Express The Sensual

Jennifer writes: Tell me more about the body strings, please! Do you have photos? I don’t know if I’ve ever seen them.

BodyStrings have always been love at first sight for me.  I originally discovered these beauties while searching for an alternative for fishnet tights.

I always though fishnets looked hot, but whenever I wore them for pole work, I just slid right down.  Climbing was next to impossible and inverts were seriously scary.

My first experiment with Fishnets quickly hit the “Oh Shit” level on the Danger, Will Robinson, Danger meter when I realized that the safety of my head was depending on the friction between the pole & a teeny, tiny 1×1 inch patch of skin. (as compared to the 4×4 inch patch I depend upon now So, I went searching for fishnets with much bigger diamond spaces between the “threads.” (while singing ‘We’re going on a Treasure Hunt‘ because that’s just how I roll!)

What I found was BodyStrings!

So the skeptical scientist in me, looked at the single picture online (this one to the right) and said..

What the Fuck are these things? Do they come that way? They look cool, but how do these things work? Will it be just as slippery as fishnets?”

Luckily, I’ve been advised by my therapist that I should avoid talking to myself for hours at a time.  So instead, I asked a few of my exotic dancer & aerial acrobat friends who know about these sorts of wild costume accessories.

BodyStrings?” they said ” They are just a stretchy string that you wrap around your body. People usually double up the colors, and put them on one or both legs to visually extend their costume or add an artsy aspect.”

My brain then flashed…

Awesome Hot Naughty

Tie-me-up Playful Must have two in every color

(my brain can be very insightful sometimes)

So I bought 6 colors from ElectroniqueBoutique.com and quickly discovered that, for some reason, the damn things are sold in single strings instead of in pairs. (so much for logic).

Tip: Always buy 2 BodyStrings of the same color, at the same time, or your left and right sides won’t match.

Then I began experimenting with how to use them.  And they deliver!  They’ve got that sexy fishnet look and let you stick like glue! (no glue was harmed in the testing of this statement)

I love experimenting with them and discovering new & fun variations every time I pull them out, but these 3 are my favorite:

1. Create your own Fishnet Tights

Basically you fold two (or three if you’re really adventurous) different BodyStrings in half, step on the middle with your foot, and then crisscross them up your leg until you run out of string.

You can create large or small diamond patterns.  But, make sure you keep the BodyStrings taut & tie them off tightly just above or below your kneecap to avoid slippage while you dance.

2. Create your own Ballerina Platform Shoes

Pull out a pair of plain black or white high heeled shoes, fold one BodyString in half, wrap it around the heel of the shoe and then cross it over the top of your foot.  Then cross the ends under the arch of the shoe and cross it over your Achilles heel.  Do this once or twice more and then, using whatever BodyStrings are left, crisscrossing them up your leg or around your lower calf.

This is a seriously HOT look that any woman can rock, and it makes your shoes feel so much more secure for pole dancing. I even wear shoes with BodyStrings like this to formal events (I’ve actually had men tell me these were the cutest shoes they’ve ever seen!)

3.  Create your own Choker & Fishnet Sleeves

Again, fold one BodyString in half & place the middle on one side of your neck.  Wrap the ends around your neck (keeping things a bit looser than in the previous two examples since you don’t actually want to choke yourself) until you end up on the same side that you started. Then simply crisscross the BodyStrings under and over your arm until you reach your elbow and tie the ends off. (This ends up looking similar to the leg version above)

You can also use them to crisscross over your torso while wearing a bikini top…

Transform a tank top into an empire waist top…

Create a colorful hairdo by adding in a BodyString as part of a braid or as a headband that turns into a choker…

Or even wrap them up the outside of a pair of black boots & create an extra sexy accent in whatever color you want…

And just in case you’re still on the fence (or the Hoop, like the luscious Leigh Acosta sporting her BodyStrings in the picture at the top of this post)… Here’s another beautiful example of a pole dancer who has BodyStrings and knows how to ROCK ‘EM!…Check out the awesome Starr Grrl!

Okay, I’m going to stop gushing now. Just go get a pair while they are still 2.99 2.49?! (OMG, they are on sale for 2.49 each) I’m off to buy more colors! I’ve only got red, black, nude, white, blue, pink, and lavender.

Any piece of clothing can be sexy with a quietly passionate woman inside it.” ~Author Unknown

What are you going to do with your BodyStrings? Send me your BodyString picture with a short HowTo and I’ll post it here! Share your ideas in the comment section!

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Halloween will soon be upon us and I find myself rediscovering all the playful costume additions that are ready and waiting for a week of scary naughty nights.  Since many of you ladies have asked me exactly what is in my bag-o-tricks, I thought I’d share my absolute favorite pole dancer tested & approved accessories.

