What is a woman to do when she is struggling to find herself after years of being hidden away? This is the question I posed myself. The answer came loud and clear from somewhere inside me, the part, I suspect, desperate to escape. ‘Burlesque’ it screamed……
Setting up this adventure required a little research and planning. My research led me to an utterly fantastic woman, Jo King. I have only met her once but she is definitely one of the top five most important influences in my life. She agreed to meet me in Maida Vale and spend an afternoon teaching me the basic principles of Burlesque from her extensive repertoire.
The day arrived and, filled with a mixture of trepidation and excitement, I checked into a Central London hotel. In those days I carried a particular credit card that was a little bit like a magic wand. My standard room was transformed into a vast suite overlooking Hyde Park. The room wasn’t ready when I arrived so housekeeping left me a bottle of pink champagne, perfect I thought, to have on my return from my outing.
That afternoon I jumped into a taxi which took me to firstly to another discovery I made during my research. Coco Der Mer, a shop where I could pick up a prop for the ensuing tutorial. I chose a cat o’ nine tails whip. The woman I was looking to release was clearly now very close to the surface!
I met Jo in a coffee shop and she led me to a dance studio. We changed into stockings, heels, fabulous lingerie, black wiggle skirts and white shirts. As I stood in front of the mirrors, whip in hand, the music started and the woman I had been looking for started to walk. Over the next three hours Jo made sure that I would never again suppress this part of myself and I came to realise how fundamental the power of female sexuality is to a woman’s sense of herself. This isn’t about men or the parameters society puts on what is desirable. It’s about recognising that within each of us is an extraordinary and unique flame that we have a duty to take care of. The flame is in our control, it can be turned up or down (try going to a supermarket with it turned up – brilliant!). Burlesque is also about finding humour in an area of our lives that seems to be taken too seriously. It allows us to break free from the anxieties so many women have about their bodies and revealing their desires.
After being shown some of Jo’s master moves we both stood there wearing significantly less than we had started with. I had reignited my flame and as I returned to the hustle and bustle of the world outside, fully clothed of course, I felt liberated.
I returned to my hotel. I smiled appreciatively as the bell boy carried my bag, containing the outfit and whip, to my room. And no, I didn’t ask him in! You’re writing your own story now! Instead I poured myself a glass of Champagne, sat back on the enormous bed and contemplated what the life ahead of me might hold. It was in my hands.
By Three Wishes
