How do you burlesque?

Two weeks ago, I started my vacation with a day trip to New York City. I had signed up for a hula hoop workshop with Miss Saturn to learn how to use multiple hoops. Since one of my goals is to make my own hula hoop, I figured it would be a good idea to learn how to use several of them to encourage me to make more. Unfortunately, the workshop was postponed until the following month, but I had already purchased my bus ticket and had to make a mad rush to change plans. Another unforeseen event changed my plans as well. I had ordered two pairs of 5-inch heels online and had hoped to take a class to learn how to dance in them, but the shoes were not delivered in time. I got them three days later. That's for another post.
To my good fortune, there was a six-hour burlesque movement intensive workshop scheduled for the same time with the New York School of Burlesque. This way I could at least take a class with a pair of regular heels and learn something new in the meantime. I had just purchased Jo Weldon's The Burlesque Handbook and her fan dance DVD to improve my belly dancing, and I was looking forward to finally meet her.

I must admit that I was pretty nervous to take the class. There were so many things running through my mind, mostly of self-doubt like, "Am I even cool enough to take a class like this?" "Can I survive a six-hour dance class?" "And I'm to do this with what?" After doing a quick YouTube search, I found this video of one of the workshops:

That didn't help me at all. All the negative thoughts flooded my head, but I chose to ignore them and just go for it. And I was glad I did. There are so many burlesque moves that are similar to belly dance, and some of the new walks I learned would work for my choreography. The girls in the class were really nice and fun, and Jo had so much personality and advice. No more dance costumes in black for me after this class. And although I danced in a pair of 1.5-inch heels, I felt a bit more glamorous that day.

Headmistress Jo Weldon at the New York School of Burlesque with me after the six-hour movement intensive class.

By the time I started a yoga class about two hours after the workshop, my body felt the effects of the six-hour class. I was completely exhausted, but I kept twirling and strutting throughout the rest of the day.

Lastly, I had to great opportunity to meet Celine, a fellow lister who was able to achieve a goal on her list through the workshop. She took the photo of Jo and me. Thanks a million, Celine!