Sheena LaShay: Celebrating Black History Monthy and Pole Dance

How did I get into pole dancing?

The simple answer to how I got into pole dancing is that I was looking for a fun, creative way to stay active, fit and healthy and somehow the timing worked out that a deal was available to take an intro pole dancing class.

I think the more profound truth is that the timing of my involvement with pole dancing seems to be divine. I started taking pole classes a few months before I ended a significant, long term relationship. Pole dancing was a way to heal myself. I started taking pole classes when my sexual and sensual self were begging to be brought to life again. I had buried that part of me to appear “appropriate.” I started taking pole classes when I needed something to devote my energy, creativity and time to that would allow me the utmost freedom of expression. I’m a writer, stage manager and many other things but even still I needed something that gave me a more authentic, whole way of expressing myself. I didn’t get into pole dancing. Pole dancing got into me and started to affect everything from the way that I moved to how understand the world in which I live.

What does pole dancing mean to me?

For me, pole dancing and sensual movement were the missing link in my life. I NEEDED a safe and open environment to explore my sensuality and sexuality outside the bedroom and outside relationships. I also needed the space to explore the facets of my expression. Pole dancing is a conduit to a deeper understanding of sexuality for me. It means so much to me! I feel as if I had balance with many areas of my life from spirituality, my career, relationships/friendships and such but when it came to my sexuality, it needed more than a date or a relationship. I have an insatiable desire to express myself sensually and the great thing about pole dancing is that there is always another class, another showcase, another video, new pair of heels, or dancing assignment & routine that will help my hunger for this kind of expression.

Sheena LaShay

Pioneer of Pole: Sheila Kelley and S Factor

Sheila Kelley is one of the most famous pole pioneers.  She definitely makes pole more of a lifestyle than a workout.  If you have not been to an S Factor class, I suggest you try one!

My first-ever pole class was at S Factor in San Francisco about three years ago.  I was really impressed (and surprised) with how safe the studio made me feel.  It was kind of dark but warm and very inviting. I know you first got into pole dancing for a movie role and realized the increased fitness was an added benefit.  What made you decide that the sensuality of exotic dance was an important part of the workout?

Hi Lori, thanks for reaching out to me! I love talking about S, sharing my passion for elevating the feminine, which has become the passion of so many women, and every opportunity to "wake the S up" in the world.  It wasn’t the sensuality of traditional exotic dance that became a part of S Factor, it was the natural sensuality of a woman's body that I began to acknowledge in my own body.  The no make-up, hair undone, no frills, pure, organic S shape of our hips, butt, shoulders, wrists, the inside of a woman's elbow, everything top to bottom, right down to our baby toes.  Women are sexy!  Right out of the womb.  And that sensuality in the shape of our hips, also lives inside our hips.  We are circular natured and we are built to move naturally in a circular, sensual way.  It's enticing to men in an exotic dance environment because (well they are enticed by women whether we are moving or standing still!) we're exaggerating those S shapes.  But for women at S, we're just doing what comes naturally in the privacy of our S studios, and the sensuality of it is inherent.

I remember busting out a CRAZY hard core workout before we got anywhere near the pole.  How important do you feel it is to build a strong foundation before you stick ladies to the pole?  

I designed the S Factor Workout to cover every base of feminine fitness that I (and so many of my girlfriends) had tried for years to find in multiple forms of exercise.  We were taking Pilates for the ab work, yoga for long lean muscles and stretching and meditation, different kinds of dance, jogging, biking, hiking, treadmilling, weights, ahhhhhhhhhH!  It was too much and none of it worked.  I tried everything alone and in every conceivable combination and it just felt like this uphill battle that one could never catch up with, especially after having children.  When I built S Factor I wanted to create something "total body" that could be achieved in 2 hours once a week.  That's why S Factor's copyrighted sequence of circular fluid feminine movements is multi-directional and isometric.  You feel it in your entire body because a woman's entire body needs and craves movement in order to feel balanced.  It is designed to prep women to do polework too!  In Level 1 and 2 of the S Factor Original Series session women learn signature S Factor polework that builds their upper body and abdominal strength, which then prepares them for more advanced signature S Factor climbs and inversions as they progress to Levels 3 - 6 of their Erotic Creature Journey.

You were at the forefront of bringing pole to the every-day woman. How do you feel about it going mainstream?

