A DINGLE woman has taken her passion for pole-dancing to a whole new level by launching a new business in New Zealand where she has lived January 2008.Matilda Cotter (32) the former manager of Dingle Childcare Center Áiseanna na hóige, recently launched Poleclass Ltd, a business which specialises in teaching pole dancing, in Wellington, New Zealand and the response so far has been extremely positive.

The former Coláiste Íde student and daughter of Brian and Toosie Cotter, Dingle, spoke to The Kerryman this week about the new business venture and the misconceptions many people have about pole-dancing in general.”Pole-dancing may have started in strip clubs, it is an important part of the history of the sport, but it is now considered as a mainstream form of fitness,” she explained. “With similarities to gymnastics it is a body and mind workout.”

According to Matilda, the fitness benefits of pole dancing are numerous. “Pole dancing requires strength, flexibility and grace of movement which is gained through the classes, practice and conditioning the body to the pole.