strut ::

WOAH! it’s been awhile since i’ve posted.  tease life has been go go go for the past month in preparation for the AMAZING i have been teased showcase and looking forward to the fall/winter.  decided to keep things light today in honor of a new shoe order…

the shoes.  to wear them or not?  such a decision amongst teasers lately lol!  i’m updating our web poll this week to be specifically about this subject because i’m curious what the consensus is with our gals & i’ve seen such a split decision with it lately!

i have my very first pair of “dancing” shoes hanging in my locker in the tease basement and i completely smile every time i open the door and see them shining.  they were once gorgeous – a sky blue silk with a shining silver stiletto and silver string to wrap around my ankles.  they were completely unreasonable haha!  i can’t even believe i could walk 3 steps in them without falling, let alone dance in them.  since then my shoe choices have become much more reasonable – but still OH so fun and unique….picking out the perfect dance shoe is such an important process!  they MUST scream your personal dance style and attitude.  they have to accentuate your legs and body type perfectly.  they can’t be slippery on the pole and really…..you must be able to stand up in them!

when i dance in shoes, i just feel sexier.  i’m taller and i like the reflection of my body in the studio mirrors better.  i STRUT instead of walking!  better posture.  more attitude.  i even notice that on days where i plan to wear my shoes to class, i tend to put more into what i’m wearing in general and the makeup i’m wearing….let’s face it ladies, the shoes add that extra element of personal confidence.  it’s the same feeling you get after a spray tan – you just fit into your own skin a tad better.

over the past few months of my dancing, i noticed that i decided to dance barefoot more and more.  part of it was the advanced technical training i was working – i wanted to be careful landing on a 6 inch stiletto.  but more so than that, it just became habit.  and really, when i think about it – i’m so sad to not wear my shoes as often when i dance!  i actually feel a loss for them – as if my dancing is somehow just a little less feminine or empowering because i didn’t take the time to strap on those lovelies.

i know that other members of the team are feeling this way too.  we were so excited to be able to bring back virginia’s “stiletto” (the concept of the class being based on PUT THOSE HOTTIE HEELS BACK ON LADIES!), and roxy star’s sweat & seduction absolutely suggests heels be worn.

i personally have several months ahead of me before i’ll be swinging & inverting again – but when i do, i am OH so looking forward to making a stop by my shoe closet as i head into the studio – picking out my most missed pair and showcasing my tootsies.  i may cheat on them sometimes and go barefoot…but there is just nothing like the feeling of dancing a few extra inches higher.

xo, jen.

teasers, our shoe supply will be RESTOCKED with all of the classic tease choices as of next week – and look forward to our october intro, the pic above (so adorable with the rhinestone bow!).  as always, flip through our catalogues or visit pleaser online – let us know which style you love and we’d be happy to ship it to tease or directly to your door for you.

behind the scenes.

As the days of summer fly by and we get closer to the “I Have Been Teased” 4 year anniversary showcase, Tease is beginning to buzz with an energy of hard work and dedication that only anticipated performances can stir up.  This coming Monday, the 15th is the deadline for performers to submit their intent to be a part of the showcase – so the studio is filled with the anxious excitement of decisions – to perform or not to perform, choosing the prefect song, thinking about what the best costume would be, putting choreography together and refining every single detail.

curtain call.

Stage fright is very real – whether it’s your first time behind the bright lights, or you’re a seasoned performer….it happens to mostly everyone.  Leading up to the big day, the nerves definitely get more and more raw.  Putting together all of the details of a performance to be perfect is certainly a fantastic obsessive distraction…but there is definitely an awareness of the upcoming performance and anxiety surrounding all of the fears.  To this, there are only a few things that can be said – 1) everyone is in the same position as you and it is perfectly normal (I’d honestly be quite worried if the majority of our showcase performers WEREN’T feeling nervous!) 2) breathe – relax and trust yourself.  You all put an IMMENSE amount of time and detailed energy into your work.  you have this.  3) it might completely suck in the few minutes leading up to your performance – it’s SUPPOSED to, this is your adrenaline building up.  I do promise you, however, that when your music starts and you get into your routine, your endorphins will kick in and you’ll be loving it – by the time you take your well-deserved bow, you will be flying oh so high and will be so, so proud of yourself.

get em, tiger.

lights, camera action.

You’ve put in the blood, sweat and tears & have the stage fright adreneline going strong…the performer before you has just received a roaring applause…and now it’s your turn to show off your hard work.  It’s SO important to have a total blast – but remember you are on stage and are showing the world your unique choreography or freedance…DELIVER.