I first discovered most of these beauties during my monthly forays into the wilds of Hollywood Blvd in downtown Los Angeles. There is a special section just east of Highland (approximately 10 city blocks long) that is filled with tattoo parlous, cheap souvenir shops, tired tourists that wandered too far from Grauman’s Chinese theater, and the absolute best exotic dance clothing and shoe shops on the planet.  Seriously, these places are amazing and the clothing runs from super cheap to super chic.  You can get custom made bikinis for 20 bucks or custom made boots with Swarovski crystals for $1000 and up.  I don’t buy g-strings from anywhere else.

However, there are a couple of online stores where you can procure my favorite pole dance attire as well, so for those of you that don’t have a shopping trip to the city of movie stars planned anytime soon, I’ll include links wherever I can.

1.  Body Strings

I could sing the praises of body strings to the world.  These dirt cheap stretchy lengths of nylon fabric are just the leftover ends of costumes that didn’t make it to the showroom floor.  But you can wrap your legs, arms, torso, or any other exposed body part for a beautiful criss crossing accent of every luscious curve. You can use them to hold up your hair and then seductively set it free during a performance.  I constantly use them to safely secure an annoying pair of platform heels and keep them from shifting during a dance (critical advice if you want to avoid flying stripper shoes, and you do!).  Make sure and get two of each color (they sell them in singles) to have an infinite combination of twisty sexy fun!

2.  Fabric Scarves

I have been using scarves in my pole dancing improvisation since I first started learning this beautiful movement over 6 years ago.  They have the ability to add so many different elements depending on what kind you like and how you use them.  First, just a basic soft silk scarf whether it is long or relatively short can add a splash of color & a flowing element instantly to any dance. I use it to accentuate movements to my audience or tickle my own skin with it’s liquid-like texture.   And of course, you can cover any exposed curves that you wish to use to tease your audience or yourself.  You can even spray it with your favorite perfume to create a deeper emotional connection to your memories through scent.

Oh, and if you ever feel the need to restrain your audience (during a lapdance where he refuses to sit on his hands for example) then the scarf is a perfect way to keep those wandering hands safely tucked away. I’ve even seen boas & neckties used in a similar manner when necessary.  Oh the joy of audience participation!

3.  Boots

Yes, these to me are not just an alternative for shoes.  Although some pole dancers use them during each and every practice session, I consider them a prop that adds an extra bit of sweet, sweet Ginger (my version of the naughty girl in all of us).  First, don’t just throw on a pair and hope that you can dance in them.  Boots require extra caution and plenty of practice to understand how to work with the layer of sticky pleather that can slow down your spins but rocket your climbs & inverts to the level of spiderwoman. I like shiny black thigh highs for nights when I’m feeling powerful and predatory, but a pair of red go-go boots can’t be beat for a stomping good time.

4.  Lace or Mesh CoverUp

If you want to discover the best piece of clothing that adds mystery while keeping the dancer cool and saucy, then pick up one of these. Although they don’t actually hide anything from view, they provide a saucy layer of fabric to slide your hands seductively over your curves and tug & remind your audience of your (lack of) clothing.  And if you choose one that has a silver or metallic thread, you’ll find your body sparkles like a starlet on the dimly lit dance floor.  Plus, you always have the option to remove them if they hamper your movement & toss them at your audience for added effect.

5.  Legwarmers

Alright, I have to admit that some people hate this leftover fashion statement from the Jane Fonda era of exercise, but I am truly a big fan.  Although it does take some extra practice to figure out how to climb and hold advanced inverts while wearing leg warmers, I believe it is worth the effort.  For me, I get the benefit of warm calves that look hot, without having to put on a pair of heels or boots.  Plus, these babies slide.  So all my floor work becomes more fluid, more streamlined, and just more sensual overall.  I feel that legwarmers give me more freedom to move and explore the different textures of dance. Maybe they can do the same for you.

6.  Masks

Ah, the power of anonymity.  I will tell you a secret that I’ve never spoken to a soul before; I have never felt more electric energy coursing through my body than during a masked performance.  Holding your audience in suspense, wondering if you’ll take off the mask and reveal your face (even if they know what you look like) is a invigorating experience that I believe every dancer should have at least once. And Halloween is the perfect chance.  Make sure to pick a mask that is comfortable but won’t fall apart while you slink and slide (venetian masks are perfect for this!).  I prefer ones that only cover my eyes and that tie in the back so I have the choice of exposing my true self or not.  And make sure you avoid masks with too many feathers or sharp corners so that you don’t accidentally catch yourself or distract from your deliciously hidden dance.

7.  Hats

Let me just say that I LOVE HATS.  I have seen hats transform my students from a rocker chick into a tantalizing tease, from a sensual siren into a Betty booty. Everybody dances different when they put on a hat….as long as you remember one little rule — keep the hat on your body or in your peripheral vision.  You want to keep your emotions and your audience focused on how you react to the hat. Does it make you feel flirty to cover you face & your lovely curves?  Does it make you feel strong to look out from underneath the brim and catch someones eye?  Or maybe it’s just one of those dances where you take off everything… Except for the hat!

Try one prop or try them all, and I’m sure you’ll find something that will change (or possibly revolutionize) your pole dancing practice.  Plus, you never know what will spark your creative fire.

