Today we’d like to introduce you to Nika Roman.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us how you got started?
Throughout my years of dancing/training- I never had an environment that encouraged vulnerability, imperfection, or allowed for friendships to be created. I became frustrated over the years and questioned my talent, my ability, and my worth.
So I decided to be the one that ensures that that environment is created alongside the learning process. The goal is to be able to help others instill confidence within themselves that will last longer than any 8 counts they’d learn in a class setting. Which is what BurHop is all about.
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?
Has absolutely not been easy, I’ve had quite a few setbacks. When you’re bringing something new into a community that is already so tightly knit it causes some friction. I’ve been overlooked in other aspects of my dance “career” because of what I do with BurHop.
I’ve spent a lot of money over the years trying to reach my goal that I still have yet to meet. It’s countless hours of preparation that take away from the other aspects of my life. But I wouldn’t change it for anything- because if I am able to change one dancer’s outlook on themselves for just a second it’s worth it. They will remember that moment- and hopefully, pull it in close on a bad day.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I created BurHop. By definition, BurHop is a burlesque hip-hop fusion, it blends the sensuality of burlesque and the explicitly of hip-hop together to create something that has a unique aesthetic and feels really good moving through. BurHop is a safe environment for dancers to explore their movement. It is a brave space for growth, inspiration, and appreciation for oneself.
Somewhere along the way we have normalized taking ourselves for granted, picking ourselves apart, comparing ourselves to others, and giving ourselves value based on someone else’s opinion. Along the way, some of us have forgotten how to love ourselves. For many BurHop is an opportunity to fall in love with themselves all over again and for some- for the first time ever.
BurHop was created for anyone who may struggle with depression, anxiety, and issues with self-image or self-worth- because those are all the things that I struggle with. Working on yourself requires consistency, patience, resilience- and dare I say, a little BurHop.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Not specifically, I pull inspiration from the people I surround myself with. It’s taken many years, but I am luckily in a place in my life where I am surrounded by individuals that challenge me, support me, and reassure me when the world isn’t the nicest place.
Contact Info:
- Website: theburhopexperience.com
- Instagram: @burhop_
