Maria Dounaeva

Maria first tried pole 10 years ago in a friend’s living room, with a glass of wine. And while it was a fun night, it wasn’t until the morning after that she realised what a great workout it was. So began the journey that brought Maria to London Dance Academy.

As she began to explore pole more deeply, watching videos online and starting to teach herself, she developed a profound appreciation for the way it works your body in a way that is fun and unusual. She deepened her commitment to the sport by buying her friend’s pole and installing it in her own house.

A few years later, Maria first came to London Dance Academy. This proved to be a key moment in her pole development. “I realised what a brilliant community it is, and how encouragement from my peers and instructors could really propel me to new heights in my training.”

Maria came to pole with no fitness background, so these were important discoveries for her. It has changed the way she feels in her own skin, giving her a confidence and pride in her body that she’s never had before. Apart from improving her body image, Maria also finds pole lifts her mood. “Pole, and LDA in particular, is my happy place. I can set aside an hour or two and completely forget about the outside world. When things get tough, I find myself going to more classes: it’s the best therapy.”

Since starting pole, Maria has also gone on to qualify as a personal trainer, with a focus on mental health and body image. Her primary goal is to create a safe environment where others who struggle with their bodies can find confidence and become proud of how they look.

Her classes focus on strength and tricks – all with a killer playlist.