Being a cardinal spinner

'Bring short shorts, high heels and a sexy dress,' the course director told me over the phone. As I rummaged through my wardrobe, bravely discarding the baggy gym shorts in favour of the lycra hot pants (that hadn't seen the light of day since Spain 1998), I wondered if it was wise to be seen again in public sporting such unforgiving clothing after such a long time.

The following day, I was to join the first class of a three-week diploma course at the For Your Eyes Only Pole And Table Dancing School - a professionally run school offering classes to those looking to either build confidence, change career, tone up, spice up their private lives or just satisfy a curiosity.

Pole to pole

Arriving at the secluded Mayfair venue, and half expecting to find a bar full of super-toned leggy models, I was pleasantly surprised to find a whole range of friendly faces of varying shapes, sizes and ages buzzing off a collective air of giggly excitement and fear of the unknown.

After a nerve-banishing glass of wine, we changed and were taken upstairs to the clean, welldesigned club that has become the FYEO training ground by day and operates as a professional club by night.

With two distinct sections to the two-and-a-half-hour session, we began learning the etiquette of table dancing - maintaining eye contact, deportment, posture, and some simple but tantalising moves (and all while trying to stay upright in dangerously high heels).

After a break and another glass of wine, the atmosphere had warmed up considerably and it was time to move on to the actual pole-dancing element of the class, requiring skill, strength and absolutely no inhibitions. It was here that I realised why I needed those lycra shorts under my dress.

After being taught the basic combinations, we took it in turns to try them out in front of encouraging classmates. Once comfortable, we were able to incorporate our own style. Assistance and constructive comments were given by Jemma, our 'pole guru' who followed with a demonstration of jaw-dropping tricks normally taught in later classes.

After a full two hours of bumping and grinding, my thighs and arms were begging for forgiveness (a feeling akin to an intense strength workout down the gym) and with my new-found skills and confidence, I was harbouring thoughts of moonlighting as a professional and using the extra cash to buy a new range of lycra items.

Approachable, well-trained instructors with a great sense of humour and down-to-earth quality, combined with a friendly 'up for it' group, all added to a fun experience and one worth repeating: advanced lessons are also available, along with one-off crash courses.

Eager to try out my new skills I was encouraged to learn that you can even purchase poles through the FYEO website for use in your own home. All I need to do now is persuade my landlord and flatmate to let me erect one in the living room.