New York! New York!
Uptown Girls, we are thrilled to announce that the S is coming to your uptown world! We know that there are many ladies in Upper Manhattan that don’t feel like traveling downtown if they don’t have to, so guess what? We’re on our way up! In a partnership with EDGE Gym, located at 403 East 91st Street, we are offering Intros, Specialty Classes, Workshops, Parties and Private classes starting September 10 at this beautiful facility. Sign up online for all Intros by visiting the Intro Page (Select Studio H classes) or view the schedule here to sign up for Specialty classes and Workshops.
Call 212.989.8030 to book parties and private classes.



Come meet Sheila Kelley in Phoenix, Arizona on September 23! Motherhood Redefined is a “celebration seminar” for mothers! This extraordinary weekend includes big doses of fun along with new tools and strategies to help women better navigate motherhood while maintaining their sense of self. The weekend also includes interactive workshops, a fashion show, an exclusive vendor fair, entertainment and more! Moms will discover how to have more of the things they want in their lives. Sheila will join other boundary-breaking woman to discuss movement, sensuality and her journey that brought her to where she is today! Best of all, the wonderful group putting this together is offering a 65% discount to anyone who mentions S Factor when they register or uses the code 6565 when they sign up online! Take advantage of this offer now! Space is limited so act fast! Click here for more info or call 480.575.5512 for more information.







The full heat of summer is upon us, as is the media attention on Sheila Kelley’s S Factor - and our spectacular studios all across the country have received a share of the attention! S Factor New York was the subject of a fabulous piece in last month’s issue of Chelsea Now, and Channel 12, Long Island featured a hot pole demo by Sheila herself! Sheila was also a guest on Sirius satellite radio’s The Candace Bushnell Show, chatting with the famed Sex and the City creator about sex, society and relationships... everything women want and need to chat about.



S Factor Chicago also enjoyed a recent visit from our fearless leader Ms. K, who livened up the August 23 morning airwaves of WTMX-FM radio’s The Eric and Kathy Show with a spirited re-cap of the previous night’s festivities at the Chicago S Factor “Meet-and-Greet” and Intro evening. We hope you Windy City S women caught the show on your drive to work, because a VERY good time was had by all! So good that it inspired something very special: on Monday, September 17, 2007 Eric & Kathy will give listeners the chance to attend a special “Girls Night Out at Sheila Kelley’s S Factor" hosted by Kathy Hart, Melissa McGurren and Cynthia Skolak. Listeners will have the chance to win passes to this exclusive, invitation-only event.  Make sure to listen, Windy City ladies, because the only way to access this live event will be to win passes on 101.9 FM THE MIX!  



Sheila Kelley’s S Factor was also mentioned on Chicago’s top talk radio station, WCKG-FM, and our beautiful new studio received a wonderful write-up on CenterStageChicago.com, the city’s original, interactive online guide to all aspects of culture and community and living a hip, fun urban Chicago lifestyle. You can read (and reply to) the review by clicking here. We’re so proud of our new baby!



All you Texas babes will definitely want to keep an eye out for the high
S Factor praise in the August pages of Paper City, the sizzling hot, high-end magazine devoted to fine living. The editors of Paper City were so impressed and inspired by S Factor, they included a follow-up piece on our beautiful movement in the September issue, too!



We’re thrilled that US News and World Report, the highly respected national news magazine, included Sheila Kelley’s S Factor in a fabulous, in-depth August article exploring the fitness benefits of pole dancing. If you can’t find the issue on stands, check out the article on their website.
S Factor also received glowing words from LifeScript.com, a leading women’s on-line health and well-being resource community and newsletter, which you can find here.


Ceasar’s Player, the luxury lifestyle magazine published by Harrah’s Entertainment, has a spectacular profile of S Factor in their Summer/Fall issue and their website. Read all about it here. Also, check out best-selling author Karen Quinn’s blog, where she shares a light-hearted and heart-felt account of her S Factor discovery AND S Factor love: KarenQuinn.net. If you missed it, you can also still find the wonderful piece on S Factor at TheSavvyGal.com, the best on-line guide for women who want to live a fabulous life, by clicking here. Sign-up for this uber-fabulous newsletter while you are at it!


Coming up soon, you can find S Factor coverage in the pages of Washington’s Finest and InMagazine, as well as LATV Networks’ new show LA Central. As always, keep checking our website for up-to-the-minute press that you won’t want to miss!



