Editor’s note: This is part one in a three-part series on two new ladies-only pole-dancing studios opening this month in Manassas

The erotic world of exotic dancing has been plucked out of the nightclub scene and plopped down square in the middle of suburban Manassas.

While the idea of pole dancing seems foreign and even forbidden to many women,  Aradia Fitness of Manassas has something for every girl, said franchise owner Melissa Rose (yes, that’s her real last name.)

 “Every student focuses on something different,” she said. “Some want a more sensual movement and some want something more athletic based. We have classes for everyone.”

 Aradia officially opens Friday in its location above Gold’s Gym on Liberia Avenue.  All classes are free for one week beginning on opening day, Rose said.

There are several dance classes appropriate for women new to the art of pole dancing. For example, there are teaser dance classes which are all intros to basic movements, she said.

 The classes can still be a little intimidating because of the pole or preconceived notions about pole dancing, but attendees can expect to have fun and learn a spin or two, Rose said.

Ballet Buns, which was originally called Ballet Booty, is Aradia’s version of a ballet barre class because a horiztonal pole is used, she said.

 Dance students may use a chair if they find their hamstrings are too tight for the barre, Rose said. 

The class is great for all over toning, Rose said.

There is also an array of “off-pole” classes, she added.

 Rose says she has a staff of five instructors that will teach many classes throughout the week such as masters-level classes as well as and a series of 10 progressional classes that are sold as a package. 

There are plenty of drop-in classes for people who can’t commit to working the pole regularly.

 Get a full list of classes and prices on the Aradia website.

 Rose said she decided to try pole dancing about six years ago, not long after the birth of her second child.  She was feeling frumpy and felt like she was doing everything for everyone else and had allowed herself to fall by the wayside, she said.

“As soon as I did my first spin, the gymnast in me came out,” Rose said. “I can’t even tell you how much I love pole dancing-it sounds a little cheesy, but it is life changing. I think every woman should have a pole dancing class.”

 Pole dancing allowed her to change the way she felt about herself, Rose said. She ended up dropping 25 pounds—not really because of the workout itself, but because it changed her mindset, she said. As a result, she began making better choices.

She worked with another pole dancing company before Aradia, but decided to open an Aradia franchise because it was established, tried and true, Rose said.

 The company started in Canada in 2004 and has made its way down into the U.S. over the last nine years.

Would you try pole dancing? Let us know what you think in the comments.