S Factor is a workout designed by actress Sheila Kelley, who discovered the workout while researching her role in the movie, "Dancing at the Blue Iguana," according to S Factor's website, www.sfactor.com. The Marina district's S Factor is one of many across the United States. Utilizing yoga, ballet, pole dancing and striptease, S Factor builds core strength and increases flexibility, while also helping women to build confidence and self-esteem.

"Our first hour of class is all done on the floor of your mat," said Deb Arana, an instructor at S Factor. "Initially there's a lot of stretching then we do some kick-ass ab-work. We do them really slow, focusing on your breath and really focusing on perfecting the technique but it's at your own level at your own pace."

Shawna Perloff, another employee of S Factor, said that getting rid of all the stereotypes that women have daily on judgment and how they are supposed to look is an essential goal for the pole dancing classes. "What makes a woman sexy is the woman, and how she feels and carries herself."

The classrooms are filled with sexy sounding music, from Marilyn Manson to Muse. No mirrors are in sight, which makes the dancers feel more comfortable and less intimidated by moving their bodies, said Deb Arana.

"There are no mirrors in here so that can encourage you to feel the movement as opposed to trying to match your movement to the teacher's or that gal next to you," Arana said. "It's very liberating to be in a place where you don't have to look at yourself to make sure your lipstick is straight and your shorts aren't showing your butt – sometimes it's a distraction, so we take that one more distraction out."

Shawna Perloff said that the students become the mirrors. "You're in class, and you're like, 'they're my mirrors.' They're the ones going, 'Oh my God! That's great! It's beautiful.' You feel like a rock-star."

The lights are low and moody, casting attractive shadows and delivering a sensuous sort of ambiance.

"You're so much more comfortable having it be a bit darker in here and really turning your focus inward," Deb Arana said. "We really encourage women to close their eyes."

By turning one's focus inward, the S Factor workout has been a journey for many, creating close bonds and friendships, said Shawna Perloff.

"It's not just the nature of the movement, but it is definitely the culture that's created and the friendships that are forged and you can come in here in any kind of mindset—pissed or happy or whatever and work it out and have the support of those women that are there. It's therapy," said Perloff.

Lori King, a student of the S Factor said that many of the students are entrepreneurs, and because of the camaraderie, they like to use each other's services.

"Because of the friendships that have formed, we're all very supportive of each other, we all try to help each other," she said. "We try to promote everyone in what they're doing."

Gloria Elias, a student and employee of the S Factor said that one of her favorite things is watching the changes in the women who come to class.

"To see someone's personal journey . . . for me that's been the hugest experience and learning to really appreciate the curvature in a woman's body," she said. "You don't look at a woman in the same way and you get to play and express that [erotic side] and be the woman that you're told not to be from society."