Small No More: South Asian Women Rising.

You were never meant to shrink. But somewhere along the way, many of us learned to sit quietly, nod politely, avoid taking up space, and dim our expression to keep the peace. Especially as South Asian women, we were conditioned to prioritise others, suppress emotion, and keep our bodies in check. Because, log kya kahenge . . .

👉🏽 Did you know the famous nose pin we all adore was designed to remind us to shut up . . . .

Every dupatta pulled tightly over our chest.

Every comment about our skin—too dark, too fair, too much.

Every time we were told we were showing too much skin—or not enough.

Too bold. Too prude. Too loud. Too quiet.

Every side glance at our weight, our chubby cheeks, our curves.

Every forced smile through the pain of cramps.

Every time we were told we couldn't enter a temple—because our period made us "impure."

All of it was training 👀

Conditioning us to be small. To shrink. To stay silent. To disappear.

But that era?

It’s over.

We’re Done Playing Small.

We are done apologising for our ambition. Diminishing our beauty, curves, or confidence. Holding our tongues when we have something powerful to say. Feeling like our culture needs to be hidden or softened to be accepted.

And guess what?

Dance is leading the way!

When a South Asian woman steps into a dance class—especially one rooted in Bollywood or classical-fusion styles—she does more than just move.

She claims:

• Her body as a source of power, not shame

• Her expression as something to be celebrated, not controlled

• Her story as worthy of being witnessed, not hidden

  
  

🤌🏽 🤌🏽 🤌🏽 Dance becomes an act of rebellion and restoration.

And Bollywood item girls? They’ve been showing us the power of boldness all along.

But we were told they were “cheap,” “dirty,” “too much”—By the same society that will sit through a 3-hour movie just to watch that one hip shake. 😒 That’s not just hypocrisy. It’s a calculated tactic.

A way to disconnect us from our power—

To keep us from realising that we can be strong, bold, beautiful, sensual, and smart all at once.

In a world that often sexualizes or silences South Asian women, dance lets us redefine the narrative: We are not ornaments. We are forces.

As someone who teaches movement to South Asian women every week, I’ve seen it happen: The woman who walked in unsure, arms crossed, eyes low—Leaves with her chest lifted, smile wide, and spirit open.

Not because someone told her she’s powerful. But because she felt it in her body. That’s the shift! 🙌🏽

My South Asian women, we are rising, we are shining, we are reclaiming what was always ours! Our body, Voice, Expression, and Culture. We are using dance as a gateway back to ourselves. ask yourself:

Are you ready to take up space?**

Drop a 💃 if the answer is YES.

I WANNA DANCE!