[RJ Johnson  | Anchorage Press]

“As a woman, nobody tells you that you can be strong.” Erin I’nama says “It’s not something that is really encouraged.”

That is something the owner of Atalanta’s Aerialists looks to change each day while teaching her students about the competitive and fitness side of pole dancing. Classes at the studio happen six days a week, sometimes up to four times a day, which is how I’nama learned in upstate New York at Aerial Arts Fitness, before moving back to Alaska and becoming an instructor herself. She has a background in CG effects and animation, but it’s that study of movement as an animator that helps her  in a world that is all about the mixing of creativity with strength.

For many, the idea of pole dancing is mainly seen with a focus on striptease and sexuality, but for a few years there has been a focus on exploring the health benefits of this difficult activity and from that came the competition level. Pole Sport Organization was founded in 2012 and now has competitions throughout the United States, Canada and Switzerland

For many, the idea of pole dancing is mainly seen with a focus on striptease and sexuality, but for a few years there has been a focus on exploring the health benefits of this difficult activity and from that came the competition level. Pole Sport Organization was founded in 2012 and now has competitions throughout the United States, Canada and Switzerland.

Over the weekend of November 4th and 5th of this year I’nama came home to Alaska with her third championship. She had already achieved First Place Entertainment, level 1 at the Northwest Pole Championships 2016, and First Place Dramatic, Level 2 at the Atlantic Pole Championships earlier this year. Her latest trophy is for Second Place, Level 3 and she still has goals to continue competing. Many of her students attended the most recent competition, and one of them, Taylor Koltes, was able to take Second Place Exotic, Level 2, and for others it was a chance for them to see that all body types, genders, walks of life, and people are part of this exciting sport.