Inner Goddess Studios Teaches Dance in Different Way
October 16, 2008 • By The Breeze,
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In past semesters, local dance studios in Harrisonburg have provided students with the opportunity to take classes ranging in style from hip-hop and jazz to ballet, belly dancing — and pole dancing?
Inner Goddess Studios has opened its doors on South Main Street for women 18 years old and up. The studio’s motto is “Every woman has a sexy side… come meet yours.”
The owner and founder of Inner Goddess, Rachel Bagnulo, opened the studio in August with the hopes that women all over Harrisonburg would take an interest in classes offering various types of exotic dancing and pole dancing. While this is her first studio, it is not her first experience working in a studio because she has substantial experience teaching in Charlottesville. Bagnulo started taking classes two years ago and found pole dancing to be a challenging and extremely effective workout. Engaging only in this type of exercise, she lost more than fifty pounds, and says that she now feels more confident with herself, which is accompanied by her high self-esteem. Kara Vance also teaches classes at the studio and has been taking classes to learn the techniques for more than a year. Vance recently started teaching some of the beginner-level classes, while continuing participation in the upper-level classes.
Inner Goddess offers an array of classes, including exotic striptease, pole work and lap dancing. All classes focus on helping women find their “inner goddess” through challenging, yet enjoyable lessons. It is clear that the women here are comfortable with their bodies and enjoy the freedom they have in feeling sexy.
Aside from normal classes, workshops are also offered, which typically run for two or three hours at a time periodically throughout the year. These workshops allow anyone who is interested in the program to get a taste of what a regular class would be like. “Chair dance,” “burlesque” and “Santa Baby” are just a few of the events offered.
Women of all ages come to these classes, including many JMU students, like Katie Hoehn and Allison Morton. Both girls participate in classes with Bagnulo and were willing to explain what exotic dance entails and why they participate at Inner Goddess.
“My favorite thing about the class is that you are able to let all your inhibitions go for an hour or two a week with no one judging you and questioning it,” said Hoehn, a senior. “Both classes are a great workout, especially the pole dancing class because it takes a lot of arm and leg strength.”
Hoehn also emphasized why exotic dancing is such a positive activity for women to get involved in.
“There are so many great benefits, including exercise, self-confidence building and of course learning all of the sexy and sultry dance moves,” she said. “And it is not that expensive, compared to classes in D.C. and other cities.”
Morton has taken advantage of some of the workshops offered. She got involved because she wanted to try something new and different.
“As far as exercise, it’s great!” Morton said. “You can push yourself as much or as little as you are comfortable with and Rachel always has a way to make a move more difficult once you’ve mastered something. Like traditional dance, there is always a way to perform differently, so it never becomes repetitive. You are free to mix things up on your own.”
Morton, like Hoehn, also believes that the class would be fun for JMU females.
“I think that anyone can take a class as long as you go in with an open mind,” Morton said. “You have to be comfortable around other women doing the moves and expressing yourself.”
Contact Jess Godby at godbyje@jmu.edu
Contact Jess Novak at novakjl@jmu.edu
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