It's like...I keep waiting to wake up.  It's really something.  I never imagined when I was teaching S Factor to women in my house back in 2001 that something like this could have such a tremendous affect on the world and history.  Nothing like S Factor existed on the planet.  And there we were, these extraordinary women and me, just celebrating our femininity and having fun.  To be an innovator of something brings with it a lot of responsibility.  I receive thousands of letters from all over the world from women who have tried "pole dance fitness."  Some I have to say have had a different experience than what S Factor is defined as.  While I love that there is a growing community of women exploring new ways to move their body, I wish I could be everywhere in the world at once with an actual S Factor studio on every corner because we do more than just dance on a pole.  And that "more" has become the impetus behind my Soulfully Sexy DVD Series and the Wake the S Up movement.  S = Feminine.  The idea of women having a culture of their own is what I hope will become mainstream, versus simply the act of pole dancing.

I have met many amazing dancers who have come from S Factor backgrounds: Natasha Wang, Claire Griffin Sterrett, Amy Kim, Sheena LaShay, and my own friend here in California, Jenny Gain.  I'm sure there are many, many more I'm missing.  How proud are you of your ladies being in the pole world limelight?

The women who currently teach S Factor at our studios are some of the most phenomenal women I have ever met in my life.  Our highly trained staff have inspired many women in the world.  S teachers do more than just guide women through the workout, or teach them pole tricks.  They dramatically change lives.  They are therapists, body whisperers, confidantes, nurturers, healers, they are in the limelight of each and every life they touch through the two hours they share once a week with women from all walks of life.  And I am proud to have them as sisters and friends.

Do you participate in pole competitions?  

I don't personally because the dark, rich chocolate fudge that is S Factor movement itself off the pole is what I aspire to journey deeper into.  However, S Factor is very proud of our S teachers Barbara Dial in New York and Jen Campo in Houston who have won major pole dance competitions due in part to the uniquely feminine nature of S Factor's signature style.

Recently, some of my pole dancing friends who are mothers have had issues with their children's friends making fun of their mom for being a "stripper."  Did you ever have to deal with that.  If so, how did you handle it?  If not, how would you advise someone to handle it?  

Hmmmm...this is the first I've ever heard of this happening.  I guess I would say that children tease other children about a whole slew of things that are untrue.  There really isn't anything that can be done about it, it's just kids.   I know that many S moms bring their daughters in to our Mother-Daughter classes and events and the little ones have a perfect understanding of the difference between S Factor movement and "pole dancing."

Men on the pole is a very hot topic right now.  S Factor is very famously a place for women only.  Do you foresee a change in that policy any time soon?  

There's been some confusion about this.  Actually S Factor is very open to teaching men.  I even taught Conan O'Brien (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPKzdwhRTyE).  And there's a note about it in the FAQ section of our website.  Due to the nature of the Erotic Creature Journey,  S Factor classes are not co-ed, but men may call their nearest studio and request a Private Lesson or Private Party.  I've taught S to a bunch of men (we have a few guys who work upstairs in the LA offices who have taken a class or two) and it's fun to see them find their feminine side.  They get a kick out of it and they really get it.  They get that it's no different than men basking in their masculinity on a golf course or basketball court.

What kind of "diet" do you follow?

Diet is an evil word and I don't do it.  I eat clean and healthfully, and I do S Factor!

Do you like to dance in shoes or barefoot?

I love, love, love my 6 and 7-inch stilettos.  They make me feel larger than life.  But some days a girl's just gotta go barefoot!

Is there anything else you'd like us to know about you, any upcoming events or S Factor?  

