Han-Tang Chinese Classical Dance and Well-being: A Yin Yang Conversation

Han-Tang Chinese Classical Dance is a traditional Chinese dance style that follows the archive from historical materials. Movements and poses are stamps from relics... It draws on the artistic temperament and aesthetics of the Han and Tang dynasties as its main foundation. While the choreographers of this style also picked up movements and spirits from all dynasties in ancient China, the style is called “Han-Tang” because the Han and Tang dynasties are the two most magnificent periods in ancient Chinese history. The spirits of Han-Tang with its rich and strong cultural origin can benefit our well-being, similar to the effects of museums! As such dance movements were literally relived and distilled from historical materials they do bring the feeling of connecting to the ancient Chinese world.

In Han-Tang dances, the ‘essence, energy, and spirit’(精jīng气qì神shén) from the cultures of Han and Tang dynasties are felt and conveyed.

Joyce Qi will lead a Han Tang Dance workshop through the concept of ‘Yin Yang’, the opposite but connected Yin and Yang from Chinese philosophy. We will explore Yin and Yang, also respectively meaning ‘the dark side’ and the ‘light side’, from movement, to Qi (breathe, similar to that in Taichi) and to our minds. Through Hang Tang dance style learning and group creative discovery, a conversation takes place between our experiences in the modern world to the ancient times where self-reflection is found.

The workshop lasts 75 minutes and includes:

• Introduction and warm up
• Basic Hang-Tang dance movement learning
• Creative movement discovery
• Group sharing of creative materials
• Collective connection and performance making (we will make a short Hang-Tang performance piece together in the end! (we are also arranging possible future plan for this piece to be a part of a community showcase)

**Extra bonus:  we have arranged a professional videographer to document the event as well as the performance at the end. So you will be a part of a beautiful outdoor dance film! (of course you can also opt of  being showed in the film)

About the workshop leader:

Joyce (Xinyuan) Qi is a dancer with nearly 20 years’ of training and performance, a dance teacher, director, theatre producer, and photographer. Having graduated from UCL MASc Creative Health, proficient in Han-Tang Style Chinese classical dance and contemporary dance, she is dedicated to integrating traditional dance with modern art and exploring innovative productions that incorporate interdisciplinary approaches. Her current choreography and teaching specialise in Han-Tang Chinese Classical dance and sword dance.

How the outdoor workshop works:

• Upon booking you will receive a confirmation email
• On Saturday evening you will receive another email giving the exact location to meet up in Greenwich Park (please check your junk folder!)
• Please wear flexible clothing suitable for moving - welcome to wear either casually or add some thematic elements if you wish :）xx
• And here we go we'll time travel in Greenwich Park!!

This workshop event is the first of Cloud & Water series. Cloud & Water is a series of performing arts participatory events featuring diverse movement-based practices with well-being relevance and cross-cultural inspirations, suitable for all 16+. All of the events are led by artists with great track records in their areas of practice. The series is hosted by Wateway Workshop with previous success in delivering inspiring engaging events related to theatre and performance to diverse audiences.

 Cloud & Water series is co-produced by Maki Li and curated by Qingyang Wang.