A fine line. #yesastripper

8 years ago I got my first teaching job Tantra Fitness, I was 2 years into my burlesque career and so nervous to start translating what I did naturally / self-taught into a curriculum for others to start learning from. I never had any burlesque training, in those days, like the days before me, it was extremely DIY, Youtube didn’t even exist yet. (I know, 10 years is not that long ago, but in the digital age, it is!). All I had was experience and stage chops, rehearsals and peer reviews, what I had seen others do on stage and what I had read in books or what people had told me. Ultimately, I / we made it up. These days you can take burlesque classes from instructors who have never done burlesque but might know concepts of it. They might have seen a show or know because they have sexy dance moves that it can be called “Burlesque”, but ultimately it’s borrowed from those that do it authentically, artistically and as a career. The ones that live the art of the tease and the strip. Parallel to our Exotic Dance sisters, it is a new medium to teach and therefore there is not many standards or pre-set curriculums. I’ve often had woman say they have taken a burlesque class, but it’s not “what I do on stage”, meaning it is a sexy dance class, perhaps referencing our industry or perhaps not. I think the more sass the merrier, but know your roots!

For the most part, taking a burlesque class is not met with animosity from outside people like Pole Dance and Stripping is. For some reason, a ticketed show and a tiny g-string allows most people to fly under the radar when it comes to being a fancy naked lady, or a person who is taking lessons from said fancy naked lady. Not like the stigma of working in a strip club and teaching women how to get down on a pole. For some reason people can still come in and take a pole lesson and distance themselves from Strippers and think its ok. But they can come in and take a burlesque lesson and feel empowered, embody the “movement” and have that be ok. Nope. Why the need for the whorephobia? Why do we still have a whorearchy? Us practitioners, myself both as a burlesque performer and exotic dancer, want all woman to feel liberated in their body and it’s expression. Our sexuality and our narrative belongs to us, as individuals and we are entitled to feel as much or as little as we see fit. A woman’s sexuality and it’s expression belongs to her and her alone.

But please, do not for one moment borrow from those that have laid the ground work for you to have access to it, and trample down on them. This is about unity, solidarity and growth. Not an elitist – take it when it’s convenient and privileged to you, but throw that sex worker under the bus when it’s not – kind of deal. I LOVE the message in this article highlights for acknowledging the fact that we have the POWER to end this bullshit stigma against sex workers in such an easy way, to use out voices and unity instead of distancing yourself form the very thing that is liberating you. No, you might not be a stripper/burlesque person/naked lady but LOTS of us are, and lots of us love it, and lots of us love sharing our skills with you. Stop being afraid people are going to think you’re a dirty stripper and use your new found liberation skills to educate them on the fact that although you don’t work at a club or perform on a stage (and maybe are even shy about nudity) that you can still support those that do and you’re learning some pretty bad ass skills because of it!

I would not be in the place I am were in not for the incredibly supportive environment of Tantra Fitness. Personally and professionally, they have given me an amazing environment to grow and even given me the courage to open my own studio with business partner Cherry OnTop – The Vancouver Burlesque Centre. Their blend of Pole Fitness and Exotic Dance mentality, students next to strippers – is inspiring. The world of sexy dancing could learn a few things.
This article is amazing, read it, share it.
‪#‎yesastripper‬
http://harlot.media/articles/1572/strippers-need-to-take-back-pole-dancing

Annnnd, since we are on the topic of sex work empowerment, take the time to read this beauty –
http://www.elephantjournal.com/2016/03/im-a-sex-worker-and-this-is-what-ill-tell-my-child/

.in the flesh.

Tags

boobs, chest, heart, ink, love, naked, nudity, Sass, tattoo, tattoos, women

~ note ~
Although we all love boobs, some of you may be at work. At the end of this post is a set of nude photos that may not be conducive to your current environment.
~ end note ~

United by pastie and g-string – the generous giving of BurlyCon.

Before I gave an interview on what I teach, someone whom I admire very much said to me, “Go get em, don’t be stingy with your knowledge. What you have to offer is valuable, be generous.” It was sound advice from a leader I trusted. It gave me the insight and strength to not only be strong in my character but trust what I had to offer was of worth. You see, when you are teaching, you are not meant to know everything – you never will. What makes you a good teacher is the ability to share who you are, where you have been and what you have learned. It’s your perspective and how you present it that makes you a good teacher.

Through my years I’ve had so many crushes on my teachers. Ones who inspired me, who pushed me, who were kind to me. Ones who drove me to be better, to strive and to achieve. I’ve have teachers so strong that even now, I hear their voices as I transition poses in a yoga class led by someone else. That gentle, knowledgeable voice – the one that triggered a gem of awakening in me. That moment of connection I felt with myself, made simply because of what they shared of themselves so generously.

Teaching “Anatomy of a chair dance”. ©Don Spiro

Someone has a square sandbox.

Tags

boobs, Burlesque, Sass, Sexy

When we were young and would play at a friend’s house, we had to abide by their rules: Your He-Man castle, your blanket fort, your sandbox – your rules. Now as adults, we have similar practices, only it becomes more refined. Your… wait, never mind, it is exactly the same thing. Swap the doll castle for a 4 poster bed and you’re on your way. Think of an adult sleepover. You’re in their home and respect that. They like the left side of the bed; you give it up. Although, in these situations, there can be great compromise as you are hopefully getting naked and meeting on mutual ground for playtime. For the most part, I am sure the neighbors like it when you come to visit, as trips to the fridge to get hydration are often pantsless with disheveled hair. MmmHmm. Sharing is caring.