I'm really glad I came across your video. We have a really small lion dance troupe in our area and no other troupes around so I am teaching very new students with very limited access to proper knowledge. This video confirmed what I was showing them and I can't for them to see this video as well. Thanks for uploading it

@5elementsld

7 жыл бұрын

You're very welcome, Robert Turpin! Please check out the comments as well - several experienced LDers have included their input & I had missed one holding method in my video (center mouth), so there's additional info there :) Happy LDing! -EJ

This is so informative! Great job, fantastic reporting!🌻🌼🐝 Keep it up 🙌

I was taught and teach my team holding the mouth with one hand in the center of the mouth flap, shoulders and neck resting on the pillow while using the other hand on strings. We also have same techniques you have mentioned. I teach beginners what you instructed resting biceps by bars. For advance students and practitioners one hand arm on side mouth flap and bar while blinking eyes.

@5elementsld

7 жыл бұрын

+southernfist Thank you for the great explanation!! I had forgotten till you mentioned it - one of my Masters from my old team also holds with one hand in the center of the mouth flap & I now recall seeing you do that as well when you performed the "doorway/entrance" routine for us during our visit. Also love how you detail how your teaching changes as your students progress. Thanks again! -EJ

Excellent explanation EJ thank you for sharing.

@5elementsld

7 жыл бұрын

+southernfist Thank-you for your continued support! Please do let us know if there are other holding/blinking tips your team has, we are always trying to improve as well :)

Wow!So much work...

These tips are very helpful, thank you! As a beginner I struggle to hold the head steady and blink at the same time

@5elementsld

6 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching! It takes practice to get used to the balance. Try resting the head on your shoulders/back of your head on the pad and only use one hand to hold the lion. Can help as then you have a free hand to blink.

I hold the head the same good advice

Thank you so much for this

@5elementsld

7 жыл бұрын

+Brandon Tran You are welcome! We hope to generate more discussion and sharing amongst other Lion dancers.

Good lion

@kwanyen90

2 жыл бұрын

what's your lion made off???

hi. we do the hok san lions dance styles in staten island

Thanks for the tips i'm just a beginner.

@5elementsld

6 жыл бұрын

+Aldrik, You're very welcome! Give us a shout back if you learn something we haven't talked about here - we're trying to improve too :) -EJ

I blink with one arm or finger and one on the mouth

Here's how I hold the lion head. Most of the time, I use the pillow in the back of the lion. It makes it easier IMO to move my hands around the lion. What I mainly do is use my left hand to hold the mouth shut, and my right hand to hold the string, so I can blink more often, and move individual moving parts (IE: winking, listening, etc.) I've only been doing this for a couple years so I'm sure there's better ways of doing this, but this has been easiest for me.

@5elementsld

7 жыл бұрын

Sad Strange Little Woody Completely agree with the pillow making it easier for your hands to do what they need to :D Happy to hear about the use of winking too! Definitely a skill up to control the strings individually. Whatever works and is comfortable for you, right? :) Thank you for the detailed description! -EJ

@sadstrangelittlewoody9902

7 жыл бұрын

+5elementsld thank you and you're welcome! Yes, it's actually pretty comfortable. I can see why some people think it isn't since you are putting lots of pressure on your back and neck, but I have had no problems with that whatsoever. As long as you do it right and get used to it, you should be fine doing it this way.

Its comfortable to hold the lion head on the mouth and on the bar but its a lot more comfortable to hold the lion head like a pizza. Thank you very much I can now shake the lion head more comfortable.😊

@5elementsld

5 жыл бұрын

Glad you found something that worked for you! -EJ

I just bought my first lion head from AliExpress and the head and body came detached. Do you know how can I attach the body to the head? The body has attachment strings but the head doesn't have a bamboo bar as the base. It's just a flat cardboard with soft foam on the inside. Do I have to make new holes or something? How do I attach the body?

when you guys do the below in front of every one how do you guys do its

hello how are you my name is Lung i have a qestion about the Lions head and also i am a member of the staten island lions and also i want to know how do you hold the Lions head /

@5elementsld

4 жыл бұрын

Hello Lung! I was first taught to hold the lion head "like a pizza" - both palms facing up, fingers in the slots in the lion's mouth. The two bars inside the lion head are supported by your upper arms. However, my shoulders are not as wide as a male's, so I had to adjust. I do the "pizza hold" with my left hand, but hold the right bar with a fist, like I'm punching upwards. The pad inside the lion for the back of your head is also very useful for balancing; you don't have to only use your arms! A lot of beginners I teach forget about the head pad. Since it's been a few years now, I'm able to balance the head with just my left hand for short periods while I use my right to blink, handle objects, or prepare a qing. It will still come down to practice, but I recommend trying out different holds and seeing what works for you, because you will the lion dancer :) Best of luck!

i like the lion dance.i want the lion dance head

What Lion dance team did you go in mine was buu Kim tu

DERP!!

