6 Pole Dancing Accounts On Instagram We Stan
The art of pole dancing has to be the most underrated form of artistry. Pole dancers seamlessly culminate contradicting concepts like femininity and muscular strength with such grace. The added element of body positivity promotes wellness and healing so it's time we give these artists their flowers now.
With a myriad of mental and physical benefits, pole dancing serves as a conduit to finding your sexuality, individuality and strength. As a Black woman, I am mystified by the beauty of Black women and their bodies. To use your vessel to give birth, protect the culture and effortlessly contort your entire being is just...magic.
Black Twitter has gone up about the superpowers we were supposed to get on December 21st but the truth is we have always had superpowers and these accounts are the proof. To give you some inspiration, we have rounded up some pole dancing accounts that need a follow ASAP.
Zippora, @zipporaflexpolefit
The Baltimore native is a technical designer by trade but learned the power of the pivot when she attended her first pole class in 2010. There was something about how the woman delicately moved around the pole and around the floor that made Zippora re-evaluate her career path. Now, she's having full circle moments daily as she serves as major body and strength inspo for other women. This goddess has been a body double on shows like P-Valley and The Quad so you best believe she deserves a follow.
Simone, @smariasylvester
We stan mother, educator, and pole enthusiast, Simone, because she deserves it. She uses the pole as therapy. On an Instagram post, she shared, "My identity evolves. I give myself permission to explore. My purpose becomes revealed to me through this exploration." We are enamored by the way she balances the duality of being a mom while not losing herself in being deliberate about her other loves.
Sammy Picone, @sammypicone
You might know Sammy as Flame Bae. But what you really need to know is that Sammy's love affair with pole dancing came shortly after being diagnosed with cancer. Little did she know, her affinity for inverts would thrust her into her purpose. Sammy had dreams of going to medical school, but like many of us, she let self-doubt take control. Now, her resume includes accomplishments like "featured in Vogue Italia" and "toured with Summer Walker". Up next, she'll be your favorite acupuncturist slash pole dancer when she opens up her studio and practice soon.
AnnaKia, @itsbaelienbish
The day I saw AnnaKia gliding around the pole to Giveon's "Still Your Best" in cheetah print pants and killer heels, I hit the follow button like my life depended on it. The seductress is no stranger to large audiences and bright lights because she's been featured on stages with celebrities from Summer Walker to Young Dolph. It's really the way she owns every space she walks into for us.
Ney, @neyon_tree
Neyon inspires all of us to be comfortable in our own skin by simply slowing down and being present. Her ballet and contemporary dance background make for the most beautiful show when defying gravity. Ney quit her nine-to-five after wanting more — wanting to find a way to move that felt good to her and good for her body. Because the universe was conspiring per usual, she landed an opportunity of a lifetime when she got the call to be in Solange's "Almed" video. Visiting her account brings us joy because she is all the things: dancer, black femme, artist, and sex worker.
Ro'Yale, @daqueenofcurves
With over 60 million views on multiple social media platforms, Ro'Yale is the plus size pole fit instructor we all need. Da Queen of Curves became the first curvy instructor at the world-renowned Vertical Joe's when the studio became intentional about representation of all body types. From that moment, "Vertically Voluptuous" became the class for plus size women who used the studio as a playground. In an interview with Curvicality, Ro'Yale said:
"Feeling sexy as a plus-size woman is not to compare yourself to anyone else … and also not to give a damn what anyone else thinks. You got that! You've got to love yourself, no matter what size you are."
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Featured Image @neyon_tree
Joce Blake is a womanist who loves fashion, Beyonce and Hot Cheetos. The sophistiratchet enthusiast is based in Brooklyn, NY but has southern belle roots as she was born and raised in Memphis, TN. Keep up with her on Instagram @joce_blake and on Twitter @SaraJessicaBee.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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I think we all can agree that social media really is a double-edged sword. What I mean by that is there is just as much bad that can come out of it as good. At the end of the day, it really is about 1) having your own mind, 2) finding balance when it comes to how much time you spend online, and 3) doing your own research instead of taking random people’s opinions as the gospel (i.e., facts).
Gee, I wish more folks did all of this when it comes to if a man needs to have a large penis to sexually satisfy a woman (he does not) and if a woman who has had multiple sex partners will ultimately end up with a vagina that is too large for smaller penises to please her (a lie).
Science totally has my back on debunking both of those things (more on that in a bit). Know what else does? A particular type of sex method that is becoming more popular by the day. One that just might convince you to, as they used to say back in the day, focus less on the “size of the wave” and ride out the “motion of the ocean” instead.
It’s called shallowing. Here’s what it’s all about.
What Is Shallowing?
GiphyIf there’s one thing that I wish folks would say more thoroughly when it comes to women and orgasms, it’s that when it comes to75 percent of women not being able to orgasm from only intercourse, the accurate statement is they struggle with achieving a vaginal orgasm without the assistance of some type of clitoral stimulation. Yeah, we’ve really got to remember that very few things in this life are a complete monolith — orgasms included (check out “U-Spot Orgasm, Fantasy Orgasm & 6 Other Orgasms You Should Try Tonight”).
