Audio By Carbonatix
Recently, my pal Danielle convinced me to take a class called Cardio Tease and Tone at Tease Studio (1111 South Pearl Street), which offers pole classes and Pussycat Dolls-style burlesque workshops. “It’s for toning all the parts you tease with,” Danielle explained. As a burlesque dancer, this appealed to me, but I’m also a burlesque historian, and I’ve got some animosity toward modern stripping and the pole, since its invention in the 1960s helped kill the old-fashioned tease of burlesque. Reluctantly, I made a date with her to check it out.
I arrived to discover, to my horror, that I had mistakenly signed up for Tease, Tone and Pole. Even worse, Danielle had to work late. I was on my own, in a pole class. Swallowing my panic, I paid the $15 drop-in fee. I started to get into the workout and relaxed. Then I looked toward the mirror. Watching my feet swing past my ass, I recalled the few uncomfortable visits I’d made to strip clubs and remembered this move, which showcases a stripper’s naughtiest bits. Suddenly, it wasn’t just the cardio making me sweat.
The instructor, Raine, walked me through some pole basics. It reminded me of being a kid, swinging around poles on the playground. Other motions were much more adult, including the move most likely responsible for the term “pole humping.” I felt my face go into full blush.
Why can I mimic the bump-and-grind movements of the ’50s and spin tassels on my nipples, yet still be embarrassed while performing more modern erotic moves? I relate more to the teasing, play-acting sensuality of burlesque. Modern strip motions are too blatantly sexual for me.
We’re thankful for you. Are you thankful for us?
We feel thankful for our staff and for the privilege of fulfilling our mission to be an unparalleled source of information and insight in Denver. We’re aiming to raise $50,000 by December 31, so we can continue covering what matters most to this community.
Help us continue giving back to Denver.
After several unsuccessful attempts to launch myself around the pole, I stopped to watch a classmate who had some pole experience. Though far from a pro, she was having a ball in her six-inch stripper heels, throwing her legs into the air and soaking up Raine’s heartfelt encouragement. Suddenly I understood how the class could make someone feel as sexy and powerful as burlesque makes me feel.
That doesn’t mean I’ll be swinging on a pole again anytime soon, but I get why someone might dig it. Check out the full Tease schedule at www.tease-studio.com or by calling 303-898-0535.
Starts: Aug. 1. Daily, 2007