EJ where can i order, or buy these lion heads in person, and what i mean by purchasing it in person is that i don't have to buy it online, so I'm just wondering where I can get these, my kids are also lion dancers but only use their uncles lion costume, They have been begging me to get one for them so they can perform. Thank you.

@5elementsld

6 жыл бұрын

Hello +Rayziar! The best places to check would be your local Chinatown gift/trinket stores, but if you're not in a large metropolitan, the quality of the lions sold at such places is generally poor (this is just my opinion). If they do not carry them in stock, some stores may be willing to order & ship to their shop for you to pick up, but they will most likely charge you a bit more as the middleman. We can try to find a local source for you if you email us at 5elementsld@gmail.com with your city & possibly information on what type of lion/details you want. Hope that helps! -EJ

hey 5elementsld can i use some of your videos for my movie that I'm making pls I'll give u credits cuz im a lion dancer and im making lion dance movie so pls help me

@wmcng

7 жыл бұрын

btw im form Jing Qing lion dance trube

@wmcng

7 жыл бұрын

I love your videos too

@5elementsld

7 жыл бұрын

Hi WMCNG NG. Yes, you can use our videos as long as you credit us. I hope you'll share your movie with us in the future =).

@5elementsld

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your support!

@wmcng

7 жыл бұрын

Yes definitely ill share the film with u your the best thx

Do you have any suggestions for drills that can improve my strength as a lion head dancer?

@5elementsld

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Amanda! A few things: 1. Going through your basic move-set or routine move-set repeatedly will help you build up strength and endurance. You don't have to go 120% every time; the repetition will condition your body. If there are segments you're finding trouble with strength for, try practicing only that part slower (repeatedly) but being intentional with your movements. It's similar to building strength with weights - quickly pumping and using momentum to swing doesn't engage the muscle(s); proper form is key. Same for lion dance! 2. If you don't always have access to a lion head, you can make do with wrist weights or small weights and go through your lion moves. Or do exercises for shoulders and back for general strength. If you find you're struggling with any other muscles (biceps, triceps, forearms, etc.) work on exercises that improve those instead! 3. Resting. If you're finding you "run out of juice" in performances or practice runs, look for opportunities within your routine where you can "break." Take a brief pause to glance around, work the eyes/ears, or hold a stance for effect. These may not be directly strength-based, but it will help overall. Also is a great chance to "air out" your tail partner and give them a break or cool breeze too =) 4. Balance. I'm not sure of your experience in lion dance so I will also mention balance. A lot of my new students lose control of the head for certain movements because their horse stance (or other stance) is poor/not using a stance, their body is off center of gravity, or they are relying on only their arms to keep head control (when it should be stance/back/shoulders in conjunction). Not directly strength-based again, but may be something that can assist the strength side. If balance is a struggle, workouts for the core or abs will help and that can meld into having more strength overall. Those are my thoughts! I didn't give specific drills but hope that helps. Do message back if I didn't quite answer what you were looking for. Pick and choose what works for you. Happy LDing! -EJ

You da same as me

actually should be the bars for holding on your right or left than another hand right or left should enter the lion dance mouth hold for holding . #malaysia our lion dance team name is # CHUNGDE LION DANCE TEAM . tq

@5elementsld

7 жыл бұрын

+Jayson Yap Thank-you for sharing! We've found that teachings can vary quite a bit between teams. The way you're describing is how EJ holds it, but that wasn't how she was taught to hold it when she was a newbie.

@gracesantoli6139

6 жыл бұрын

technically, it depends on the style of the troupe/team. also it can depend on the persons dominant hands

How o know the meaning by the step

Hey, i dont sure if you had already about this lion's tail wag. I was wonder how acting as back legs and move this tail like wagging

@5elementsld

Жыл бұрын

Hello! We will add this to our list of videos. For the tail, horse stance is still important. If you lean down without the stance you will hurt your back. Horse stance and shift your weight between your right and left legs to "shake". Some lion costumes have a stick that goes between your legs to move the tail on its own. You do need to shimmy to generate bigger movements 😉.

