Pole dancing helped a pensioner cope with osteoporosis (10 photos + 2 videos)
75-year-old widow Starr Stauffer Wise from Colorado Springs, USA, took up pole dancing during the pandemic. She admits that she has fulfilled her dream and is now happy. 
Starr says living with two cats during the COVID-19 pandemic has been very lonely. However, in February 2021, as restrictions began to ease, she saw a newspaper article that changed her life.
"The article was about a local pole dancer, Diane Martin, who was also a pastor. She started dancing when she was almost 50, and now, at 64, Diane is my teacher. She opened the Pole Revolution studio," says the American. 
That publication made the woman remember her old dream - pole dancing.
Starr was widowed 18 years ago and suffered from health problems, including rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis. She also has two plates and nine screws in her left shin from a fall 16 years ago. 
“I decided to find out if there were age restrictions and wrote to Pole Revolution. They told me that there was no. Without wasting any time, I immediately signed up for a trial lesson. I had no idea whether I could do it at my age and with my health, but I got involved already in the first lesson."
Starr began pole dancing three times a week, which not only transformed her physically, but also mentally. The woman overcame alcohol addiction in her youth and has been leading a sober life for 36 years.
Starr installed the pylon in her home.
"Working out really helps me deal with my anxiety," she said. "I get a lot of support from our community and I enjoy learning new tricks. When you work out, your mind needs to be completely focused on what you're doing. You need to focus on what's happening, Otherwise, you might lose your grip and fall to the floor."
The pensioner's favorite elements are the bridge, the coup and the breakdown.
"My joints and flexibility are not what they used to be. However, I am proud of my ability to move gracefully in stiletto heels. My classmates quipped, 'She's hanging upside down from a pole and I can barely get out of my chair.'
As for physical health, Starr has gained muscles that she didn’t have even in her youth. And illnesses are less of a concern.
Of course, she faced a prejudiced attitude towards such dances.
"Some relatives have completely refused to communicate with me. But my two granddaughters are very supportive. The one who lives in California came to both of my performances in Los Angeles. She has two daughters, my great-granddaughters, and they love what makes them grandmother".
“Sometimes I get comments on my social media about the outfits I wear to dance,” says Starr, who has 29,000 followers. “I always reply, ‘Your grip is your skin.'” Plus, it’s totally okay to show yours. legs, ankles, toes, thighs, knees and even a little butt. I delete nasty comments and block their authors. I'm not going to worry about ignorant people or let them bother me."
“My advice to anyone who is hesitant to try something new, especially as an adult, is to do it.”
“I never thought I’d be performing at a club in Hollywood or Beverly Hills, and I certainly didn’t think I’d go to Los Angeles and perform at the Comedy Pole Show and get a standing ovation. I met celebrities and wonderful people and met new friends. I am known all over the world. This is a dream!"
