Lion Dance With Sifu

[Marcus]

Hello everyone,

I'd like to make it perfectly clear from the start that when it comes to Lion Dance you could write what I know about it on the back of a postage stamp (i.e. not very much).

However, I am fortunate enough to be backed up by Sifu, my Wahnam brothers and sisters and some very knowledgeable forum members.

So this is what I have to share: 10 pages of material stored in a 'Word' document and I shall be posting it all, over the next few weeks, bit by bit.

I will be covering:

• Why Lion Dance is so vital for your development with the Shaolin Arts
• Personal testimonials from some of those attending
• Extracts from Sifu's excellent Q&A series (words and pictures)
• And details collected from older threads here on the forum

My objective is to generate massive interest in this wonderful opportunity to learn authentic Southern Lion Dance directly from Sifu. Please feel free to post on this thread, to contribute relevant and useful information you may have and to help me out

I will make my first post on Why Lion Dance as taught by Sifu is so beneficial to practitioners of Chi Kung (Big Thank You to Sifu Emiko Hsuen for this wonderful article) tomorrow.

Until them...

Marcus

P.S visit the official UKSC09 website for full details

[Marcus]

As promised here is my first post of collected material relevant and useful to all those attending (and planning to attend) this years Lion Dance course at UKSC09

A BIG thank you to Sifu Emiko Hsuen for first sharing the insights that follow:

Why Lion Dance art, as taught by Sifu, is beneficial for practitioners of Chi Kung:

- It is a direct ‘celebration of life’.

- By moving in time to the rhythm and beat of the music, one can experience chi flow in an activity that is not formally called chi kung. The act of doing this is the act of translating one’s chi flow from the practice of chi kung to the practical activities of day-to-day living.

Tomorrow I shall post Emiko's comments on:

Why Lion Dance Art, as taught by Sifu, is beneficial for practitioners of Shaolin Kungfu, and its specialization of Wahnam Taijiquan:

So until then... it's buy for now

Have a great weekend

Marcus

[Marcus]

Why Lion Dance Art, as taught by Sifu, is beneficial for practitioners of Shaolin Kungfu, and its specialization of Wahnam Taijiquan:

• Techniques win over mechanical strength, internal force wins over techniques, speed wins over internal force, but kungfu at the marvelous level wins over everything. In the act of training the Lion Dance art, one must utilize correct techniques, internal force, application of speed, and incorporate all of them together with the rhythm and beat of the music, such that the “marvelous” can be readily experienced.

• Because one has to move in time with the music and with one’s teammates, it is easy to discover whether one’s stances are effective or not, i.e. too slow, too high, too mechanical (external) etc. Through Lion Dance art, one’s stances will naturally improve in agility, internal force and flow. The stances contain the secrets of Shaolin. They can be uncovered through the training of Lion Dance art.
  
• Because one has to move in time with the music and with one’s teammates, one’s skills of timing and spacing are vastly improved. This improvement can be confirmed later through sparring.
  
• By having to focus on moving in time to the music, and in harmony with one’s teammates, one develops skills of concentration and the ability to listen to the collective shen of the team. This type of shen training is rare yet worthwhile. Its applications in daily life are innumerable.

Next...Why Lion Dance Art, as taught by Sifu, is beneficial for those who have established or are planning to establish a physical centre for the Shaolin arts:

Until tomorrow

[Marcus]

Why Lion Dance Art, as taught by Sifu, is beneficial for those who have established or are planning to establish a physical centre for the Shaolin arts:

• Again, it is a celebration of life. Any physical centre for the Shaolin Wahnam arts is a place that sets the global standard not only for combat efficiency, but also for the ability of people to enjoy quality of life – love and laughter.
  
• There is an aspect where the Lion Dance art is effective in helping to ward off unfriendly spirits. This is useful for both the Shaolin Wahnam centre itself and for bringing good luck to other new business establishments. In a more down-to-earth sense, warding off evil spirits can also mean ensuring that low-level energies are dispersed and only high-level energies are left to remain.
  
• In certain traditions, the Lion is a guardian of the threshold (of the spiritual journey), both metaphysically and spiritually. By practicing the Lion Dance art, one’s spiritual understanding can also expand and deepen.

I hope that this helps to clarify how the Lion Dance art personally beneficial to chi kung, Shaolin Kungfu and Wahnam Taijiquan practitioners alike.

Best wishes,

Emiko

Thanks Emiko More tomorrow!

Marcus

[Marcus]

From Sifu Michael Chow of Shaolin Wahnam Canada

To me, learning the Lion Dance is a priority and necessity. When I was young, I had believed if you learn kungfu, you must also learn lion dance. From my perspective, lion dance is a part of kungfu culture and they go hand in hand.

