Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Shayna Malhotra . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Shayna , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

I made the challenging decision to move to a new country, leaving behind my well-established studio in Delhi, India during COVID, in order to pursue my dreams. I have an urge for keep growing and pushing my boundaries. I often find putting myself in tough spots in order to discover my weakness and making them my strengths. Performing on stage gives me life, and teaching gives me purpose and stability. Moving to New York was always a far fetched dream that felt real when the Peridance interernational school traveled to India for auditions. I was among the selected few and offered scholarship. Came here on student visa with no expectations and limited bank balance enough for 6 months duration of the program. Just when I thought it’s time to go home little did I know that Life had other plans. I will complete 3 years this March. I worked to find meaning, clarity, and calm despite the difficulties and uncertainties, long sleepless nights, not knowing how will I cover the next month’s rent! Just followed my passion to dream big and live fully by doing what I love, having friends who had faith in me and didn’t let me give up just yet. Currently applying for the Artist visa and looking forward to this next creative chapter to unfold!

Shayna , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Born and raised in Delhi, India. Belong from a very creative family. Mom used to be a fabulous (indoor) dancer and Dad has the best taste in music and made it his business to engineer it out of a box. As a kid always used to dance all the time, when I was maybe 6/7years mom enrolled me to a studio in the neighborhood. Used to be everyone’s favorite and was told how good I am all the time. Even in school never used to leave an opportunity to participate in events. School has no Western dance at the time to grew up mostly doing Kathak and other classical forms. It was 2010 when I got introduced to an academy “The Danceworx” where I first learned about the style Jazz and contemporary. Was hooked immediately. All those kicks and turns made my heart jump out and my eyes shine and realized the feeling of “this is it”! My first mentor Heemanshu Sharma despite my healthy (fat) appearance trusted me to go down this road of transformation of dance as a hobby to passion. After 3 years with this company I decided to leave to join Heemanshu’s company “That’s Dance”. This is where home is. It’s a close knit company where I was the senior member responsible for teaching the beginners as well as aspiring dancers.
We trained, we performed in productions, Choreographed multiple events and advertisement campaigns for Samsung, Maruti etc. to list a few.
What sets me apart I believe is the value of each individual, any one stepping in my class should felt seen and walk out being more confident and happy. Movement has the power to heal like no other. We live in a complex setting so my ideal goal is for them to have fun and isolate the worries for that hour and a half! Make them feel good about themselves and telling them it’s okay to mess up and to embrace it.
As for my clients I work towards gaining their trust and respecting their time. It’s never just about getting the job done, it’s about doing it so well that long term relationship is formed!

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

I am not much of a reader but I made it a point to read certain self help books that I was advised stepping into this creative journey. “The magic of thinking big” was the very first that opened a whole new arena to map out my life.
The other two I read till date whenever I feel stuck or need a perspective by John C. Maxwell!
“Developing the leader within you” &
“Winning with people”

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Hands down the most rewarding aspect for me is criticism, can be good or bad. A good criticism shows me appreciation and acceptance a bad one makes me work on the things that got neglected or give me another perspective. What I do with the criticism is on me I could take it or leave it! I come from a place where was judged and constantly asked “what is a professional dancer, is that even a real profession”, “how much will you earn”, etc. I had to have these awkward conversations mostly arguments at any family gatherings. I was tired of them so I stopped and let time do it’s part.
Being an artist always keeps you on the edge all I think is to keep my head held up high and believing what I stand for.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shayna_malhotra09?igsh=bW84c2NmNnoyNXB0
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shayna.malhotra.3?mibextid=ZbWKwL
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/ze_La8K3t40?si=ma94n8meB3zPLVWJ

Image Credits
Sagar hasija Headshotswithdash Ak47division