YES!  The S Factor Retreat is like...where do I begin?  Imagine a world completely ruled by women.  Imagine everything you see, hear, eat, sleep, breathe, say, do, feel, smell, experience...it's all been hand-selected to cultivate your feminine side.  You are surrounded by other women who are there for the same purpose and it's just a frickin' lovefest of what it means to be a woman, what we struggle with together and apart and how easy it is for us to elevate our minds, bodies, hearts and souls when we pull ourselves out of the every day stresses of life and retreat in every sense of the word, into our femininity.  We can be emotional, we can be sensual, we can be loud and wild and young and free, we have no responsibilities except to ourselves and our own desires and pleasures and needs.  We can play (and we do in luxurious outdoor locations and indoors at 5-star resorts!!), smile, laugh, dance and live authentically in our skin with no apology.  It's heaven.  It's bliss.  Women come from all over the globe and I personally teach the classes and seminars along with the best of the best S teachers from our studios across the U.S.  It's an awakening that's like jet fuel propelling women toward achieving their greatest desires and becoming more successful in all areas of their life.  I've also taught mini-retreats as part of Tony Robbins' Platinum Partners retreats and the philosophies go hand-in-hand.  This is for women who are ready to be reborn as superwomen.  We'll be in Miami this coming February!  We may be sold out by the time you read this but we're working on opening up more spots because the retreats are so popular.  We limit registration so that I can really spend a lot of one-on-one time with each woman and really give them an understanding of the mind, body, heart and soul of S Factor.  Miami in February will be our 4th retreat I have hosted!  Women can go to SFactor.com/Retreat and get all of the details.  I'm looking forward to meeting your readers and you Lori if you can come!

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I know Sheila is a busy lady and I really appreciate her participation in my blog.  S Factor has four locations in California, two in New York, one in Houston and one in Chicago.  Check out http://sfactor.com/ for more info!

The sexy Sheena LaShay!

Awhile ago, I started following someone on Twitter who used the name SLY.  Sly.  I like it.  Seems so under cover.  Then Chwenny mentioned the sexy Sheena LaShay in her own blog roll call and I was like, "Hey I know that girl from Twitter!"  So I invited her to be part of our growing pole community!

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What is your fitness routine (on and off the pole)?

In pole class, I spend about 30/45 minutes warming up. Warming up entails a sensual blend of yoga and pilates. Next I spend 15 to 20 minutes doing pole work. This either entails learning a new move or articulating moves & combos. Lastly, I spend the rest of my class doing free style or choreographed dance that involves the pole and everything else. I also have a pole at home. I spend a few hours a week concentrating on inversions at home or whatever else I found exceedingly challenging in class. Aside from pole I live a very active lifestyle that lends itself to being pretty physically fit.

What kind of diet do you follow?

I don’t prefer the word diet. It appears to be very temporary. What I do practice is balance and moderation. I eat a lot of vegetables but probably not enough fruit. To balance that lack, I make fruit smoothies in the morning. I seldom eat meat. I don’t eat junk food but then again, I could eat two popsicles in a row! What I’ve found is that it’s not just about what I eat though. I also need to be mindful of my sleeping habits, my stress levels, my activeness and such. All of those things need to be in balance. Mainly though, I just eat a LOT of vegetables.

Do you have a dance background?

I’ve danced my entire life whether it was via dance classes, contemporary dance in community activities or even my stint as a stunting cheerleader in college. (But that landed me in a wheelchair so…. I don’t know about that.) While I’ve never had formal training, I’ve always danced. Even now, I take other dance classes too just for fun like Afro Caribbean, Haitian and Samba. What I find though is that I have a natural disposition towards movement in general with a lot of my movement being sensual, suggestive and seducing thus pole is the PERFECT avenue to express that!

Do you compete (pole fitness or any other kind of fitness competitions)?

I do not compete but it’s a goal of mine to do so at least once. It doesn’t have to necessarily be a pole fitness competition though. I like the other pole competitions too like Pole Art.

Do you teach pole classes?  If so, where?

I do not teach pole dancing but that’s another goal of mine. Pole has literally changed my life and now I just want it all the time! I think I naturally fall into the role of teacher, especially in other areas of my life and so I REALLY want to become a pole teacher!!! But not just pole. I want to teach sensual movement as a whole.

Do you have a preference? "pole fitness" or "pole dancing"

I think both words are sub genres of pole in general. In fact, I was just speaking with another pole lady on twitter regarding this very thing. I think there is also Pole Art in addition to Fitness and Dancing. I do not mind using any of those words no matter what other people’s limited connotations may be. Art, Fitness and Dance are all expressive words and I like what each represent.

What do you think about the stripper vs. pole fitness debate?

Honestly, I’m not sure I get the comparison as it directly relates to pole fitness. If you’re asking what do I think about the stripper versus all versions of pole debate…this is what I believe... I believe I can’t change anyone’s mind. It’s not my role to do so. I know what happens when I go into my pole classes twice a week and I’m not at a strip club. I’m nurturing my body, spirit and sensuality through my movement.

