Dancing Queen

Anastasia Safonova, seven-time world champion in oriental dancing, reflects on her professional journey.

Nastya, always athletic and energetic, actively demonstrating new moves to her students and pacing around the studio while observing the efforts of her dancers — is now sitting on a cushion in the corner of the room, watching from the bottom up how her lesson is going. She is now eight months pregnant. And this is the first time in 17 years that she has not danced for so long.

Nastya’s dancing journey started completely by chance at the age of twelve. Prior to that, she had tried yoga, gymnastics, and even taekwondo. One day, while waiting for her mother in the locker room after one of those classes, Anastasia was offered to attend a trial lesson in oriental dancing — that day, a new trainer was holding classes for the first time.

“It was the first dance style that truly captivated me. Moreover, I was aware that this studio had a highly accomplished head instructor, whose students were already competing in major tournaments and world championships, often securing top placements — which genuinely inspired me. So I was hooked from the very first lesson, and since then I have not parted with belly dancing.”

Her talent was quickly recognized:

“It was easy for me from the first class, and my instructor praised me highly. Within just a few weeks in the beginners group, the head coach attending one of our sessions called me over and said she was taking me to the main team as I had the right physique and apparently some innate talent.”

“It was a bit of a psychological trauma”

Just three months later, the future star’s first competition took place. In response to my request, Anastasia shares this experience:

“Naturally, I was absolutely unprepared emotionally. I had no idea how everything was supposed to happen. I didn’t hear the announcer calling my name. When my music started playing, I simply didn’t step onto the stage, which led to the host yelling at me. It was a bit of a psychological trauma.”

“However, I managed to pull myself together and deliver a successful performance. Thus, in the beginner category, I took the first place in my very first competition. I still remember that day, my first costume, my makeup, and the sensation of having a gold medal draped around my neck for the first time. It holds immense value, and perhaps few victories can match the intensity of emotions that came with that first one.”

“My mother fainted from happiness”

Regarding our discussion of the first victory at the World Championship, Nastya confesses it was not unexpected, since she initially knew that in her category she was a contender for first place.

“It was still nerve-wracking,” as she had to perform in such a way as not to lose chances to win.

“And when they finally announce that I am first — of course, there are tears in my eyes, a storm of emotions. My mother fainted from happiness,” Anastasia recalls with trepidation.

However, Nastya’s coach raised her to understand that there wasn’t much time for celebration. The dancer further reasons:

“At that moment, standing on the podium — yes, it’s your minute of glory, great happiness, indescribable emotions. But as soon as you step down, you must remember that tomorrow brings a new training session, and no one guarantees you a victory at the next tournament unless you deserve it yourself.”

“Through dance I seemed to have some kind of psychotherapy”

I asked my heroine about her favorite performance. By the time it happened, she had already won the World Championship six times and was planning to win again — in the adults category, which was particularly important.

“I performed to a soulful, highly emotional pop song. I was going through a difficult period in my personal life — I had just ended a relationship — and I dedicated that performance to my experience.”

“On stage, I poured out 100% of the emotions that were inside me. I vividly remember that moment, during the dance, when I prolonged the movement, lifted my arms, and I got goosebumps, tears came to my eyes — as I realized that never in my life, before or after, have I experienced such a bright emotion from my dancing.”

“It felt as though, by investing my entire soul into that dance, I eased my suffering in life, let go of that situation, and through dance I seemed to have some kind of psychotherapy session,” Nastya recounted with a sense of awe.

What was particularly precious to her was that the audience “believed” in her performance, “felt” it. For years after that, Anastasia continued to receive comments about that performance, with many stating it was “one of the most remarkable performances in the history of belly dance.”

“Although I did not win — I placed second — nothing could overshadow the brilliance of that performance for me.”

“Completely overcoming my anxiety is impossible”

Anastasia admits that she still feels nervous before stepping onto the stage, but less than she used to. However, that anxiety is still present — which she believes is a normal thing.

“There’s always a certain weight of responsibility on your shoulders. In the past, my performance directly influenced my placement in competitions, and now there are high expectations from my colleagues and the dancers who are still competing, as I serve as a role model for them.”

“With each performance, I strive to make it vibrant, unforgettable, and powerful, aiming to leave a lasting impression on the audience. Therefore, completely overcoming my anxiety is impossible.”

What she always reminds herself and her students — is to focus on the pleasure they can get themselves and give to the audience.

“I found greater value in teaching than in my own performances”

I became interested in how my coach has decided that dancing would be her main occupation, and Nastya shared:

“I still haven’t made that decision, it simply evolved that way. I was 14 when I was first offered the opportunity to hold a class. I gave it a try, despite feeling anxious, as I wasn’t very adept at interacting with people. It came out a success, and I discovered a passion for teaching and guiding students through competitions — somehow, I found greater value in that than in my own performances.”

Teaching is still Anastasia’s main priority:

“Do I plan to conquer new heights? No, as a dancer, I have closed all my gestalts. Everything I aspired to achieve has been accomplished. Therefore, my primary interest lies in teaching — both within my own school and through touring activities.”

Anastasia’s focus is on her students: she values those who are diligent and determined, willing to work towards results and engage consistently. Rankings, she admits, are fleeting — what truly matters to her is witnessing how from one lesson to the next her students’ hands become more graceful, their posture improves, and their gait becomes more confident.

“These transformations resonate beyond dance; they empower young women to be more self-assured in their everyday lives,” says the dancer.

Before her pregnancy, Nastya’s coach worked tirelessly without any days off, from morning until late evening. Now, Nastya has allowed herself to rest on Sundays. I inquired about workaholism. That was her point:

“I consider myself a workaholic, but it is tied to how inspired I am by my job. Overall, I view myself as quite a lazy person, and in all matters unrelated to my professional activities, I prefer to have a rest. But understanding that I am responsible for another person motivates me to put the global result above my needs at the moment.”

Most importantly, Anastasia is sure:

“I have truly found my calling in teaching, and I genuinely enjoy what I do.”

A new and significant chapter of Nastya’s life is about to begin. Nastya is still uncertain about what her motherhood will be like and how she will manage to balance her new role with her established profession. However, she is confident that in today’s world it is possible to be a good mother and an educator at the same time.

“I am fortunate to be surrounded by understanding students and a supportive family,” Nastya said. She believes that through collective efforts, they will be able to maintain a high-quality training experience.