Regarding opening a kungfu school, it's important for me to know the lion dance. I would like to perform the lion dance that my Sifu does because I would properly represent our school and lineage. In Toronto, traditional kungfu schools commonly represent and promote themselves through lion dance.

Sifu is a world-class and champion lion dance master. As seen from his videos on his website, his lion dance is superb. Truly traditional, genuine lion dance seems to be a rarity these days. Recently, the majority of lion dance I've seen don't use stances nor embody the spirit of lion. I hope that this tradition is upheld just like Shaolin Kungfu.

I would like to thank Sifu offering this excellent opportunity. Also, my thanks to Marcus, Robin, and the organising team for all of their time and efforts. It is greatly appreciated.

Best wishes,
Mike
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Thank you Sifu Michael Chow for letting me share this with forum members.

Marcus

[Marcus]

Hello again,

I've copied this material from a previous thread I started and posted it here for your ease of viewing:

I'd like to share a secret of mine with you. Whenever I'm feeling a lack of motivation (I know, I know, it does still happen ) or feel the need for inspiration I go to Sifu's Q & A series (you can find it here) and just let my Chi guide me. Today, whilst looking for information on Yin and Yang for my book, I stumbled across this one: http://shaolin.org/answers/ans01a/mar01-1.html, which has some incredible information on Lion and Dragon dance.

As Sifu is teaching Lion Dance at this years UK Summer Camp I have decided to copy the relavant section and reproduce it here for those who are interested.

Question 6
What is the origin of the lion and dragon dances?
Shivanni, USA


Answer 6
There are two types of lion dance, namely northern lion dance and southern lion dance.

A chieftain in Central Asia presented a pair of lions to a Tang emperor who was very fond of them. Unfortunately, unable to adept to the Chinese climate the lions soon died. The emperor had two lion made of papier muche and cloth, and imperial guards performed them to entertain the emperor. This was the origin of the northern lion dance, which was initially known as the Dance of Peace and Joy, as the Chinese empire then was enjoying a long period of peace and prosperity.

The southern lion dance originated during a period of famine. It was believed that a mystical creature called "nian", which means "year", descended from heaven and ate up the crops on earth. A wise Buddhist monk advised kungfu exponents to construct a fierce-looking creature, which is now the southern lion, and perform it with a lot of noise to scarce away the "nian". Consequently harvests were full and the people prosperous.

I do not know the origin of the dragon dance.

Question 7: What do the lion and the dragon symbolize in Chinese culture and martial arts?

Answer: Join us again tomorrow

Kindest regard
Marcus

[Marcus]

Here we go:

Question 7
What do the lion and the dragon symbolize in Chinese culture and martial arts?


Answer 7
Both the mystical lion and the dragon are divine creatures bringing good fortune to humankind. A pair of stone lions are often found on both sides of temples, guarding the temples from evil spirits. The dragon is the traditional symbol of emperors, signifying power and benevolence.

The lion dance and the dragon dance bring peace, prosperity and happiness. The northern lion dance is realistic, expressing the frivolity and agility of a real lion. The southern lion dance is symbolic, expressing its courage and majesty. The influence of the dragon dance is over a great area, ensuring good weather and good harvest.

The lion, which is not native to China, has comparatively little influence on Chinese martial art. There are only a few kungfu patterns named after the lion.

But the dragon has great influence. Not only there are many patterns and sets, there are also whole systems named after the dragon. Dragon Style Kungfu is a famous example.

Internally, the dragon symbolizes shen or spirit. Techniques or skills which draw inspiration from the dragon often develop the practitioner's spirit. Externally, the dragon form is well known for its circular, flowing movements, which are "soft" but can be very powerful.




Question 8
Do the different colors of the lion and dragon have meaning?

Find out tomorrow...

[Marcus]

Hello again everybody,

Here's Sifu's answer to Question 8:

Question 8
Do the different colors of the lion and dragon have meaning?


Answer 8
Yes, in the northern lion dance, the one with a red cloth is male, and the other with a green cloth is female.

Traditionally the southern lions are of three main colours, yellow with long white beard representing Liu Pei and symbolizing seniority and wisdom; red with long black beard representing Guan Yu and symbolizing righteousness and courage; and green with short black beard representing Zhang Fei and symbolizing youthfulness and fighting spirit. Liu Pei, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were three heroic warriors of classical China.

The three commonly used colours for dragons are gold symbolizing nobility, silver symbolizing prosperity, and multi-hues symbolizing peacefulness.


Here's tomorrows question to whet your appetite

Question 9
What occasions are appropriate for lion and dragon dances?

[Marcus]

Today I'm going to share Sifu's Answers to Question 9 and 10 of this series, as I will be away now until Tuesday. Have a great weekend everyone

Question 9
What occasions are appropriate for lion and dragon dances?


Answer 9
Lion and dragon dances are performed for celebrations. Lion dance is more common and is suitable for any happy occasions.