Your actually supposed to have 1 hand on the bar but the position of the hand is very close to the mouth

@5elementsld

7 жыл бұрын

Hey Luke! That's pretty much how I hold it, but I wasn't taught that way when I first started (when I wasn't with 5 Elements). Guess it worked out, eh? :D Thanks for sharing! -EJ

Hi how are you my name is Lung iwant toknow how to opertated the lions head can you show me how to hold the lions head

I recently became interested in lion dancing but at the moment I can't get a lion head to practice with. Do you reccomend anything else I can use just to get me used to it or should I wait (about a year) until I can get a lion head?

@5elementsld

4 ай бұрын

Hi, @notAme_Yomi! I'd recommend an oval-shaped laundry basket over your head. This is good practice with being unable to see well (#1 spatial awareness). A basket is larger than your head and will also help for getting used to the lion size (#2). If that is too silly, you can also use a small hula hoop, although you lose being able to practice limited vision. #3 Weight. Hold 5-10 lbs dumbbells in >both #4 Stances. Even without a lion head, laundry basket/hula hoop, or weights, you can practice lion stances. Footwork and horse stance 馬步 is very important. In practice, if someone is struggling to get a move, VJ or I often just say, "bend your knees" or "馬步!" and then they get it :) Welcome to lion dancing!

@notAme_Yomi

4 ай бұрын

@@5elementsldThank you so much!! I will definately be trying these out and I will come back to this video when I finally get a lion head!

How look around with lion

Where did you buy the lion head? Might buy one.

@5elementsld

7 жыл бұрын

Hi +Philip Alvendia! Our heads are from www.emplion.com/ and www.wansenghang.com/ -EJ

ya lucu banget

how to do a proper headshake can u make a video of proper headshake

@5elementsld

7 жыл бұрын

+khar big yeong We will add this to our to-do list and send you a link here when we have it ready :) -EJ

im joining a lion dance team in 2days ive been told i have to learn how to be the head im kinda nervous

@5elementsld

5 жыл бұрын

Focus on improving one thing at a time, versus everything at once! It takes practice :) Hope you have lots of fun! -EJ

hi 5 elements lions dance team how are you my name is Lung. I had a question about the lion's head when I operated on it. Do you know how to hold the lion's head ? I would like to know how to hold the lion's head higher ? can you sent me the instructor of the list of the lion dance costume thank you Lungyuen

@5elementsld

2 ай бұрын

The video shows how to hold the head in a general way. To hold higher you can push the head outwards and up, usually with the head at a 45 degree angle down.

So, I wanna collect lion heads. I might get one soon, but i don't know much about sizes. Could you guys help me? Thanks!

@kolbybui5317

7 жыл бұрын

Also, does the height of a person matter as well? Thanks!

@5elementsld

7 жыл бұрын

Hello Goji, If you intend to use them, you'll need to check with the lion manufacturer on their sizing. It's not universal. You will also need to decide if you want a hoksan, futsan, or futhok lion, as the difference in the head construction changes how the lion feels. As an example, Emplion's sizing is at the bottom: www.emplion.com/store Their measurement is based around the rim. Others may measure across the lion head. To give you an idea, I'm female (smaller shoulders than a man, about 38'' around), 5'4'', 125 lbs. -Taro (purple yingyang hoksan) is an Emplion S3 (54'' rim): I find this size most comfortable. -Sesame (black futsan) is an Emplion S3 (54'' rim): Is large for me, but I can still use it. -Matcha (green hoksan) is 52'' rim (from WSH): Snug size. Any smaller is too small. -any hoksan/futsan/futhok 56''+ rim will be too large for me to use. If you're just collecting to display, smaller sizes so you can fit more lions! :) Hope that helps! -EJ

@5elementsld

7 жыл бұрын

Hi again Goji, In terms of picking a lion head, not really. The length of the body is tied to the head size. Larger head size = longer lion body. If you're short with a huge lion head on, you might look like a Corgi dog :P But that isn't likely as that lion will be too heavy/big to use. It may matter for your partner though. If the tail person is much taller than the head, he/she will have to bend over more to not make the lion have a "camel hump." A lion head much taller than the tail would make the lion look like it's dragging the tail end. -EJ

Hi!

@5elementsld

7 жыл бұрын

+SuperNguyen Hello

How much do it cause?

@5elementsld

2 жыл бұрын

It depends on the supplier, your location for shipping, size and any extras you want (customization).

How can we can dance and blink the eyes ?

@5elementsld

5 жыл бұрын

Hello! To clarify, how to blink and dance at the same time? Or how does the blinking work?

Does the lion always have a head pad ?

@5elementsld

4 ай бұрын

Hello! It depends on the manufacturer but most will have one.