Q. Does Sheila Kelley’s S Factor promote weight loss?

A. Even though weight loss is not our main objective, most of our students experience both weight loss and muscle toning. However, S Factor is not just another exercise routine; it provides an array of wide-ranging benefits. Sheila Kelley’s S Factor is very transformational – it leads students through a wonderful journey of self-discovery, self-acceptance and love for the beautiful creatures we are. While our classes provide a powerful physical workout tailored to your own needs and limitations, it’s really not about whether you lose one pound, five pounds, or a hundred pounds; the real difference is the change that will take place inside yourself. Our students experience a unique transformation and catharsis unrivalled by the results of any other workout and unleash their innate sensuality in an exquisite, soothing environment where they explore breathing, movement, and self-discovery through S Factor’s proprietary techniques. The movement we teach is private, rigorous and rejuvenating, and will definitely help you get into great shape.

                        Writer's Block
Ughhhhh! What a fu&$ked up month I’m having. I’m going to take my own advice and just let go and take this strange ride. Chaos is reigning supreme in my life. I have writer’s block. Big, fat f&%k. The four-month-old kitten I just adopted from the pound is trying to kill himself. He won’t eat. I’ve tried everything, including force feeding. A bit of advice... don’t do that. My hands look like they went through a paper shredder.

Ouch! My daughter has decided she is no longer in need of mothering. She made this announcement to me while trying to convince me that roasted marshmallows, melted over a bowl of noodles, with sugar sprinkled on top like parmesan cheese, was a great and nutritious dinner. My sweet momma has been in and out of the hospital all Summer and it’s back-to-school month to top it all off. I hate to disappoint anyone who might find a smile or a piece of inspiration in my usual monthly writings, but please forgive your ever vocal, feminine-minded friend. Enjoy the rest of the fantabulous newsletter this month. I will be back in wild and rare form for October. For now, it’s back to the emaciated, black-and-white kitten and an eye-dropper full of warm milk... oh, and thick leather gloves.

With a big, fat, luscious hug!

Many of us are well accustomed to taking care of ourselves in the esthetic sense – manicures, pedicures, facials, blow-outs... routines and rituals all designed to make us not only look, but also feel, more fresh, vibrant and beautiful. We all know that when we feel beautiful, we also feel empowered. All these rituals are great, but what about the other side of the “beautiful and empowered” coin? The one that thwarts the outward notions of dainty femininity conjured by pretty pink toes and smooth, flowing locks? We're talking about the fierce, self-sufficient, warrior woman who will NOT be messed with just because she happens to be female – with or without pretty pink toes! We're talking about knowing how to take care of ourselves when confronted with people or things that pose a threat. That means anything from the financial threat of not understanding your own investment options, to the property threat of not knowing the basic mechanics of your car, to the daily physical threat posed simply by being of the gender with less bulk and brute strength. Think how beautifully savvy and wise it would make you feel to read a prospectus and make an informed decision rather than relying on someone to make it for you? How beautifully capable would you feel knowing how to check and change your own oil rather than letting a mechanic charge you double? How strong would you feel walking down the street, knowing that if a stranger tries to lay a hand on you, you’ve learned how to protect yourself from being hurt – or worse? Find a class that will teach you how to be your most powerful self, whether it’s Stock Trading for Beginners, Auto Mechanics 101 or Down and Dirty Self-Defense, because there’s no better way to let go of your fear of things you don’t understand than by learning how to understand them. Go forth, all you gorgeous, powerful women, and arm yourself with the knowledge that will feed – and protect - the warrior woman inside of you! With or without pretty pink toes.

One of the best ways to increase your personal power is actually simple: try things you never thought you could do. Overcoming fear gives you an adrenaline rush that is unparalleled, and accomplishing something you’ve never done before makes you feel your power on a visceral, authentic level. Obvious choices are adventures like skydiving and bungee jumping, but it does not have to a big production to garner the right effect – if you’ve never tried sushi before, make a reservation at the nearest place and hit it up with your closest gal pal. If you’re self-proclaimed "uncoordinated" and you’ve always wanted to dance the Tango, fling that feeling away and try a class in ballroom dancing. Never rode the bus in the city you live in? Well, look it at as an adventure, grab a token and take one all the way down the line. Ever asked a man out? If not, make a beeline for that one who strikes your fancy at the grocery store. The recurring theme here is simple: try something you’ve never done before or something that you’ve always been afraid to do. Carpe diem, my beautiful friends!

