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the vol is so so small, need to turn up so much to almost can listen to what they are saying

Take it easy all. Life is way more than forum.    But in here, it is each and every individual that makes this even an enjoyable place to be in.   Embrace the differences, mutual respect, agree to disagree.    Drop the attack on each other.

Zheng until fall out      

Broken from Bali  

They think that dancers need to be sleek and tall to look graceful and nice.    Plus-sized preschool teacher Jaslyn Tan faced cruel comments online – but her pole dancing has also inspired other women to give it a try.   https://cna.asia/3Svymzl   Full Story: Pole Dancing in Singapore — Beyond Stereotypes   Overview   Pole dancing emerged in Singapore in the early 2000s as a novelty fitness trend that many thought would fade away. More than 20 years later, it has grown into a diverse, enduring community bringing together people of all ages, body types, genders, and backgrounds. Far more than just performance or sex appeal, practitioners say it builds strength, confidence, friendship, and body acceptance — even as old stereotypes persist.       Jaslyn Tan — Challenging Body Ideals   - Who she is: 32-year-old plus-sized preschool teacher, part-time studio manager at Fable Dance Co. - Started: 2019, invited by colleagues; had no dance or gymnastics background. Initially associated pole dancing only with stripping and sexy performance. - Milestone: Managed to hold a fireman spin in her very first class — enough to keep her coming back. Seven years later, she also does aerial hammock and aerial hoop. - Online presence: Shares her journey with over 40,000 followers. Has received cruel comments: told to "lose weight first"; jokes that the pole is bending or the floor is breaking; mockery about "creating an earthquake." - The core bias she faces: "They think that dancers need to be sleek and tall to look graceful and nice." - Positive impact: Many plus-sized women have messaged her to say seeing her dance gave them the courage to try. After seeing larger-bodied pole dancers abroad on TikTok, she realised such bodies are far from unusual in this space — even if less visible locally.       Kellie Koh — Age and Health Are No Barrier   - Who she is: 54-year-old instructor at MAD Dance Studio (CBD). - Started: 2019, aged 47. Had been a runner but had little strength-training experience, and had lived a sedentary lifestyle. - Health context: Diagnosed with cerebral vasculitis (inflammation of brain/spinal cord blood vessels) and entered menopause around the same time — sought an activity to stay active and support her health. - Early struggle: First class felt intimidating; everyone seemed younger and more capable. Pushed through anyway. - Progress: Grew stronger, gained muscle definition. Now a skilled instructor. - Achievement: "Today, at 54, I can do a split while inverted and holding onto the top bar of an aerial hoop. My younger self would have never thought I'd be able to do this. I'm damn proud of myself." - Message: Pole dancing is not only for the young. Her oldest student is 82. "You don't need to be young, strong, flexible or have dance experience. You just need to be willing to try something new."       Louis Sue — Breaking Gender Expectations   - Who he is: 33-year-old, Singapore's only male pole-dance studio owner. Has danced over 10 years; opened his studio in 2019. - Drawn in by: Gravity-defying tricks he saw online. One of only two men in his first class — but found the community welcoming. - Support: Family and friends were supportive from the start; his father even bought him a S$500 home pole. He acknowledges he is among the lucky ones — many others keep their dancing secret from loved ones. - Challenge: Overcame his own shyness and body self-consciousness, including discomfort showing skin (needed for pole grip). An outdoor performance slip — caused by his tank top preventing proper grip — finally convinced him to go topless when needed. - Scene growth: When he started, there were ~3 studios; now there are far more. Public understanding has shifted from "Huh? Got such thing?" to greater recognition of pole as athletic, technical, and open to all — including men.       Shahrazad Logan — Finding Belonging   - Who she is: 26-year-old plus-sized senior animator; 4 years dancing. - Drawn in by: Fascination with circus performance. Found trapeze too high, so pole felt like a perfect middle ground. Hesitated initially after seeing online remarks that larger bodies are "the wrong shape" or that dancers are "just seeking attention." - Experience: Found an immediately welcoming community — people help one another, prioritise safety, and support beginners. "I've never felt like I wasn't accepted." - Now: Regularly introduces friends, colleagues, and even family — including her mother on Mother's Day — to pole. "There's the initial draw of how unique it is, and then the community is what makes you stay."       Persistent Stigma   Even with growing acceptance, stereotypes remain:   - "It's just stripping" — the most persistent misconception. While stripping culture influenced pole's origins, today it is a mainstream fitness activity like yoga or weight training. - Hiding the activity: Some dancers keep it secret from family and older relatives. One dancer (Ms Hani, special-education teacher in her 30s) has not told her family; friends imagine she is "just dancing around in my underwear" — not realising minimal clothing is needed for pole grip. She also faces the stereotype that teachers should be "prim and proper" rather than expressive. - Age limits: The idea that pole is only for the young — when in reality, willingness to try matters far more than age or starting fitness level.       Why It Endures   - Recognised status: Pole dancing was recognised as a sport in 2017 by the Global Association of International Sports Federations (now defunct), and the International Pole Sports Federation campaigns for Olympic inclusion. - Psychological appeal: Dr Janice Tan (SUSS) explains that pole offers challenge, measurable progress, self-expression, and community — reasons people stay long after their initial curiosity. People may come for fitness or curiosity, but stay for the friendships and confidence. - More than exercise: It is athletic, artistic, and personal — a space to explore a different side of oneself, regardless of size, age, gender, or background.       Full article: "Excuse me, are you a pole dancer? Singaporeans defy stereotypes about who can take part" by Tang Jia Wen, CNA, 28 Aug 2026 — https://cna.asia/3Svymzl