THIS IS MY BODY.

 

I am a movement artist, an aerial dancer, an instructor, a performer… and, I am a woman.

 

One thing I see in men and women of the world is a tendency to honor our intelligence, attractiveness, kindness and creativity. We embrace our very HUMAN-ness, give warm smiles to others and tell people to be themselves, because who you are is BEAUTIFUL.

 

I love this way of thinking. I am so grateful that our society recognizes our strengths and flaws and journey. Yet there is still one piece of our human puzzle that is so commonly omitted in the world of public appearances. While the rest of our spirit is bathing in the sunlight, our sensuality and our human figure at its very basic level is often cast in the shadows and shrouded so that not a line or curve can be seen, at risk of offending or drawing in an unwanted gaze. It is our raw bodies and sexuality that we pretend does not exist, that it is not a part of our daily lives in so many ways.

 

Today, I challenge that body “modesty”. I challenge our society’s sexuality-shaming tendencies. I am human, I am woman, and I am a sexual being with curves, lines, boobs and an ass. Heck, I even have a vagina! *gasp* And while I won’t spill all of my sexual habits and interests casually to any passing stranger, I am not ashamed to have them. To deny that side of me is to deny who I am. I for one, refuse to do that.

 

Photo by RTP Photography. Model: Emma Reyn.

 

As a pole and movement instructor, there is a special opportunity I have to see so many wonderful humans come through our studio doors from where they are in life, in need of *something* which has brought them to me, and then to watch as they slowly transform and unfold into new, amazing, and magical creatures.

 

We all come to these classes for so many different reasons. But one thing I see so clearly when I walk into Aradia Fitness is women (and men) choosing to truly embrace their bodies, to share this little piece of their souls to our community, and to be truly open with each other (and let me tell you, there is no shame when it comes to our body talk!). Maybe this is the only place we feel comfortable with so much openness, or maybe the students that come in are already wild and free and can’t help but bring with them a shine that infects us all. Whatever the case, it fills my heart to see my pole family every night finding new ways to respect their bodies and express their souls, and for many to express that sensual side of themselves which is too often thrown under the rug of shame and guilt.

 

Never be ashamed of who you are. Life is an adventure.

 

When I started my personal journey at Aradia Fitness so many years ago, I was a speck of dust in a room full of diamonds. Shy, quiet, and extremely self-conscious. To wear even a bathing suit out in the world made me squirm endlessly, and to even think about sexuality of any sort turned my cheeks bright red like a tomato.

 

But I found my home that very first night at Aradia Fitness, and for me, it was the first step on my path to feeling like a woman, a lioness, and a magical unicorn.

 

Pole fitness is not only an awesome workout, but it’s also a great way to make friends that can encourage and inspire you daily.

 

It was the beginning of my journey to truly appreciating myself, finding my confidence, and shining my brilliance for the world to see. It didn’t matter where I came from or what I looked like, and every piece of encouragement from my newfound pole family challenged those voices in my head telling me that I was not worthwhile. Soon those voices became quiet whispers I could ignore while I conquered the world (and the pole) for a while.

 

Every hip circle, hair whip, and heel clack became my battle cry for sensuality. Every invert became my defiance to the doubts of my strength. Every turn on the pole was a new expression of myself discovered and actualized. And feeling that sense of self is what led me to teaching, in hopes that I might inspire that same sense of self for others.

 

My fellow humans, this is my challenge to you. Find that voice in your brain that is screaming negativity, fear, doubt, and shame. Turn your music up, and then turn those voices WAY down. Be yourself. Your whole self. Body and soul. Wherever you are today. At least for a few minutes, or maybe an hour while you’re in your safe space with your pole fam.

 

You have my permission. Not that you need it. <3

 

 

Emma Reyn is an instructor, performer, and figure art model.  Come meet your sexy side in her Sultry Pole classes, work on those lines and curves in our FlexAbility class, or get moving with her in Pole and Lyra classes!

 

Article Written by Emma Reyn, Instructor at Aradia Fitness Cary in Cary, North Carolina

May 30, 2017