Lion Dance Training- Traditional Training Part 3- An Article by Mr Russell Suthern Chief Instructor WCMA

Traditional Lion Dance stretches back through the ages, intrinsically linked with Martial Arts, because usually only Martial Artists have the skill and strength to perform Lion Dance.

Originally it was used as a celebration to encourage the spring crops. The Lion is a Nian, a spirit that has been tamed and used to scare other evil Nians away from the crops. It has slowly over the years been adapted for use at almost any celebration where good luck is required.

In the Far East there is a lot of competition in performing Lion Dance. Lion Dance was even banned in some countries due to Clubs fighting over promoting their Lion Dance. If two Lions met they would often fight. Sometimes the practitioners would put razor blades in their shoes to tear at the other Club’s Lion or even at each other! When things got really nasty, the practitioners would hide crossed double daggers in the Lion’s head and staffs down the side of the body in case they met trouble. Even today there is a form of Lion Dance where the practitioners come out of the costume half way through the dance to perform a double dagger and staff pattern; then get back in the Lion to finish the dance.

Today things are much friendlier and everyone embraces Lion Dance as a positive, lucky celebration of Oriental history and culture.

However traces still remain from older more competitive times. If two Lions from different Clubs meet, which happens more often than you would expect, especially during the Chinese New Year or large demonstrations, then they must pass each other very quietly. The music must be subdued and neither Lion must lift their foot toward the other. Sometimes the Lions will pass each other business cards through their mouths.

Lion Dance is very good for your Kung Fu. The leg and arm movements closely mimic the movements you perform whilst doing Martial Arts. The practitioner’s rhythm, timing, strength, speed and stamina are all improved. Most importantly, even if you are part of a Club, Kung Fu training can be quite a solitary pursuit. Lion Dance training however is a group activity. This helps to create stronger bonds between Club members. Everybody has to work together to create the Lion Dance, so it is a great Club activity.

Finally Lion Dance is a great way of promoting the Club without having to perform an aggressive Martial Arts demonstration, which can intimidate an audience.

We practice Lion Dance Friday evenings in Brighton and Sunday afternoons in Shoreham. So come along and join in the fun!

Mr Russell Suthern

Chief Instructor

WCMA