JEROME WONG(2003)

My name is Jerome and I joined the Flushing Yuanji group in January 2003. It is slowly become a major part of my life.  I look forward to my weekend workouts.  During the week, the music is in my head as I am working.  During my walk to the bus stop, I find myself practicing the hand movements.  This is my story about how I came to join the group; it stared with giving my sister a car ride. 

My first introduction to Yuanji dancing was in the summer.  While visiting my sister, we spent the morning doing Tai Chi in Chinatown. After our Tai Chi practice in Columbus Park, my sister asked me to go see another group at the Grand Street park area.

It was my first exposure to the Yuanji dance and the Chinatown group. Let's just say that I could not follow the routines.  It was uncomfortable because I did not know how to perform them. The movement looked and felt odd. It did not feel as challenging as Tai Chi. One movement that struck me the most was a tummy rub.  What is that!? I thought it was for girls and didn't think about it again till the winter.

     Many months later, my sister asked me to drive her and a friend to Flushing to meet another group of Yuanji practitioners. It worked out fine for me because I wanted to do more exercise; with the oncoming winter it would not be possible to exercises in an open park.

    Meeting the Flushing group was an interesting experience. The first impression is walking through the door of a ballroom dance hall. A long hallway lined with displays of high heel shoes.  Pictures of ballroom dancers adorn the walls. Is this for me? I kept an open mind and entered the ballroom.  Slowly, we made our way into the big room.

    Many people stopped by my table and introduced themselves; making me feel a little more comfortable. While we performed the routines, people would stop and show me the moves. I began to follow their movement. These ladies were very good and they often stopped to instruct other people. After a while I began observing a man in the corner of the room.  He performed the dance with great control and lots of energy.  For the next few weeks, I learned by observing Lilly, Jacklyn, and PeiPei. I analyzed the movements and tried to determine the what's, why's and how's.  I was very curious about the elegance, but I was impressed with the visible energy from the performance of the dances.

    Like other art forms, there are physical and mental components that comprise a single form. With Mr. Huo' s instructions I developed a deeper understanding for the routines. Each step began to feel more natural.  I am very grateful for all the help and tutelage of Mr. Huo and Flushing Yuanji Society.