Pole Dancing is Spreading Across the Burbs, and elsewhere. It's true, says The NY Times. Dancing as in what the ladies of exotica do so acrobatically and lyrically around metal poles centered on their strobe-lit smoke-filled stages. Only now, in the burbs, women are getting together at friends' homes or catered parties and "doing it" (usually not entirely naked) for fun and for each other.

Many of the women say it's great exercise. It's also apparently a great way for stay-at-home moms and many other women to reconnect -- or connect for the first time -- to their hidden sexuality.

Pole dancing instructors -- yes trained experts; we'd like to watch the training sessions! -- are now appearing at more and more gyms throughout the country. And, pole dance sales reps are selling in the concept and equipment at Tupperware-like parties across suburban living rooms.

As far as we know, lap dancing has not been embraced with such widespread enthusiasm. Yet. But there's always the possibility. Meanwhile, we'll look forward to the pole being added to our local gym. Given the pace at which they add even the most basic fitness equipment (we're still waiting for a rowing machine that works without screeching like an EMS truck), we're not holding our breaths.