Born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, Dara McGarry has an inspiring style that keeps her classes filled every single session. After studying at Western Kentucky University, Dara moved to California to pursue an acting career. That quest lasted about a week, but Dara’s love for California kept her here, and we are so happy it did!

Dara always had a passion for movement. She took dance classes in college and continued with ballet and tap through her 20s in preparation for various roles in stage and theater productions. She was an aerobics instructor during the '80s, and lived up to the stereotype with big permed hair and all the other accoutrements of that decade. She loves to go to dance clubs, but dislikes the fact that they sometimes turn into meat markets – which makes her love S Factor all the more – there’s no threat of being pinched, pulled or groped by unknown observers.

In addition to teaching Sheila Kelley’s S Factor, Dara works in Feature Animation at Disney. She started on the technology side, but eventually moved to the artist side of animation, working as a “Journeyman Efx Artist”, which is basically an apprentice position requiring her to troubleshoot technical issues in movie scenes.

Years ago, Dara’s good friend Merry Lee Traum introduced her to Sheila Kelley’s S Factor. Though Merry Lee had sung the benefits of S Factor for quite a while, Dara thought it would just be something cute and funny to do. “I had no idea how much it was going to change my life,” says Dara. “Before I took my first class, I was equating it to taking ceramics.” Dara quickly fell in love with the freedom that S Factor gave her. “I love being able to dance and move the way my body wants to move, without fear of retribution from the public,” Dara says. “When I do the S, it’s because I just need to dance in a way that I can’t anywhere else, except for at S Factor and at my house.”

Dara felt an almost desperate need to share this gift with other women, which led her to become an S Factor Instructor. “Sheila Kelley’s S Factor was such an amazing gift to me and I feel a responsibility to help other women find this incredible journey that they might not otherwise know about,” she says. “There’s nothing like witnessing the look of sheer joy on a student’s face on the day she comes to me and says ‘This has changed my life’. The reasons are always varied yet are all very profound. Many women who have endured incredible obstacles in their lives have found healing in this movement. Every student has an epiphany and I love experiencing it with them – it is the main reason why I teach.” Dara teaches at Sheila Kelley’s S Factor Encino on Saturday mornings. She lives in Burbank with her boyfriend and her cat, Paxton. In her spare time, she likes to do photography and gardening, and keeps in shape with running, biking and swimming.

Hi Sheila and Teri!
I though you both might get a chuckle out of this story. It's a public service announcement about S on the street.

I was walking around town with my guy. We live in Aspen, Colorado, where I do your DVDs and wish that I had a pole and a place to put it up (I'm squatting with my parents until the end of the Summer and saving my pennies so that when I move into my new place in September that can be my first house warming present to myself). I took Teri's class in LA last summer and made up a few classes with Sheila when I was out of town working on the Lance Armstrong bike rides. Ever since then, my body has been longing to take flight. So, after a couple of drinks and me bragging about how hot spinning around a pole can be, Justin pointed out that the stop signs in town are round and about two inches in diameter. Without looking carefully at the length of the sign, I grabbed the top and kicked my legs into the air, finding my S.

As I hooked my leg back around in sort of an aerial Half-Pint (it's been a while, so I just flew where my body took me) I found the pole and the rusty, jagged, sharp bolt that held it in place. I felt the pinch as the skin on my calf ripped in two, but it was nothing compared to the joy of the spin, so I let my body curve one more time and my skin rip one more time. Have you ever stubbed your toe? Remember how the pain takes a few minutes to get to your brain before it completely sets in?

I now have a double scar on my leg where I hit once and then again about an inch above it... but I also have a guy who can't get the image of me flying around a stop sign out of his brain and that's a pretty good thing. Especially when we are looking for a parking place and I see that faraway look in his eye as we go around the block one more time.

I miss the exercise, but I also miss the community. Hopefully, I'll be back in LA sometime and try to take an intensive refresher class. I miss you!

Sincerely,
Alexa Fitzpatrick

Sheila Kelley’s S Factor
Signature “Willow Pole”

Fanfare! Trumpets blaring! Da da da da da! Sheila’s vision of the perfect pole is now a reality with the new Sheila Kelley’s Signature Willow Pole! This S Factor pole has a circumference of 1 3/4 inches, meaning it’s smaller in diameter than most poles (which are typically two inches), making it the perfect size for women’s hands. This exclusive pole is completely removable and requires no bolts or drilling, as it is installed using a specially manufactured, polycarbonate ceiling plate.

