Naracoorte dancer teacher Stacey Windsor opening Wildflowers, town’s first pole dancing studio

It’s a full-body workout empowering women that can be slinky, sexy or just “downright ridiculous” – now a new dance studio is opening to build a community.

The daughter of one of the South-East’s best-known dance teachers is following in her mother’s footsteps – only, she’s wearing eight-inch heels.

Stacey Windsor started dancing aged three at her mother Debbie Davis’ dance studio in Naracoorte.

Now the 38-year-old is about to open Naracoorte’s first – and only – pole dancing studio.

She will share the space with her mother, who is setting up a studio for the Debbie Davis School of Dance.

“I can’t wait to somewhat follow in my mum’s footsteps of keeping dance and art accessible to the regional community, albeit in eight-inch heels,” Ms Windsor said.

Lifelong dancer Stacey Windsor cannot wait to open her new pole dance studio Wildflowers Pole Studio in her home town of Naracoorte. Picture: Jessica Dempster

“The best thing about starting at a new studio in a brand new location is that 90 per cent of students will be in the same boat with having little-to-no experience in pole dancing.

“It is a complete body workout, combining strengthening, flexibility and muscle toning exercises. The dance aspects lets women express themselves and leave their worries at the door for a little while.”

Stacey said she never felt ‘sexy or strong’ before finding pole, but since then she’s gone on to do some “pretty incredible things” and is eager to share her love for pole dancing with her hometown community. Picture: Jessica Dempster

Ms Windsor’s new studio Wildflowers Pole Studio, is set to open in two weeks in the main street.

She will run four classes: Pole Fit – a fitness focused class; Pole Slay – a sexy heels based class; Pole Soul – a barefoot lyrical class, and Complete Pole Course – focusing on strengthening, tricks, dancing techniques and a routine.

Ms Windsor said she loved watching dancers’ self-confidence grow from lesson to lesson and how it gave people access to a community of supportive women.

“Seeing women of all shapes, ages and fitness backgrounds cheer each other on is pretty punk, especially when most of the time women are told to be ashamed of expressing sensuality,” Ms Windsor said.

“The idea that the pole is for ‘bad girls’ is incorrect, it’s for bad asses.

“That being said, pole dancing doesn’t have to be sexy, that’s one of the most fabulous things about it, it remains amazing whether it’s used for fitness, tricks, being slinky or sexy, or even downright ridiculous and entertaining.”

Pole dance instructor Stacey Windsor inside her studio Wildflowers Pole Studio, in her home town of Naracoorte. Picture: Jessica Dempster

Naracoorte will get its first pole dance studio when Stacey Windsor opens it in about two weeks. Picture: Jessica Dempster

Ms Windsor first began pole dancing living in Sydney and was unable to find a dance class for adults that wasn’t purely for fitness or designed for professionals.

“I have always been fascinated by showgirls so I slipped on my shortest shorts and got into it,” she said.

“I fell madly in love with it as it filled so many cups – it was a serious workout and it filled my need to dance and express myself.”

She then taught pole dancing in Melbourne for seven years, returning home with her husband after becoming pregnant for the second time.

“I love pole and am so passionate about sharing it with women but the idea of being a small-business owner was a bit daunting,” Ms Windsor said.

“But ultimately it was the one thing I was missing from the city – it’s my physical, mental and emotional outlet.”

She said it took a while to find a property that was financially sustainable and had the right structure to house a dance studio, but eventually the venue found her.

Lifelong dancer and pole dance instructor, Stacey Windsor, cannot wait to open her brand new pole dance studio, Wildflowers Pole Studio, in her home town of Naracoorte. Picture: Jessica Dempster

She hopes people in the community “who have even the tiniest bit of curiosity about the pole” wouldn’t let anything hold them back from giving it a try.

“As someone who never felt ‘sexy or strong’ before I found pole, I’ve done some pretty incredible things and made lifelong friends in this incredible industry,” she said.

“It has changed my life and I’ve seen it time and time again ignite power and grace in women.”

More information about the studio and its classes can be found on its Facebook page.