Maria started to do her first bit of long travelling. She took in places like Bali and Europe then came to Koh Phangan in January 2014 for one month. Maria went back to Russia to tie up loose ends and decided that Phangan was the place she needed to be. Maria fell in love with the lifestyle, music, people and the nature. It’s the place where she could find herself, especially through her dancing.
Hey Maria, your photo-shoot looks great! When did you start dancing?
When I was 2 years old, I trained in classic dance and did gymnastics. I did have a break for 12 years whilst I worked on my career. After this, I started to do pole dance for fitness, then also exotic dancing which is with pole but with choreography. My most recent style is chair dancing which I have taught myself it is more of a burlesque style.
What do you feel your dancing can bring to people?
For people who watch it’s the beautiful choreography that tells a kind of story, one of the song, soul and feelings that also go with the music. For my pupils it can open them up in a different way, make them feel more beautiful and to know themselves more. In pole it’s everything together, its soul, dancing and gymnastics.
How did you get into teaching your dancing?
I have made my own studio in my house so I can practice, then I started opening it up as a tuition place for people to come and learn.
What is the best thing you ever been involved with or done?
I am not done yet, I am always learning. I am going to different classes to grow my dancing even more, for example, I am learning Dancehall with Roxy so I can add this style into my own dancing.
What is your favourite place here and what do you do in your free time?
I meet with my friends of course and I like going to the beach. I particularly like the sunset side as in the daytime I am busy so my only free time is at sunset, all of the people on Koh Phangan are beautiful and you can see them at this time. I like swimming, places like Thong Nai Pan, Haad Yao and all of the east side of the island.
Do you have any favourite parties here?
I was not used to parties at first as had never been around the scene before. I found them interesting but couldn’t tell which was better. Since being here for the second time, I have experienced more. I like lighthouse as it’s a small, local and nice place, also Guys bar and Eden, Jungle Experience and Maya.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
3 years ago, I could not imagine what I have now so 10 years is a lot. Every year I can change and people change. I do hope for a family, children and a husband and that my parents will be healthy and everyone is happy.
What is your life philosophy?
Be yourself
When and where do you teach? And how do people join these courses?
I teach in Noa studio and people can contact me through facebook or the website.
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