Daily Inspiration: Meet Varsha Kumar

Today we’d like to introduce you to Varsha Kumar.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’m a South Asian fusion dancer, choreographer, and emerging dance movement therapist—but my journey with movement started long before I knew those titles existed. I grew up dancing at temple events and family celebrations, where music and movement were simply part of how we connected and expressed joy. My love for dance began very early on and has only deepened with time.

That love led me to formal training at Adaa Dance Academy when I was 13, where I quickly moved from student to lead performer, choreographer, teacher, and creative contributor in everything from visuals to audio and marketing. I explored a variety of styles throughout this time, each one teaching me something new about movement, culture, and myself.
At UC Berkeley, I danced on nationally competitive teams like Azaad and Cal Bhangra. Those experiences deepened my connection to South Asian dance and challenged me to explore how tradition could evolve. After graduating, I joined the fusion team Aluminati—first as a dancer, then as a director and choreographer—leading creative projects that combined cultural storytelling with bold, modern movement.

Over time, I began to focus more on solo work, building a platform that allowed me to choreograph, teach, and collaborate with artists across the country. My choreography has been featured in brand campaigns like Khattoi. I’ve also performed in music videos for independent artists and on major stages—including 50 Cent’s residency shows in Las Vegas.
In parallel, my academic background in psychology and dance movement therapy has shaped how I see dance—not just as performance, but as healing. My dissertation focused on the role of dance in emotional and cultural healing. Today, I teach private lessons, lead workshops, and choreograph weddings and creative projects, all while continuing to learn and grow.
I am proud of where I am now, but I’m also excited to see where this journey continues to take me—because I know, deep down, that there’s still so much more ahead.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Definitely not. One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced was pursuing my doctorate while trying to stay connected to the dance world. Earning that degree is something I’m incredibly proud of—it’s shaped so much of who I am—but juggling coursework, work responsibilities, my dissertation, and dance left me constantly stretched thin. It was hard to find a rhythm, and carving out time to dance often felt more like another item on my to-do list than the creative release it used to be.
There were moments when dance started to feel forced—like something I should be doing rather than something I wanted to do. I wasn’t following my intuition or allowing myself space to explore what felt right creatively. Instead, I looked to what other people were doing, trying to mimic their paths or definitions of success. But the more I did that, the more disconnected I felt—from my own style, from joy, and from why I started dancing in the first place.
It took time, but I eventually realized that I needed to come back to myself. Dance became a form of meditation and a way to reconnect with who I am at my core. I stopped chasing someone else’s version of success and started leaning into my own voice as a choreographer and artist. I’ve come to understand that comparison really is the thief of joy, and there’s room for everyone to create. There’s no one “right” way to make it—it’s about doing what you love, in a way that’s true to you.

I also faced personal challenges, particularly around body image and mental health, which sometimes made it hard to stay visible or feel confident sharing my work. Even when I liked my dancing, I often held back from posting because I didn’t like how I looked. There were stretches when I didn’t feel motivated to create at all—not because the passion wasn’t there, but because the mental and emotional weight made it hard to move. Eventually, I made the conscious decision to put my mental health first. I gave myself permission to dance just for me, without the pressure to be seen or validated. By stepping away from posting and focusing on joy, I was able to reconnect with dance on my own terms—and slowly, make sharing my work feel fun and free again.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I teach private dance lessons to students of all ages, lead workshops for groups of up to 50 participants, and choreograph everything from weddings to creative performance projects. I’m best known for my work in semi-classical and Bollywood styles, blending technical grace with expressive storytelling.

One of my most proud and fulfilling experiences was dancing as a background performer for 50 Cent during his Las Vegas residency. It was an incredible performance opportunity to train and perform alongside Kings United—World of Dance champions who happened to be close friends—making it even more special. Beyond dancing, I also took initiative to step into leadership roles, coordinating logistics, managing communication, and helping produce video shoots. It felt empowering to contribute both on stage and behind the scenes.

What sets my approach apart is the emphasis on connection—using dance as a tool not just for technique, but for self-discovery and inner strength. In group classes, students often find a sense of ease that allows them to take up space and step forward with confidence. In private sessions, I help students feel safe to open up—allowing us to work through mental blocks, build trust, and connect their movement to something more personal.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
If there’s one person who truly jumpstarted my dance journey, it’s my first teacher, role model, friend, and second mom: Apra Bhandari. I began dancing with her at the age of 13—back when we used to move the couch in her living room to make space for class. Now, she owns a big, beautiful studio, and I’ve grown into someone building a meaningful and evolving place for myself in the dance world.

Apra saw potential in me before I saw it in myself. She became my home away from home—offering not just guidance, but genuine care. When I couldn’t afford to compete, she covered the costs so that I wouldn’t miss out on opportunities to grow. She pushed me to take the stage and nurtured both my confidence and my craft. Her belief in me was steady, and it changed the way I saw myself as a dancer.

Through Adaa, I discovered that dance wasn’t just about learning steps for an hour each week. I was exposed to so many facets of the dance world: performance, choreography, teaching, gigs, creative direction, and more. I gained stage presence, expressive range, body awareness, and a deeper sense of purpose. A new passion was born—one that went far beyond the mirror and the studio floor. I began expanding my role from student to teacher, performer, and choreographer. Some of my most cherished memories are the moments I spent assisting Apra with choreography—watching her creative process up close and having our minds meld, even just for a moment.

Although my parents didn’t always see eye to eye with me pursuing dance more seriously, they never stopped me from exploring it. They put me in classes early on and encouraged dancing at family events. Over time, they began to witness how much joy and growth it brought into my life. Today, they’re some of my biggest supporters—sharing my videos proudly with family and friends.

My friends have also played a huge role in my journey. Their encouragement reminded me that I truly do belong in the dance space. From accountability calls to creative collaborations and shared projects, they’ve helped me stay connected to my purpose and continue building something meaningful through movement.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/vkdances?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAadpt3JNSio0Ba04Nw5n5kq77115TlU7oRIw0y-FWZc2ZLDpI36hA3UMcgleFA_aem_e_Y0InQrHUUIuOSMDEqpSg
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vkdances/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vkdances
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@VKdances

Image Credits
@brajamandala photography (red shirt/white skirt outfit picture)
Nick Talarico (forest picture)