Burlesque for Beginners (Or How to Walk Like a Slutty Nurse)

So on Saturday morning, I awoke and wondered what to wear.  After all, a burlesque class isn't the venue for jeans and a T-shirt.  Checking the Rogue Burlesque website, I found a list:  Clothes that are easy to strip out of included skirts with a zipper, shirts with buttons down the front, and, of course, stockings with garter belts.  Faithful to the cause, I opted for a black button-down shirt with a pencil skirt.  The skirt, incidentally, has a slit up the left-hand thigh.  I also packed fishnet stockings and a garter belt, and wore a front-opening bra -- this, I figured, was a super-smart move.

Snort.

Our Burlesque workshop had only five students, and what a blast it was.  Run by Polly and Sassy of Rogue Burlesque, there was an instant feeling of sexual openness, and a sex-positivity that's hard to fake.  I chose Rogue because of their philosophy and events:  They are all about showcasing different body types and sexualities, and unlike other troops I could mention, Rogue's workshops for women are open to all who are female-identified.  They run classes for guys as well.  Hint, hint...

Anyhoo, as we all introduced ourselves, Polly and Sassy loved it that three of us were sex writers (I'd come with a couple of friends who've attended my erotic writing classes).  The class got off to sultry start, with Polly giving a delectable performance of her own. I might add that she was wearing the most stunning glittery eyelashes.  And wow, that woman has killer eyes.

What to tell you?  The dance studio had a polished wood floor with a mirrored wall, and our first activity was to "stride" in a variety of ways.  We were given the archetypes of refined lady, dominatrix and buxom wench, to name but a few, and we strode up and down that dance floor together, Polly and Sassy included.  As I walked, the slit in my skirt revealed a single garter-strap, and it was fun as heck to play up to that.  When does anyone ever tell you to "walk like a slutty nurse"?  Holy cow, what fun it was.  Hysterical, glittering, brazen!

You see, the reason I recommend taking such a course is because of the sexual confidence it can give you.  There's only so inhibited you can be when you're peeling off a silk glove with your teeth, or opening a feather boa to show the world your cleavage!  It was also a lesson in body language -- all the sensual messages we silently give off.  And as for tassel-twirling...oh don't get me started.  You can't be uptight when you're in stockings and briefs, bouncing and rolling your shoulders in order to swirl your tassles.  It's hilarious, outrageous and fun as heck.  Like sex-shop browsing with trusted friends, learning to strip with your mates is a bonding experience.  It's wonderful when we encourage one another, reinforcing that we're sexy.  There's nothing so enjoyable as that.

And who would have thought a front-opening bra was tricky to strip out of?  It took me a while to negotiate the straps... 

But once it's off, who cares? ;)

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