From pin-up modeling to pole dancing, Ariel is taking New York City by storm!
I understand your background is in modeling and pole dancing in NYC. What has that experience been like?
Pin-up modeling is fun and helps to pay the bills, and pole dancing is my passion. I was born and raised in New York City, so instead of seeing it as a large, daunting metropolis, I see it as my quaint, little home. Everybody does a little bit of everything in NYC. A lot of my pin-up model friends are also amazing photographers and journalists, and some of my pole dancing friends are lawyers and engineers.
How did you decide to take up pole dancing?
About two years ago, I was booked to go-go dance this show at a venue with these huge poles. I thought I would make a lot more tips if I learned just one or two things to do on those poles, so I started taking classes at Crunch gym about a month before the show. Pretty soon, I was hooked. I kept taking classes and noticed that I was getting stronger, more flexible, and more in tune with my body. Pole dancing has changed my life, it has given me mental and physical strength, introduced me to magnificent people, allowed to me express myself, and restored flexibility that was compromised from back surgery. I recently started teaching pole in order to share its benefits with others.
You are one of the Pole Riders pole dancers. How’d you land that gig? What’s it like poling down the streets of New York?
My friend PlayJoy was one of the first PoleRiders. After hearing about all of her amazing rides, I contacted Andrew Katzander, the genius behind PoleRiders, and arranged to take a spin. My first pole ride was last November; it was freezing, yet exhilarating. I love creating a spectacle in the streets of NYC, I love how everyone whips out their camera phones and asks, “What is THAT?!” when we peddle by.
What do you like to do when you’re not pole dancing?
Hip-hopping, go-go dancing, rock climbing, biking, yoga, lots and lots of stretching. I like to be moving all the time.
Favorite makeup tip:
Apply mascara with a mini-fan brush instead of a mascara wand.
Barefoot, sneakers, or platform heels?
Pole dancing in heels – I like to clap them together to make certain tricks more dynamic.
Favorite grip enhancer:
Dry-Hands.
Pole dance move that made you proudest to learn:
Right now, it’s the twisted grip handspring, but I get excited when I learn anything new.
Pole dance pet peeves:
Cattiness and cliques among dancers. Let’s support the crap out of everyone we dance with, no matter where they are in their pole journey!
Favorite treatment for bruises and sore muscles:
Figuring out what animal my bruise looks like.
Who would you most like to have in the audience when you pole dance?
Dita Von Teese!
Who is your hero or role model?
All of my friends and fellow dancers are superheros. They look damn fine in a cape, too.
I admit I’m a little crushed out on PoleRiders – it just seems like the coolest way to travel I’ve seen yet. If you want to know more about them, read these other interviews about PoleRiders.
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You know how some people are totally refreshing and totally unexpected?
That would be Cara.
How did you decide to take up pole dancing?
I fantasized about dancing for men and I found a great quality pole so I went for it! I felt a little weird and guilty for wanting to dance but it was only a fantasy, so I just put it in my bedroom.
You are one of the PoleRiders pole dancers. How did you get hooked up with them – and what’s it like poling on the back of a bike?
I eventually bought my own stage and the first place I wanted to set it up was on a mountain top, so I got a newspaper to record the experience. The PoleRiders found me through that article. I loved being on the back of that bike. I felt brave while doing it and then, after, I felt liberated!
What reactions do you get when people find out you’re a pole dancer – let alone a PoleRiders pole dancer
Moms have surprised me the most with all of their support. The men who like it are amazing and empowering. I have not chosen to hang out with anyone who seems like they have a dark or sick take on sexuality and I have been lucky to attract lots of good vibes. I have heard of some women not coming to my class because their boyfriends want more attention and that is very sad to me. When I tell people about NY their jaw drops. I also tell people about how I almost got arrested for pole dancing on the mountain and that makes them sad.
What do you like to do when you’re not pole dancing?
