After Shannon was born, Wright started doing a few moves with her baby when she was about 1-year-old. "I didn’t start climbing up the pole with her (in a carrier), until she was one or a little closer to two years of age," she told The Huffington Post. "There are moments in which she would rather spin around with me, than to sit on the floor and do something else. And I, as her mother, am completely okay with having to adjust my pole practice to have her on me."
Wright never specifically set out to breastfeed while pole dancing, but "as a breastfeeding child, Shannon just loves to center there," she said. "[My breast] is not just her food/immunity source, it’s a place of comfort, a place of connection and a place of trust."
Advertisement
Babywearing has allowed Wright to stay active in her pole dancing while tending to her daughter's needs.
"When she wants to dance with me, I always attempt to place her on my back as it allows me to do more moves than if she is on my front or side," she said. "Yet 98 percent of the time, the reason why she is on me is because she wants to nurse and would rather not wait. And the thing is, I would rather not stop what I am doing to nurse her. If I always stopped what I wanted to do to nurse Shannon, I would never get anything done; especially if it is taking the time to achieve fitness goals and do things that pour into me, for my rejuvenation, for my balance."
Advertisement
Staying active while taking care of Shannon can be very tiring, but it's also incredibly fulfilling, Wright said.
"The experience of being able to do an act and live a life that demonstrates strength, balance, sensuality, nurturing, motherhood, power, grace, divine femininity, and then some, all at once, is freeing," she explained. "It’s my #blackgirlmagic."
Wright -- who teaches dance classes and aspires to be a mentor to other moms and artists -- said she has received a full spectrum of different reactions to her pole dancing videos. Beyond "I like" and "I don't like," she said this range of responses includes "confusion, joy, awe, laughter, discomfort, astonishment, fear, worry, jealousy, anxiety and the list goes on and on."
As she posts videos on Facebook, Wright maintains that her intention is simply to share her experiences with others. "I hope that people get a clear look, an awareness of whats inside them, of what resonates with them when they watch Shannon and me," she said. "I hope that they are able to take moments to acknowledge that and either question or embrace it."
Advertisement
"I pray that I am a reflection of joy, of love, of freedom and all that is good in our world and in them," she continued. "I pray that mothers meet me and see the beauty and strength of them, of us as awesome women. And I hope that no mother continues in life, not feeling supported, loved, adored, and great."
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.