Maria Basevich, a psychologist from Moscow, in Russia, has been in Luxembourg for four years now. Accompanied by her husband and two of her children, Basevich has been keeping busy ever since landing in the grand duchy. in the past to discuss the Russian anti-war movement in Luxembourg and the support she and her local friends try their best to provide to Ukrainian refugees, she has now decided to add another string to her bow, this time by opening a coaching centre for women.
Delano was able to attend a lesson at Queen Zone, a coaching centre for women. Photo: Romain Gamba/Maison Moderne
Born from solidarity
The mother-of-three wanted to provide women with a safe space and help them build their confidence through different activities. Holding a PhD in psychology and another diploma in marketing psychology, Basevich explains that “after the war [in Ukraine] started, I created a support group for women” both for refugees and volunteers. Queen Zone is a natural continuation of this.
In a former fitness complex in Bereldange, not far from the capital, Basevich and a team of other teachers and artists offer various workshops through which women can explore themselves. The founder herself will hold art therapy sessions using ceramics and do coaching sessions on confidence and relationships--“and any concerns of women”. There are coaches teaching different kinds of yoga, stretching, pilates, theatre, and more, reveals a quick browse through the team’s
I also want them to receive tools to be able to face issues when they arise. Because women are always on the frontline.
Taking a break from the mental load
“My idea was to help women feel stronger and more confident, but also to give them a space of relaxation and positive energy. I also want them to receive tools to be able to face issues when they arise. Because women are always on the frontline. We have jobs, kids, families, we have to support our husbands, and more… then there is the daily news… It’s too much.” Classes for men and children will also be available, but women and men’s workshops are always separated, so as to give women the space necessary to fully let go.
The centre’s coaches are as international as its clientele--with some coming from Russia, Ukraine or Brazil for instance. “We try to cover as many languages as possible” to be able to cater to Luxembourg’s multicultural landscape.
A common cause
Recruitment for the centre was easy, recalls the founder. “I knew some of the teachers, but a lot of them just heard about my idea and reached out to me.” For Basevich, this was a “good sign”, because “if you start something that attracts people and their positive energy, it makes you feel like you’re on the right path.”
The centre had a small, relaxed opening ceremony at the start of March, but then expanded its activities rapidly. There is a sports zone, an art zone, and a coffee and tea zone for people to connect after class. The place has been decorated by Basevich, her children, their friends and others--which again brings good energy, says the coach.
For Basevich, Queen Zone is particularly special, because “for the first time in my life, my project isn’t a business project.” There will be a fee for upkeep, but profit isn’t the first goal of the centre, she underlines. Instead, “my first goal is to help people. It’s important to make people stay and help them reach their goals.”