Cultural Classes
We seek to offer a varied programme of Chinese cultural classes including:
- Ba Duan Jin
- Calligraphy
- Chinese Folk Dance
- Chinese Opera
- Tai Chi
- Painting
These cultural classes are subject to teacher availability.
Ba Duan Jin
Shaolin Ba Duan Jin can be translated as 8 Brocade (Valuable) Exercises. It belongs to the classic repertoire of Qi Gong exercises in the Shaolin Kong Fu. It enhances physical health by stretching muscles and invigorating meridians. During practice, it enables individuals to clearly perceive changes in their breath and muscles.
The class will be taught by Hui Jing, a PhD student at Lancaster University. Hui Jing graduated from the Beijing Dance Academy and the University of Roehampton and has several awards in Classical Chinese Dance, Chinese Folk Dance and Contemporary Dance.
Chinese calligraphy and painting
Chinese calligraphy, shū fǎ, is "the rules of writing Han characters". Chinese painting is known today as "guó huà". They emphasize motion and are charged with a dynamic life. As the oldest continuous artistic traditions in the world, calligraphy and painting today are known and learned as important parts of traditional Chinese culture.
Chinese calligraphy course
A 9-week Chinese calligraphy course for all students, staff and members of the public.
Open to beginner and advanced level learners to learn and practice calligraphy together.
Wednesdays, 6.15-7.45pm
From 16 October to 11 December 2024.
Registration: Chinese calligraphy classes
Chinese Folk Dance
The classes are taught by dancer, choreographer and theater producer, Qinwei Li.
Qinwei Li is a graduate from South-Central Minzu University in China and Bath Spa University in the UK, and has a range of dancing experience in the UK and China.
Chinese folk dance classes for children (age 5-11 years old)
Sundays, 1-2pm
From 6 October to 15 December 2024. Please note that there will be no classes on 27 October 2024.
Registration: Chinese folk dance classes for children (5-11 years old)
Chinese folk dance classes for adults
Sundays, 2.30-3.30pm
From 6 October to 15 December 2024. Please note that there will be no classes on 27 October 2024.
Registration: Chinese folk dance classes
Lancaster Chinese weekend classes for children
Weekly Chinese Mandarin language, culture and arts and crafts activities for all children aged between 5-11 years old.
Sundays, 10am-12pm
From 6 October to 15 December 2024. Please note that there will be no classes on 27 October 2024.
Beginner and advanced classes available.
Registration: Lancaster Chinese weekend classes for children (5-11 years old) Michaelmas Term
GCSE Chinese preparation group
This group is open to anybody interested in taking GCSE Chinese as an opportunity to practice exam style questions and past papers as a group.
Sundays, 11am-12pm
From 6 October to 15 December 2024. Please note that there will be no classes on 27 October 2024.
Registration: GCSE Chinese preparation
Chinese Opera
The 9-week culture course introduces some basic knowledge of Chinese opera, mainly with the example of Peking Opera, ‘the quintessence’ of Chinese culture and ‘World Intangible Cultural Heritage’.
The course aims at supporting learners to learn about some core pats of Chinese traditional culture that are still embedded in the contemporary China, and enabling learners to gain knowledge and skills of cross-cultural communication.
Qinghong (Amy) Zhang, the course convenor, has extensive cross-cultural communication experience including successful teaching experience in both the Confucius Institute and the UK Higher Education. Amy also has a strong link with the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts, the most prestigious institute of Chinese opera study and creation globally.
Chinese opera course
A 9-week Chinese opera course for all students, staff and members of the public.
Tuesdays, 6.00-7.00pm
From 15 October to 10 December 2024.
Registration: Chinese opera course
Tai Chi
Tai Chi is a Chinese martial art practised for both its health benefits and defence training which has its roots in Taoism. It combines profound principles, theories and martial art techniques. It is the cultivation of one's internal energy, mind and the physical body that makes it so unique and challenging.
Qimei Li is a keen amateur practitioner of Yang-style Tai Chi who has practised on and off for more than 20 years. She teaches Tai Chi in Lancaster on behalf of Lancaster University Confucius Institute. Qimei grew up in Taiyuan, Shanxi where her father, Yuming Li, was a teacher of Tai Chi for more than 30 years, achieving Master status. Qimei enjoys practicing and teaching Tai Chi because it is a good way to improve circulation, flexibility and to let go of stress.