In fact, it was while I was reading up on pairing — a word that is used for when clitoral stimulation transpires during penetration — that I decided to do some deep-diving into shallowing (because it was mentioned inone of the articles that I read).And what is it? Shallowing is when a penis, finger, tongue, or sex toy of some sort is used in order to ever so slightly penetrate the vaginal opening of a woman.
And why is shallowing not just a current sex trend but something that every woman on this planet should try? It’s because of what I’ve said, more than once, on this platform: it focuses on the most sensitive part of a woman’s vagina, which isthe first two inches of her vaginal opening.
When the emphasis is placed there, not only does it increase your chances of experiencing “the big O,” but it can also build up anticipation, which can intensify your orgasms too — yes, shallowing can also be seen as a form of edging.
Another thing that’s cool about shallowing is — and it really and truly can’t be said enough — something that makes vaginal and blended orgasms easier to achieve for some women really has little to do with the size of a man’s package or even his technique; it’s straight up anatomy. Yep, the closer that a woman’s clitoris is to her vaginal opening, the easier it is for a penis to stimulate both. So, science makes it possible for vaginal orgasms to be easier for some women than others.
At the same time, shallowing can make it possible for more women who want to see what a vaginal orgasm actually feels like (because it’s easier for the head of the penis to stimulate the opening of the vagina while the shaft can rub up against your clitoris; based on the position that you are in, of course — the missionary with some pillows propped under the lower part of your back is ideal for this).
Now that you see what shallowing actually is, do you get why I said that penis size doesn’t matter when it comes to doing it — and getting the kind of orgasms that you want? Contrary to popular belief, your vagina is only around four inches. In fact, some health experts say that it ranges between 2-4”. Anything larger, your body literally has to stretch out to accommodate; this includes penises and babies. So, if your vagina is “making room” for more than four inches, why in the world do you think you need a 10-inch man? Yeah…exactly. It really is time to get over the silliness. The average penis continues to be 5.5”. Makes sense when you take it all in (no pun intended).
Aight, so now that you know what shallowing is all about, let me try and hard sell you on why it’s a sex technique that you should try as soon as tonight (if you possibly can).
1. It takes the pressure off of you and your partner.
I’ve been working with couples for almost 20 years at this point. This means that the topic of sex comes up quite a bit. And if there’s one thing that continues to be an issue is inconsistent orgasms (check out “Why Do Orgasms So Often Seem Like A ‘Hit-Or-Miss’ Experience For Women?”).
Listen, no matter how many articles you read or sex positions you try, if you’re anxious, stressed out, or overthinking, it’s gonna get in the way of you experiencing high peaks of pleasure on a consistent basis. Since shallowing is something that can easily be done even in foreplay (via fingering and/ororal sex) if you get that first “release” off, that makes it easier to just sit back and enjoy the ones that (hopefully) are to follow.
2. It teaches you more about your vagina.
A part of the reason why I keep repeating certain facts about vaginas in these articles is that it’s amazing how little certain things are discussed en masse — like the size of the vaginal tube. And since shallowing helps you to stimulate the nerve endings at the entrance of your va-jay-jay along with your G-spot (which is housed a little ways from your opening), shallowing is a great way to explore that area of your body as you figure out what truly works for you and…what doesn’t.
3. It’s the perfect merging of foreplay and intercourse.
When you really stop to think about it, shallowing is like the bridge between foreplay and intercourse because you can use so many different things to do it. So, if you want to experiment with a new sex toy or you want a bit more time to “warm up the engine” before full-on penetration begins, shallowing is one of the most sexually arousing compromises there is.
4. It can help to increase your partner’s stamina.
A few years back, I penned an article for the site entitled, “We’ve Got Some All-Natural Ways To Increase Stamina & Sensitivity.” Listen, even though I onceread a GQ article that said that over 60 percent of the people they polled were fine with intercourse lasting no longer than 5-10 minutes — that poll doesn’t speak for all of us, chile.
So, if you would like your man to build up to going longer, shallowing can help to make that happen. Since he’s barely putting beyond the tip in, he can learn how to be in you for longer periods of time without being, well, in you.
5. It helps you to appreciate whatever “package” he has.
Again — and it really can’t be said enough — if shallowing is all about exploring the mere entrance of your vagina, you don’t need a man with BDE (check out “BDE: Please Let The 'It Needs To Be Huge' Myth Go”) or honestly, even anything close to it.
I mean, even though, reportedly, the size that the average woman says gives her the most orgasms is eight inches — I bet those women have never really tried shallowing before. 10”, 8”, or the average 5.5” can certainly get the job done. And well.
6. It feels A-MAZ-ING.
Okay,so now that you know about shallowing, I promise that if you put the word into your favorite search engine, you’re either gonna see articles on golfing (LOL) or sex, especially as of late. That’s because more couples are trying it out and getting mind-blowing results from it. So, if you’re looking for something new to try, give shallowing a shot.
Hey, anything that’s designed to stimulate your most intense vaginal nerve endings has got to be something for the record books. I mean, how could it not be? Lawd.
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Featured image by Juan Moyano/Getty Images