by Kiley Oram

You don't need to be a born dancer and you don't need to install a poleinto your bedroom to take it all off for your lover. All you need is alittle imagination, a bit of courage, and a sense of adventure.Performing a striptease can be a huge turn-on, and not just for yourvery special audience. Shedding your inhibitions to get dressed up andshow off your body is sexy, not to mention lots of fun.

1. Imagine it first. You're hot stuff. Your lover sure thinksso, too. Loving your body and being excited about showing it off arethe most important parts of a striptease. So imagine yourself front andcenter, gyrating to the music while your lover gets hotter and hotter?
2. Choose the right music. What music turns you on or makes you want tomove? The song that works best is the song that makes you feel sexy,whether it's hard rock, hip-hop, or opera. If you're having troublefinding a song, think of what mood you want to convey in your number.Sultry and seductive? Pick something slow and brooding (some trip-hopor blues?). Fast and frenzied? Don't neglect heavy metal! There's astyle of music for whatever you want to express. If you really wantyour routine to hit home, find out what music turns your lover on anddance to that.
3. Add costumes and props. You've got your music, now you need somethingto take off! Do you want your act to have a theme? Put together acostume: lots of lingerie stores have naughty costumes, or try thriftstores for some vintage props. This is the perfect opportunity to playdress-up. You can be anything?a silver screen legend, a pin up girl,or a cross-dressed young man?just do whatever turns you on. Don'tforget props. Props can give you more to do while you're dancing: astethoscope to play doctor, a red nose to be a dirty clown ('causehumor is SO sexy), a vacuum for the door-to-door salesman act, you getthe idea!
4. Get moving. You can be a great stripper even if you've got two leftfeet. With the costume, songs and props in place, you don't have to beyourself if you don't want to, just get into character. Be that naughtynurse, sassy schoolgirl, or bossy policeman. If it feels silly (althoughsilly can be sexy) or clich�d to gyrate in a stereotypical ?stripper?style, try some old-fashioned burlesque moves:
• bump and circle your hips from side to side and front to back
• showcase a part of your body (an arm, a leg, breasts) by slowly dragging your hand along it (be coy)
• be expressive with your face?smile, pout, wink. Your expressions can add a lot to your act.
• Slowly taking off a glove can be surprisingly sultry. Pull at thefingertips teasingly with your teeth, run a removed glove over yourskin.
• Remember, the tease is what makes it a stripTEASE?don't rush to removeyour clothes. Make your audience wait. Enjoy the music and have funwith it.
5. Flaunt your assests. Focus on your favorite body parts and your loverwill too. Love your legs? Wear high heels to show 'em off! Admireyour strong arms? Slowly remove long gloves so your lover?s eyes willbe riveted to them. Whether it?s your hair, smile, butt, or big toe, ifyou love it make sure you show it off. You're celebrating your body,not hiding it. (If you?re self-conscious about a certain body part,think creatively?burlesque performers swear by fishnet stockings withback seams, because they make your legs look a mile long. Corsets playup your curves, and wigs, hats or hair extensions can give you a wholenew look).
6. The grand finale. When your partner's eyes have popped out of his orher head, treat him or her to a much-deserved lap dance (which caneasily turn into a bed dance.. or a floor dance.. or..).