BURLESQUERCISE PRESENTS:
Calgary International Salsa Congress 2012
2012-01-31
Which is hotter? Salsa or Burlesque?
That continues to be debated across Calgary, but the good news is... you will get the fever this spring at the Calgary International Salsa Congress on April 20 & 21st! Workshops, shows and international talent all weekend long! Be mesmerized by a theatre-style production featuring some of the best salsa dancers in the world, local professionals, and troupes from all over North America, flown in for one weekend only. Spectacular international salsa showcases will take place 2 nights only Friday April 20, and Saturday April 21 at the elegant Hyatt Regency Imperial Ballroom.
Get sizzlin' for salsa and join Miss Kim on Tuesday nights for her Salsa-i-licious Burlesque (Level 2).
(1) Comments
Another fascinating read….FREQUENCY by Penney Pierce
2012-01-29
Now this is a cool book. If you are pondering what the hell is going on in the big scheme of things, this book is an eye popper! (that's more grandeur than an "eye- opener")
The back cover reads..."Frequency...the Power of Personal Vibration" shows you how to feel your personal vibration and work intentionally with energy to transform your life. Rather than being carried by external. conflicting energies, you can still your mind and become aware of who you are-your natural frequency-and what you truly want to create"
The are many insights to this book...one concept that really fascinated me was the role that our early wounding and perceptions play in your life. Peirce calls them, "Feeling Habits".
Quote: "From the time you were born, you began developing a subliminal system for feeling your way through life. Depending upon the reception you received, your highly sensitive little body learned to either stay open and radiant or contract in self-protection..many of the feeling habits you developed were unhealthy, designed to protect you or reinforce misperceptions your baby mind made...you learn to flow your energy where it can and resign yourself to no movement in many areas. If you cannot get soul validation, you define yourself by the rules you have made." She goes on to explain that the "perceived" rejected parts of yourself bounce back to you..and it creates a wound.
Check it out babes!
di
xo
(0) Comments
OMG! Amazing Must Read!
2012-01-29
Ladies! You must read this book!
"The Wisdom of Menopause" by Christine Northrup is a very interesting an insightful perspective of how a woman's state of mind can affect her health. She explains that your body is telling you constantly about your spiritual health. She really connected many of the dots for me..and I have much more understanding of the women that hit our classes. Menopause and perimenopause causes so many changes..including re-wiring of your brain. This change affects every relationship you have in your life...also a very insightful concept is that if a woman is not living "honestly"...not speaking "her truth"...censoring her true feelings and not expressing them..she will inevitably get sick...eventually.
Here's a small quote...
" At midlife, more physic energy becomes available to us than at anytime since adolescence. If we strive to work in active partnership with that organic energy, trusting it to help us uncover the unconscious beliefs about ourselves and our unhealed hurts that have held us back from what we could become, then we will find we have access to everything we need to re-invent ourselves as healthier, more re-silient women, ready to move joyfully into the second half of our lives." She then goes on to say, " If a woman's creativity does not find an outlet, if the women remains silent for the sake of keeping the peace at home or work, or if she holds herself back from pursuing her creative urges or desires- the result is equivalent to plugging the vent on a pressure cooker:something has to give. Very often what gives is the woman's health..."
OMG..this is what so many of you have been saying. Please read this amazing resource!
and you younger babes...this book applies to you too...i should have read it a long time ago!
(1) Comments
A message from Instructress Miss Leslie…
2012-01-29
I am so happy to announce that I am now teaching full time for the amazing Di and her company Burlesquercise!
Di has been my teacher, mentor and part of my family for a very long time and I am thrilled to be following in her footsteps. Dance is my passion and my love and it has helped me grow throughout my years into a strong, confident woman with courage and personality that resonates in my everyday life. This is why I am very excited to pass on all my knowledge, skill and love for what I do to other ladies who want to feel free and beautiful!
Starting my new class of the year I want to give a shout out to all my girls in my Burlesque 101 (intro) and Chair Tease class taking place on Sundays. The new girls from my intro class were joyful, put their judgement aside, and stepped out of their shells in order to have fun and sexify their souls. I had a fantastic time and was proud of every one of them. Same goes to my girls from my chair tease class. Most of them already taking a Burlesque course in the past came in confident and open minded with smiles on their faces and ready to go. We had a great time, happy to see familiar faces and I really enjoyed spicing things up for them.
