a b o u t m a l e i y k a

I began my journey as a pole dance instructor in late 2017 and have since gained years of experience teaching a wide range of classes—from foundational tricks to heels, flexibility, and meridian work inspired by Traditional Chinese Medicine. With a degree in psychology from Humboldt-Universität Berlin and a background in movement therapy, I weave together somatic and psychological knowledge to continuously refine my teaching philosophy.

I believe movement is a powerful, transformative teacher. It can reveal emotional truths and layers of self-awareness that words often fail to capture. My own path has been shaped by many challenges—including navigating depression and chronic illness. In those moments of struggle, movement became my most honest language. My body—a site of both vulnerability and resilience—has become a beloved mirror, reflecting my inner landscape and helping me process what I couldn’t yet speak aloud.

This personal relationship with movement deeply informs my classroom. I strive to create a trauma-informed, liberatory space where students are invited to move from a place of curiosity, truth, and self-connection—not just to learn technique, but to explore who they are. I’ve witnessed countless students light up when they uncover personal insights through embodied practice, rather than through verbal analysis or performative precision.

Movement is never just individual—it’s relational. Our bodies carry stories shaped by culture, history, trauma, and power. Wounds and healing are not isolated experiences; they emerge in relationship—with ourselves, with others, and with the systems that shape our lives. That’s why my approach is grounded in collective care, body sovereignty, and deep respect for the roots of pole dance in strip club culture. Strippers have long been pioneers—challenging stigma, reclaiming agency, and creating spaces of expression, survival, and power. Honoring that lineage means centering liberation, pleasure, and radical self-expression—not just in movement, but in how we relate to one another. In this way, pole becomes not only a path to personal insight, but a site of resistance, reclamation, and joy.

PSYCHOLOGIST - POLE DANCE INSTRUCTOR - DANCE MOVEMENT THERAPIST

Maleiyka (she/they) is currently based in Berlin. Remote sessions of all kind are possible via Zoom.

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