This story was published in Volume 1, Issue 2
By: Kara Liguori
Carolyn Laws enters a commercial complex off Walnut Street that holds The Attic, a beloved bar among college students. However, this 34-year-old isn’t walking up the stairs to get a drink with some college kids. Instead, she opens the other door, stepping into Catwoman Pole Academy.
Laws found pole dancing as an outlet about two years ago, after going through a rough breakup. She wanted to rebuild her confidence through movement, and pole dancing provided exactly that.
“It’s such a good challenge,” Laws said. “There’s something that humbles me when I come in here, and there’s something that makes me feel accomplished once I nail it.”
Laws, among many people in Boulder, strives to stay active, as fitness is a large part of the city’s culture. Taking two to three classes a week, Catwoman Pole Academy has become a key role in her workout routine as the sport continues to grow in popularity.
Catwoman is one of 16 studios across Colorado that teach pole classes. Being the only pole studio in Boulder, it offers those in the area more than a form of physical training. For many, it fuels self-expression and builds confidence.
Outside of the United States, pole sport was initially dominated by men as a form of training to build strength, agility and coordination. Appreciation for pole dancing in the U.S. began in the 1950’s as it was closely tied to strip clubs and exotic dance — dominated by sex workers.
“We owe it to sex workers,” said Lucky, a 63-year-old male instructor at Catwoman. “It’s turned into a sport, but this comes from sex workers.”
In the 2000s, the term ‘pole fitness’ became popular and started the transition for pole dance to be recognized as a sport rather than a sensual act. Competitions began to surface and were pitched to be an Olympic sport in 2012. As pole dance continues to be recognized as a sport, studios continue to open as a form of alternative fitness.
Founding of Catwoman Pole Academy
Founder of the academy, Vialeta “Vita” Kudrevich has a rich history in athletics including dance, horse sports, swimming and karate from a young age.
When she reached the age 17, she attended university in Minsk, Belarus, where she found her passion for powerlifting. Kudrevich became extremely successful, starting with university competitions and eventually becoming a powerlifting world champion.
Kudrevich pursued powerlifting for many years, but eventually, as many athletes do, fell out of love with her sport.
“It was kind of boring for me,” Kudrevich said. “I realized that I was burnt out.”
Because of her long history in athletics and regimented lifestyle, she never planned to give up on fitness; she just needed a new outlet.
Kudrevich pursued fitness training for a while until she recalled a pole class she took in the past. At the time, it did not stick with her because of her commitment to powerlifting and busy schedule.
Once her powerlifting career ended, she decided to give it a second chance. This is when Kudrevich found her new passion.
“It’s the same, just a different type of activity,” Kudrevich said. “Instead of lifting a barbell, you can lift yourself onto a pole.”
Kudrevich always had a vision of opening her own gym to focus on strength training. She found similarities in weightlifting and pole dancing that inspired her to open the academy.
More than just physical
Kudrevich said her approach as an instructor extends past just physical technique. In addition to her background in fitness training, she’s a certified life coach.
Kudrevich encourages her students to see pole dancing as a way to build not just skill, but also confidence. She values working with students who are motivated to learn and grow through the practice of pole dancing.
“My favorite group of people is people who want to learn,” Kudrevich said.
Catwoman Pole Academy describes its classes as a way to grow stronger both physically and mentally, while emphasizing self-expression.
Jessica, who refrained from sharing her last name for privacy reasons, is a 41-year-old student at the academy. She discovered pole dancing about a year ago.
In December 2024, Jessica opened up about her experience with sexual assault when she was 14. She said she searched for ways to move her body and reconnect with her sexuality, as she had repressed it for years. Jessica joined the academy and said she has been hooked ever since her first class.
“It is like therapy,” Jessica said.
Jessica is now a loyal student of Lucky’s, who is known by his stage name. Lucky is one of the studio’s most popular instructors.
He said that he watches his students transition from being discouraged and uncomfortable on the pole to flipping upside down and doing aisha handsprings. He sees the confidence built in his students every class.
“Seeing their accomplishments and how proud they are, it fills my soul,” Lucky said.
Every class, Lucky welcomes all of his students with a hug and smile as they walk through the door. Lucky said what brings him back as an instructor is his students’ success and the community they build.
“Just look at the beautiful souls that come in here,” Lucky said. “It’s a gift.”
