There is always something new to learn and enjoy from Shen Yun show. Shen Yun is committed to bring in all-new program every year. Monk Ji Gong Abducts The Bride is an interesting one last year.
One of the most beloved figures in Chinese history, monk Ji Gong has long been remembered for his unorthodox, and seemingly crazy manner of doing good works. In this tale, he saunters into a village and interrupts a wedding to warn its inhabitants of an impending rockslide. Though his exhortations are lost upon most, one figure, the bide, is set apart by her gracious response. Monk Ji Gong then comes up with an eccentric solution to the imperiled villager's indifference.
In ancient Chinese history, many monks obtained super normal capabilities through cultivation practice. They were able to foresee dangers and often gave people warnings. Those who believed and listened could survive from disasters. Even today there are still spiritual cultivators in traditional Chinese cultivation practice. Through years of practice some of them get celestial eyes opened thus they can see the trend and future to a certain level. They are similar to prophets in Western world. Sometimes they try to deliver important messages to us. Unfortunately, nowadays fewer people really believe in these important messages, or people just don't care. This is the true danger of the world.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Mulan Joins The Battle
While the pages of Chinese history are filled with tales of exemplary women, perhaps non so managed to fulfill the twin Confucian duties of loyalty to one's parents and service to one's country as the heroine Mulan.
Mulan's aging father finds himself torn: he wishes not to defy the Emperor's decree to defend the country, now beset by invaders, yet at his age he cannot go to the battlefield. Seeing this, Mulan entreats her father to allow her to join the army in his place. Her noble request granted, she disguises herself as a man and spends the ensuing ten-plus years in the military, leading the troops to victory.
When, in the final scene, the Emperor comes to commend this brave solider for meritorious service, he is in for a big surprise.
It is so amazing to watch how Shen Yun presents such a long story on the stage with dancing and music just within a few minutes. Since we are already familiar with Mulan from the Disney movie, it is quite interesting to see the same legend told from Shen Yun's colorful and artistic dancing. While Disney's story is very fun, Shen Yun's Mulan is truly inspirational.
Mulan's aging father finds himself torn: he wishes not to defy the Emperor's decree to defend the country, now beset by invaders, yet at his age he cannot go to the battlefield. Seeing this, Mulan entreats her father to allow her to join the army in his place. Her noble request granted, she disguises herself as a man and spends the ensuing ten-plus years in the military, leading the troops to victory.
When, in the final scene, the Emperor comes to commend this brave solider for meritorious service, he is in for a big surprise.
It is so amazing to watch how Shen Yun presents such a long story on the stage with dancing and music just within a few minutes. Since we are already familiar with Mulan from the Disney movie, it is quite interesting to see the same legend told from Shen Yun's colorful and artistic dancing. While Disney's story is very fun, Shen Yun's Mulan is truly inspirational.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Heavenly Music and Enchanting Legends
Shen Yun tours over 100 cities and performs more than 400 shows, including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, Chicago, Paris, London, Berlin, Vienna, Toronto, Sydney, Taiwan and Tokyo, enjoyed by millions people from five continents.
"Everything was impressive," said Canadian figure skater & Olympic medalist. Elvis Stojko, one of the most successful and well-known Canadian figure skaters to ever take to the ice. He's a seven-time Canadian champion, three-time world champion, and two-time Olympic Silver medallist.
"Each single act had its own energy and character," he said. "I prefer it over ballet because it's not just about perfect technique and perfect toe point, even though they also have that, it's about the energy and the essence and the spirit of the person doing it and what they're trying to convey... It's a breath of fresh air..."
"Everything was impressive," said Canadian figure skater & Olympic medalist. Elvis Stojko, one of the most successful and well-known Canadian figure skaters to ever take to the ice. He's a seven-time Canadian champion, three-time world champion, and two-time Olympic Silver medallist.
"Each single act had its own energy and character," he said. "I prefer it over ballet because it's not just about perfect technique and perfect toe point, even though they also have that, it's about the energy and the essence and the spirit of the person doing it and what they're trying to convey... It's a breath of fresh air..."
The Healing Power of Performing Arts
Although never advertised, the healing power of authentic performing arts like Shen Yun had been experienced by many audiences. The healing effect can be explained from the perspective of alternative medicine. Under normal circumstances, disease can be healed not only by medicine but also by listening to good music, enjoying good art, and participating in moderate physical activity. People can also be changed for the better by watching a performance that has good dancing and music.
Shen Yun performances have very good effects. There are thought-provoking stories, such as those of justice and filial piety. They portray God's and Buddha's kind deeds, and they portray the results arising from people's kind thoughts. On seeing these performances, a sense of compassion may arise in the hearts of audience members. That would produce favorable physical, physiological, and psychological effects.