Just remember…

YOU connect a series of movements into a dance.

YOU own the authentic mesmerizing sensuality.

YOU hold the key to a powerful expression of life in this moment.

…An accessory is just a little bit of frosting, but YOU take the cake.

PS – The subject & title of this post came from a tweet by the lovely miss Angela (@Angee514)

What’s your favorite pole dancing accessory? What store is your favorite guilty shopping pleasure? Share your ideas in the comment section!

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D.M. asks: “I have watched (on video) a girl doing amazing floorwork while sitting [where she] can make her butt muscles bounce individually and together in short pulses.  It looks amazing and [I] wonder how it is done?” (Ladies, I WANT to answer your questions about pole dancing, exotic dancing, and sensual living. So send ‘em my way!)

First let me put every BUTT at ease.  If you have an ass, you can booty pop it. Small, big, round, flat, muscular, or wiggly–It doesn’t matter.  As you know, I have strong convictions about the power of your awesome ass.  So don’t even think about using it’s size or shape as an excuse.

Second, let me say that the way I explain, teach, & perform booty popping may be totally different than the way somebody else does it.  I only mention this because I’ve seen woman (strippers, belly dancers, and pole dancers) do things with their body that defy the laws of gravity.  I’m a physicist AND a pole dancer, so my booty popping methods take gravity into account.

A Popping Primer

Step one of booty popping is to first FIND and then RELAX your tush.

Most women hold stress in their derriere, causing it to stay tight and tense all day.   Tensing up your gluteal muscles (that’s the technical term for ass) actually accentuates all the cellulite. (Nooo!) This is not a pretty look.  It’s also impossible to get a good rump jiggle going if your ass cheeks are so tight together that you could crush coal into a diamond.

So, get up (yes, right now) and stand behind your seat, with your hands resting by your sides.  Bend your knees slightly to help relax your fanny, and then poke yourself in the hinter cheeks.  (This is a test. This is only a test… of the emergency tight ass system) It should feel fairly soft. (Poke. Poke) It shouldn’t feel tense or tight. (Poke) If it feels tight, bend slightly at the hips and lean on the top of your chair. This should help release the gluteal muscles even more.

Step two of booty popping is to ASSume the position.

Rest your hands or your forearms on the back of your chair (don’t use a chair that swivels) and tighten your abs slightly (to protect your lower back).  But DON’T tighten your tush.  Then, standing with your feet shoulder width apart, come onto the balls of your feet.  If you need to lean over the chair a little to keep your heiny relaxed and balanced on your tippy toes, do that.  This position places your tushy front and center as well as maintains the perfect balance for long term jiggling.

Step three of booty popping is to think “There’s no place like home.”

Basically, you take a cue from Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz and click your heels together.  Keep the quads (front of your thighs) strong and try to pivot on the balls of your feet.  The faster you click your heels the more your booty will pop. You know you’re doing it right if it feels like the sides of your hootenany are vibrating.  (Check out my last video at min 0:56 to see this in action) If you don’t feel the vibration, bend over the chair a bit more and focus on relaxing your buns.

Start with a slow easy beat (Juicy by Better Than Ezra) and a slow shake.  Then try to build your endurance to a faster more sustained vibration (Smack That by Akon & Rump Shaker by Wreckx-n-Effect)

I bet doing that made you giggle like a schoolgirl!  Keep gigglin’– it helps with the jigglin’

Once You Pop, You Can’t Stop

Now, if you want to develop total tookus control, you’ll need to learn how to separate and activate ALL the different gluteal muscles.  I recommend you work with a professional popper or your local belly dance instructor to learn this.  But here’s the quick & dirty version.

• Sit next to a mirror in a relaxed straddle position with your legs straight out to either side.  (Don’t go into the full front splitz unless that’s *very* easy for you)
• Lean forward slightly, placing your hands on the ground in front of you, and using them to support the weight of your torso.
• Looking in the mirror, strongly contract your thighs; inner, outer, and top.  (You should see your ass cheeks lift off the floor, hooray!)
• Roll your pelvis under while contracting your thighs. This will cause your back to arch as if you were trying to hold water on top of your butt. (You should definitely see your ass cheeks lift off the floor alot, hip hip hooray!)
• Keeping your abs strong, repeat the contraction until you can minimize the flexing of your legs and maximum the lifting of your ass. (I like to do this in bed right before I go to sleep. It’s very entertaining for your lover or for your dog, whichever one you’ve got right now.)
• Over time, you’ll be able to isolate each ass cheek and pop them to the beat.

“I want women to be liberated and still be able to have a nice ass and shake it” ~Shirley MacLaine

So whether you prefer to shake your money maker or pop it like it’s hot (thanks Snoop Dog) you must practice, practice, practice!  Just be careful… because that Milkshake brings ALL the boys to the yard.

Do you enjoy a good booty bounce now & then? How do you make your cheeks clap? Share your ideas in the comment section!

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