INSPO Fitness Journal May 2017

POLES APART
When most people think about pole dancing, they rarely think
of a well lit studio with choreography incorporating stretch
and conditioning, alongside confidence building dance moves.
Equally they don’t expect a grandmother
to be the one teaching them the finer
points of pole dancing, or the fact these
classes are rapidly increasing in popularity
with all ages, as a fun means of fitness.
Tauranga-based Bronwyn Grayling has
impressive dance moves. The 44-year-old
admits that she’s not a ‘stereotypical grandmother’
and that working as a dance
“Three things I’d love
everyone to know about
dance is that it’s so much
fun, everyone is nervous
at first and persistence
does pay off.”
Hamilton’s premier dance school offering specialist training in
RAD Ballet, NZAMD Jazz, Contemporary and Hip Hop.
Offering classes from
Pre-School to Adults. Enrollments taken year round.
At Limelight Dance Academy we hope to create and nurture a
love of dance and help to develop healthy, happy,
well rounded individuals.
For more information please contact Kerry Mills
phone 855 3021 | mobile 021 2343930
admin@limelightdanceacademy.co.nz | www.limelightdanceacademy.co.nz
instructor is ‘poles apart’ from what she
thought she would be doing.
Bronwyn not only teaches pole dancing
and stretch/conditioning at The Studio
(Mt Maunganui), she also competes in pole
dancing competitions
and has attended
international events
such as the Pole
Festival on the Gold
Coast in Australia and
Pole Expo Las Vegas,
in order to learn from
some of the world’s
best.
This year marks
the fifth time she has
entered the NZAPP
(New Zealand amateur
pole performer)
competition.
“Before taking up
pole dancing I never
would have dreamed
of getting up on
stage in front a lot of
people to perform,”
she says.
While Bronwyn
has always been
active, enjoying sports
like running and
cycling, she has discovered
that dancing
works on many levels;
it’s fun, great for
toning, strength and
fitness – plus she feels
great afterwards.
“I’ve never been
Photos by Katie Smith
as strong as I am now, or as flexible (although
that is still a bit of work in progress). I always
leave dance feeling happy. It also makes it easy
to carry around the grandkids.”
With no dance or gymnastics background,
Bronwyn says she is not as graceful as she
would like, ‘but the more you do something,
the better you get.’
Her initial interest in dance as a form of
exercise was captured after ‘watching some
very toned, athletic, strong ladies pole dancing.’
“I watched it once and immediately
wanted to give it a go,” she recalls. “Not long
after I spotted an advertisement in the local
paper. I took my first lesson about a week later
and that was more than seven years ago.”
Now Bronwyn is inspiring others to have
a go.
“I think it appeals to such a wide variety of
people because it ticks a lot of boxes.
“You’re working out, gaining strength, fitness
and confidence all while having fun and
making new friends. Anyone can do it.”
Married with three daughters, one granddaughter
and one grandson, Bronwyn loves
the fact she is a pole dancing granny.
“Being an instructor with the team at The
Studio is my dream job. I love it for the fact
that my work involves moving and dance,
I’m surrounded by great people and meet
new people regularly, plus I get to share my
passion with others.
“Three things I’d love everyone to know
about dance is that it’s so much fun, everyone
is nervous at first and persistence does
pay off.”
10 INSPO – FITNESS JOURNAL MAY 2017