I really look forward to all my upcoming classes and sharing the greatness behind Burlesquercise to all the women out there wanting to be part of something that is beautiful, therapeutic and exhilarating!!!
(7) Comments
Do you know what Burlesquercise has been up to?
2012-01-24
Click to see our sexy news!
Diva Di's very own Burlesquercise company has made headlines once again. Gaining popularity throughout the city and surrounding areas, its no surprise why so many women are drawn to this sexy sport. Whether it's wanting to gain body awareness, join a fitness team, enjoy dance or find their own inner sinner, many vixens have been sexified all through 2011.
And now it's time for an even better 2012!! The first few classes of the year being sold out proves that this formula is a sexy winner.
Jump on the sexy train ladies.
Watch our Shaw broadcast video clip!!!
(0) Comments
BAMM your 2012!
2012-01-15
Hello my vixens!
Whew!
We did it! We survived 2011 accomplishing many things...and for many of us it was a year of letting go of our many attachments and limiting beliefs. Illness, death, divorce, depression, career changes, eating disorders, pregnancy & miscarriage were just a few of the challenges that hit home. I am so proud of all the women that challenged their fears and claimed their power! So much re-programming of those nasty thoughts! Congratulations!
Personally ...2011 was one of my most challenging. I struggled to balance all my responsibilties and overcome old negative thoughts that just kept re-appearing. My ego was busy busy testing me over and over telling me all the reasons why I could not be happy. It was so extreme that I decided to tattoo my foot so I could remind myself every single time I looked down.. But BAMM! Thanks to all the inspiring women that have touched me with all the courage so many of you had to muster...you inspired me! again! and again! Thank You.
As for classes..lots of cool stuff this season. Some classes are already sold out so please jump on the sexy train and see the list of many classes that will brighten your heart.
and don't forget...
SEXIFY YOUR SATURDAY Teaser Workshops March 10th! Guest instructors include Rufino and Julia Harnett from SYTYCD Canada!
Classes offered this semester:
BURLESQUE 101
INTRO TO BURLESQUERCISE
CHAIRTEASE level 2 & 3
FAN FUNDAMENTALS
SALSA-I-LICIOUS BURLESQUE
CABARET CANES & MTV CABARET CANES
BURLESQUE BOOTCAMP
COYOTE UGLY
SIZZLE GIRLS
HEAT
And for those brave souls...our annual June Gala: "Rock-i-billy Blues" on June 9th! Put it on your calender!
Hope to see you in class and may 2012 be your best!
Kiss!
Miss di
...and of course my amazing staff...Miss Annick, Miss Kim & Miss Leslie
xo
(0) Comments
Taz can’t get enough of burlesque
2011-12-27
The testimonials keep pouring in and Taz is no different, having sadly missed the gala, she claims she is addicted and will continue her sexification process in 2012...
Dear Di,
Thank you for being such an amazing instructress! I love that you started the classes by sharing your personal story and letting us see you vulnerable and uncomfortable side. It made it easy to relate to you and inspired me.
Since starting the class, I've seen my abs tone up, inches lost around my waistline, better posture and breathing a little more pep in my step. I feel a little more sexy after each class and can't wait to actually perform in June!
I wish I could be there next Saturday! I'll be there in spirit for sure! We had a great time at Good Earth today, getting to know one another better. Most of us are planning to take your next class-it's addicting! Many of my friends want to join too-I've been talking about it on my FB and Twitter pages.
Thank you once again so much. You are a beautiful spirit and one sexy vixen!!!
Thanks.
xo
Taz
(2) Comments
Burlesquercise heals Liz
2011-12-27
Having started last summer, this babe has had an incredible journey that brought her to perform at the Hollywood Christmas Cabaret Gala! Read her story.
I can’t believe that I danced my first Burlesquercise Gala this past December. It was the most fun I’ve had in a long time. And it was something I never would’ve imagined I’d be able to do!
In 2002, on the eve of my 42nd birthday, I received a call from my doctor informing me that I had progressive, degenerative arthritis in my hips and lower back, and that their condition was the equivalent of a 70 year old. I was devastated. This was not how I imagined the rest of my life to be. By Christmas, I was walking with a cane, and if I had to park at the back of the shopping centre’s parking lot, I was exhausted by the pain by the time I made it to the doors.
