From pole-dancing to belly-dancing and burlesque – explore the world of exotic dance safely, privately, and all in the name of good health at the Cleveland Eclectic Dance studio downtown.
The studio sits tucked away in the back of a repurposed warehouse off Perkins Avenue in the Superior Arts District downtown. It hosts two large dance rooms with built-in poles and fun studio lighting. There are classes for different experience levels of pole-dancing such as those with advanced pole skills or specifically for plus-size participants. There are also classes that lean into the physical fitness aspects of exotic dance, like lyra (aerial hoop) and belly-dancing.
‘There’s nothing dirty or naughty over here’
Cleveland Eclectic Dance’s founder and co-owner, Roxi Steiger, said the people who take classes at Cleveland Eclectic Dance do so for a number of reasons – for physical health, finding community, or looking to transform a part of themselves after dramatic life changes and events, like divorce or gender transition.
“I always hear people say, ‘I can’t walk in heels’”, she explained, “so maybe, let’s just strengthen the ankles and get a little more confident in heels. Or it could be a deeper goal of healing. We’ve had a lot of people come here as part of their journey of reclaiming something that’s happened to them in their lives.”
Cleveland Eclectic Dance also will soon host workshops by local sexual wellness educators at Pride and Pleasure. “We’re giving people a way to express something that is not always safe to do outside of these walls,” said Steiger, “and also educate about that, like, there’s nothing dirty or naughty over here. It’s just how we move, it’s how we breathe, it’s how we function, it’s how we celebrate living.”
One of Cleveland Eclectic Dance’s two studios.
How much sugar or spice would you like?
The studio also offers one-off pole classes for groups and parties. You can choose how much “sugar” or “spice” you’d like to have in your class experience. Hosting a bachelorette party but Grandma is coming? It may be best to opt for “pole sugar.” Just you and your best girls? Pick “pole spice” and you can even learn to lap-dance or striptease.
Steiger said the studio works hard to combat the stigma of exotic dance. She hopes to give participants a safe place to focus on the physical fitness aspects of exotic dance.
“They may never be interested in shaking their butts or twerking,” she said, “but we’ll talk to them about strengthening their butts for their pelvic floor health.”
How exotic dance affects the body
Many people are conditioned to move with a sense of modesty that often results in physical tightening and a restricted range of motion, Steiger said. The slow, controlled movements of exotic dance help build strength and improve mobility by opening joints that are often locked in daily life.
“When you let go into these styles,” explained Steiger, “you are stretching the hips, core and upper body into expansive shapes that society might label as unacceptable.”
Steiger said forms of exotic dance like burlesque, striptease and lap dance “engage the hips and core while adding balance and proprioception [body awareness].”
This leads to the stronger muscles required to “move boldly,” she added, “and to develop the physical capability to match their emotional freedom.”
Cleveland Eclectic Dance will host a 90-minute workshop titled “Intro To Burlesque” on Saturday, March 28, at 12:30 p.m. Attendees will learn basic body movements like shimmies, struts and peels.
Learn more about the classes, parties, and one-on-one training offered at Cleveland Eclectic Dance by visiting their website.