SM: Did you receive criticism in the beginning?
Sheila: Oh yeah, I still do. Not understanding, [people] had an idea from a male point of view of the class. If they came and took the class they would immediately see it from a female point of view and they’d think it’s great.

SM: I didn’t get it until I actually swung around the pole. I walked in and thought “I’m so not a sexpot, this is weird.” And then the minute we start stretching it’s like...
Sheila: “I’m a sexpot, I really am beautiful.”

SM: Right, but not necessarily “let-me-please-my-husband” sexy. It felt personal. Why is it so hard to embrace sexuality?
Sheila: Because everything in our culture is geared toward the male eye. That’s what happened to you, you came into class thinking “Looking from a man’s eye, I’m not a sexpot” [and] you came out going “I feel like I’m looking at it though a woman’s eyes now.” You are a sensual being. Every woman on the planet is gifted with sensuality. Every woman on the planet is gifted with some curve or other in her body. We should really embrace what is female about you.