My doctor pretty well gave up except to see me to renew my pain medications. But I had found an athletic therapist who refused to give up on me. With her treatment of ultrasound, massages with myofascial release and lots of pain, they got me to the point where I could walk without the cane. But I had to exercise on a daily basis to ensure that I didn’t backslide to where I was before. I joined the Arthritis Society’s Joints in Motion Training Team and proceeded to train to walk marathons and raise funds for The Arthritis Society. The training was hard and painful, but it kept me mobile.
I kept doing this for a number of years until the pain no longer allowed me to continue. It was a very hard and painful decision to make, as I was always active, and didn’t want to believe that I was being sidelined again. Even with steroid injections into my lower vertebrae every 3 months, I still couldn’t walk the necessary distance or do the training. Since then, I tried a few different types of activities, hoping to find something that I loved doing, but without much luck.
And then I found Burlesquercise!
I was nervous that first class, not knowing what I was getting myself into. And I didn’t know if this was something that I could actually do. But 1 ½ hours later, I knew I was hooked. It was a great physical workout, involving cardio, stretching, Pilates and yoga. And of course, dancing. And zoning!! I could do the exercises/moves the best I could, and if I needed to adjust some exercises, then that was OK too. The instructors and women of Burlesquercise were so much fun, so welcoming and accepting.
Diana Lefebvre, the founder of Burlesquercise, is a beautiful woman, both inside and out. Along with her instructors, Kim, Annick and Leslie, they empower all the women in their classes to free that sexy, confident woman, all within a safe and accepting environment. And on the eve of the Gala, Diana helped alleviate our nervousness by reminding us that this night was for us to celebrate our accomplishments and “just have fun!”
Though my pain continues, I look forward to the nights I have dance class. It doesn’t matter if I’m tired and sore, or if it’s cold and dark outside, the thought of dancing with all these fabulous women buoys my spirit! And the added bonus – I’m overjoyed with the change that’s happening - the toning and slimming of my body!
Many thanks to Diana, Kim, Annick and Leslie!
(1) Comments
Start 2012 with Sexify YOUR Saturday
2011-12-20
Mark your calendars now! Saturday January 28, 2012.
A mere 33 days after Christmas will call for some much needed zoning due to serious burlesque withdrawals.
Join our team for this sexy workshop day!
Details are as follows:
Register online $40 early bird or $50 at the door.
Sexification workshops begin at 4PM and go until 9PM with a Diva Break 6:30-7PM.
All dance levels are welcome! Whether you are a newcomer or an experienced vixen, workshops are designed to enhance your skills and boost your confidence. Lots of gigglin' guaranteed!
Join Miss Di and her gang for the hottest day of winter in this burlesque taste tester workshop series.
Workshops held at: Dancenergy - 1305 - 33 Street NE, Calgary
(0) Comments
Sizzled her way to Calgary
2011-12-18
Meet Justine. New to Calgary and a great new asset to the Burlesquercise team. This sexy cat joined Sizzle a few weeks into the course and performed at the gala! Way to go. Read her thoughts!
As a spectator, The 3rd Annual Christmas Gala, "A Tribute to Hollywood" was classy,sassy and an all around good time. The evening was filled with different aspects of Burlesque; lavish props, comedy, and great dance performances. The energy was as high as the kicks!!
As performers, we were proud as we marched out in front of friends and strangers, to demonstrate that we are 'ALL THAT'; to express, to perform, to be ourselves, and to love every minute of it, that's what this Gala was for. Not just a form of entertainment but a form of release and a feeling of freedom.
Thank you Burlesquercise for giving me the opportunity to show Calgary what I am made of.
100% sexy woman!!
Justine Morley
(1) Comments
Monica Loves Burlesquercise
2011-12-18
What would I do without Burlesquercise Canada??
Well my life would be a tremendous bore without it, that is for sure.
I found Burlesquercise through a male dance instructor who was trying to teach me how to do rumba walks. At the first hint of me being even close to sexy I shut down and burst out laughing. So he suggested I take Di’s Burlesquercise classes and he introduced me to her. I was hooked at the first class. Di, a beautiful, talented, smart and gracious woman, was so down to earth, funny, accepting and encouraging. She related to us on our level. Chipping away at my fear of my own sexuality.
