Daily Inspiration: Meet Alysha Shah

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alysha Shah

Hi Alysha, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

My Journey with Movement, Creativity, and Performance

I’ll do my best to keep this brief—but fair warning, I have ADHD, so buckle up!

Growing up, I dabbled in a lot of different activities: Karate, Gymnastics, Dance, Soccer, and even Marching Band in high school. Movement, music, and collaboration with others have always been a part of my life. I even taught myself how to whistle professionally—just one of those quirky skills I started polishing since I was kid.

The turning point for me came at 14. In 2007, I was in Jaco, Costa Rica, studying the Ashtanga yoga series with Alejandra Torres. Her dedication to both the practice and herself truly changed my life. She created a space for me to explore what I was capable of when I approached life with intention—mind, body, and spirit. The Ashtanga series is intense, a two-hour practice where the poses progressively become more challenging. I’m forever grateful to Alejandra for that transformative experience. (If you’re interested in becoming a yoga teacher, I highly recommend Alejandra—she’s an incredible mentor! Check her out on Instagram @yogacostarica).

But it wasn’t just yoga that shaped my journey—it was the pursuit of flow. In 2011, I found my “gateway prop” to entering that flow state: the hula hoop.

At the time, I was living in a co-op in East Lansing. My housemate, Betsy Shiner, invited me to a hula hoop-making workshop. Initially, I was hesitant—I’m introverted in large groups—but Betsy insisted it would be a calmer gathering. I went, made my hoop, and immediately failed at it. Not a single rotation!

Then I saw a girl across the street, hula hooping effortlessly in the front yard. The way she moved with such grace and ease, almost in a trance, inspired me. I wanted to feel that too—the sensation of true flow. So, I took my hula hoop home and began practicing on the back patio of Orion House every day.

Hula hooping became a hyper-focused activity for me, a dopamine boost that brought me into the present moment. It was my own form of mindfulness.

In 2014, during ArtPrize, my friend Samuel Casares and I decided to take our practice to the streets. He played guitar, and I hula hooped. We thought it would be a low-pressure way to get out there and share our art. Much to our surprise, people loved it! That positive reception was a huge turning point for me. I realized that putting myself out there—vulnerable and real—was not only okay, but it could also be embraced.

The experience gave me the confidence to try out for Grand Rapids Big Talent, my first formal stage performance. To my surprise, I shared third place with Tony Smith! It was a moment that taught me a lot about how ADHD affects my creative process—and the importance of trusting my own unique approach, instead of conforming to what others might expect.

Soon after, I was hired by local performance groups like DareDevil Circus and KnottyBits Side Show to perform my hula hoop and sword acts. These gigs gave me the validation I needed to see that this craft had truly found me. Over the years, I’ve continued to collaborate with these companies even under my own name, Embodied Arts. I believe in reciprocity, especially with those who believed in me from the start.

My love for expression, family, and movement took me to places like India, Guam, and Costa Rica, where I completed a 900 hour Yoga Teacher Training course while in India visiting my family – That experience in itself changed my life and gave me a whole different perspective. I also taught workshops on hoop-making and led free-flow sessions for kids in detention homes as well as empowerment clubs. It was amazing to see kids go from shy to fully expressive. If I can create a space where people feel safe enough to be themselves, that’s a gift I’ll continue to give.

As time went on, more and more props and skill sets were added to the arsenal – balancing swords, silk scarves, fire onto the flow props, aerial silks and lyra.
In Costa Rica, I co-founded our first creative performance group, Kula Tropica, with friends Ignacia Tellez Christoff, Katie Beery, and Gabo Hernandez. We performed at a local festival together and it was a sweet moment to see our names on a lineup! 
My roles ranged from hula hooping and sword dancing to collaborating with Katie’s live painting and Nacha and Gabo’s DJ sets.

Then came 2019. I returned home from living abroad due to a family illness, and shortly after, the pandemic hit. During my flight home, I sketched a triangle on a napkin, mapping out a future where I would have a home, a favorite cafe, and a studio space nearby. Miraculously, that vision came true. I found a house with an amazing community downtown, just a stone’s throw from Global Infusion, my favorite herb tea and coffee shop. I worked there for three years, and wall to wall with the tea shop was a music studio that I ended up renting as it had the high ceilings I was seeking for my aerial endeavors. That space became a sanctuary where I could practice aerial silks and lyra and create routines for my fire performances.—Especially in the winter months when finding practice space was otherwise tough.

I spent every free moment outside of performing and working at the tea shop refining my craft, taking private lessons, and diving into new movement styles. I trained at the New England Center for Circus Arts in 2021 and returned with more confidence in my stamina, endurance, and ability. Upon my return, I began my studies to become a certified aerial instructor with Aerial Physique, ensuring that I could teach the introductory level of the art safely and effectively.

