Last weekend to celebrate Lunar new year I welcomed back the Manchester Hong Kong Singers group to the studio. It was great to have a chat with them on the radio and to debunk a few myths around the new year season. They were keen to point out that they actually prefer it to be called Lunar New Year or Spring Festival rather than Chinese New Year because this makes it more inclusive for all cultures to come together and join in with the celebrations.
I was lucky enough to see a live lion dance performance as part of the lunar fair in the city. I was really impressed by the fact that men of every race and age were taking turns to wear the lion and make it dance. Approx 4-5 men at anyone time help to keep lion moving!
Chinese culture really acknowledges and respects the power of animal energy in its exercise and wisdom traditions, and so observes it as part of their yearly festivals.
This year however is the year of the Snake. The team brought in a handmade snake which will be part of another parade next week.
playfully posing pretending to be scared of the snake 🐍 😁
Snake year has some really positive attributes to it so don't worry there isn't that much to fear at all.
It mainly symbolises Change, renewal and resilience, which means the start of spring felt a very appropriate time to reflect on snake and harness it's potentials for personal growth.
Making friends with the snake!
We all fear change, but change is inevitable. If we learn to embrace change as it arises we can take a valuable chance to shed a burden, take off our old snake skin jacket and see some renewal underneath.
Cobra counsels you to consider your own needs, to take care of yourself as you prepare for your transformation. Fear not the future. As you shed the troubles and worries of your ‘old skin’ you let go of limitations that which held you back. Now you may embrace new potentials.
Snake year can be a really powerful time to set intentions around self care. It's not selfish to take time for yourself. Only by recharging yourself can you best serve others.
I love acronyms, so here's a little acronym to help you harness a bit of snake power!
S-leep- don't understand estimate the value of even a 10 minute nap.
N-utrition- Good gut health is key. It's your 2nd brain after all.
A-ctivity- Shake it off, snake It off- changing your posture can change your state of mind in a flash. It can literally be like shedding your skin in an instant.
K-indness- To yourself, as much as to others.
E-nergy-No the answer isn't downing another red bull, but rather to remember to take regular breaks, and set your boundaries.
Till next time, take care of yourselves!
Bye for Now x
Rooster catching up here
I saw them perform at a Lunar New Year event in February. They are adorable