Taking a hobby to the next level
She has since developed "legend dancing", an original method of dance that she said combines movements of Chinese classical dance with a spiritual element. According to Yao, dance can transform a person, both inside and out, and allow them to find balance and serenity in life.
"People say it takes 28 days for a new habit to take root. It usually takes two to three months before people start to realize how dance is transforming their lives," she said, referring to the rationale behind the duration of the program.
The performance for the third and latest edition of the 37 Days project will be held on June 8 at the Mixing Room at the Mercedes-Benz Arena. Among the participants is Connie Pan, an entrepreneur who has two companies in Guangzhou and Shanghai that sell the renowned Chinese liquor brand Moutai.
Pan said it was fate and not interest that brought dance into her life, pointing out that she was only interested to find out more after chancing upon the dance studio one day. After just four sessions, she fell in love with the beauty behind dance.
Together with a fellow member of the studio, Pan will perform a Broadway-style dance to the music of Academy Award-winning film La La Land. Pan said she is now focused on putting up a good performance and has been hitting the gym every day for up to three hours.
"I like dances that have a strong rhythm and sense of power. I have always identified myself as a weight-lifting tomboy," she said.
"Learning to dance has helped me discover a new side of myself which I was never aware of. I am very much immersed in the beauty of dance and music."
Ma Yi'ao, a dancer, choreographer and actor who graduated from the Shanghai Theatre Academy, is working with dancers to choreograph the upcoming performance in June.
"You can't expect these aunties to have the same technique as a young dancer who has professional training," he said. "What I aspire to achieve is for them to present the beauty of their age and maturity. Dancing is also a way for them to preserve their youthfulness."
The 25-year-old said his experience with helping the program participants has been fulfilling because he finds great joy in helping ordinary people who know little about dance to take to the stage in just a matter of months. He emphasized that one does not have to dance like Yang Liping - one of the most acclaimed dancers in China - in order to feel the pleasure it induces.
This year, the acclaimed Shanghai Ballet Troupe also started to provide free classes to the public. These classes are held every two months and only 50 slots are available each time. The first class was held in February. The next would be in June. According to Xin Lili, director of the company, the goal of the initiative is to introduce the art of ballet to the wider public.
The class has proven to be popular with the public. "It was so hard to enroll in this class. I had to continuously dial the hotline using three mobile phones," said Ye Shuping, a 63-year-old retiree who was among the participants of the second class in April.
A fitness enthusiast, Ye said he practices yoga, enjoys swimming and has always been interested in ballet. During his class, he and other dance enthusiasts were coached by the company's principle dancer Wu Husheng.
"The class helped me realize how difficult the ballet dancers' movement is," said a former school teacher surnamed Zeng.
"Now I understand what hardship dancers have to go through and I have developed a newfound respect for them."
zhangkun@chinadaily.com.cn
(China Daily USA 05/26/2017 page9)