In 2022, I joined the Midwest Movement Collective as their aerial instructor, and performed with fire at unique events like Theatre Bizarre in Detroit.

2022 was also the year that I co-founded the Grand Rapids Entertainment Group (G.R.E.G.) with Bean (Jessica Perazzolo) and Tate VerDuin. We’ve created a roster of diverse, talented performers who collaborate to bring unique experiences to the Midwest.

Whether it’s a corporate event, community gathering, or something more avant-garde, G.R.E.G. works to create and collaborate alongside other performance companies to bring inclusive, empowering performances for all. That year marked a time of deep growth for me, both in my personal life and my professional career. Through it all, I had unwavering support from my housemates and the community at Global Infusion, who always encouraged me to pursue my dreams without hesitation. My family also celebrates the uniqueness of my path and has never given me grief about my choices – which I am extremely grateful for as I know that is a huge blessing in our society. (especially being half Indian! – I really got lucky with the coolest dad who also went against the grain, and had a unique path himself. I knew despite his sliver of concern that was probably more influenced by his friends than his heart, he trusted my abilities and work ethic to make things happen.)

2024 has been a challenging year, marked by the sudden passing of my father. Through my grief, I’ve channeled my energy into performing and creating new opportunities. I recently headed to Las Vegas for further training, seeking a fresh environment and high energy for my next chapter.

As I continue to evolve as an artist, I’m grateful for the community that’s supported me along the way— and to those who believed in me before I could even fully believe in myself.

If you want to follow my journey and keep up with my latest projects, I’m active on Instagram: @alysha.shah

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?

It’s not always easy to stay confident in your path when everyone around you seems to think what you’re doing is “cool,” but still wonders when you’re going to get a “real job” or pursue a “real education.”

I’m grateful for the energetic support my family has given me in my endeavors. However, when everyone around you—friends and family—are doctors, lawyers, and raising kids who follow the same path (and some even are your doctor, which is a practice I don’t recommend, haha), it can feel a little awkward when they ask, “So, what are you up to these days? Still doing that…?”

But hey, it’s a cliché for a reason: sometimes, you just have to believe in yourself and stay the course.

For a long time, my mind had a tendency to get in the way (still does from time to time), especially when I wasn’t fully aware of how ADHD shaped the way I operate in the world. Once I started to understand my personal needs—recognizing that my process and rhythm would likely be different from others—I was finally able to embrace how I show up and get into a healthy flow.

There are also the challenges of falling outs between groups, often due to a lack of communication or mutual understanding. It’s tough and disappointing, but I truly believe that most conflicts can be resolved through honest conversation. Still, sometimes people come into our lives for only a season, and we have to accept that. We can offer gratitude for the lessons they taught us, wish them well on their journeys, and move forward.

On the bright side, the Midwest has kept a strong sense of community among the many circus artists and performers in the region. That’s something I’m deeply thankful for—because the Midwest is filled with incredibly talented, kind people who have beautiful skills to share. If we can continue to share, create, and work together, we should. Especially in these times ahead. Encouraging expression and sticking together is and will be very important!

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?

I’m a fire dancer, aerialist, professional whistler, performer, and instructor.

In my fire acts, I’m known for my dynamic ground and footwork with the Dragon Staff, as well as my headstand, supported by just two fingers, with fire torches balanced on my feet.

I’m also recognized in my community for my whistling skills!

I specialize in delusional optimism, even when people tell me to “get real” or send me their “not-so-well-intentioned” energy. I truly believe that anything is possible. I approach life with an abundance mindset—there’s no room for lack, especially when the possibilities are endless. We’re on a floating rock, for crying out loud. Look around.

Also in hyper fixating and practicing or focusing on something for 10+ hours at a time.

What I’m most proud of is my unwavering commitment to showing up for myself and others while respecting boundaries, following what feels right in my heart, and trusting my intuition.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that when you lean into what you know you know—and you truly trust yourself—the universe unfolds in the most magical and serendipitous ways.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?

Success is being content and present with whatever you are pouring your energy into.
From simple everyday tasks to great goals.

Success is being grateful for what you already have.

Success is being able to choose what foods you eat and having clean water to drink.

Success spending your time how you feel to do so.

Success is having the heart to share and grow together.

Pricing:

• Pricing is tailored to each event and client, based on the specific requirements and scope of the project.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.alyshashah.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alysha.shah
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyshashah
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@alysha-shah
• Other: https://www.gigsalad.com/alysha_shah_circus_entertainer_grand_rapids