Counting Blessings

I studied dance in Taiwan for ten years before I came to America. Here, I attended Fei Tian on a full scholarship, and I got the chance to tour with Shen Yun through Fei Tian’s dance practicum program. I attended Fei Tian on a full scholarship, and I got the chance to tour with Shen Yun through Fei Tian’s dance practicum program. Shen Yun is a world-class dance company: the standards are very high, and the hiring process is intense and all-encompassing. Even though I had performed with Shen Yun for many years through the practicum program, I knew there was no guarantee that I would win a job with the company after graduating. Aside from dance skills, qualities like character, sense of responsibility, team spirit, and endurance are all taken into consideration. To become a good dancer on stage in all senses of the word, one must cultivate one’s heart and character because the beauty seen on the outside flows from the well-bred qualities on the inside. I consider myself lucky to have been formally accepted.

After dancing for more than twenty years, I have to say: it’s not easy in any way. There are many hardships involved—it doesn’t matter where or how or what you dance. It’s simply what the profession demands! As dancers, we all know the standards: many techniques require flexibility, and greater flexibility helps to avoid injury. Dance is a visual art form and thus, we want to give the audience the best version of ourselves. Naturally, that includes keeping fit. In fact, excessive weight is detrimental to a dancer’s health as it puts more pressure on joints and bones that could lead to serious injury while doing high-level techniques.

Dance is my passion, and the opportunity to work with Shen Yun has allowed me to keep performing on stage. Not everyone gets these opportunities, and I’ve seen many examples of this as a young dancer and before going pro. At my Taiwanese high school, my dance classmates often went to great lengths to stay in shape. To lose weight, they’d use clingfilm to wrap chili peppers around their waists and thighs, then wear tights and a sauna suit on top in hopes of sweating it all out. They worked so hard in those years, but many quit dancing after college, and most ended up switching careers altogether.

I had about twenty classmates—only two were accepted by dance companies and became professional dancers. Others learned a second or third language to eventually become flight attendants. Some had started dance before they turned ten years old and continued all the way through college. They worked so hard for so many years, but they didn’t end up with careers in dance.

I feel very lucky compared to them.

Actually, I nearly quit dance when I was still in Taiwan. I was sixteen at the time, and both of my knees were in so much pain they would give out if it got too cold in the winter—I would literally collapse. I came to know about the spiritual practice of Falun Dafa after I came to the US and started attending Fei Tian. After doing the Falun Dafa meditation exercises and following its moral teachings, I was just as surprised as anyone else when the pain in my knees improved. Most importantly, I could continue dancing! I’ve been dancing for sixteen years more than my initial diagnosis allowed, and now, in my thirties, I’m still going strong.

In my experience, the Shen Yun company really supports us dancers and is just as concerned about my health as I am. I have not experienced any hesitation about seeking treatment, nor have I ever been discouraged from seeking medical advice. The doctors I’ve been to have all seen the performance and support our mission. As I get older, I do feel age catching up to me. I started developing back pain a few years ago, so I try to take more care of my body. I began acupuncture treatment which, together with the Falun Dafa meditation exercises, allows me to continue performing at a high level. I started dancing at the age of six and want to keep dancing for as long as I can—I believe that working with Shen Yun will help me do just that.

I came to America to pursue my passion and love for dance. Shen Yun has given me the opportunity to perform around the world, and what’s more, my time here has allowed me to elevate my character and overall wellbeing. For this, I will forever feel thankful.