I should also say that I don’t see anything wrong with strippers. I don’t think it should even be a moral debate. Besides I’ve seen other things women do for money too. I’ve seen women dance a certain way in a club just to get a free drink. But it’s not just women. Men and women strip ALL the time. They strip themselves of their true dreams in order to get a paycheck at a 9-5. They strip themselves of their voices in order to blend in and compromise. They strip themselves of many of their values, moral beliefs and general ideas for other stuff. So stripping clothing for money is one of MILLIONS of ways that the ENTIRE world strips for something! Just saying.So what’s so horrible about a women stripping? It’s neither here nor there anyway.  (backing off my soapbox now.)

I just believe that the people who can only envision strippers when you explain your pole lifestyle are revealing a limited mindset about themselves and it has absolutely nothing to do with the artist or athlete that is pursuing a pole lifestyle. Therefore I don’t internalize the BS. That is on them. There is no need for a debate.

What is your favorite product to help you stick to the pole?

I haven’t explored many options. I simply use alcohol on a towel to wipe the pole down and myself.

How do you deal with the dry skin on pole days (and on off-pole days?)?

I’m used to lathering my skin EVERY day in creamy, sensual smelling body butters and I love it. Not using these butters on pole days was a change for me. It didn’t drastically affect my life though. I simply just go without and what I’ve noticed is that its ok. It shows me how I don’t necessarily need it and can get by without it. When I don’t have pole classes, sometimes I remember to use the body butters again. But lately, I’ve gone longer periods of days with what others would consider dry skin and I hardly notice.

Where do you like to buy your pole clothes?

I buy my clothes from ANY and everywhere whether it’s specifically a shop that’s geared towards all things sexual and exotic or my everyday clothing stores that have items that could work for pole. I love dancing in dresses and I usually end up dancing in dresses I owned already whether they came from forever 21, modcloth or who knows. I also purchase clothes directly from the studio that I attend. I borrow my friends clothes. Sometimes I wear my street clothes. My clothes can come from anywhere. Although I am looking for more specific costumes for my inner siren and I’m not sure where to search. Like right now, I need the best whip that suits my dancing personality and I have no clue how to begin that search. Any suggestions?

Do you like to dance in heels or barefoot?

I dance in heels and barefoot. It depends on my mood. It depends on my costume, on my song, on whether or not my feet have been hurting that day. I think both are beautiful. I used to ONLY dance in heels because I never did it before and I wanted to get comfortable and learn how to do it. Now that I’m comfortable, I go back and forth. But heels are sexy and I think whenever you have the opportunity you should dance in them!

What is your favorite thing about dancing on the pole?

I like that the pole gives me a constant. When I dance, I use everything. I use the floor, I use chairs, walls, window seals, pillars, benches, pillows, curtains…whatever is in my environment I use. But I find that with all these props and things, I can always go back to the pole. It’s like my lighthouse. Its my grounding point. It doesn’t move.It doesn’t change positions.Its my constant. It’s strong enough to hold my body weight. I can be aggressive or gentle. I can fly or climb and the pole stays the same. That is what I love. I can keep coming back to it however I so desire and it remains the same, holding me completely.

What is your favorite song to dance to (at this moment)?

I have playlist for every mood, theme and idea that I want to explore in pole classes. One of my playlist is called “Isis Emerges” and it’s what evokes my inner siren, ISIS to come out. (I have two inner sirens. One is called SLY. She’s seen most often when I dance and every now and them ISIS comes out. Isis cannot be contained though.) I know you asked for one song, but I have a couple.

Paradise Circus – Massive Attack

Stork & Owl – TV On the Radio

Bloodstream – Stateless

Bungee – Sonnymoon

Look Out Young Son – Grand Ole Party

Sail – Awolnation

If I Had a Boat – James McMorrow

What else would you like people to know about you or your studio(s)?

I write about my experiences with pole dancing on my website. It’s not strictly a pole dancing blog…even though that’s coming soon! But, I write about my experiences. Two posts that really get to the core of why I am a student of the pole is “Set Your Soul Ablaze" and "Bravery, Boldness Courage & Strength."

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This gorgeous lady is in New York.  Please connect with her using the links below:

Website: SheenaLaShay.com

Twitter: SheenaLaShay

YouTube: SheenaLYoung