Be One With Art

Bruce Lee aka Little Dragon as he is known to be to the world especially chinese community from every block, every corner, every Chinatown of various nations. Many remember him to be the key that unlocked western bias minds towards the potential of asians to rock the world. A pioneer that had open doors for legendary martial artist such as the fearless Jackie Chan , the swift Jet Li and the determined Donnie Yen in making their chinese debut on an all American stage, the world's platform also known as Hollywood.

Bruce Lee earned my respect not out of his kungfu moves or his obnoxious scream or howl , shriek or whatever people call it. I recall sitting in front of the tv watching an exclusive interview with Bruce Lee being the featured guest of the day. Bruce mentioned that kungfu is known as an art for it contains every artistic element in each and every way. In kungfu's scriptures and manuals, one can find sayings such as to remain as calm as water and to be as swift as the wind. " To be as calm as water is to be one with water" Bruce once said and i truly agree that to be a master of a skill is to be one with that skill. It is the same in dancing for to be a good dancer is to be one with the dance, with the music.

In dancing we have got a lot of different dances, different variations. Emotional numbers such as the rhumba or perhaps the waltz, a dancer must be one with the emotion in order to feature a genuine dance pattern. Dancers are also actors and actresses for within that one moment on the dance floor we're playing different roles, roles that are generated from the music.

However once the dance is over, one must click out from the role and regain conciousness of ourselves. Water even if its spilled on the floor or poured into a cup or filled with filth is still water. We must not lose ourselves while we're having fun. We must not abuse the art and default its dignifying purpose by using it blatantly for other malicious intentions such as to seduce other people's spouses.

I believe dancing and martial arts have a lot in common. Both arts teaches me the way to live a meaningful and discipline life. In both arts also i have gained wonderful friends. In dancing i have supportive friends such as Alvy, Huay Nee, Wee Yi , Ray , Pam, Cyn, Audra and so on that have been my teachers and my motivation to improve my dance.

Coming to this, i recall there was once i was having lunch with a friend and another friend which was my former colleague approached our table and asked me whether i am still teaching dancing. I am not a dance instructor but i did share some knowledge of mine towards the art with a small group of my friends back then. My friend as usual interpreted it in his own funny way and the story goes around and it seemed like i have been telling ladies i teach dancing to hit on them. It was really hillarious and shocking for me to find out later on. Come on, get real if i am to create a pick up line, i wouldn't be labelling myself as a dance instructor for there's so many better dancers out there. I wouldn't want to invite shame, haha.

I have met some new friends quite recently with the love for dancing but they claimed to have elephant legs and they simply can't dance. What's an elephant leg? Does that make one a mutant?There is no such theory as far as i understand the art. Everyone can dance, those who think that they can't just need self boosters, self confidence.

At the very beginning,as i was instructed to provide dance lessons to my colleagues at work, a lot of my colleagues were doubtful that i could dance for i don't seem like i could dance at all but as soon as i started demonstrating,their jaws dropped open so wide and they kept repeating to themselves that it was unbelieveable . " How did he become so flexible?" they asked and my reply was "It is simply because i believe i am flexible"

Believing in our own capabilities, believing that we can also be as beautiful, as highly potential is not being delusional or living in self denial as some may call it.Never underestimate the power of confidence. Dances have never discriminated dancers , only humans choose to discriminate among ourselves.Once i had to choreograph and prepare my colleagues for a performance that was suppose to be for our company's Vice Presidents and Chairman's participation in our annual dinner. It was suppose to be really huge and i was not allowed to make any mistakes.I had a friend who was as stiff as Robocop and everyone had no confidence in him . "How are we going to move a lamp post?" I believe it can be done and true enough it took me three weeks but i made him dance in front of hundreds of people and everyone clap out loud.

I still recall one by one giving me a hug , at the back of the stage right after the show as a sign of appreciation and some even had tears rolling down their cheeks. At that point in time, i finally understood the satisfaction as a teacher and whether the audience love it or not , it doesn't matter anymore for seeing that spark of joy on their faces is all i need.