Today we’d like to introduce you to Pray Sharma.
Hi Pray, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Dance has always been my first love.
I’ve loved dancing for as long as I can remember. Growing up in Hyderabad, India, I was inspired by Bollywood—especially Sridevi. I was fascinated by how she could tell a story through her expressions and movement, and I spent countless hours teaching myself the dances I saw in movies. I performed at community events throughout my childhood, but I never had formal dance training.
After becoming a mother, I realized I wanted to reconnect with something that truly brought me joy, so I enrolled at the Shiamak Dance Academy. What started as a creative outlet turned into a life-changing journey. I trained there for nine years, including being selected for their Special Potential Batch (SPB), where I grew tremendously as a dancer and performer.
When I moved to Austin, I joined a local dance organization and eventually became its CEO. That experience gave me the opportunity to discover my love for teaching while also learning how to build a dance community and run a successful studio. Over time, I realized that my greatest passion wasn’t just dancing—it was helping others discover the joy and confidence that dance can bring.
During the pandemic, I founded **Sway with Pray**. At first, it was simply a way for me to keep dancing. But as I began teaching, it quickly became something much bigger—a community where people of all ages and experience levels could feel confident, express themselves, and simply enjoy dancing. Today, in addition to Bollywood dance classes, I also specialize in wedding choreography, helping couples and families create unforgettable memories for some of the biggest moments of their lives.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, and every stage of my journey has brought a different set of challenges.
One of the earliest challenges was beginning my dance journey without any formal training. Everything I learned came from observation and self-practice, so when I eventually entered structured training, I had to unlearn old habits and rebuild my foundation from scratch.
After becoming a mother, I joined the Shiamak Dance Academy, and that came with its own challenges. I was older than many of the students, had recently had a child, and didn’t fit the stereotypical image of what a dancer was “supposed” to look like. There were moments when I questioned whether I belonged, but being selected for the Special Potential Batch (SPB) reminded me that talent, dedication, and passion matter far more than age or appearance. That experience taught me to focus on growth instead of comparison.
When I moved to Austin, I joined a dance organization and eventually stepped into a CEO role. That was a completely different kind of challenge. I was no longer just focused on dancing—I was responsible for leading people, managing operations, and making business decisions while still staying connected to my art. It was a steep learning curve that taught me as much about leadership as it did about dance.
Later, during the pandemic, I made the decision to start Sway with Pray. Building a business from scratch during such an uncertain time meant wearing every hat—from teacher and choreographer to marketer and entrepreneur—while creating a community with no clear roadmap.
Even today, the challenges continue in different ways. As I’ve grown older, I sometimes feel that age influences how dance instructors are perceived, particularly within the South Asian community, where younger teachers are often seen as more relatable. Rather than letting that discourage me, it has strengthened my purpose. I want to show people that dance has no age limit. You don’t stop dancing because you get older—you dance because it brings joy, confidence, connection, and a sense of freedom at every stage of life.
Looking back, every challenge has shaped not only the dancer I became, but also the teacher, leader, and entrepreneur I am today.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m the founder of Sway with Pray, where I teach Bollywood dance through group classes, private lessons, wedding choreography, corporate workshops, performances, and community events. No matter the setting, my goal is always the same—to help people experience the joy, confidence, and connection that dance can bring.
What I specialize in is making dance approachable, especially for people who believe they “can’t dance.” Many of my students walk into the studio feeling intimidated or self-conscious, and one of my biggest intentions has always been to create a space where they feel safe, supported, and never judged. I challenge my students to grow, but I also want them to know it’s okay to make mistakes, laugh, and simply enjoy the process. I believe that’s when real confidence begins.
While I love every aspect of what I do, weddings have become my absolute happy place. There is something incredibly special about working with couples and families during one of the most meaningful celebrations of their lives. I love seeing people who may have never danced before walk into the studio feeling nervous and leave excited, confident, and proud of what they’ve accomplished together. Being trusted to create those memories—and knowing they’ll be cherished for years to come—is something I never take for granted.
What I’m most proud of is simply that I never gave up. Every chapter of my life has required me to reinvent myself—from being a self-taught dancer, to training professionally, moving to a new country, becoming a leader, starting my own business during a pandemic, and building it as a single mother. None of it has been easy, but each experience has made me stronger and brought me closer to the work I’m meant to do. Perseverance has become one of the biggest lessons of my journey.
I’m also incredibly proud of the community we’ve built along the way. Some of my students have been with me for years, and watching them grow in confidence—not just as dancers, but as people—is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.
At the heart of Sway with Pray is a simple belief: dance is for everyone. Regardless of your age, experience, or ability, everyone deserves a place where they can move freely, express themselves, and feel like they belong. My philosophy is simple: **show up, and I’ll take care of the rest.**
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is to never give up on something that truly brings you joy, even if you don’t have the entire journey figured out.
When I started dancing, I wasn’t thinking about becoming a teacher or opening my own studio. I simply wanted to dance. Teaching came later. Leadership came later. Starting my own business came later. Weddings became one of my greatest passions even later. Every chapter of my journey unfolded because I was willing to take the next step, even when I couldn’t see the whole path ahead. It also came from an experience.
I’ve learned that you don’t need to have everything planned from the beginning. Your dreams can evolve, your purpose can change, and your definition of success can change too. My passion has always remained the same, but my purpose has continued to evolve. What’s important is continuing to move forward, staying open to new opportunities, and trusting yourself enough to embrace them.
If I had waited until I felt completely ready, I probably wouldn’t be where I am today. Sometimes all you need is the courage to take the first step, and the rest reveals itself along the way.
Above all, dance has taught me that we’re all just looking for a place where we can be ourselves. If I can create that space for even one person—where they feel accepted, confident, and free to express themselves—then I know I’m doing what I was meant to do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.swaywithpray.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swaywithpray/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swaywithpray
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@swaywithpray4215