Where do you usually get your lions?

@5elementsld

7 жыл бұрын

Hey SuperNguyen, Our lion heads are from www.emplion.com/ and www.wansenghang.com/ -EJ

@kevinnguyen4124

7 жыл бұрын

5elementsld Thanks!

Do you know where I can buy a lion heads?

@5elementsld

5 жыл бұрын

Hello, you can buy them online or in person if your location has a store. We buy online. There are many suppliers around the world.

@dpoonify

5 жыл бұрын

5elementsld which store online ? I don’t want to guess and get a bad cheaply made product.

@5elementsld

5 жыл бұрын

Ours are mainly from www.emplion.com and www.wansenghang.com/.

hi i want to know how to do blow the Lions head when you go to th store

@5elementsld

4 жыл бұрын

Hello, to clarify, how to buy a lion head?

@lunghingyuen6141

4 жыл бұрын

@@5elementsld yes

i want toknow how to put the tail back on the lions head ?

@5elementsld

2 ай бұрын

There are usually spaces at the end of the head where you can tie the tassels of the body to.

@lunghingyuen6141

2 ай бұрын

@@5elementsld how ? can you please show me

Me: how does someone make a aluminum lion head???? Dang the head making game changed

@5elementsld

2 жыл бұрын

Part of the frame is aluminum, mainly the handle bars. Light weight but sturdy.

@giantasiansticker8068

2 жыл бұрын

@@5elementsld that’s sooo cool :) my head has a horn that has cracked :(

how heavy is the lion head , like a box or what?

@5elementsld

7 жыл бұрын

Hello Rosa! The weight of the lion head varies depending on the style of head, material, & size. Taro (purple ying yang) in the video is a hoksan & made out of bamboo, making it super light at ~10 lbs. Sesame (black futsan) has a bamboo and aluminum frame, about ~15 lbs. Very traditional futsan heads can be 30-50 lbs depending on the ornaments on it. -EJ

@drinkingexpiredmilkat3am174

4 жыл бұрын

She said on the beginning. At least 10-15 lbs

I gotta see were I can do this in the U.S. XD

@5elementsld

7 жыл бұрын

Dandy! :D We try to find a lion dance team and visit them whenever we travel, so there might be a friendly one near you! Shout-out to southernfist and Team WcM for being very gracious hosts to us in the past. Respectively: Arizona Martial Arts Lion Dance Association from Phoenix, AZ Wan Chi Ming Hung Gar Institute Dragon and Lion Dance Team from New York, NY -EJ

how much is a lion

@5elementsld

7 жыл бұрын

+Jayden Soh A lion can cost from $450 to over $1000+ (USD) depending on quality, customization, shipping location, etc.

Saan mo bili at magkano salamat

@5elementsld

5 жыл бұрын

From www.emplion.com.

Who teaches you lion dance because i will join my school's lion dance class i study in a chinese school?

@5elementsld

7 жыл бұрын

Hello +Philip Alvendia, 5 Elements is self-taught :) Our eldest members have 12+ years of experience, ranging from 6 years with Jing Qing Lion Dance Troupe in Canada (where we are based), several Kun Seng Keng (Malaysia) workshops, & it is our "tradition" to visit local lion dance teams when we travel abroad to try & learn/share knowledge with other LD teams/Masters. We also have a friendly relationship with some of the local teams in our city & have done joint training days with them. As expected, different Masters have different ways of teaching & it also depends on what style/type of lion dance they have chosen to pursue. 5 Elements taught junior high & high school lion dance clubs for several years in the past - I'm happy to hear you will be joining your school's class & hope you enjoy it! -EJ

@r0tap45

7 жыл бұрын

5elementsld thank you

how dolar lion head

@5elementsld

7 жыл бұрын

+Diana warrant betie Lions can range from $500-1000+ USD depending on how much detail and customization you want.

Help me

@5elementsld

6 жыл бұрын

Hello. What do you need help with?

I am a beginner lion dancer

@5elementsld

7 жыл бұрын

+莉莉李 Thanks for visiting! Hope the video helps :) Others have also commented on how they hold their heads below - but please note there is not "one proper" way to do so. Different masters have different opinions, keep an open mind and practice hard :D -EJ

@user-ib5gh8gp9q

7 жыл бұрын

I also having problem on holding the head too

I am so sad that I complete a lion dance and accidentally rip his mouth off rip my hard work(the lions dance it cringe is make out of paper)

@5elementsld

4 жыл бұрын

Oh no. Is it possible to tape back? We had to tape some of our lion's mouth as we've poked a hole through after many uses.