A few words about stage presence – ladies, ROCK IT, I’m serious.  Fear and concentration tend to take over the face on stage and it can easily send the message of being less than confident in your work, a huge distraction for the audience so eager to watch.  When you’re putting your piece together, put JUST as much energy into deciding on who the character is that you are delivering.  It may be easy to get into a character based on the song – if this isn’t the case, you may need to dust off your notes from acting 101 or watch some amazing examples of performers online to duplicate and use your imagination.  BE intense on stage, it delivers so well.  I would absolutely love to coach any of you with some tips on this if you’re struggling to “go there”.

How about the “what if’s”?  Something doesn’t go as planned – you (gasp?!) forget your choreography – trust your freelance, you practice this like crazy in class, you’ve GOT it!; you don’t hold a trick – so, come out of it early…the audience is WAY impressed and 90% of them don’t know the difference…the other 10% assume it to be a unique variation; so what if things go a little differently on stage than you planned?  This is a LIVE performance, that is the point.  The show must go on, ladies – embrace the rawness of dancing live and rock it despite.

take a bow.

I need to offer a curtsy class.  Can you imagine if Lady Gaga, Britney or Beyonce finished the finale of their show….and walked off without any exit?  If a principal dancer onstage with NYC Ballet didn’t wait for acknowledgement from the audience & just shuffled off stage (ok…if you pull out the LMFAO shuffle MAYBE I’ll count that as an exit!).  The very last taste of the performance would be sour to the audience.  Your bow is OH so important – it’s your final intimate moment with your audience.  Your final delivery of your personality.   Your chance to breathe in the appreciation for your hard work.  Their chance to acknowledge you.  Ladies, EMBRACE this please.  I can’t emphasize this enough.  Available for bow coaching too, but follow these simple steps and you should be able to capture that last moment under the stage lights perfectly:

1) Hold your last pose for a second of two.

2) Take an obvious deep breath.

3) Turn to face the audience, actually look at them – don’t rush this!

4) SMILE.  No matter what your character, show your pearly whites and smile.  You’ve done it.

5) Give them a DEEP bow – whether it’s a true curtsy, a raise and drop of the arm, a large nod of the head, or a spin – go with the bow that you feel comfortable with and really take a couple of moments in it.

6) Look back at and smile again at the audience.

7) Turn to walk off stage confidently.

We’ve got just over a month – and I’m so excited to present to our audience the “I Have Been Teased” 4 year anniversary showcase.  This will be a show to remember.

xo, Jen

4 years young.

August approached SO quickly this year, 2011 is just flying.  Since opening Tease in 2007, the month of August has meant a great deal to me as it marks Tease’s anniversary.  And how far we’ve come…

The Story of Tease.

I fell in love with pole fitness and was instantly addicted in 2001 when I decided to take a pole class myself.  Attending school in Boulder, I was introduced to a studio called FlashDance studios which was WAY ahead of its time and the pole fitness craze.  The studio meant everything to me.  My outlet.  My workout.  My friends.  This was my zone and I would have moved in if I could have.  The confidence and technical abilities that I received from FlashDance cannot be put into words.  This is where I met Tease instructors Jenna & Virginia!

After FlashDance closed its doors and my life shifted towards Denver, I began to use my technical dance education and fitness certifications to teach classes throughout the Denver area…soon the thought of opening my own studio was realistic.

I can remember the exhilaration of preparing for doors opening at Tease 4 years ago.  The thoughts and plans leading up to it – the questions, wondering if this dream even possible or if it was a crazy thought.  The thought of being able to offer women an atmosphere in which they can love to workout, gain even more personal confidence and make friends for life was what kept me on track.  I found the space at 1111 South Pearl (now home to Tootsies Nail Shoppe)…and committed without looking back.

There hasn’t been a day since that I haven’t put 110% of my energy, heart and soul into Tease!  In the beginning, it meant kicking it all off  - spending sleepless nights painting the walls, learning how to hang poles and mirrors, planning the schedule and spreading the word.  I look back at that first year and think what a CRAZY person I was!  I personally taught every single class at the studio – 6 days a week, up to 3 classes a day after working a 9-5 behind a desk all day.  But it was my baby – and I was already addicted to the concept that I could have a hand in bringing an amazing workout to women…that they just might love and that might just give them a little bit of extra confidence – this was what drove me from the very start.

The studio grew steady that first year as I continued to work relentlessly, the word spread and I eventually hired instructors.  Both Samm and Jenna were two of the first instructors to work at Tease – they each witnessed Tease from the beginning so intimately and personally.  The energy that was building never ceased to amaze me.

In August of 2009, after realizing that we couldn’t fit a chair class of over 12 and seeing the absurdity of Samm’s growing cardio gogo class of over 10 try to dance full out to her famous “Disturbia” (you remember that right ladies!!!) routine in the 1111 South Pearl Street location anymore, we moved 2 doors down into our current home at 1107 South Pearl Street.  And what a wonder the past 2 years have been.