BUT that didn’t mean I was ready to PERFORM in a burlesque routine. No, no, no. I saw a video clip of some previous gala’s and the performers seemed to get very close to the audience. My stomach immediately turned into knots. I broke out in a sweat as I watched the video. There was no way I could do that. There was no way I could dance in a sensual, sexy way that close to an audience member, and God forbid if the audience member was a man!!! After a couple of days, I realized that precisely because I had so much fear, I had to do it. I had to participate in the gala. I had to ignore my issues with my weight, buy a corset, and perform with my fellow vixens. Of course I strategically picked the back corner!! LOL. Ha ha ha.
I’ve learned that Burlesquercise for me is so much more than being sexy in a corset. I mean that’s the fun part of it. The, icing on the cake, if you will. The most valuable gift I have received from doing Burlesquercise, is the women I have met. Of all ages, backgrounds and dance levels. They’re ALL beautiful women. I have made some wonderful friendships. The women of Burlesquercise are unlike women I have met in other genres of dance. These ladies lift each other up, speak to the greatness in each other and never let each other fail. The ladies of Burlesquercise offer encouragement and support for everything, from getting up the courage to perform in public in a corset to bringing healthy snacks and making encouraging signs to put in the back for all the other performers. Where else in this world do women experience this?
At this point I would have to say that the dancers and students of Burlesquercise are a reflection of the leaders. Diana, Annick and Kim. They set the tone in the classes and for the performances. They are pivotal in providing support and guidance as we dance our way through this journey. Thank You does not even come close to expressing how grateful I am for the experience I have had with Burlesquercise Canada. My self esteem is rising, my health is getting better and my dancing in other genres is getting better because of what I do with you.
Here’s to another happy and successful 2012 as we all dance along our own Yellow Brick Roads. And who says the Wizard has to be a man??
**Imagine sexy zoning here**
Love to all of the ladies of Burlesquercise.
Monica Bryan
XOXOXOXO
(2) Comments
Diane Lives and Breathes Burlesque
2011-12-15
Living with Passion!! This is Diane's motto. Read her amazing testimonial of perseverance and strength...
Dancing is an activity that until recently, I only watched from afar. I have Cystic Fibrosis, which is an inherited, fatal lung disease. When I was born the average life expectancy for someone with CF was four years old and I was diagnosed when I was two. Living with Cystic Fibrosis has always restricted my lung capacity. Eight years ago, I received the gift of a double lung transplant, but it is only in the last few years that I have been healthy enough to try dancing! To find Burlesquercise was a gift in itself, but to have Diana Lefebvre as the woman behind the movement is the reason woman flock to this fun form of exercise, dance and self-discovery. Diana and her instructors, are encouraging, friendly, and make us all feel beautiful both on the inside and outside.
As a complication of my CF, I am also an insulin-dependent Diabetic. Battling these two chronic illnesses has shown me the amazing potential of the human spirit and how important it is to truly appreciate everyone and everything around us. I have always pursued my creative side, but when I was forced to become dependent on an oxygen tank & a feeding tube as my lifelines, I realized I could sit, paint and breathe at the same time! At this point, I was put on the lung transplant list and in 2003 I received a double lung transplant! My journey from deaths’ door to a new life, all occurred all in an eight-hour surgery, a three-month hospital stay & an ongoing, arduous recovery process.
Through all of my medical interruptions, I have continued to explore the world of artistic expression through painting. Painting helps me to project the passion I strive for in life, onto a canvas and to always see the joy & opportunities in our world. I am inspired to paint because I believe that life can be viewed with more optimism if you live with passion. Living passionately also translates into being present and aware in our daily thoughts, tasks and interactions with people. This is not a new idea in society, but one must consciously work at it to truly incorporate this simple idea into your life.
Diana Lefebvre embraces this philosophy by reaching out to all kinds of women through her “Burlesquercise” classes. She helps her students engage in physical fitness, while gaining confidence in them-selves by learning to celebrate the natural sexuality in all women. The women, taking these classes, come in all shapes with different backgrounds and life experiences. This has inspired me to paint a Burlesque series called “The woman in me” to try and express the emotions, the sexuality, the colors and of course the Boas onto the canvas! Diana has given me another opportunity by allowing me to have a booth at the Gala to showcase this series. Check it out!
