TEACHER SPOTLIGHT - Ruth Stalford

Soulful, earth child Ruth Stalford is an original S Factor "House Girl"!  That's right, she is one of the lucky women who first discovered S Factor when Sheila Kelley began inviting a small circle of friends and entertainment industry professionals to her guest house for lessons.  Ruth didn't have a clue what the secret dance movement was all about.  "I had no idea what I was getting into.  The longer I took class, the more I felt myself transforming, both physically and emotionally.  I was becoming more confident and comfortable in my own skin.  Far less hard on myself."  As her love for "S" grew, so did the company.  When the first studio in Los Angeles celebrated its grand opening, Ruth was there.  And as news of a groundbreaking dance class spread throughout Hollywood, the tiny studio's student population doubled, then tripled.  Suddenly the  House Girls, the only women in the world who knew the S Factor curriculum inside and out (other than Sheila of course), found themselves teaching it!  Today, Ruth graces Intro Classes and the sublimely sensational, Gentle Splendor class with the sincere enthusiasm, sensual spirituality and intuitive wisdom of a guardian angel.

A lover of Spanish lattes, New York City (she was born in Manhattan) and shopping for shoes and bags, Ruth confesses she cannot live without banana clips.  When vacationing, both the steamy tropics of Cabo and the crisp glamour of Vail, satisfy her need to unwind.  The down-to-earth Leo is happily married with one young son who loves to give his Mom smooches all over her face.  "I have an incredible husband that truly appreciates and supports everything I do.  Having a child has made my life so full.  It is so hard to describe, but it feels like your heart actually grows."  Her "every woman" Erotic Creature can hip-circle and frisk to anything from opera to pop to alternative to hip hop.  "I suppose I just like what moves me." 

Ruth is deeply committed to her philanthropic work.  She is currently the director of the non-profit organization, What A Pair, a stellar cause that raises money for breast cancer research.  She is also the founding member of an organization that provides new books to children living below the poverty line, and she is leading a team whose mission it is to bring public, college prep, boarding schools to foster care children.  "I believe good public education is a right...I care about what social footprint I leave behind.  I have been blessed with so many opportunities in my life, it is my obligation to give back."

As an S Factor Instructor, Ruth's message is straightforward and earnest.  "I tell my students that part of my job is to help them feel comfortable in their own skin RIGHT NOW and understand how perfectly amazing they already are."  Then she quietly watches as their perception of themselves and the other women in class is altered for life.  "I love seeing the transformation and awakening in women as they discover themselves.  It is so heartening when you witness other women find acceptance for themselves and others.  I love being some small part of that process."  To her future students, Ruth offers soothing advice, "S Factor offers you the opportunity to challenge and surprise yourself.  There is tremendous power in pushing through your fears.  You come out the other end so much stronger."