Over the past 2 years, we’ve moved from having a staff of 3 instructors to now 10-14.  Our instructors USED to check clients in at the desk as well but now we are lucky to have an amazing team of receptionists and as of November, 2010 a studio manager.  I am thankful daily for the amazing team of talent that is the force behind Tease.

My role has shifted during the past few years as well.  Although I’m not currently teaching any classes now that I’m almost 7 months pregnant, I typically teach about 5 classes a week instead of them ALL (much better variety for you girls lol!).  I spend my days doing so many things for Tease including thinking up new class concepts, planning events, creating the class schedule, answering correspondence, managing my incredible staff, designing and updating the website and all Tease digital and printed advertisements, networking with other local business owners, planning Tease merchandise, planning monthly and one day sales, all back end of the studio, etc etc.  I’ve learned so much from my baby that is Tease and love every aspect of this job.

Thank you, Teasers.

I want to take a moment to give a virtual hug to everyone who has set foot in the studio and believes in Tease.  It literally would not be possible without your love and support.  You are the inspiration behind my ever-growing vision for Tease and you are the focus for the reason Tease needs to succeed.

I’m so excited to journey into this 5th year with you & discover what is in store for the future of Tease.

xo, Jen

se·duc·tion

[si-duhk-shuhn]

–noun

seduction 101.

burlesque.  pole dance.  the lap dance.  strip tease.  all elements of classes offered at Tease Studio which are workout-oriented…but let’s face it – the traditional foundations of these dance forms come from a root of sexiness and TEASE…whether you’re tease-ing it for fitness or something more, we all love the confidence booster Tease classes give us.  as Tease Studio’s newest instructor Roxy Star would say “you can’t deny it…the word ‘sex’ is in ‘sexiness’!”, so let’s surrender for a class that might just leave us walking in our stilettos with a little extra sway in our step.

the concept.

presented by Roxy Star.

learn why the art of seduction has more than one approach.  are you a flirty sex kitten, a steamy seductress or a wanton wild woman?  using traditional burlesque techniques and classic stripper movements you’ll learn the art of slow sensuality, flirtatious teasing and hard hitting sexiness.  workout will include abs/core, flexibility and cardio – everything you need to make him beg for more.

heels (your preference, kitten heels or sky high stilettos will do!) & layers (a couple of shirts) are required for this class.  booty shorts are suggested.

roxy star.

“burlesque dancer, pole dance artist and connoisseur of all things glamorous, glittery, sexy, and edgy! instructor in the art of seductive dance and sensual fitness.”  Roxy Star was brought to Tease for her abilities to teach the art of seduction, but even more importantly to give women a gush of performance and life purpose & confidence.  we’re excited to add her to our team.

what to expect.

wear heels- this class requires heels of your preference.  kitty, sky high – even heeled boots will do.  so pick your flavor of the day and come ready to work it.  layers are important too – some striptease is incorporated into the class and layers are…helpful  an extra tank or cutsey hoodie will do just fine.  once comfy in your skin (for some of us it takes a little while to get here!), feel free to rock out booty shorts.  this is a class that you can have fun adding an element of flirt to your workout attire!

this class has something to offer for everyone.  whether you’re looking to add that sway to your every step, spice it up in the bedroom, empower your performances or treat yourself to an extra confidence booster; Roxy Star assures that everyone in class feels in their comfort zone by literally creating a “womb” environment and keeping the negative/judgements out.  there is something for everyone to gain.  weekly you’ll see new focuses on the different aspects of sexy, challenging you to truly put yourself out there and embrace your intentions.  movement-wise, you’ll learn many new things to incorporate into any style of dance you’re passionate about.  LOVE the class’s sexy signature stretch series.

can’t wait for you to check this one out.

xo, jen

In Awe.

I’ve been so excited to blog this week about one of my newest inspirations.  As we’re approaching 4 YEARS of tease…and just because I love to keep things fresh, I am constantly observing my surroundings for inspiration.  After an impromptu super quick trip to Las Vegas last week, I’m excited to return starry eyed and artistically inspired from the scene – and in particular, from having the pleasure of catching a gorgeous show.

Crazy Horse

Crazy Horse (formerly La Femme), the MGM Grand Show direct from the Crazy Horse Cabaret in Paris literally kept a 5 1/2 month pregnant woman wide-eyed in her seat during a time period which would have normally meant several bathroom breaks.

The show was originally created by Alain Bernardin in 1951.  An amateur artist, Bernardin set out to create a show that was more striking than the traditional American striptease and yet acceptable to a wide audience. Playing with both light and color projected on the women he experimented with numerous light variations.

