When I first wandered into the room, the lights were dimmed down, slow-paced music was playing somewhere in the background, a cloud of soft, red light uncovered a pole in the corner of the room and I was greeted immediately by three women already inside.

This setting welcomed me into the studio for Divine Movement, fitness for women. The class incorporates traditional stripper moves and pole tricks to create a fluid form of movement and overall workout.

Classes such as these have gained popularity in places such as London, Australia, and Los Angeles. However, before thoughts of Carmen Electra’s Aerobic Striptease workout videos come to mind, let me deter you.

“The class is designed to strengthen and tone the body, but what makes it truly unique is that it also gives women the creative outlet they crave to express themselves,” stated Angi Carlston, the owner and instructor of the studio. “Divine Movement is fitness from the inside out.”

Workouts using poles as a common part of the routine come from three schools of thought — one based of finding sensuality, another as primarily a physical fitness tool and the last as a novelty, explained Carlston.

It’s obvious from the studio’s lack of mirrors and public windows which school Divine Movement comes from.

“It got me in touch with my sensual side,” said Jill Lane, a regular student of the class. “And it’s a good workout.”

The class is taken progressively as a session, lasting one hour and 45 minutes per class for seven weeks. Students will learn at least one new pole trick a week, as well as routines and a lap dance.

“Most moves are stripper moves mixed with [elements of] pilates, dance and yoga,” states Carlston.

Prior to Divine Movement, Carlston graduated from Cornish College of the Arts with a major in dance, worked at the Pacific Northwest Ballet and as a pilates instructor before training at S Factor in L.A. to teach classes here in Seattle.

“Divine Movement comes from the same school of thought, but is not S Factor teaching,” said Carlston. “I was looking to incorporate more pole work and technical correctness.”

I admit to being a bit intimidated when taking the class. Sensual isn’t a word most would use to describe me, and the women there seemed so confident when I arrived.

“It took me half of my last session before I relaxed,” said one student starting her second seven week session with Carlston. “Now I crave classes.”

According to Carlston, Divine Movement caters to every woman, regardless of shape, size or dance experience. Along with creating “a woman’s space,” it allows students to move at their own pace.

“I would recommend it to any woman,” Fisher said.

Carlston does have the preference of only teaching girls over 18 years of age, due to the class’ implication of sensuality and the responsibility that comes with it.

Within the next year, Carlston does have plans to expand the business.

“I plan on having three to five poles [instead of one], and training teachers.”

When classes get bigger, she also wants to open up an extra session a week, letting her students work just with the poles.

“[With Divine Movement] women experience a pride of ownership about their bodies that they have never felt before,” Carlston said. “This pride is no longer based on what their body looks like, but what it can do. That is why women keep coming back.”

For more information on Divine Movement, call Angi Carlston at (206) 384-1440. The next seven-week session is planned to start March 29. Evening classes are available Thursday through Sunday, with morning classes offered Saturdays and Sundays.g