In the mirror, a line of light outlines a body searching for itself. In the face of that reflection, Yanina Giovannetti He speaks softly, as if rehearsing his gestures before going on stage. “Burlesque is the art of sensuality.” he says, and there’s no artificiality in his voice. He describes it like someone who names what he has learned in his body. “Connecting with the deepest parts of our being and discovering what our own sensuality is that lives within each person in a completely different way.”
Giovanetti This is one of the reference materials for burlesque in Argentina and define it as A space for self-discovery centered on adult women. It’s not about provocation or charm, it’s about authenticity. “The energy, the movement, the look, the acting. It’s called the art of sensuality because the work is created from that energy.”
Next to her, a corset hangs on a chair. This scene can be confused with the previous scene stripteasebut Giovanetti makes the distance clear. “among them striptease There is no need to develop a concept or theatricality. As in burlesque, artists are not expected to surprise or amaze through their interpretations. ”
In the first stage, he says, the body is offering itself. In the second it becomes clear. “The one that rules is striprather than tease”he repeated with a smile, as if the difference were a mystery.
Yanina’s journey burlesque It started far from home Italy. It wasn’t a sudden revelation, it was an encounter. “When I first met my teacher in my first class, the moment she opened the door and I saw her, I said, ‘There’s something here for me,'” he recalls. The hallway of the study, the scent of makeup, the teacher’s gentle voice. Everything seems to be still there. “I think we found each other because we were looking for each other. It was a wonderful love at first sight.”
For her, burlesque is How to discover yourself without translation or permission. The possibility of becoming, as she puts it, “your own director.” Creating work using the body, biography, and imperfection. “There was nothing. I didn’t have to fix anything. It was perfect as it was. I had no problems with my body or my abilities. I just had to organize my ideas, mature them, research them well, and bring them to the field.”
Now, in her role as a teacher, she finds herself repeating herself. That means the majority of people who participate in burlesque are women. The women who come to us with questions want to dismantle the body’s mission to be shown but not inhabited. “It’s almost 100 percent women. It’s women who are asking the questions and taking action themselves to change it,” she says. among them, The number of women in the so-called silver generation is also increasing.. “When they begin to realize that they are at a point in their lives where they have little interest in anything compared to what society demands of them. “They begin to realize that they are in extreme freedom.”
The lighting in the living room is lukewarm. A line of women preparing their bodies in front of a mirror. A mixture of corsets, fishnet stockings, and above all nerve and freedom. Yanina walks among them with the confidence of someone who has already experienced the same tremors. “Women who are past adolescence have a different sense of confidence,” she says. “I think so. Burlesque is better seen and performed better as an adult. ”
He remembers his first teacher. ItalyThen repeat her words like a mantra. “I can’t wait to grow into a very good burlesque performer.” Today, he understands that wait. In each class, we look at how maturation, independent of technique, ignites the history of each body.
Laughter mixes with the music, and your body moves with the relief that comes from repetition. adrianaThe 52-year-old pauses and says: “Burlesque has helped me become more confident, accept myself as I am, and figure out what’s next.” Sensuality is determined by attitude, not body“She said these words with the naturalness of someone discovering what has always been within her. She points to Yanina’s guidance: “Yani emphasizes what each of us is, teaches us to discover our strengths and work on them in order to shine.” And at the same time, it teaches us that it’s not just about shining, it’s about helping others shine. ”
“It’s great to see someone go through the process of endlessly spewing out what they want to say.”That’s what I say. There are no corrections, there is accompaniment. Giovanetti records every gesture, every question in his mind. “I take the time to understand each woman’s story and consider where I can accompany them. It’s not just about teaching, it’s about supporting what they bring and valuing what they show.”
For her, Burlesque is also a political act.. “Place your body directly on stage, In a society that constantly disciplines us and tries to keep us equal, quiet, and dressed the same.”he says. His voice rises above the sound of laughter and the rustling of wings. “Burlesque came to break with that. It suggests we examine ourselves and ask ourselves: What is my sensuality? How do I want to convey it?”
Graciela CarinaThe 56-year-old uses gestures to accompany his story. “Burlesque changed my self-esteem. It gave me the confidence and solid footing to show my hidden self,” she says. It speaks of joy, vitality, and a space that not only teaches dance but also builds containment. Discovery, self-awareness, reflection and care. Burlesque definitely changed my life before and after. ”
According to Yanina, adult women take ownership of their discoveries. The gestures and intimate choreography reveal a certain kind of resistance. “They’re breaking away from everything they’ve lived with for years, but they’re realizing that there’s a possibility to talk about, talk about, and enjoy the body in a different way.”
The body as a return gift. The body as reconciliation. “There are not many fields where you can be encouraged to participate without changing something, and that is what I believe,” says Yanina.
The thing is burlesque It doesn’t start with your skin, it starts with your decisions. “At first you are attracted to it. Some people need to be the hero. “I come to burlesque because I have to know that I want to be the protagonist, that I am in charge of my body, my thoughts, my emotions, and that I am going to do something with it.” The act of assuming the body, of inhabiting it rather than showing it, changes the way you see yourself. “Regardless of your age, you start to have a very positive relationship with your image,” she added.
carolinaanother student talks about how his relationship with his body has changed since his first class. “At first he criticized me very harshly, but as the class progressed, I began lovingly opening myself to embrace my uniqueness and the power of sensuality. What is inside me? ”
For her, burlesque is “Exceptional inclusive art, diverse and rebellious“It’s a space that’s not about unifying bodies or standardizing movement. It’s a beautiful experience to give yourself, whether you’re an artist or someone who wants to improve their relationship with themselves, with their desires and with dealing with prejudice and the gaze of others.” It’s a well-cared for, loving space that every sensitive being needs. ”
Gentle music sets the rhythm of the steps. Students try to follow the beat using their shoulders, hips, and chin. “You have to study music inside and out. Each note has expressive potential” Yanina. In that case, posture is no longer a matter of technique. “When you open up like this, keep your chin up, and realize that you want to be seen, your attitude changes.”
But it’s not just dance that supports many people, it’s the community.. A group born between feathers, laughter, and confessions. “Socializing and having a community that pushes you is so important.” His method starts there. It integrates the emotional and the physical, blending technique and vulnerability. “There was an emotional part that wasn’t developed, so I took it all over Latin America to connect with myself and be aware of my body and my thoughts.”
Before you understand burlesque, you need to understand yourself. “When it comes to burlesque, you first have to go through a personal process and begin to understand what happens to your image,” says the teacher. Therefore, each performance comes from a different inspiration. “Each number is inspired by a different woman. Some are delicate, some are fresher, some are spicier. Some are from my friends, some are from grown women, and some are from my great-grandmother.”
When asked what she would say to women who are hesitant, she didn’t hesitate: “I encourage them to take a class. Burlesque takes them to a place that everyone has: a place where they can be the star of their own show and bring out the sensuality that has always been there.”. He stops and stares in the mirror. “It’s not mandatory to put on a show, but experiencing it helps you connect with your body and sensuality at any age.”
Photo: Courtesy of Guille Prat and Julieta Gabriel
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