Standing tall

GOOD posture and deportment may not be the first words you'd associate with Burlesque, but are at the core of the six-week programme taught by Sue Manser at the Art of Dance studio.

I went to the studio armed with a pair of high heels, bought because I loved them but am unable to totter more than a couple of steps, and hoped Sue could work her magic.

Sue Manser, stage name Georgina Gale, has performed and taught her stylised 1940s Burlesque for many years and created the programme as a foundation for women to feel more confident about themselves and to express their feminine side.

Sue said: "I went to deportment classes when I was 17 at Plymstock School and learned how to walk in court shoes, how to speak properly, matching your accessories, etc.

"Good posture can improve your core strength, make you look and act more confident and stand proud as a woman. Deportment is a lost art and I bring some of what I learnt to my classes."

So after pep talk about posture Sue helped me to find the best way to hold my body and then we did some simple movements which combined gentle exercise and dance.

After walking in barefeet up and down the studio a few times and adjusting my body's balance, I was ready for my heels.

It was a shaky start, but after a couple of times I felt much more confident and able to walk without feeling like I was going to fall over. Sue has a lot of experience teaching models how to walk on the catwalk, so with a bit of practice I can wow my friends on our next night out.

In today's society Burlesque is generally associated with striptease but it's also a lot more than that.

It's about dance, movement, balance and posture and throughout the session I watched Sue strike a variety of poses which were beautiful, dramatic and quite often cheeky.

My own poses didn't quite match up, but Sue said that it takes time and practice and gave me sage words of advice. "Imagine you're looking at your best friend in the mirror and telling her how good she looks."

The taster was fun and feminine and I found myself standing a little taller by the end.

And as Sue said: "Release your inner goddess."

Each lesson costs £10 per person but if you book a six-week block you get your lesson at just £8 per lesson.

The next taster session (costing £8) is tonight at 6.30pm-7.30pm.

The next six-week course starts Wednesday September 9, however there will be future tasters and courses.

For more information contact Sam Remmer at The Art of Dance on 01752 260020 / 07779 000027 or visit www.theartofdance.co.uk