Dance gracefully, trust sincerely
Betty Wei's Wonderful Life
Interview team/Lin Zhiwen (lead writer), Yu Shuling, Cai Ying, Yao Yingci, Gan Xiaoyan
Photo provided/Interviewee website, Lin Zhiwen
She has infinitely extended the graceful modern dance and transformed it into form theory, using body rhythm to inspire leadership and creativity. She has also used it in community and company management leadership. Many well-known companies have adopted her theory to train employees. This Wei-style theory also applies to physical rehabilitation, and countless people have benefited from it.
Dance and faith built up the wonderful and extraordinary life of teacher Elizabeth Wetzig (nicknamed Betsy). However, she also lost almost everything due to the sudden storm of life. Let us watch her dance out of the valley and jump into Canaan. life story.
Her limbs swayed smoothly and gently, and her long snow-white hair swayed with her. She stretched, bent her knees, and tiptoed with joy and grace. Betty Wei used silent words to let everyone know the truest version of her: a woman who uses dance to interpret life and glorify God. godly children of heaven.
"I am a dancer, choreographer and educator. I am also an expert in movement research. The relevant theories have been compiled into books and published. Such a colorful identity has brought me a rich life and also given me various abilities. This kind of opportunity can serve God." After introducing herself, Betty Wei immediately smiled brightly.
A rhythmic life closely connected with dance
"God has given me a lot of grace and blessings in the process of learning to dance. He has placed the best teachers around me along the way, so that I can continue to grow under the guidance of the master." Betty Wei explained succinctly. .
Betty Wei has been dancing since she was a child, and her amazing talent emerged at the age of three. At the age of six, Betty Wei was able to teach other children to dance as a dance partner. A group of children's dance kindergarten class started in the basement. Such childlike behavior aroused the curiosity of the neighbors. When the children danced, the adults were there. Watch and cheer.
Betty Wei's first teacher, Estelle Dennis (1920-2011), gave her great inspiration and helped her gain extensive exposure to all types of dance. From teaching classic dance steps at the beginning to encouraging students to improvise after they became familiar with it, Teacher Dennis made Wei Betty understand that there are infinite possibilities in dance. This understanding greatly expanded her performance realm. Before graduating from high school, Betty Wei studied under Dennis, and also joined Dennis's dance troupe to start her performance career.
"Dancers always start working early, and the stage gives us more progress." Recalling the past, Betty Wei was very happy.
After graduating from high school, Betty Wei conducted all-round exploration. The university's free style of study gives students great freedom, and up to one-third of the elective courses allow them to explore various fields. In addition to dance, Wei Betty also minored in Russian culture, so she has a strong interest in Russian dance. Her high motivation to learn even requires her supervisor to learn new knowledge with her so that they can have in-depth discussions with her in their profession. Betty Wei said: "I think this is also the grace given by God besides dancing. I always meet very sensible teachers who are open-minded and willing to accept the challenges of students and grow with me."
After that, Betty Wei went to New York and studied under the tutelage of modern dance master Martha Graham (1894-1991), where she studied body movement and dance step creation in depth. At the same time, while living in New York, she started her own dance career, was invited to teach everywhere, and formed an improvisational group "Sound-Shapes" that included music and dance. She danced all over the United States, including the East Coast, West Coast, Florida and New England. You can see their dancing.
▲Betty Wei, who was interviewed in an exclusive interview, showed the elegance of a dancer while chatting and laughing. (Photography/Cheng Xinping)
A new discovery that combines movement and academic theory
With a strong foundation in dance and rich performance experience, Wei Beidi realized that there were many mysteries behind the movements, so she began in-depth research with other experts, hoping to understand people's thinking processes and expression patterns from the theoretical structure of movements, and then Find a learning method that suits you personally and communicate more harmoniously with others.
During the research process, firstly, we continued to contact people and analyzed and summarized various types. Secondly, Wei Beidi went to various places to give lectures and performances, and cooperated with more professionals. In addition to body rhythm, she further studied neurology, anatomy, muscle involvement and other specialized knowledge, thoroughly understanding how the human body produces movements, and also knowing the limits to avoid injuries.
After communicating with people from all walks of life, Wei Beidi continued to improve her vision and realm. She was surprised to find that her discussion on action types coincided with the theory of Jung, the master of psychology, on "the influence of personality types on learning patterns." Jung used psychological Discuss it from the perspective of action, and she analyzes it from the perspective of action.
Eventually, Wei Betty established a theory called "Coordination Patterns", which divided human actions into four forms: Thrust, Shape, Swing, and Display. Hang), different forms represent different creative methods. This discovery can not only be used in performing arts, but also can be used on polio patients, rehabilitation patients and the elderly, arranging them to use the method that suits them best. activities, increase the therapeutic effect, and jointly improve the quality of life.