I have so much fun in the classes, that I can’t stop smiling. I have worked very hard at getting strong and healthy and now to add a level of confident sexuality on top is the “icing on the cake!” I have been in Burlesque for only a year and this time I have decided to take the last step in the confidence challenge and dance in the Gala! No matter what my feet might do in the routines, MY LUNGS ARE DANCING!
Thank you Diana for this opportunity and for allowing woman to
“Sing and dance like no one is watching!”
Namaste,
Diane Kinahan
(0) Comments
Jenn the Sexy Pilot
2011-12-15
This 'Heat' Burlesquercise troupe member speaks from the heart. Read her inspiring sexification journey!
Di,
This took a lot for me to say but I've been wanting to for a while! So thank you, more than you know! ( a little long 
) love ya!
About a year ago around this time I was doing the same thing. I was getting ready for Di's burlesque gala, my very first gala. Wow! What a difference a year can make. To think that not that long ago I was still suffering from social anxiety disorder and was paralyzed by fear, fear of judgement, of scrutiny. Even though I knew mentally my fears were irrational, but somehow they still had an insane amount of power over my entire life. I thought the more I avoided life, the more control I would have. Yet those same fears also robbed me of happiness, and left me with less control then I started with.
My story began when I went to the previous gala in the spring to watch some dancing with a friend, see what this Burlesquercise stuff was all about. Thought to myself, hmmm this lady has some kind of light surrounding her, that I have to be a part of.
I'm not sure how far along in my journey I was when I heard Di's story. How she started with ballet, deciding to try ballroom due to an injury mixed with a little bit of boredom during recovery. She spoke about overcoming her own obstacles and shyness. She mentioned something that has stuck with me ever since, is that all of those special powers, confidence and self value that you see in others is just a learned skill...
Wow I may let this woman in a little, she seemed to have struggled with rather similar demons. Okay maybe, just maybe I can learn this skill set too.
Over the past year, Di has not only been my burlesque teacher, coach, and great role model, she has also been my friend. She has listened to my frustrations, comforted me when I felt like quitting it all, kicked my butt when I needed it and celebrated my triumphs! Once you get to know the real Diva Di, you can't help but love her!
If you keep making the same excuses in life you will remain stagnant! Challenge those little voices that tell you that you can't do something, that you are too this or not enoughn of that! Why not Challenge them to watch you win! The more you challenge those self defeating thoughts the less of a challenge they will remain. Don't get me wrong I still have my moments - but a wise and special man told me to seek progression not perfection (thanks Martin )
Stop criticizing, go back to the joy and fun parts of dance and watch not only your dancing but your life soar!
Thx again
Jenn xox
(0) Comments
3rd Annual Cabaret Christmas Gala
2011-12-06
So many brave Calgary women have walked through our doors and some will be strutting their stuff at our 3rd annual Cabaret Christmas Gala! Please come out and celebrate with us at our "Tribute to Hollywood" theme party.
Your support can make all the difference to our many vixens who are claiming their feminine power and embracing their softness.
The evening will include cocktails, a mini burlesque class, a dessert & martini bar and showcases from the beginner to the advanced Little Vegas starlett. Expect a few surprises and lots of gigglin' and memory making as well!
3rd annual Cabaret Christmas Gala: A Tribute to Hollywood
Saturday December 10th @ 7:30pm Spectators: $28
Also in appreciation of all of your continued support and enthusiasm, all 2012 courses will be on sale for 72 hrs starting December 10th! Jump on the sexy train and tell your friends! Check back then to see the line up as we prepare for our June Gala: " Rockibilly Blues"!!
Your humble leader,
di
xo
(0) Comments
Sexy Vixens at Taboo
2011-11-13
Taboo Sex Show in Calgary was hot hot HOT!
14 sexy vixens. 5 showtimes. 5 seminars. Lots of feathers! And...
Calgary women have been sexified Burlesquercise style!
Thanks to all the gals who spent all weekend at Taboo working the booth, performing on stage and advocating general sexiness.
Stay tuned for videos on our youtube page!
THE ENTIRE GANG
MISS LESLIE & MISS KEELY
MISS TESLIN & MISS KAREN
MISS JENN & MISS KEELY
(1) Comments
