About COVA Pole & Movement
COVA Pole & Movement is the ONLY pole studio in Virginia Beach equipped with 13-foot poles, giving you the height you need to train for competitions and performances.
Our 2,500-square foot facility features two studios, 11 poles, 10-foot wall-to-wall mirrors, weekly Pole, Flex and Movement classes, and a boutique for all your pole gear needs!
COVA has firm values in creating a safe and welcoming space for everyone! Regardless of your age, size, background or gender, we are here for you!
With studios intentionally designed by National Pole Champion and Xpert Pole Trainer Shaina Cruea (who happens to be 6 feet tall!), our pole spaces are built for dancers of all heights, shapes and sizes to get a full experience during classes and training sessions. Our poles are on a PoleAway System, so they can be easily put away during non-pole classes, events and workshops.
Whether you’re looking for classes and community, a space to train privately, or a space to host your own workshop or event, COVA is the place for you!
About the Team
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Shaina Cruea
FOUNDER, PROGRAM DIRECTOR & INSTRUCTORShaina is a US National Pole Dance Champion. She brings over a decade of pole experience to COVA, and she has curated an intentional curriculum to help both new and experienced polers learn, progress, and thrive at COVA. Shaina is known for combining her unique contemporary dance style with the beauty of fluid strength and grace. As an Xpert Elite Trainer running trainings nationwide, Shaina remains as dedicated to teaching others her knowledge of pole as she is to continuing the evolution of her own style and expertise. She has traveled to over 40 countries and 30 US states for pole-related events. A Virginia Beach native, Shaina is thrilled to bring her passion for pole to her hometown and help foster a beautiful pole community here in Coastal Virginia.
IG Handle: @shaina66
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Chelsea Bawab
FOUNDER, MANAGING DIRECTOR & INSTRUCTORChelsea is a lifelong dancer who found her love for pole in 2022 and hasn’t looked back. At COVA, you’ll find her handling marketing and business development, coordinating community events, and maybe even spinning on a pole next to you in class. Her passion is building relationships and helping others feel connected and empowered through movement and community. She is Xpert Level 1 & 2 & Xpert Heels certified, and she loves helping pole newbies find their love for pole dance!
IG Handle: @chelseasherman_cova
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V (Turkish delight)
STUDIO MANAGER & INSTRUCTORV fell in love with pole in 2019 when she was on a journey for self-love and looking for new ways to appreciate her body through movement. She has since won multiple competitions, including 1st place for Championship Level 3 Junior at PSO Northeast 2021 and 1st place for All Floor All Day Level 4 Junior at PSO Northeast 2023. She has been teaching pole since 2021 and also has a background in studio management. V takes pride in organizing studio shows and events, collaborating with local businesses, and finding new ways to bring the pole community together. When she’s dancing, her favorite moves are anything splitty or bendy, and she’s always in pursuit of finding new ways of touching her feet to her head.
IG Handle: @turkish_delightv
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Mystique
POLE INSTRUCTORMystique began her pole journey in 2017, instantly falling in love with the artistry, strength, and confidence it awakened within her. A Certified XPert Instructor, she’s passionate about making pole fun and guiding others to discover their own unique style and flow. Over the years, she has graced the stage in multiple showcases, using each performance as a chance to connect with her audience and tell stories through her movement. She is excited to guide new and returning polers as they grow and flourish in their journeys. Beyond the studio, Mystique co-founded Warrior Mom Initiative (WMI) an organization dedicated to supporting moms of children affected by childhood cancer. WMI annually hosts Pole for Gold, a showcase giving local and traveling pole artists performance opportunities while also raising awareness for childhood cancer.
IG Handle: @unleashing_mystique
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Shay
POLE INSTRUCTORShay has loved dance and movement for as long as she can remember. She started pole dancing about four years ago and have performed in lots of showcases, along with a few competitions. Shay’s style is rooted in musicality, flow, slinky-sexy movement, and stretch-focused twisty shapes on the pole. Shay loves helping others build confidence, express themselves, and feel strong in their bodies, and she’s so excited to be part of the COVA community!
IG Handle: @butta_baby._
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Mia
POLE & FLEXIBILITY INSTRUCTORMia is a passionate pole dancer and dedicated instructor committed to helping others discover the strength, freedom, and artistry that pole dance can offer. Her journey began as a self-taught dancer, learning alongside and from others in the nightlife scene. What started as a hustle soon became a lifeline—carrying her through homesickness, therapy, and the challenge of rebuilding her life from the ground up. Pole dance gave Mia a community, a voice, and a sense of self she never expected. Now, she pours that love back into her teaching. In both her pole and stretch classes, she creates a supportive, empowering space where everyone can be brave, build confidence, and embrace their bodies. Whether you’re dancing for fitness, self-expression, or personal empowerment, Mia is here to help you find your power on the pole.
IG Handle: mialure_