STRIPPING FOR SELF-CARE: EROTIC DANCING FTW

Stuck at home alone (or otherwise)? Crawling up the walls because of quarantine? We feel you...and we got you!

Artwork by Exotic Cancer - buy prints, so good!

This edition of our Quarantine Self-Care Series explains why we consider the art of erotic dance a radical self-care activity.  Also, another excuse to listen to Lizzo on repeat (as if you needed one). 

1. BODY CONFIDENCE 
Learning a lap dance or sexy striptease it on your own terms - for no one else - is an empowering choice. When you're IN your body, grinding hips, rolling your neck, extending your arms, swaying the shoulders... that shit just feels SEXY.  And when you believe in your sexy, you become more comfortable expressing your femininity on the streets, and your sexuality in the sheets. It's a pretty badass ripple effect that extends into other areas of our lives, ya dig? 

Dance routines aren't black and white- you have the freedom to replace steps/moves with what feels good to you. Once you get into it, you might not even need a video tutorial. The biggest hurdle is just building up the courage to start (like everything else in life, right?). 

2. STRESS RELIEF
Dancing - all versions of it- is cardio! Release them endorphins!
[Insert generic information on the benefits of exercise here, lulz] 
We all know that we should exercise, etc., along with the mental health benefits of working out. But sometimes, maintaining an exercise routine feels like holding down another job. "I just got done working my exhausting 9-5 and now I have to exercise? UGHHHHHH." Sexy dancing is WAY different than hopping on the Stairmaster or treadmill because it's playful. Creative. Spontaneous. Plus: you can use them skills after class is over! It's basically the opposite of MATH after high school, which 95% of us don't use in the real world. A LAP DANCE on the other hand, can come in handy for years to come. 

3. CREATIVE APPROACH TO FOREPLAY
You deserve to be worshipped! Dancing for your partner puts you in a position of control - you can heat things up, or back off when you want to. It's the ultimate tease. MAKE 'EM THIRSTY FOR MORE. If you're one-on-one, in-person, make 'em bring single$! If you're quarantining alone, filming or FaceTiming your polished routine is the perfect way to keep a relationship SPICY when you're together...or really, really hot when you reunite. 

4.  GOAL-SETTING
"Sorry, can't Zoom tonight - have a Friday deadline!" 
Give yourself a week to learn the dance routine of your choice. Work on it a bit every night. Practice in the shower/around the house throughout the week. Setting goals and smashing them feels (almost) as good as achieving orgasm - if only OTHER goals felt as lax and carefree, damn! 

5. INSPIRE OTHER WOMEN 
The art of erotic dance is just that -- an artform -- and a lot of women never try it for one reason or another. Maybe that's because dancing is still considered somewhat taboo, or downright difficult (looking at you, POLE). However- if one of your friends said "I'm teaching myself how to striptease!" - your ears would probably perk up. Even if the person you tell doesn't try it for themselves, your ambition may encourage them to step out of their comfort zone in another way. Bottom line: Being SEEN gives other women 'permission' to do the same when someone they respect is living life as a bad, confident bitch!

Beginner striptease tutorials (all under 5 minutes!)
​Drunk In Love routine 
​Tantra Lap Dance
Sexy chair moves
Exotic choreography for beginners
Bonus! Tone 'N' Twerk video 

Music inspo: pick some songs from our empowering jams playlist

We promise -- learning a striptease is not as intimidating as it may seem. For real, ANY erotic dance routine is A MILLION TIMES easier than learning the Thriller dance. Trust us.

Lastly...for those of us who are temporarily unemployed due to the COVID crisis: we are *pretty* sure that when things go back to normal, we'll be reminiscing on the days when all there was to do was learn a lap dance and play Animal Crossing.

Get out there and shake ya ass, queen. 

xo~
Rock Candy