Demystifying Stripping, Decolonizing Sexual Empowerment: A Conversation Series

The film Strip Down, Rise Up has premiered on Netflix. Leading up to its release, unresolved feelings about my less than optimal experience being filmed for a class in a modality called S Factor, which was filmed for the purpose of being included in the documentary.

Next came absolute outrage upon watching the finished film which was releases a little over a week ago. Navigating the waves of this experience has been quite the ride.

After sharing my uapologetic, non- sugar coated truth on IG live, the video went viral. It was reposted and shared by many womxn all over the world. My DMs filled with shares & I've been receiving opportunities to speak to this ever since, including in an interview by Buzzfeed. Its been energetically a lot to navigate which is what I want to be transparent with you about.

The best way I can describe how this experience has been is:activating.

From the release of the trailer stirring up unresolved discomfort with my involvement, to absolute outrage upon watching the finished film upon its release a little over a week ago, to navigating the waves of this experience.

Not only that, but my video went viral, shared by many womxn all over the world, my DMs filled with shares, & I've been receiving press opportunities ever since. My voice was included quite a bit in this BuzzFeed article.

As a result of this experience, I have felt called to lean into this conversation and inspired to create this conversation series,

Demystifying Stripping, Decolonizing Sexual Empowerment.

In this episode I break down why this discussion is so important and why creating awareness around this topic is an integral step towards true empowerment. Hear about my journey of using my voice to speak out, what I have learned from this experience, how I am choosing to be a part of the solution, and how I’m inviting you to be a part of the solution to.

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Meet the badass April Haze, stripper, lyra aerialist, activist, pole dancer, and fellow Latina who was also interviewed for the Buzzfeed Article I was also interviewed for last month. We got to talking about experiences of discrimination in the pole dance industry, healing relationships with the male gaze in the club, and how the culture we are raised in impacts our perception of sexuality and what happens when that comes into conflict with the white gaze.

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If you don't already know, you're about to find out that Nadia Sharif is a Badass. In the world of pole dance and general bad bitchery, she is well known and widely respected for her fiery, bold movement style and commitment to using her voice to speak truth.

In this chat we'll learn about how she went from corporate career in technical engineering to pole performer, pole engineer, teacher and founder of Twisted Movement dance wear. We talk about Nadia's recent video speaking out about the problematic use of the word "exotic" that went viral and what that experience has been like. We talk about the sex worker discrimination that has become apparent in the industry of pole dance as it has grown and we talk about Nadia’s experiences as an American woman of Mexican, Pakistani heritage plus so much more.

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Samantha Sun is a performer, stripper,  host of Stripper Life Drawing ELSC  and holder of so much knowledge on the intricacies of internet law & beyond. In this chat we address the importance of proper education around consent, the intersection in conversation around sex work, sex traffic, & immigration, interacting with cultural stereotypes in performance and centering policy change. DAMN there's a lot of goodness in this episode.

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Misha Delores is an embodied movement facilitator and learning & development consultant for witches, mystics & spiritual babes of color.

Misha shared about her experiences working in mission based wellness companies in which internal practices did not align with their forward facing values. And what ensued when leadership was called in to accountability.

From there we discuss using your voice, creating boundaries, and what it means to hold responsible space in which toxic patriarchal power dynamics are not simply replicated, but continually called into question. Also, a vision for empowered leadership to create change and get into integrity when harm has been done in order to create pathways for change and growth.

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This convo w/ Jozey covered a LOT of ground.
From the effects of colonization & Catholicism on sexuality, to stripper unions & how to be an ally to s3x w0rkers.

@juicy.jozey is a str!pper, online cam girl, & board member of @soldiers_of_pole_
If you learned something or were inspired by this conversation you’re welcome to tip Jozey at cash.app/$/juicyjozey

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Stripper & Activist, AMD aka The Queen of Sexy continually uses her platform & privilege to gather, organize, and have the conversations that need to be had.

