What Dancing Has Taught Me

I’ve been a dancer with Shen Yun for about ten years total, and I wouldn’t trade my time here for anything else. I began touring with Shen Yun as a student on practicum and have since become a professional dancer. My experiences in Shen Yun have taught me so much about dance and, most importantly, about life. It has taught me perseverance, cooperation, responsibility, appreciation, and so much more. Of course, that doesn't mean that life here has always been easy, but where would you find an easy life anyway? Not that I enjoy suffering or pain (because, honestly-who does?) but I cherish my time here because everything I've been through has made me who I am today: a girl who will get back up after she falls, and who knows that she is responsible for her own life. Life is a story - and it's your own story: there are parts filled with action and drama, but you also have to go through tedium or even suffering. In other words: no pain, no gain.

There was a point a few years ago where I decided to retire from dance. It was a big decision for me, entailing a lot of discussion with my family, mentors, and peers. Long story short, I took a break for two years and was faced with another opportunity to start dancing again. I never thought that I could return to the stage, but during my hiatus I learned so much about myself and growing up, and I was excited to push myself to the limits again. Here was my opportunity to implement all that I had learned about ‘no pain, no gain’. I knew that resuming dance after a two-year break would be painful, to say the least. But I was confident: Nobody was forcing me to dance again; and this time, I’d take full responsibility for my choice. Throughout my youth, I had always needed people to push and shove me along. You’d have to push me with all of your strength and, if you were lucky, maybe I’d move a few inches. Imagine trying to lift a boulder with a fork! Not anymore. It would be different this time.

I remember my very first dance class after my break; it felt as if my body wasn’t my own. I felt like I was trying, and failing, to control a puppet. Standing upright, I could barely lift my leg past 45 degrees - techniques were completely out of the question. I ached from head to toe and could hardly keep up with others during routines. Catching my breath, I was like a scuba diver without a diving tank. When it came to flexibility, a 180-degree split was my maximum. That may sound like a lot to some people, but, as dancers, we usually use over splits to stretch. Skills that I didn’t give much thought to before suddenly felt impossible to accomplish. I just couldn’t make my body listen to me. If I had been halfway up a mountain before, I had slipped and tumbled all the way back at the base.

It was tough and I was determined. But at the end of the day, I’m still human. I couldn’t stay positive and optimistic forever. Thankfully, my teachers and friends gave me so much support and encouragement. They never forced me to do anything that seemed impossible. In fact, they always told me to take it slowly and not be too hard on myself. I took every opportunity I had to work on my flexibility, because I knew that it was the most basic skill for dance. I was always in the splits. Before class. Before bed. While resting. While reading. Even while eating. And I was soon resting, reading, and eating in over-splits. In fact, after a few weeks, I was already more flexible than I had been in my previous years as a dancer! I know none of this would have been possible without my steadfast willpower, and my teachers and friends who truly believed in me. I’ll forever be grateful to them.

What happens to the character in the story who wants to have everything, but doesn't want to put in the work? Usually, not much. In my experience, as long as you put in the work, you'll end up with something – and that's better than nothing. Not everyone is born to be the best at what they want to do, but hard work and self-discipline always pay off and will keep you moving forward. And what if you do give it your all but you don't end up being the best? You're still further along than if you gave up every time you hit a roadblock, then you'd get nowhere at all. Dancing at Shen Yun has taught me just that – life isn't only about scrambling towards the finish line, it's about making your own breakthroughs along the way.