In my studies of Shen Yun phenomena, I consulted with Dr. Hu Naiwen, an accredited Chinese medicine doctor from Taiwan. Ironically Dr. Hu began his medical education in modern medicine but subsequently moved over to traditional Chinese medicine and became famous. Dr. Hu acknowledged that when audience members hear good music, they may become healthy. Chinese traditional music has the principle of the five tonalities, which are called “gong,” “jiao,” “shang,” “zheng,” and “yu.” The tonalities correspond to the five organ systems of the human body: the liver, the heart, the spleen, the lungs, and the kidneys. Wherever people are sick, the effects of music can heal them.
In other words, people witnessing such a good performance will hear the various tonalities of music, and their organs will become balanced.
While watching a Shen Yun performance, people know that what they are seeing and hearing is unlike any other show. As a result of the dancing and the music, their bodies can adjust themselves, and they will become healthier.
I have read the experiences of many viewers, and several people's diseases have diminished or even disappeared as a result of watching a Shen Yun show. Shen Yun shows are performed in world-class theaters where people can feel a good atmosphere. Illness or other problems can be released while enjoying good performances and good music, resulting in a healthier state.
Shen Yun performances have very good effects. There are thought-provoking stories, such as those of justice and filial piety. They portray God's and Buddha's kind deeds, and they portray the results arising from people's kind thoughts. On seeing these performances, a sense of compassion may arise in the hearts of audience members. That would produce favorable physical, physiological, and psychological effects.
In other words, people witnessing such a good performance will hear the various tonalities of music, and their organs will become balanced.
While watching a Shen Yun performance, people know that what they are seeing and hearing is unlike any other show. As a result of the dancing and the music, their bodies can adjust themselves, and they will become healthier.
I have read the experiences of many viewers, and several people's diseases have diminished or even disappeared as a result of watching a Shen Yun show. Shen Yun shows are performed in world-class theaters where people can feel a good atmosphere. Illness or other problems can be released while enjoying good performances and good music, resulting in a healthier state.
Cooking Show Host Sees Perfect Mix of the Western and the Eastern
I knew Sylvia Elbaz from her cooking show "Health's Kitchen" on PBS affiliate WNYC-TV. Ms. Elbaz’s success with Heath's Kitchen, and her career in nutritional consulting, earned her considerable recognition. She has been interviewed on television by CNN, UPN9, TV Global of Brazil, TV News at 10 Tokyo, and on radio by Gary Null (WBAI) and South African Broadcasting Corp., Capetown (Woman Today).
As nutritionist Sylvia acknowledges great value of holistic wellness from Shen Yun's performance which she watched at New York’s Lincoln Center. Sylvia is truly a talented lady, - she is also a singer and guitarist, writing and performing the theme song for her show. Her website speaks of her life-long love of international music and dance. That's why she had many wonderful things to say about the messages from ancient China she took from Shen Yun show.
What Makes Shen Yun So Special
After watching the show you may understand that Shen Yun is more than a entertainment performance, it is indeed an integrated production of culture and history in such a dynamic artistic form that delivers divine wave and energy vibration. Inspired by the spirit of an ancient culture, Shen Yun brings to life classical Chinese dance and music in a gloriously colorful and exhilarating show. Its masterful choreography and graceful routines range from grand classical processions to ethnic and folk dances, with gorgeously costumed dancers moving in stunning synchronized patterns. Based on ancient heroic legends and modern courageous tales, Shen Yun and its breathtaking beauty are not to be missed.
Richard Connema said, "The best word to use was 'mind blowing'. And I watched around the audience and they all were so involved with everything going on." At the time of Shen Yun global tour to Sacramento last year, I finally had my mind-blowing experience. Seating in Sacramento Community Theater, I had a wonderful time to see ancient legends of virtue brought to life alongside modern tales of courage, hear soaring songs by masterful vocalists that will move and inspire, and experience a sense of beauty and enchantment like no other with this unique, thrilling, and unforgettable show. I am not surprised even Mr. Connema the critic picky man gave Shun Yun a 5-start review, "I probably have reviewed over 3 to 4 thousand shows since 1942. A lot of reviewers use stars... I will give this production 5 stars. That's the top," Richard Connema said.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
What Mao's Last Dancer Have to Say about Shen Yun
The world premiere presentation of ancient China's divinely-inspired cultural heritage by Shen Yun Performing Arts has drawn celebrities of renown, including now the internationally-acclaimed Chinese ballet dancer, Chi Cao.
Mr. Cao starred as the lead character in the feature film, Mao's Last Dancer. He broke from his busy schedule to take a moment to speak by phone with The Epoch Times about the New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts' performances.
Mr. Cao recalled that last year, he was fortunate enough to be invited by an official from the British cultural department to watch a Shen Yun show in London.
"It was an enjoyable and meaningful experience," he said. "The show was excellent, the content rich, the stage effects were amazing, unique and it was a large scale one-of-its-own-kind arts event."
Mr. Cao recalled that last year, he was fortunate enough to be invited by an official from the British cultural department to watch a Shen Yun show in London.
"It was an enjoyable and meaningful experience," he said. "The show was excellent, the content rich, the stage effects were amazing, unique and it was a large scale one-of-its-own-kind arts event."
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