▲Move to Greatness: Focusing the Four Essential Energies of a Whole and Balanced Leader, co-authored by Betty Wei and Ginny Whitelaw, Book title (tentative translation)
"During my research, I learned that people can be divided into four different types, each of which can bring different joys. This realization is the happiest thing I have ever experienced from God, and it is also the happiest thing I have ever experienced from God. In my joy, I deeply understand that the "coordination model" will be my lifelong research goal and work," said Betty Wei excitedly.
Betty Wei actively and eagerly shares the four movement patterns she discovered with more people, integrating the patterns into various sports and dances such as Tai Chi, yoga, and Pilates. She also applies the theory to management leaders in communities and companies, Physical therapy and church building, use what you know and learn to make better contributions to the Kingdom of God.
A firm faith that is always prayed and entrusted to
Like dance, faith also plays an indispensable role in Betty Wei's life. She was born in a family with a beautiful inheritance of faith and has maintained a good relationship with God since she was a child.
Recalling her childhood, Betty Wei said: "I was baptized in the Catholic Church. When I was a child, I had a deep desire for God. I had to go to the church to attend mass every day before going to school. In fact, the road to the church was dark and narrow. I was extremely scared, but I still walked there every day because I believed God would provide protection and He would always be with me.”
Trust in God led Betty Wei through the dark path, and also led her to bravely face many storms as she grew up.
In 1971, she and her husband formed a happy family and had two children. In 1982, they moved from New York to Pennsylvania. At this time, Betty Wei was fully committed to the development of the coordination model, actively performing everywhere, and living a fulfilling life.
a bolt from the blue! An accident caused Betty Wei to fall off the stage and hit the ground on her cheek, causing her cheek bones to shatter and half of her facial nerves to be paralyzed. The pain of the wound and the lack of balance caused by the serious injury caused her to fall into post-traumatic stress disorder, and she began a period of A difficult recovery life.
▲On September 30, 2012, Teacher Wei Betty led the students of Taiwan KRC Dance Camp to pray and dedicated the exhibition of results to the Lord Jesus. (Photography/Liu Guoxing)
- ★Want to know more about Teacher Wei Betty? Please see the Moves to Greatness website: http://www.moves4greatness.com/books.htm
★Watch the video online (2010KRC Dance Camp Achievements Exhibition): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTNYp8sQgoM - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCglDPGIfik
★Other students shared: United States http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7_op1d25BU - Taiwan http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5AFEvxQncE
At the same time, my husband's career was affected by the September 11th incident and he was about to declare bankruptcy. My beloved daughter also fell seriously ill at this time. Since the cause of the illness could not be found, she could only recuperate at home.
The multiple impacts on health, finances and family made Wei Beidi feel extremely depressed. She tried her best to climb out of the bottom but failed repeatedly. She was depressed, confused and had no way to seek help, which made her almost collapse.
Fortunately, God is full of love and mercy, and he successfully weathered this crisis with the help of home mortgage loans. God also responded to Betty Wei’s inquiry, asking her to stop asking why she encountered these difficulties and simply believe that God has a greater plan for her. Painting and developing a deeper relationship with God.
"Through this period of time, I understand the insignificance and powerlessness of human beings, and I know that even when I have nothing, I can still rejoice in the Lord."
"God has allowed me to go through these hardships, so when others also experience misfortune, I can empathize with them and give them comfort and help. I believe that God has allowed me to enter such a situation out of love."
"Similarly, He also enabled me to develop a movement coordination model. Following this model of rehabilitation allowed me to recover faster and better than ordinary people. Even the doctor at the time encouraged me to continue such research, because from an empirical point of view, This theory is indeed useful, and God used my discovery to heal me and inspire me to become a better helper.”
"Of course, no one wants to be seriously injured or on the verge of bankruptcy. God gave me this period of time that was like Job's suffering; I lost everything, but I also saw His faithfulness. God gave me back everything I lost in the days to come. And give my family a double blessing.”
For juniors who are interested in entering the dance world, Betty Wei suggested: "If you want to use dance to bear witness for the Lord, then start by identifying your favorite dance and find excellent teachers. If you can learn more about neurology and Anatomy, understanding the generating principles of movements, can help to perform more delicate and precise dance steps; or, it can also convey the love of Jesus through various different methods such as choreography and teaching, without necessarily saying love in words. It is also possible to include affection in the art of dance or conduct.”
"When you move your hands and feet, let your limbs move in pure worship and enjoyment. This is the best way to please God."(This article is one of the internship assignments in the 2012 Taiwan KRC "Interviewing and Reporting Workshop". The following is the live interview group.)
