A plus-sized dance company is destroying stereotypes about what dancers should look like

Pretty Big Movement is breaking stereotypes, one dance routine at a time. Photo Courtesy: PrettyBigMovement/Facebook

Have you ever felt a little uncomfortable on the dance floor because of how your body looks? Well then, here's some news for you: an American troupe of seven plus-sized dancers is going to completely change the way you look at yourself.

Pretty Big Movement, a New York-based dance company, comprises of just plus-sized women and is currently going viral on social media platforms--with its maiden dance video for The Scene raking up over 7.7 million views, since its release a few days ago.

The company founded by Akria Armstrong--who's a professional dancer and has featured in two Beyoncé videos--specializes  in hip-hop, jazz, and among other dance forms.

Akira, who has struggled to find an agent to represent a woman of her size, has taken on this task to change the narrative around what a dancer's body should look like.

In the video she says, "When people think about the stereotypical dancer's body, they think very thin, tall, long legs, long arms and sleek. Growing up in a dance environment, I did feel like my body was a negative. I couldn't fit into costumes, my costume was always different from everyone else's (sic)."

Her main goal is to motivate other women and little girls, who are plus size, to dance and do whatever they see fit.

The Pretty Big Movement serves as a "platform for women with voluptuous curves in mainstream media". The group, which solely comprises women of colour, has participated in a flash mob alongside Salt-N-Pepa for Lane Bryant's I'm No Angel campaign, and has also competed in America's Got Talent Season 10. Pretty awesome, right?

Dancers have always been expected to be tall and thin, and men and women who don't fit the criteria are often pushed to the sidelines. Studies have shown that many dancers suffer from poor body image-and oftentimes even show signs of eating disorders-due to the pressures of their profession. If you have seen Natalie Portman's acclaimed film Black Swan, you'd know what we mean here.

Let this amazing group of dancers be your inspiration today. Bust out a move, shake your legs, get on the stage, and stop caring about what people may think. The world isn't just your oyster, it is also your dance floor!