The Benefits of Erotic Dancing
For as long as I can remember, I have been inspired by Josephine Baker’s ability to seduce with the sway of her hips and dazzling smile. My teen self wanted to be just like her, too. To move with such style, such grace, but that felt out of reach for a frumpy girl like myself.
As an adult - I realize that was a lie. After experiencing a decade of my terrible twenties, I have been slowly picking apart the lies I have told myself, including the one about me and erotic dancing.
But first - let's define what erotic dancing is.
What is erotic dancing?
Erotic dancing is a style of dance that elicits sensual thoughts and feelings. Some examples include lap dancing, belly dancing, pole dancing, or even twerking.
How to erotic dance
Are you Julia Stiles in Save the Last Dance? Babe, me too. I cannot dance for the life of me, but you know what? I am trying, and that is what matters. You can learn for yourself by watching Youtube tutorials or practicing moving your hips back and forth to your favorite ethereal song. Do not worry about what you look like.
How to move past fear
Believe me, I know it can be difficult to move past fears and stigmas planted deep into your mind. Before I gave erotic dancing a shot, I still carried the notion that I was unable to achieve “sexy”, even after I drowned myself in the corporatized self-love movement from the 2010s.
I began my erotic dancing journey by watching the iconic Egyptian belly dancer Samia Gamal. I studied her movements and then emulated them with my own twist. Watching her taught me that seduction does not look any one way. It is a feeling - and only YOU can define that for yourself.
Erotic dancing improves your sense of self
When I am feeling emotionally drained, getting dressed up in lingerie and twerking in front of the mirror brings me joy. In a world where everyone is looking at my fat Black body (whether I want them to or not), it is freeing to have a moment to look at all my curves and define what sexy is for me without judgment.
With every offbeat booty bounce, I am reminded that I am, indeed, NOT Beyonce - but I am someone learning to define what beauty, love, and sexuality mean to me in my thirties.
Erotic dancing can improve your libido
With everything that has gone down in the last three years, I think it is more than fair to say that mental health care is somewhere between Biden and God. Like, the kids are not alright. And it has affected almost every part of our lives, including pleasure. When you feel disconnected from your sexual self, it can be hard to get into the mood. Erotic dancing can act as a gateway back to your sexuality. I can testify to that.
Erotic dancing can help you reconnect with yourself
Since introducing erotic dancing into my life, I no longer feel like a foreigner in my own body. When I see myself move with the sensuality and grace I craved in my teen years, I turn myself on. Reconnecting back to my sexual self has given me a newfound freedom that makes self-expression feel more pleasurable and full of abundance.
If you feel far from yourself or want to try something new, I encourage you to go on this same journey. Express yourself in your most authentic way.