, 42, 45 and 50 mm.
