Coach Ying-yuan Cheng is from Sijhou Township, Dong-zhou Village, he began training in martial arts since childhood, and aside from coaching lion dance martial arts in schools, he also teaches the art at the community’s Puhsuan Temple. We caught Coach Cheng for an interview after his lion dance session at our school, the content of which is as follows:

Q:Coach, you are masterful at martial arts, when did you start training in it?

  Both my father and grandfather practiced martial arts, so I began when I was eight or nine to train in lion dance and martial arts. I started teaching martial arts and lion dance when I was eighteen, and now at almost seventy years of age I am still teaching them to you. Even though I started teaching at eighteen, I never stopped learning, if ever I see superior skills demonstrated, I endeavor to learn them. I believe that one should never stop learning.

Q:Coach, what difficulties did you encounter in your early years training in martial art?

  When I was young my family wasn’t well off, and if you wish to be apprenticed to a master, you must give red envelopes. I didn’t dare ask my father for the money, so I worked while training in lion dance. That was one of the hardships I met with. Moreover, travel wasn’t easy in those days, so when we wished to learn from masters in Xiluo or elsewhere, we had to walk, and when we were sometimes injured from practice, we had to bear the pain as well as we could.

Q:Coach, how do you look at lion dance as a traditional art form?

  In general, lion dance is a great activity that benefits both one’s health and eyesight. For me, it is more than a traditional art form; it is also an excellent recreational activity. Not many people attempt to learn lion dance, nevertheless, lion dance is not only a necessary part of Taiwanese traditional culture, but also a traditional skill fit for people of all ages.

Q:Coach, what hopes do you have for lion dance?

  I sincerely hope that the art of traditional lion dance may be passed on, because we live in a modern commercial society, and most people are too busy to lion the traditional arts like lion dance. Students like you have the most time on your hands, therefore I think it is fitting that you should train in the art. Lion dance is a great form of exercise, it is good for your health, and in addition to that you will also be carrying on a valuable tradition. I hope Zunliao will be able to develop its own lion dance troupe, participate in performance wherever events are being held, and let everybody know how talented Zunliao residents are.

Q:Coach, what do you most worry about when you teach us lion dance?

  I always say, even though it’s a good thing that you are learning lion dance and that it will give you strength, you must keep an eye on schoolwork as well. Never let lion dance practice get in the way of schoolwork, it’s not right. I also like to say that you must be filial to your parents, respect your elders, because that’s what I worry most about. It is all because I, your coach, began training in lion dance very early, then unfortunately went astray during my years in school. That is why you must listen to me and never go astray, or you will cause your parents and elders much worry and anxiety.

Q:Coach, how do you find our learning attitude? Do we come up to your standard?

  You are all very smart, capable of thought and full of originality, and you are quick to learn. The thing is you are not diligent enough and often gloss over your mistakes, for example when you try to get away with languid movements and hope that I don’t notice, and I find this to be your greatest fault. I hope you will learn to pay attention and do your best to learn, because you are all very fortunate, you don’t have to leave your homes to learn lion dance from a master. But its different for you children nowadays, we masters come to teach you, step by step, stroke by stroke. Therefore it is my profound wish that you put your hearts into the training, and leave off your lazy habits.

Q:Coach, do you wish to apply any changes to lion dance?

  I still very much wish to teach it in the traditional way, because nowadays kids spend too much time on their computers, and easily give up whatever they find too difficult, which is one of the reasons why so few people are willing to learn lion dance today, and it is my wish that more people are willing to engage in the art and pass on this valuable tradition. The only change I can see is that, before, you went to your masters, but nowadays your masters have to come to you, that is the only change.