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Talented twirling Dina Elhifnawi aims to uplift and empower women and girls across the kingdom through pole fitness; a competitive sport that strengthens the mind, body and soul.
The 28-year-old first caught the aerial bug herself in Egypt, where she is from, when she tried out a class for fun. Little did she know that the artistic form of expression and fitness fad would stick.
“It started off as a hobby,” said the former creative director of Al Masry Al Youm newspaper. “At first, I was very hesitant about trying it out. Then I visited the class and I found that there was such a warm vibe to it. Also, all the girls were smiling. The welcoming feeling encouraged me to join an introduction to pole class and I’ve been hooked ever since.”
She started attending classes every day after work and the sport provided her with all the confidence she needed to pursue it as a career.
“My progress was insane,” she added. “I was always passionate about my work but this experience was different. It changed things in me and how I see myself. Two years later, I became an instructor at Pole Fit Egypt.”
In December 2017, Dina got married and she and her architectural engineering husband, Louay, moved to the kingdom to start a new life together. She had dreamt of opening the first aerial arts studio in Bahrain to share her practice and help other women and girls, of all shapes and sizes, build up their confidence and core too.
However, she knew she had a long way to go as she needed to first break the stigma revolving around pole fitness.
She said: “I had so many ideas and I really wanted to teach children too, not just adults, but I wasn’t allowed due to the stigma about it. People always assume things about it but they won’t know what pole fitness is until they try it.
“Personally, I don’t pay attention to what people say about it nor care about their judgment because I’m doing this for me, not for anyone else. I understand it’s a sexy sport, but it makes me feel good about myself. Once I start thinking about how people see me or label me, I will stop enjoying what I love doing.
“So yes, there is a universal stigma about it but I’m trying to change that to whoever is willing to listen or try it.”
Pole fitness, also known as pole sports, or poling, is known to merging choreographed routines and acrobatics using a vertical metal pole. It requires agility, strength, balance, endurance and flexibility. Although many people link the term to exotic dancing, it is more than that.
“Many people relate poles to exotic dance clubs but all of this has changed as pole fitness has become a way to get your body into shape,” said Dina who lives in Amwaj Islands with her husband and Shi-Tzu puppy Gucci. “I find that Bahrain is an enjoyable and safe place to work in because in the Middle East, pole is seen as a sport not an exotic industry!”
In fact, it developed into a fitness activity and sport during the 1990s and 2000s with national and international competitions featuring athletic men and women of all ages and physical abilities, including para-athletes, competing alone or as doubles on the international stage.
Although, the sport actually dates back to the 12th-century, called Mallakhamba, where it was seen as a type of wrestling in India. The practice involved acrobatic and yogic movements and was first developed as a tool for wrestlers. It then became influenced by English competitive sports and took on the structural framework of British gymnastics. Mallakhamba eventually became an organised sport and was most often practiced in Western-style gymnasiums and urban sport grounds.
Also, some athletes perform acrobatic tricks, jumps and other maneuvers, making poling an extreme sport.
The International Pole Sports Federation (IPSF) was formed in 2009 by Tim Trautman and Katie Coates to make poling an Olympic sport and has held world championships since 2012. Poling was one of seven sports granted observer status by the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) in 2017.
Professional pole-sports leagues have even been formed. Pole classes have also provided opportunities for students to bond with and support each other and encourage athleticism.
“Most girls start pole because of a recent changing point in their life whether be it losing a friend or a family member, going through a breakup or even moving to a new city,” said the journalism and media arts student who graduated from American University in Cairo with a minor in business administration and graphic design. “It helps you with whatever you’re going through in your life. It is very artistic and I love the sport because it made me trust my body and appreciate myself even more. I rely on my strength to express my emotions through flowy movements.
“I also love the supportive community that comes with it when the girls empower each other. When you start pole you join a squad. The support you get from other students is incredible! Pole girls are sisters in crime. No judgment and no showing off. We respect and encourage each other.”
Dina started teaching pole fitness to adults at a ballet studio where she only had two stage poles at the time and four ladies in her class.
In not time, she formed a community of pole sisters that support one another to work towards a better version of themselves. A year later, the circle grew and Dina found herself launching different levelled classes and having nine students in one class with just two poles.
Dina added: “Students started booking way ahead to ensure their spots even though they would only get to use the pole for 10 minutes in a one hour class. It was so popular that it was getting over-booked. I wanted to do so much more but I was limited with the slots I had to teach every week, and, again with just the two poles.
“That was when I decided to pursue my dream and do something about it. I told myself that I needed to grow and that no one will make it happen except for me since it is my passion.”
In February, she launched the Carousel Aerial Arts and Fitness Academy inside Cobra Fitness Gym in Hala Plaza in Zinj offering women and girls 16 different types of classes with 25 being held a week. These classes include full body flexibility, introduction to pole, pole tricks, pole spins, pole stands, kids gymnastics, power pole and more.
“I want Carousel to be a safe place and a second home where women and kids can come together and help lift each other up and become the best version of themselves by creating a unique experience that leaves them wanting to come back for more,” explained Dina, who is also the owner and lead instructor at the academy.
Her classes are proving popular; attracting participants from all over, aged four to 49.
“Pole fitness doesn’t have or need any prerequisites” Dina added. “You don’t need to be strong or flexible as you will gain strength and flexibility by joining our classes. It’s really for everyone, unless you are pregnant, injured or told by your doctor not to practice any sports for the time being.”
According to Dina, it is a great way to lose weight, improve core and upper body strength, coordination, flexibility, and tone muscles.
“It changes your life in many ways.” she added. “You will fall in love with your body rather than what it looks like in the mirror. A lot of girls have body image insecurities and that too will melt away when you realise that no one really cares about what your body looks like in the class. All we polers care about is what our bodies can do. With commitment, pole can have a long-term positive impact on one’s mental health.
“It is also not just about physical health it also makes you stronger emotionally and psychologically because it’s incredibly liberating. It is about challenging your mind and overcoming your fears.
“Most women are afraid to lift their feet off the ground thinking...what if they fall? The moves themselves require a lot of trust and letting go, but by trusting yourself and your abilities to achieve the move will open your eyes to a wealth of possibilities.
“Unlike children, for example, they go straight ahead and do it. The journey itself is empowering and eventually you resolve any doubts you had about yourself.”
Those interested in classes can follow @carousel.fitness on Instagram. Each pole class is priced at BD10, flexibility class for BD8 and a children class for BD10.
“If you’re bored with your regular gym routine, trying pole fitness is the answer,” said Dina. “Take a break and escape from your daily anxieties for one hour. It completely preoccupies your mind and you don’t even have the time to think about anything outside the class but achieving the moves. You cannot wander; you have to be there in the moment because it’s acrobatic. Pole is a mood booster and is cheaper than therapy.”
