August 25th 2024.
Meet Alaura, an 11-year-old girl, and her younger sister Rosalyn, who is nine. These two sisters share a passion for dance and are always looking for an opportunity to dance. Today, we are joined by their parents, Lindsey Teall and Jake Night, who are both professional pole dancers. As a family, they have embraced pole dancing as a form of exercise and bonding activity. In this edition of How I Parent, we will learn more about their family dynamic and how they are raising their daughters.
Lindsey and Jake have a unique story of how they met through dance. As former dancers themselves, it was only natural that their children would inherit their love for this art form. They have been teaching their daughters pole dancing since they were very young, with Alaura starting at the age of two and Rosalyn at just eight months old. The pole has become their playground, and they have been training for years, reaching a level of expertise that rivals some adult professionals.
Despite the increasing popularity of pole dancing as a sport, there are still negative stereotypes attached to it. Lindsey and Jake have faced backlash and even death threats from those who disapprove of their young daughters participating in this activity. But for this family, pole dancing is not about sex appeal, it is about building strength, both mentally and physically. They hope to break the stigma surrounding pole dancing and prove that it is a legitimate sport, not just something reserved for clubs and adult entertainment.
In fact, pole dancing has a long history as a tool for sport and performance. It has been practiced for centuries, with evidence of its use in ancient Indian and Chinese cultures. In modern times, it has even been included in international competitions and is striving for Olympic recognition. The International Pole Sports Federation, founded in 2009, has over 3000 athletes competing at an Olympic level.
Now, let's talk about what to wear for pole dancing. If you've ever seen a pole dance performance, you may have noticed that the dancers are not wearing much clothing. This is not just for show, but for practical reasons. Bare skin has better grip on the pole than soft fabrics, which is why dancers often opt for minimal clothing. Tight-fitting clothes are also preferred to avoid any distractions or interference during the performance. However, beginners can feel free to wear their usual gym attire to pole dance classes.
Lindsey and Jake no longer work in clubs as dancers, but they still incorporate pole dancing into their daily lives. They also teach pole dancing and participate in competitions as a family. In addition to pole dancing, they are skilled in other aerial arts such as hammock, silks, and trapeze. Their daughters have inherited their love for these activities and are constantly learning and improving their skills. In fact, they spend around two hours a day on their poles and aerial equipment.
Despite their young age, Alaura and Rosalyn are very dedicated and hardworking when it comes to their training. Their parents provide guidance and supervision to ensure their safety, but ultimately, the girls decide what they want to do and how they want to train. Lindsey and Jake have a hands-off approach, allowing their daughters to explore and express themselves through dance and aerial arts.
With Lindsey's background in dance and Jake's training in gymnastics and acrobatics, it's no surprise that their daughters are active and talented individuals. They have found a way to incorporate their passion for dance and fitness into their family life, creating a unique and strong bond between them. As their family motto goes, "The family that poles together, stays together."
Alaura and Rosalyn, two young girls, love to dance and will find any opportunity to do so. They come from a unique family, who we will be speaking to in this segment of How I Parent. Meet Lindsey Teall and Jake Night, who are raising their daughters, nine-year-old Rosalyn and 11-year-old Alaura.
Lindsey and Jake first crossed paths while working as dancers, and their love for the art has been passed down to their children. In fact, the whole family now pole dances together. According to Lindsey and Jake, this activity not only builds physical and mental strength in their children but also promotes open-mindedness. However, not everyone has been supportive of their unconventional parenting methods.
Interestingly, pole dancing has a long history as a sport. Dating back to the 12th century, Mallakhamb has been practiced for centuries, and was even featured in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. It has also been a staple in European circus performances since the 19th century. Unfortunately, society has come to associate pole dancing with sexual connotations, often picturing scantily clad performers. While it is undoubtedly a challenging skill to master, pole dancing is often linked to erotic dancing. Ironically, both Lindsey and Jake have worked as exotic dancers in the past.
Due to this stigma, the couple has received death threats from people who disapprove of their young daughters pole dancing. They have been accused of being bad parents, but Lindsey stands firm in her beliefs. She believes that people are narrow-minded and wants to break the negative stereotypes surrounding pole dancing. To Lindsey, pole dancing is an art form, and she is determined to show the world that it is not just limited to nightclubs. In fact, pole dancing is gaining popularity as a legitimate sport, with the International Pole Sports Federation founded in 2009 with the goal of achieving Olympic recognition. As of now, there are about 3000 athletes competing worldwide at an Olympic level.
On the topic of clothing, it is common to see pole dancers in minimal attire, whether on stage, in a circus act, or at the gym. This is because bare skin provides better grip on the pole compared to soft fabrics. Tight-fitting clothes are also preferred to avoid any fabric getting in the way. However, it is understandable that showing up to a pole dance class in what may seem like underwear can be intimidating. Most classes are welcoming of regular gym attire for beginners.
Lindsey, who is 38 years old and resides in St. Louis, Missouri, shares that her daughters have been pole dancing since they were very young. Alaura started at the age of two, while Rosalyn began at just eight months old. Lindsey would often teach classes while her daughters would play on the pole nearby. With years of training, the girls are now just as skilled as some adult professionals. Lindsey even pole danced while pregnant with them.
Although Lindsey and Jake no longer work in clubs, they continue to pole dance as a form of exercise and also teach and compete in competitions. The family is well-versed in various aerial arts, including hammock and silks, hoop, pole, and even trapeze. Lindsey, who has a degree in dance, shares that her daughters are no different from other kids and simply enjoy having fun. However, their definition of fun may involve the hoop or pole. They work hard during their training, which usually amounts to about two hours a day, spread out throughout the day.
According to Jake, 42, their daughters' active lifestyle was inevitable with Lindsey's dance background and his training in gymnastics and acrobatics. The couple takes a hands-off approach when it comes to their daughters' training and lets them decide what they want to do. They provide guidance and teach them tricks while also ensuring their safety. Although there is always a concern for potential injuries, Lindsey and Jake have been fortunate so far, and they closely supervise their daughters' training at home.
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