Fitness

Shake Your Booty into Shape with Burlesque

Rhode Island Burlesque Academy offers a new Burlesquercize class

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When I learned that I would be taking Rhode Island Burlesque Academy’s new Burlesquercize class, I’ll admit that for the first time since taking on this monthly column, I was nervous. Give me a weighted barbell to squat or a rugged battle rope to violently whip and I’m your girl. But a dainty feather boa, a chair that I can’t jump on and faith that my hips will grind in a way that’s Velma Kelly and not Mary Katherine Gallagher, and I’m considering drinking a bottle of Champagne before I walk through the door.

Fears set aside (and totally sober), I strolled into the spacious-but-cozy mill space of Chifferobe, nestled inside historic Hope Artiste Village, and was graciously greeted by Chifferobe director, Kristen Minsky, and RI Burlesque Academy’s headmistress, Bettysioux Tailor. The first thing I noticed about Bettysioux was how glamorously colorful she was, from her pink leopard print tights to blue sequined booty shorts all the way up to her crystal eyes and multi-shaded aqua hair. She literally sparkled. While my standard black leggings, sports bra and gym tank were a far cry from anything that resembled even a twinkle, it didn’t stop me from wanting to absorb her and the lustrous world of bawdy theatrical dance that I was about to take part of. I was ready to shine, or at least try.

Bettysioux is no stranger to burlesque, with seven years experience and a whole lotta sizzling performances behind her. A graduate of the Academy’s famed Lady Miss Iris’s Bumps to Boa class, Bettysioux naturally found herself at home in the vibrant grasp of fantastic costumes, dance, high camp and sexy glamour, and has since produced and performed in endless shows throughout New England. The Academy was created in 2012 to continue what Lady Miss Iris began before heading out West, and to expand and offer classes to cover the wide range of clients’ needs and comfort levels. While rehearsing one of her more rigorous show routines, Bettysioux realized the physical benefits that could be gained from an hour of Burlesque-style movements, and Burlesquercize was born.

The ladies and I lined up and class began with Bettysioux switching on the saucy tunes and guiding us through various stretches, to loosen up the limbs and parts of our bodies we might not necessarily use in typical forms of exercise. (Or if we do, it’s in an entirely different way.) From there, we shimmied, quivered, bumped and grinded, high-stepped, hip-popped, chair planked, waved colorful feathers and moved our ribs and abs in ways I didn’t think they possibly could. No matter what it looked like, or how well you could do it, there was something incredibly liberating and empowering about circling, popping and shaking your hips in every direction. While a lot of the moves were performed in repetitive sets, to really isolate muscle strength and form, we amped up our heart rates with a series of go-go dancing, grapevines, shimmies and high kicks in between. Any fear I had when I began dissipated quickly as I became comfortable in my movement and among the women around me, and as I recalled the exciting days I danced on stage as a child (maybe minus the booty pops). The class was a perfect combination of dance technique, muscle burn, sensuality and fun.

Rhode Island Burlesque Academy offers everything from a full weekly burlesque course, where you learn and showcase routines, to workshops and private events and drop-in classes. If you want to let loose in a room full of embracing women and add something new to your exercise routine, check out this class offered on Wednesday evenings. I didn’t jump on any chairs, but I did give my booty, legs and mood a good lift.

RI Burlesque Academy
Wednesdays at 6pm
Chifferobe Studio at Hope Artiste Village
1005 Main Street #1201 Pawtucket
284-7422

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