The more I connect with strip dancers and understand their journeys, the clearer my mission becomes as an instructor:
To empower you to be confident in DANCING.
It’s not just about offering fleeting encouragement (the dance community is already fantastic at support!), but about truly teaching you the craft of dance.
This likely means evolving from focusing solely on dance fitness routines to embracing the artistry of Strip Dancing. Or, if you’re just beginning, to prioritize continuous, expressive movement from the outset, rather than just isolated steps.
Regardless of your current level or past experience, certain fundamental skills are crucial to becoming a captivating dancer.
Recently, while analyzing over 350 responses from my survey about dance and flow, I was struck by the sheer number of skills involved. It’s a comprehensive list, to say the least!
To make it more digestible, I’ve categorized these skills into 10 key areas:
- Body Awareness and Coordination
- Expression and Sensuality
- Fluidity and Grace
- Floorwork and Seamless Transitions
- Musicality and Rhythm Embodiment
- Creative Movement and Improvisation
- Freestyling with Confidence
- Choreography and Routine Development
- Cultivating Your Unique Style
- Performance Presence and Stagecraft
If you’re thinking, “Great! I have no formal dance background and lack these skills. I’ll never be a good dancer.” That’s simply not true! Everyone starts somewhere.
This list is arranged roughly in order of increasing complexity, though categories 2, 3, 4, and 5 are somewhat interchangeable. Don’t get too hung up on the order.
Many of these skills are interconnected and benefit from simultaneous development. The colors above highlight skills that naturally complement each other.
However, attempting to master everything at once can lead to overwhelm and discouragement.
Instead, take a moment right now for this exercise:
- Review each skill on the list and assess your current proficiency on a scale of 0-10 (beginner to expert). Trust your gut feeling; jot down a quick estimate.
- Examine your scores and identify your strengths and areas for improvement.
Done?
NEXT STEP:
- Develop your personal roadmap for strip DANCING and begin integrating these skills into your practice. Prioritize your weaker areas, especially those higher on the list. If you score highly on the foundational skills, focus on the more advanced techniques towards the bottom. ↓
Let’s break down how you can cultivate these essential dance skills:
#1 Body Awareness / #2 Expression & Sensuality / #3 Fluidity & Grace
Body awareness and coordination are the cornerstones of expressive and fluid movement. These can be developed concurrently.
Body awareness involves deeply understanding and feeling each part of your body in motion, rather than just mimicking steps mechanically. This is key to eliminating a stiff, robotic appearance.
Core Principle: Isolate first. Then coordinate.
Practice isolating movements of different body parts. This can be done off the pole, anywhere.
Once you’re comfortable with isolations, begin “layering” them – adding and coordinating them simultaneously. If coordination becomes overwhelming, revert to practicing individual movements.
- Explore pole flow tutorials online for targeted exercises for arms, hands, head, chest, etc.
- Enroll in beginner dance classes of any genre (especially those emphasizing body isolations and sensual movement).
Invest time in finding an instructor and dance style that resonates with you. Some styles emphasize footwork, while others focus more on hip or arm movements. Ultimately, anything that enhances your body awareness is beneficial! 🙂
#4 Floorwork & Seamless Transitions / #5 Musicality & Rhythm Embodiment
Core Principle: Shift focus from purely aerial tricks to grounded movement. Practice routines and combinations on the floor.
Begin with individual moves, transitions, and brief sequences. Progress to practicing full routines synchronized with music.
As you gain confidence with the choreography, concentrate on the music. Over time, you’ll refine your “ear” and discern subtle nuances in the music. This skill is invaluable when you start creating your own routines.
- Consider resources like floor flow tutorials from established sensual dance instructors.
- Utilize guided beginner routines to practice musicality and transitions.
- Attend strip dance choreography classes at local studios or online.
- Explore dance classes without the pole, such as contemporary or jazz, to enhance your floorwork capabilities.
#6 Creative Movement & Improvisation / #7 Freestyling with Confidence / #9 Cultivating Your Unique Style
Core Principle: Embrace curiosity and open-mindedness. Analyze movements without judgment.
Foster creativity through freestyling. Experiment with diverse movement styles. Start crafting your own combinations, routines, and performances.
This is how you gradually develop your signature style, the most time-intensive skill of all.
- Explore resources on overcoming overthinking and moving intuitively in dance.
- Seek out tips from experienced freestylers on embracing sensuality and personal expression in dance.
- Look for classes that provide structured freestyle sessions guided by instructors.
- Observe and draw inspiration from creative artists across various disciplines.
#8 Choreography & Routine Development / #10 Performance Presence & Stagecraft
Core Principle: Learn by doing! Initial attempts may be imperfect, but experience is the best teacher.
Accept that your first performances won’t be flawless. Don’t be discouraged! Every opportunity to choreograph and perform is a valuable learning experience that refines your dancing.
Resources specifically for choreography and performance in strip dancing may be limited. Here are some suggestions:
- Participate in studio showcases. These events are incredibly educational! Some studios offer coaching specifically for showcases.
- Consider competitions as a next step after studio showcases. However, weigh your options carefully before committing.
- Seek out performance tips specifically tailored to sensual dance.
- Study the work of established dancers and choreographers in the genre.
The choreographic process is highly personal. I aim to share more insights into my own creative process in the future.
I hope this overview provides direction and focus for your strip dance journey. Stay tuned for future posts and tutorials that delve into each skill in greater detail.
What are YOUR areas for growth in strip dancing? Share your thoughts in the comments!
