When I first started burlesque, I was shy about telling people.

I thought I would be judged for the type of dance, or that I would dare to do it because I don’t have a dancer’s body. And culturally speaking, I was taught to be modest. Prancing around in your undergarments is not modest. I’m also too old to take on something like burlesque! And lastly, there are only a handful of visible minorities in burlesque. I definitely felt out-of-place. This translated into me being shy about talking about it.

Holy batman! All these internal battles!

Rectifying internal battles

Type of dance: I try to educate people on the burly history. It’s not just about shaking your tail feathers. This is another way to express how you’re processing society’s zeitgeist. Don’t believe me? Then look at all the sub-genres: nerdlesque, contemporary, chair, etc.

Dancer’s body: Burlesque initially came out because poor folks poked fun at the richie-rich operas/shows. With burlesque, essentially, anything goes. Different bodies, shapes, colours, abilities… it is about you telling your story. How are you interacting with the audience?

Too old: Yes, I’m older than my instructors and classmates. But, the only person who has made me feel ‘too old’ is me. Last showcase, there was a 60+-year-old woman who did a saucy chair solo. She was fantastic!

Modesty: This term means to act demure, and can include dressing in a non-sexually aggressive manner. Is it a vehicle of oppression? Perhaps it is to be deliciously explored in future burlesque?

Now…

… I talk about being in burlesque all the time. I’m excited that I can be part of it! I’ve got access with Vancouver Burlesque Company. (Screaming Chicken, K&I are coming for you, soon!) It’s affordable both financially and timewise.

The benefits

I’m engaging in self-care. I’m getting fitter and honing in on different fitness goals. I get to dress up, make costumes, have fun, learn to move, meet new people, dance with Kells, listen to music, feel inspired, feel empowered, feel confident, have a creative outlet and be around positivity.

I’ve learned that I’m not as klutzy as I thought I was. I’ve got a bit of rhythm. I’ve learned that I can jellybean, plank off of a chair, go from a standing position to the floor then do an inchworm push up in heels… all in rhythm to music!

Stage Presence

Performing on stage isn’t for everyone. With VBC, you can actually just take the class without doing the final show. And, last Fall when I took my first class, I didn’t plan on performing. But by the end, I thought: why the frig not?

Being on stage is simply exhilarating. Hearing the audience cheer and whistle. Feeling those positive vibes. Performers excited and buzzing with adrenaline. It is a fabulous feeling!

So, if you are remotely interested in this genre, K&I encourage you to take a class with VBC (or SC). Or in the very least, come and check us out. Tickets available online here.

It’s a power packed kickboxing and boxing routine for ladies only⁴. The circuit is designed to hone self-defense skills, improve core and increase strength.

                   Activity                  

There are 13 stations that last 2 minutes each.

You start off with a 2 minute jump rope warm up. Next stations are something like:

1. hook/jab,
2. sit ups on fitness ball,
3. round housing a punching bag,
4. semi sit ups with arms slightly throwing medicine ball¹ straight up,
5. kneeing an-imagined-assailant-turned-kicking-bag,
6. hook,
7. Bridge & squeeze on a fitness ball,
8. on a mat, turtlekicking & punching a heavy douchebag squarebob-a-thinger, ²
9. free-for-all kicking/punching the stink out of Bob, the flesh-coloured silicone bust on a pole, with the invisible Punch-Me sign.

There are 3 levels, starting at 1.

                  Procedure                

So you do a period of time (ie: 30 seconds) of regular-paced and regular-powered activity
then when the buzzer bings once, you either power up or go fast (ie: 15 seconds).  Repeat
Double bing means switch stations.

                  Atmosphere                

Loud pumped-up music, very small area (great for focus), personal trainer attention with quick corrections/ encouragements/verbal pushes.
I think I have auditory processing disorder so it was a bit of a challenge to keep all the instructions, directions, movements clear with the music and timer. I think I did okay³, and will obviously improve with more exposure.

                  So… ?               

I was totes prepared to join Miss Kells in her Kick the Flip out of Cancer in October. This would’ve entailed getting to the HIT daily.  I work out weekday mornings at 630.  So unfortunately, their hours didn’t work for me. From experience I know I will not go regularly at another time.

There are no drop-ins⁴. There are monthly pay options.  The fee decreases depending on if it’s month-to-month, for 12 or 24 months.

The trainers are fabulous – full of pep and sugar. But don’t let their smiles fool you.  They’ll push you, bootcamp style.

If you are interested, check them out: 30 Minute Hit!

Foots
1 Nals dislikes medicine balls. Maybe if it came with a spoonful of sugar…
2 Yes, this is indeed the technical term, as per Nals.
3 And by “okay”, I mean I didn’t quit and got a workout, even if I did most of the moves wrong.
4 Except Sunday was one of the fundraising days so it was drop in and a couple dudes came to participate.

Defining Body Positivity

Doing a quick search, you can find various descriptions:
As per health marketing (for weight loss & gyms) BoPo is: we’ll help you³ get the body you want by training at our gym, eating our food or following our rules.

Translation: you are a work in progress.

Psychology says that Bopo is: Your knowledge that your worth is not based on your appearance. You do not feel oppressed or marginalized. You model this behaviour as well: not putting people down because of their appearance. (We’ve all heard trifling things like “After marriage, people let themselves go.” Or “They*² used to be so hot and now they’re so fat!”)

Translation: It’s not about changing the way you look. It’s about acceptance of the way you look at this moment, and modeling the behaviours.

zeitgeisty

As a term gains popularity, it morphs and grows. But these 2 translations are kind of opposite right?
So, what the what?

Let’s back up a bit more …

In the 90s, the Body Positive movement began as a therapeutic response to disordered eating, in the context of anorexia.
Their Mission:
“The Body Positive teaches people how to reconnect to their innate body wisdom so they can have more balanced, joyful self-care, and a relationship with their whole selves that is guided by love, forgiveness, and humor.”
We love that their inclusive Mission statement recognizes the person-centred nature of wellness. My wellness regime is not going to be the same as yours. But also my regime may change depending on changes in my condition.

N&k’s take on bopo

When we first encountered the term BoPo, we took it to mean that we all have different bodies and abilities. This variety is where the beauty of BoPo lies. What the human body and mind can do are amazing. We are resilient and have plasticity. Booyeah: Body Positivity á la N&K!

At this point, N&K’s idea of BoPo probably morphs into Health at Every Size (#HAES¹).

For the past decade, Kells & I have been working with folks who have severe challenges with addiction and as such, engage in risky behaviours. But we have seen time and time again that people can reach their own potential with motivation, empowerment and an adaptable game plan. There is positive mental and physical health at every state and stage of life.

So . . .

BoPo means acceptance & awareness.
Working out can be the next seamless step, if it is for the sake of becoming healthier. For example, doing weight training exercises to get stronger. Losing weight might be a byproduct but not the main driving force.
So yes, we think these 2 buzzterms are distinct but complementary and on a continuum.

What do you guys think?

Please comment below.

Footnotes
¹Yep there’s a hashtag for that. More info on: Health at Every Size.
²we need to come up with a gender-inclusive pronoun that depicts the singular person.
³Feels like we should have a pic of Abe Lincoln pointing here.