AMD is Host of @yesastripperpodcast, Coordinator of @soldiers_of_pole_ and Co-founder of @everybodyvisible

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Ghetto Stiletto Gurlz Perform at Carnival's Sinderella: A Dance Opera

It was SO MUCH FUN to turn Carnival into a strip club this week at their Sinderella: A Dance Opera Showcase!

Performing with the Ghetto Stiletto Gurlz is one of my life’s greatest passions. I have had the pleasure of dancing under the choreography and art direction of Apollo Sa'Deek for about 8 years now and the thrill of it has yet to subside. Apollo never ceases to challenge us and help us reveal the depths of our talents as dancers.

Apollo's class and support has made me the dancer that I am today. There's no question why I gravitated towards his authentic, raw, provocative movement from the getgo. And he has believed in and has celebrated my authentic expression from day one- for that I am eternally grateful.

Join Apollo’s new Hip-Hop Class on Thursday nights at Danceline in Culver City!

Witness my upcoming solo performance on Oct. 26th at Pop Up Seduction presents: Trick! Whore! Treat!

The Launch of (My) Pussy Empowered Dance Class

Teaching a Pussy Empowered Dance Class has been a desire of mine for years or maybe my whole lifetime. At the start of 2019 the intention that surfaced was “GOING FOR IT”. I set out to finally and truly commit to the creative visions that have been tugging at my mind, body and soul for ages. There have been many things in the way just as there has been nothing in the way but myself.

One day at the end of January, I felt a wave of frustration come over me as I saw myself putting these visions second in favor of the more immediately rewarding commitments that were simply not nourishing in the long term. I stopped in my tracks and burned with a need to embody my frustration and my commitment to moving past these limiting beliefs and actions of habit. This is what I created from that moment:

The movement and moment that led to my announcement decision to launch Pussy Empowered

So just like that I sat down, decided upon dates, booked studio space and announced my new class. What has unfolded from there has been immensely satisfying. The first class under the Dark Moon was an expression of SHOWING UP, TAKING UP SPACE and CLAIMING OUR BODIES. We danced to “Givin’ Em What They Love” by Janelle Monáe and Prince. You can see the choreography I taught here. During and after class I felt exhilarated, alive, and totally in alignment with my purpose.

Our next class under the Full Moon was dedicated to setting boundaries in support of our Deepest Desires. We played with Isis Wings, we practiced the expression of our yearning for our desires, and our surrender to them. Then we embodied Cardi B’s fiery and no f*cks given attitude expressing:

“I do, what I like. I do, I do.”

Week 2 Choreography featuring Merema Ahmed. Song: “I Do” by Cardi B and SZA

I am so thrilled to continue with this experimental bi-monthly class and I truly can’t wait to witness the flourishing of these incredible womxn who continue to SHOW UP and bring their full presence, courage, and the full spectrum and truth of their emotions. I am so thrilled and honored to receive such beautiful feedback as this:

“Alyssa’s pussy empowerment class is exactly what I need in my life right now. I am a mother of two, but have been a singer/songwriter/performer for 20 years now. I have always struggled with my sexuality in my art and what I wanted to share with the world. Before I walked into her space/class, I felt like I had lost something, like my confidence was gone, but as soon as she began welcoming us into the class (starting it all off with meditation and sharing amongst the sisters in a circle), I knew I was in a safe place. I knew she was going to walk us through reclaiming our “sexy,” our confidence, and our sacred sisterhood. Her choreography is something I will use on stage and in the bedroom with my husband. I cannot wait for our next class! She gives us so much more then dance....she reminds us of our incredible feminine power! ”

— Dena K

Wow these words bring chills to my body and tears to my eyes as I feel 1000% confident that I am simply in the right place at the right time, finally allowing my visions to move through me with trust in the process. Thank you for being a part of my journey thus far and so looking forward to sharing what’s next!

If you so desire to fan the flames of your feminine fire in my next Pussy Empowered Dance class, the dates for the next two classes are Wednesday March 13th and Wednesday March 20th at West Coast Dance Theatre in North Hollywood.

I look so much forward to proclaiming Pussy Power with you soon!