Dragon dance, which requires a lot of people and much space, is usually performed when the occasions are significant and involve the public such as a national celebration or the inauguration of an emperor.

Ushering the Chinese New Year is probably the most frequent occasion for lion dance. It is also often seen in opening ceremonies of important conferences, meetings and business organizations.




Question 10
Why are only the animals lion and dragon used for the dances of martial art schools and not others like the phoenix, crane, or tiger?


Answer 10
Other creatures like the phoenix, the unicorn and many carps are also used for dances. Non- martial art organizations also perform these dances. But there is never a tiger dance, because in Chinese culture the tiger is ferocious and aggressive.

On one hand, these dances, especially the southern lion dance, are mostly performed by kungfu schools, but on the other hand the great majority of kungfu schools do not perform these dances.

Traditionally, kungfu schools teaching Taijiquan, Baguazhang, Hsing Yi Kungfu, Praying Mantis Kungfu, Eagle Claw Kungfu, Monkey Style Kungfu, Pak Mei Kungfu and Wing Choon Kungfu do not have lion dance. If some of these schools today have lion dance, it is probably a modern influence. Lion dance is traditionally found in kungfu schools teaching Hoong Ka and Choy-Li- Fatt.

This is no surprise if we understand its background. Lion dance was introduced into kungfu schools only recently in the long history of Chinese kungfu. It was only during the later Qing Dynasty about 200 years ago that the southern lion dance became popular among kungfu schools.

An essential part of lion dance is "cai qing", or "choy ching" in Cantonese pronunciation, whereby at the climax if the dance the lion devours some vegetable. "Choy ching" is a pun which means taking over the Qing Dynasty. This was a secret password amongst revolutionaries to overthrow the government, and Hoong Ka and Choy-Li-Fatt exponents were the most forward amongst the revolutionaries. But time has changed, and now lion dance is used, as it was initially used, to cerebrate peace and prosperity.

Nowadays lion dance is often performed by students who may not have much kungfu experience. But in the past, especially in an important demonstration, it was usually performed by the master himself and his best students. This was because an informed audience accessed the standard of a kungfu school by observing its lion dance, like how solid were the stances of the performers as well as how agile were their movements.
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See you again Tuesday.

Marcus

[Emiko H]

Dear Marcus Siheng,

I just wanted to thank you for taking the time to put up all of these fascinating posts on the Lion Dance (and other dances such as the Dragon and Unicorn). I am learning a lot from them.

"Nowadays lion dance is often performed by students who may not have much kungfu experience. But in the past, especially in an important demonstration, it was usually performed by the master himself and his best students. This was because an informed audience accessed the standard of a kungfu school by observing its lion dance, like how solid were the stances of the performers as well as how agile were their movements."

How exciting that the participants at the UK summer camp will get the rare chance to learn from a great Lion Dance champion - Sifu/Sigung!

Best wishes,

Emiko

[Charles David]

Preparing: Team Canada

Marcus Siheng, Thanks from me too. I'm really looking forward to this course, and these posts have helped me understand more.

I have a simple question. Is there anything special we should be doing to prepare?

Emiko Sije,

Sifu has suggested that we put together teams of five from our respective countries. Are there five of us from Canada who will be attending?


Yours,

Charles

[Emiko H]

Dear Charles,

At the moment, there are 3 from Canada. However, thanks to Sifu Mike Chow, an extra notice has gone out to everyone in Shaolin Wahnam Canada to see if there are more people who would like to take advantage of this special opportunity.

Let us all stay in contact and see what comes up, shall we? (I'm keeping my fingers crossed. )

Best wishes,

Emiko

[Marcus]

Dear Charles,

A simple question in deed, but one I do not have an answer for.

Perhaps those who have had the privilage of learning Lion Dance from Sifu in the past could share their thoughts on your question?

I'm guessing that stances and foot work might come in useful

Kindest regards

Marcus

[Charles David]

Dear Marcus,

Thanks for your response. After thinking about it for a while, I have decided to practice moving in stances to music. Also I will shift my emphasis in stance training from "tigers at the ready" to "flowing hands" (I'm not sure if this is the correct term.)


In other news,

I'm happy to say that, with the addition of Sifus Anthony Spinicchia and Mark Blohm, we now have five members for
Team North America.

I am getting more excited by the day. When I return to China in August I will have something very, very special to share with my students.

Finally, I hope that those of you who are still humming and hawwing about attending will realize what a rare chance this will be. (I would much rather you learn it from Sifu/Sigung, than learn it from me. ) It certainly didn't take any arm twisting to convince Mark Blohm to go.

Remind me to tell you about my new training.

With A-Boom,

Charles

[Mark Blohm]

Lion Dance!

This course is going to be intense!

Team North America: Fired up, ready to go!