This lightweight, aircraft grade material is resistant to dents and scratches that cause defects to aluminum plates and is practically indestructible. The pole is perfect for ceilings up to 10 feet in height, and will let you deliciously climb, spin and fly to your heart’s content like never before. For a touch of feminine flair, our S Factor logo adorns the ceiling plate of this spectacular slender pole! The Willow Pole may also be used with our new Vaulted Ceiling Adapter, which allows the pole to be mounted into the ceiling using a drill (cost $30).

Purchase now and you will receive one of our beautiful, cushiony S Factor mats, at no cost (retail value $32)
The price of the pole is $360.
Click here to purchase.


Alice in Chains – Man in a Box


When life is getting you down a little or you just feel like crap for no apparent reason, this song will reach right around your shoulders like a warm, strong arm and commiserate with you. Definitely not a feel-good piece of music but sometimes you just need a tune to wallow in. Give it a shot.

Out of Africa



This beautiful story is not only about love, but about a woman who harnesses her power and breaks enormous boundaries within the confines of a rigid society where women are far from equal. Directed by the prolific Sydney Pollack, Out of Africa tells the true story of Danish writer Karen Blixen (played by screen goddess Meryl Streep) who moves to Kenya to pursue a life away from Denmark and become Baroness to her philandering husband, Klaus. The marriage is not one of romance and love; rather, it is based on friendship and business arrangement, which becomes painfully clear as soon when she arrives in Africa. Karen’s family fortune is used to fund a risky venture to grow coffee and, when a civil war commences, Klaus leaves to bear arms while Karen is stuck running the plantation. Her courage is like nothing the men have ever seen; when the police come to tell Karen she must leave the farm and be escorted into town for her safety, she defies them and instead travels to bring supplies to the border where her husband and the army is. The look on the men’s faces is priceless when she arrives on horseback, disheveled yet determined.

Not only does Karen fall in love with the land, she meets a mysterious hunter, Denys Finch Hatton (Robert Redford). He loves her ability to tell stories and sees her for the amazing, strong-willed woman she is. Throughout the course of the film, Karen fights fire, animals and disease, while living a love affair that is, at times, completely satisfying and, at others, missing the one thing she wants: true devotion.

The sumptuous imagery is its own character in this movie - thankfully, it is paid homage by incredible cinematography. The breathtaking relationship between Denys and Karen is emotionally charged and inspiring – it will bring tears to your eyes while, at the same time, give you immense satisfaction as you watch this unique woman tap her power and strength. The masterfully crafted story of love and loss is a true classic that should not be missed by anyone.


How to Be Like Women of Influence: Life Lessons from 20 of the Greatest



This is an inspiring book for women of all ages to read, as it shares insights and knowledge from some of the most powerful women in contemporary history. How to Be Like Women of Influence: Life Lessons from 20 of the Greatest highlights a vast array of women, ranging from scientists, businesswomen and humanitarians to activists, athletes and explorers. From Oprah Winfrey, Margaret Thatcher, Marie Curie and Sojourner Truth to Sandra Day O'Connor, Rosa Parks, Helen Keller and Mary Kay Ash, this diverse amalgamation of women’s stories provides profiles and intimate recounts of life lessons that will inspire anyone who opens this book. Their motivations, aspirations and the challenges they’ve overcome help us to understand how each of these women achieved their goals and excelled in the struggle to make their own contributions to the world. Every woman featured in this book has unique lessons to learn from and it is compiled so that you can choose to read what interests you most (though you should really read every page of this entire book). You will discover how these 20 women used their innate gifts to triumph over the boundaries of gender, race, religion and culture. A great read for anyone trying to reach their full potential and make their dreams come true – you will be moved, motivated and inspired. To purchase, click here.


Smith's Rosebud Salve



This amazing, multipurpose product is the platinum standard of all balms! It’s versatile and convenient, with the ability to heal chapped lips, hydrate rough elbows, soothe the sting of minor burns and even treat diaper rash (yes, you read that right). Invented in 1892, Rosebud Salve is an ideal primer for lipstick, yet can also stand alone as a subtle gloss. Lanolin and essential oils provide luxurious moisture and the vintage-looking tin makes you feel like an old school pinup girl. Best of all, one little container will last you ages. No wonder it’s a cult favorite! Available at Sephora, ThisNext.com and most beauty websites.