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Chara Panagiotou, born and raised in
Paphos, Cyprus, is an award-winning Aerial Hoop athlete and artist, as well as
a Pilates instructor, pole athlete, and coach. She began her dance journey at
the age of six with Classical Ballet (RAD), continuing her training until the
age of seventeen. At eighteen, she moved to Athens for university studies, and
in 2012 relocated to London for six months, completing the Pilates Advanced
Training School program in Milton Keynes while also attending Jazz and Ballet
classes at Pineapple Dance Studios.
Upon returning to Cyprus, Chara founded
Movement Arts Studio, offering Pilates classes while continuing her
professional development with UK-based training providers.
In 2018, she earned her first certification
in Pole Dance & Fitness, and in 2020 was selected as a finalist in the Miss
Pole Dance UK & Mr Pole Fitness UK Amateur Semi-Pro Finals (Semi-Pro
Instructors category), an event ultimately cancelled due to the COVID-19
pandemic.
Her aerial hoop career began in 2022, when
she completed her diplomas after extensive training. Since then, she has
achieved consistent success on the international stage:
2023
• 2nd place – Aerial Hoop Advanced Master
40+, Aerial Vertigine, Italy
• 1st place – Aerial Hoop Sport Amateurs
Masters 40+, PASF (POSA) Slovakia
• Represents Cyprus at the Pole &
Aerial World Cup (PAWC), Bologna, Italy
2024
• 2nd place – Czech Aerial Hoop Art, Master
40+, Czech Aerial Art Championship (Aerial Art Professional category)
• 1st place – Aerial Hoop Sport Competitive
Women Masters 40+, PASF Slovakia (POSA)
• Represents Cyprus at the POSA Pole &
Aerial Sports World Championship, Cesenatico, Italy – Aerial Hoop Sport
Competitive Master Women 40+
2025
• 4th place – Aerial Hoop Art Seniors, Soul
on Pole, Italy
• 1st place – Aerial Hoop Sport Competitive
Master Women 40+, APPOSA Portugal Cup
• Represents Cyprus – 3rd place, Aerial
Hoop Sport Competitive Master Women 40+, European Pole Sport & Aerial
Sports Championship (POSA), Prague, Czech Republic
Chara is deeply passionate about her craft
and committed to excellence, offering small group and private one-to-one
sessions in Pilates, pole, and aerial hoop.
In 2025, she founded Cyprus Pole Sport
& Aerial Acrobatics, a non-profit organisation ( https://www.instagram.com/cyp_polesport_aerialacrobatics?igsh=azVnZzg5NmQxaG5q ) dedicated to promoting pole sport and aerial acrobatics in Cyprus.
Movement Arts Studio is an inclusive,
multicultural space, welcoming students of all ages, genders, body types, and
skill levels.
Chara was born and raised in Cyprus and has trained in aerial hoop, pole dance, Pilates, and general fitness. Having trained in UK, Chara is now teaches in Paphos in a small studio.
Awards:
1st place Category Aerial Hoop Sport Competitive Master Women 40+ (Open) APPOSA Portugal, 2025
3rd place Category Aerial Hoop Sport Competitive Master Women 40+, European Pole Sport &Aerial Sports Championship (POSA), Czech Republic, 2025
2nd place Aerial Hoop Advance 40+, Aerial Vertigine – ISPAC 2023
1st place, category Aerial Hoop Master women Amateur Open in Pole & Aerial Sports National and International (POSA) Competition, PASF-Slovakia 2023
2nd place Aerial Hoop Art Masters +40, Czech Aerial Hoop Art 2024
1st place, Category Aerial Hoop Sport Competitive Master Women 40+ Open (POSA), PASF Slovakia 2024
Education & Training:
Certificate of achievement in Grounded Hoop
Spin City – Aerial Fitness Instructor Training
19/12/2022
Certificate of achievement in Advance Aerial Hoop
Spin City – Aerial Fitness Instructor Training
9/12/2022
Certificate in Aerial Hoop Beginner Instructor Training
Pole Passion Ltd
7/04/22
Certificate in Aerial Hoop Intermediate Instructor Training
Pole Passion Ltd
16/05/22
Certificate in Pole Fitness Foundation Beginner & Intermediate Level Instructor Training
Pole Passion Ltd
31/12/18
Certificate in Pole Fitness Advanced Instructor Training
Pole Passion Ltd
1/10/19
Pole Passion Dance & Fitness online Grading Level 1 -5
Pole Passion Dance & Fitness online Grading Level 1 Advance – Level 3 Advance
Diploma in Face Yoga (Distinction)
Centre on Exellence
20/04/20
(150 CPD hours/points)
Certificate in Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi for Health Professionals/Personal Trainers
(6 credits at Level 3 )
Somerset Skills and Learning
04/12/2015
Certificate in Tai Chi Bang Instructor
(3 credits at Level 2)
Somerset Skills and Learning
13/03/2017
YMCA Certificate in Level 3 Award in Sports Conditioning (QCF)
Health and Fitness Education Ltd
(3 credits at level 3)
31/10/2017
Certificate of Training in Barre Concept
22/04/2015
Active IQ Level 4 Certificate in Exercise for the Management of Low Back Pain (QCF)
(13 credits at Level 4)
19/05/2015
Certificate in PFS Functional Training Instructor
Profi Fitness School
16/12/2016
Certificate in Working with Dance and Movement as Therapy online study course (Distinction)
Association of Dance Therapists (INT L) SCHOOL OF DANCE THERAPY
CYQ Level 2 Certificate in Fitness Instructing (QCF) Group Exercise to Music
Health and Fitness Education Ltd
1/12/2014
Certificate of completion Total Barre Instructor Foundation course, LEVEL 1
Merrithew Health and Fitness
4/12/2013
Certificate of completion Total Barre Instructor Foundation Course , Level 1
Merrithew Health and Fitness
17/12/2013
CYQ Level 3 Diploma in Teaching Pilates (QCF)
Pilates Advanced Training School
25/03/2013
Level 3 Certificate in Teaching Pilates
Pilates Advanced Training School 23/03/2013
CYQ Level 2 Certificate in Fitness Instructing (QCF) -Gym Based Exercise
Health and Fitness Education Ltd
01/03/2013
CYQ Level 3 Award in Adapting Exercise for Ante Natal
and Post Natal Clients (QCF)
Health and Fitness Education Ltd
06/05/2014
CYQ Level 3 Diploma in Exercise Referral (QCF)
Health and Fitness Education Ltd
06/11/2014
Certificate in Stress Management Training
British Stress Consultancy
06/07/2008
Bsc (Honours) in Psychology
Upper Second -class Honours
The Open University
31/12/2009
Ptychion in Philosophy Education and Psychology -majority Psychology
Philosophy School
Kapodistrian University of Athens
03/02/2006
At Movement Arts Studio Chara, we inspire strength, grace, and self-expression through the art of movement, creating a space where everyone can explore their potential and transform through aerial and floor disciplines