The show today combines the talents of international dancers – one of the most technically PERFECT group of ballet trained dancers I have ever seen on stage together (this coming from a ballet connoisseur, frequent to performances by New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theater, Boston Ballet, Pacific NorthWest Ballet, Royal Ballet, etc – the greats), performing the most clean and concise variation of burlesque I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing to date.

The artistic lighting – both astounding and fresh.  The dancers – aesthetically  pleasing in their perfectly coordinated body types and perfection to detail.  The music – both classic and hip with a lounge yet trip hop feel.  The show is comprised of about 15 various acts.  Some group pieces and some solo work.  Each has its own distinct flavor while keeping the sexy Paris burlesque feel consistent.

Now…to Tease It.

This stunning visual effect left me overflowing with inspiration in so many different directions…classes which inspire nothing less than pure technical perfection; tease students feeling confident showcasing their capturing stage presence which easily changes from one character interpretation to another; new ideas surrounding movements and class concepts as well as visual props and effects displayed during showcases.

So, teasers.  Expect to see my new-found inspiration sprinkled throughout the studio as we enter our 4th year.  If I can communicate my new visions even slightly…you’re all in for a total treat.

Be My Guest

Checkout some inspiration and clips from the Crazy Horse show.

xo, Jen

Tease Studio To Rock Out Fitness On The Rocks // Saturday July 16

Saturday July 16th marks a first for Tease as we lock our studio doors for the day and take our cutey but tough style workout OUTSIDE.  That’s right…Tease Studio is sending a team of gals to participate in the largest EVER organized fitness event at the world-famous Red Rocks Amhiptheater…and we have more than one reason to be excited.

Team Tease

Both Tease Studio instructors and clients will be participating as a team in the 10am “Total Body Workout” wave. Adorned in adorable Team Tease tanks & headbands (possibly a pair of leg warmers or two? – hey it is Tease!), our team will join over 1000 other people in their wave alone working on a strength and conditioning workout in sync with concert quality sound. Push ups, step ups, dips, squats, box jumps, abs, lunges, cardio and aerobic movements. The amphitheater will touch every part of their bodies in a high intensity interval 60-minute exercise session.

Spots are STILL available to join team tease for fitness on the rocks – if you would love to signup, please call the studio asap.  303.898.0535

The Tease Booth

Tease will have a booth setup with the other sponsors (at the top of the amphitheater).  But our booth will of COURSE be adorned with a POLE!  Teasers will be invited to take a spin (and instructors may just be showing off a move or two).  Goodies will be given out throughout the day.  We think our booth will be pretty cool

Checkout Those Djs

Workout, dance and hangout to tunes played by Tease creator Jen and her fiancee Walt (www.bounceagenda.com // www.bridalpop.com) – they will be dj-ing the event on the main Red Rocks Stage.

Strike A Pose

Fav Tease photographer Ryan Olsen will be present at the event, following Team Tease through the 10am wave and making a stop for some pics at the Tease booth.  As you know, Tease HEARTS Ryan and we’re so excited he’ll be there to participate.  We will definitely be posting pics of this event.

So…don’t have tickets to Global Dance Fest but want to get a taste?  Looking to still get your Saturday workout in?  Join us.   Bring your family and friends down (this is an all ages event) – participate with Team Tease or come support your gal pals and get in on all of the action by observing.  This event is NOT one to be missed and we’d love to see your cutey Tease booty.

www.fitnessontherockscolorado.com

xo, Jen

Blog’s Back!

Hey Teasers!

We’re excited to announce our new blog schedule.  Tease will now have a blog updated WEEKLY.  Be sure to visit our blog site every Thursday to check out what’s new in our world.

Muah!  Team Tease.

“the lapdance” by Tease Studio Marketing Intern Amanda

Love your current Tease workout, but craving something even steamier? Tease’s newest class will help you slow down, relax, and indulge your sexiest side. The Lapdance with Sasha is a chance to focus on slow seduction, whether you’re a pole friend or a first time Teaser.

I wasn’t sure what kind of workout to expect from this class, but I definitely worked up a sweat! Sasha’s a pro at bringing out your inner flirt while setting your thighs on fire. The focus is definitely on seduction, but expect a killer hip and booty workout.

But the best thing about the Lapdance is that it builds confidence in ALL your Tease classes.  I am proud to say I finally know the secret to a perfect stripper crawl, and left class feeling flirtier than ever. And after all that sexy, you’ll definitely leave the studio with a little extra swing in your walk.

One More Bonus: You don’t need a pole to practice these moves at home… just sit that special someone down and show them what you’ve learned. We promise, they’ll be happy to watch!