Photo by Philip Chen
On the stage of competitive sports, ballroom dancing might feel distant to the general public. It’s not as widely known as ball sports or as accessible as track and field or swimming in schools. Yet, despite this, many people continue to dedicate themselves quietly to the sport. Representing Taiwan in the Guangzhou Asian Games and winning numerous national and Asian championships, Mr. Yu Yu-Chien is a shining star in the world of ballroom dance. However, even the most talented face setbacks. Let’s delve into his story, discover the charm of ballroom dance, and learn how he overcame challenges to shine brightly on stage.
Reflecting on key moments in his career, Mr. Yu admits that the most unforgettable one in his 20-year professional career is the **2010 Guangzhou Asian Games**. He said, "At that time, ballroom dance was rarely included as an Asian Games event. It was also my second time representing the country after the Asian Indoor Games, and I felt incredibly honored." Beyond the unprecedented sense of honor, Mr. Yu believes this was one of his best performances in his career.
He shared, "That competition felt like a dream! I entered an incredibly focused state, almost unaware of my surroundings. Every dance move felt like time had stopped, and I could control everything at that moment. It was the only time in my career I experienced such a 'flow state,' and I truly enjoyed it!" Reflecting on this surreal journey, Mr. Yu laughed, "At that time, I even asked my coach if I had finished performing. Later, watching the video, I realized I had performed exceptionally well."
Mr. Yu Yu-Chien often wears the amor BtNPN Plant-Based Nano Patch during classes, and the cooling effect is impressive.
Ballroom dance requires a combination of skills: explosiveness, stamina, flexibility, and physical posture, which all significantly impact dance performance. When asked how he maintains his fitness, Mr. Yu smiled and said, "I don’t do anything special; I just eat less starch and consume a lot of protein!" However, after hearing about his daily routine, it’s clear gaining weight would be nearly impossible for him.
He shared, "Since I’m still an active professional athlete, I spend four hours a day practicing dance and four to five hours teaching. To improve flexibility, I also take ballet, gyrotonic, and Pilates classes." Additionally, if he notices a decline in strength or stamina, he incorporates anaerobic and aerobic exercises at the gym to maintain his form. "Self-reflection is key; only by acknowledging your weaknesses can you truly improve," Mr. Yu said, emphasizing his strict self-discipline.
After intense exercise, Mr. Yu uses stretching and physical therapy to relax his muscles. However, when he doesn’t have time for deep stretches, he directly applies **BtNPN Plant-Based Nano Patch** while teaching to alleviate muscle fatigue. "I recently started using the **amor BtNPN patch** while teaching, and the cooling effect is impressive. Its adhesive strength is excellent, and even after long classes, the edges don’t peel off. My muscles feel noticeably lighter afterward," he shared. Mr. Yu also noted, "Other patches sometimes cause itching, but with the BtNPN patch, I didn’t experience any irritation." He even revealed a personal tip: "When I’m overly exhausted, I stick one on the back of my neck. The cooling sensation helps me sleep better."
Mr. Yu Yu-Chien and his partner Hu Shala won third place in the Professional Latin Open category.
Strict self-discipline not only reflects in Mr. Yu’s physique but also defines his professional career, making him a well-known Latin dance champion. But even champions face challenges. Mr. Yu shared, "I distance myself from negative emotions, allow myself to calm down, and then analyze my weaknesses to improve."
Recently, he faced a significant setback that made him consider retirement. "My long-time dance partner decided to retire suddenly. Finding a partner at my level is extremely difficult, especially at this stage of my career," Mr. Yu confessed. "But I still love dancing, and knowing I have limited time left to compete, I decided to continue, even if it means starting over."
Mr. Yu Yu-Chien encourages everyone, regardless of age or gender, to experience the elegance and challenge of ballroom dance.
Today, in addition to competing professionally, Mr. Yu runs his dance studio in Kaohsiung, "Kaohsiung Love Dance Studio." He’s deeply committed to passing on his knowledge. "When I was younger, ballroom dance was even less common, and I was afraid of being teased for being a male dancer. But after my classmates discovered my talent, they gave me positive feedback, which boosted my confidence," Mr. Yu shared.
He encourages everyone, regardless of age or gender, to participate in ballroom dance, emphasizing its elegance and challenges. Mr. Yu has proven through his journey that ballroom dance is not just a competitive sport but also a lifestyle—a commitment to continuous improvement and a promise to pass on experience and skills to future generations.
For Mr. Yu, no matter how distant the dream may seem, as long as we dare to dream, face challenges head-on, and remain passionate and persistent, we too can shine on life’s stage.
Learn more about Yu Yu-Chien's recommendation: amor BtNPN Plant-Based Nano Patch