As part of the Live off Groupon challenge, I had to visit a local business that had used Groupon (you can view the video of my experience here).  The funny thing is, I have always wanted to try a pole dancing class--it's even part of my 31 before 31 list!--so when this Groupon came available, it was like the universe was saying, "TNR, work that pole."  Here's a re-cap of my adventure (also submitted as part of my Live off Groupon application):

The Pole has played a special role throughout history:  it has marked the entrance to barber shops, played a northerly home to a fictional fat man, and now provides ladies the easiest way to look sexy this side of the Bumpit.  While I’d always thought taking a pole dancing class would be fun, I'd never had the guts to sign up for one.  Then a Groupon popped in my inbox for a ridiculously cheap 90 minute session at Dolphin Dance Studios in my hometown.  I knew the time had finally come to channel my inner sex kitten (which, let's face it, has become more of a inner sex piglet).

Upon arriving at the studio, I was pleased to discover that my classmates fell into every conceivable age, body type and personality.  The young professionals sat on their yoga mats right next to the stay-at-home moms, who sat next to the empty nesters, who sat next to the OSU college kids.  And as soon as Dolphin Dance's owner, Kristen, began our class I knew this experience would be special (sort of like a colonoscopy, but better).

"I'm here to save women from themselves," she said.  Once part of the exotic dance world in Hollywood, Kristen took steps to surgically alter what she thought were defects in her appearance, and as a consequence, suffered ten years of ill health.  She founded Dolphin Dance on the premise that women of all shapes and sizes are beautiful, and that the "sexy" comes out when women truly believe they are sexy, regardless of their dress size. 

The class was fun and freeing; Kristen made sure to cultivate a safe and supportive atmosphere.  And I'm pretty sure amidst my flailing, I managed to look sexy a time or two.

So thank you, Groupon, for making it possible for me to get to experience The Pole.  I can feel my inner sex piglet morphing into a kitten already.

Have you ever taken a pole dancing class?  Would you?  Dudes, what do you think of pole dancing?

Read all of my 31 before 31 adventures in the archive!