Toronto's Burlesque 101 Class

When Foxy Roxy arrived at her first Burlesque 101 class, she was just looking to have fun. She had no interest in becoming a performer; however she now produces her own shows in Toronto and has peeled off the layer of any nervousness and shyness she previously had.

Burlesque 101, part of the Toronto Burlesque Teachers Collective, is taught by Laura Desiree who met Roxy years at a pin up photoshoot years prior. Desiree remembers Roxy being nervous and anxious the first time they met.

“She had no idea what to do with her hands, her fingers, her face, her breathing,” Desiree said. “She was constantly moving and she couldn’t hold a pose.”

Roxy’s commitment and dedication to learning burlesque have improved her skills enormously, and have aided her transformation from a shy girl to a confident performer since joining Burlesque 101.

Desiree has witnessed Roxy’s improvements over the years and describes her as “one of the most cutthroat chicks on stage.”

“Looking at her face when she’s on stage in that spotlight and remembering that girl behind the glasses - it’s such a thrilling transformation to witness,” Desiree said. “It’s one of those really incredible moments where you step back and you say, ‘I can’t believe I had anything to do with this because it’s such a mighty liberation that’s been made.’”

Laura Boasman, who also took Burlesque 101, also noticed transformations in Roxy, especially how she went from being shy and quiet to having supreme confidence and the ability to produce shows.

Students start each class by sharing a bottle of wine and then they warm up by doing some stretches. Desiree then asks the students to close their eyes before playing some distinctive soothing music, which helps them feel more comfortable when looking at themselves in the mirror.

“I tell them just to find the sensation in the edges of their fingertips first and to find the feeling of touching yourself, being connected with your skin, and then from there I have them enact what it would be to wash yourself in the shower,” Desiree said.

Desiree encourages students to visit all parts of their bodies, so they don’t feel that burlesque is just a “tits and ass industry.” Students are encouraged to visit the long extensions of their bodies along with all the “romantic parts” that are often ignored so they can give it energy.

“That’s the first one. And by the end of it I find a lot of the times, once they get to the torso, a lot more comfort sets in, a lot more assurance in themselves sets in and you’ll see they try and slink to the music a little bit, and it’s a sexy – it’s a sexy test,” Desiree said.

Desiree said it’s a sexy activity that they can apply to their lives at home.

“If you’re looking to find that connection with yourself, start with that exercise,” Desiree said.

Students work on choreography and dance techniques such as steps, struts and walks. They work in a chorus line all at the same time during class.

"We’ll either stagger in the room or do one straight chorus line,” Desiree said. “Because there’s a great satisfaction in the visual of 10 girls in a line – everyone doing it at once you feel like you’re actually part of a show and so they like that.”

Students leave Burlesque 101 feeling they have learned new skills that they can apply not only on stage but at home too.

“They usually leave with a combination they can do at home for their husbands and I hear the success stories, they tell me all about them,” Desiree said.

A lot of students have become very successful performers after attending Desiree’s class.

“A lot of the times, they’ll go away and perform in festivals across America and then they still drop in to class,” Desiree said. “Because they remember what it’s like to be in that class and be in that room, so we’ll always be a welcoming place. And that’s something I hope to continue giving to these women.”

No matter the flaws or imperfections one may have, clients always leave the class feeling like a million bucks.

“No matter what you look like, no matter how flawed you are, no matter how ugly you think you are, no matter how fat or thin or whatever you think you are, she makes you walks out of there, she makes you feel like you’re the most fucking beautiful woman in the world,” Roxy said.

More information about Burlesque 101 can be found here. http://laura-desiree.format.com/burlesque-classes