I love to write sex stories and take photos. I like to make pasties, props and paint paintings. I bring trash back to life with duct tape or pipe cleaners, too!
Favorite makeup tip:
You’re beautiful!
Barefoot, sneakers, or platform heels?
Barefoot.
Favorite grip enhancer:
Eh. Just my paws.
Pole dance move that made you proudest to learn:
Anything with one hand.
Pole dance pet peeves:
I have adult attention deficit … you wanna go for a jog?
Favorite treatment for bruises and sore muscles:
Prayer.
Who would you most like to have in the audience when you pole dance?
Lots of sexy dudes and some sweet ladies, too!
Who is your hero or role model?
Gandhi, Martain Luther King, Shel Silverstein, Mae West, Socrates, Ron English, Annie Oakley, Isadora Duncan, Eleanor Roosevelt, Annie Sullivan and Helen Keller, Harriet Tubman, Victoria Woodhull, Lenny Bruce, Dick Gregory, and Fanny Brice, and my mom.
What are your favorite words of encouragement?
Lao Tzu quotes are ultra inspiring for when I want to be content with myself. I listen to hip hop for inspiration! My favorite quote that I made up is – Play or Get Played!
Favorite pizza toppings:
A sunny side up egg!
Cupcakes or ice cream?
Ice cream.
Anything else you’d like to share:
I think dancing is an important tool for everybody to rely on. When life turns frustrating, spin on a pole. The more we practice having fun, the more fun we can create! Feel good! Get funky on your pole! There is always something to create! Create love by pole dancing!
Meeting Cara is like meeting no other pole dancer you’ve ever met. Don’t believe me? Just check out her alterego, Sexy Bubby. While you’re at it, you should also check out this other interview with PoleRiders.
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Looking for an old blog post? Or something on your favorite topic? Find old posts by category in the “Best of” links in the lower right sidebar. Or just type what you’re looking for in the Search, then scroll down until you find exactly what you want!
Just when I thought pole dancing had gotten as cutting edge as it could be, I discovered Andrew Katzander of PoleRiders. Pole doesn’t get any better than this.
PoleRiders is about the coolest thing ever. What got you started with it?
I was riding along the west side bike path along the river past the Hustler Club. I looked up and the Idea hit me. It was a 1+1=5 moment. I told a couple of cycling friends who are also industrial designers and we knew it had to be done. We picked the 2008 NYC Halloween Parade to launch the first PoleRider.
PoleRiders’ mission is to promote bicycle safety and “bring pole dancing to the streets where dancing belongs.” What do you do to help get the word out about your work?
We are sponsored by Bern helmets and try to make safe cycling part of our message. Just doing what we do is our own best promotion.
What response do you get when people see you bicycling and pole dancing down the streets?
Their jaws drop and they say “WTF,” then they start frantically fumbling for their cameras. Sometimes they run over waving money.
How do you find your amazing pole dancers – and how do they hang on while you pedal through traffic?
I found my first dancers on Craigs. Since then it has been word of mouth. As far as how do they hang on, I have no idea – especially when they are upside down hanging from one ankle.
Bike riding and pole dancing pet peeves:
Lewd comments and people who try to jump on are really annoying.
Who would you most like to have in the street when you ride by?
Good question. My first thought is Queen Elizabeth.
Who is your hero or role model?
I admire those whose ideas and actions have changed the world in a positive way in science, art, politics, etc.
After seeing this post, Andrew wrote me and said, “My biggest hero and influence, now that I have had time to think about it, is Buckminster Fuller.”
What are your favorite words of encouragement?
Go for it.
Favorite pizza toppings:
Sausage, mushrooms, and garlic.
Cupcakes or ice cream?
To eat or sit on?
If you’ve been lucky enough to see PoleRiders pedal by, share your story with us in the comments! And if you’re enough of a pole addict to dream of pole dancing your way across Manhattan, be sure to check out these articles, too.
