Sitting pretty: Zlata has a rare condition which means her tendons are extremely pliable, allowing her to adopt painful-looking positions for lengthy periods of time
Zlata has a rare condition that makes all her tendons extremely pliable, allowing her to adopt seemingly back-breaking positions.
But Zlata, who now lives in Germany, wasn't always applauded for her contortionist ability.
She first started experimenting with her talent after her pre-school teacher asked her to create a bridge - where you stand on your hands and feet with your back arched - and she outshone her classmates.
She admits other girls her age were jealous of her and would pick on her at school.
'In Russia being flexible is a very good thing to be because everyone is really into gymnastics,' she explained.
'Some of the other girls didn't like how good I was.'
Flexible: The contortionist can bend herself at a perfect 90 degree angle
Zlata turned her back on gymnastics and joined an after school circus instead where she learnt the art of contortionism.
She added: 'As soon as I started doing it I was addicted and I knew this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.'