This must be the week of the Groupon because in addition to the one I used for my Boot Camp classes, I used another one last night for an Introductory class at S Factor, a pole dancing exercise class. I blogged here more than a year ago about my first visit to the S Factor studios in NYC. Since I knew what to expect this time, my experience was less one of shock and awe and more one of staying in the present and enjoying the moment.
It goes without saying that pole dancing and bootcamp are two very different experiences but one thing I love about myself is that I can appreciate both just the same. It’s like being able to rock heels and a ball gown and then look just as gorgeous in a sports bra and running shoes.
S Factor takes great pride in being a safe and confidential space for women to express themselves so cameras of course aren’t allowed and thus, there are no real-life pictures for this post. Besides cameras, another thing you won’t find at S Factor is mirrors. They’re all about eliminating the visual element – taking away our ideas about beauty and how we think we should look — and focusing on how we feel inside. Small class sizes and dim lighting give the class an intimate feel and our instructor, Jill, was so outgoing, hilarious and good with names that she made everyone feel relaxed and comfortable.
I’ve discovered that a two-hour class at S Factor can transform me in ways I never thought possible. In the same way that a yoga practice can relax and center me, a class at S Factor offers that little boost of confidence I may have been missing in my day. Yesterday was one of those hectic days where I felt stressed by my desk job, the weather was stiflingly hot and I wasn’t feeling my personal best. In fact, I almost considered skipping the class altogether to stay home and catch up on my favorite guilty pleasure TV shows which will remain unnamed (wink). I’m so glad I didn’t! In class, I became a better version of myself than I had been that day. I left feeling happier, more beautiful and livelier than I did when I arrived and because of that, the class became the best and most important part of my day. Now who would want to miss out on that?!?
I’ve learned that time to myself is a major necessity in my life as is venturing outside my comfort zone and connecting with my inner goddess. These are the moments that give me the strength and inspiration to share my life so authentically on my blog and with my clients. I hit the jackpot with all three at S Factor last night and woke up refreshed and ready to start a new day at Boot Camp. Today’s class was less running and more strength training but I’m wiped out and ready for a rest day or gentle yoga class tomorrow!
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