Belly dance: Sharlaine Sequeira, founder of ShimmyLaine, during a belly dance performance
Her academy, launched in 2025 with four students, now has more than 50 learners across different locations.
But pole involves many different techniques and offers a completely different experience,” she said. Susan said some people associate it with revealing clothing rather than fitness and athletic training. But it is an art form, with technique, discipline and cultural depth, much like other dance forms,” Sharlaine said. She said belly dance also offers fitness and wellness benefits, with several movements traditionally associated with strengthening the core and pelvic region.
For Susan Misquith, a certified aerial artist and probably the first to introduce pole fitness in Mangaluru, curiosity led to a new discipline. After training in aerial arts, she began watching pole performances online. “Pole is a combination of dance and callisthenics. I initially thought aerial and pole would be similar, as both require flexibility and strength. Breaking barriers through dance is not new to her. Pole fitness: Susan Misquith, a certified aerial artist, during a pole fitness session “People have many myths about belly dance and associate it with seduction or something provocative.
