Entertainment
Farm couple beats the blues with dance that’s won hearts around the world
Just watching them move lifted my spirits. I've got to try this! 🙌
Caryl Jane Espiritu
04.07.22

A lot of people have been looking for ways to fight depression. A farm couple from Zhejiang province in China has discovered one effective way: dancing!

YouTube - South China Morning Post
Source:
YouTube - South China Morning Post

45-year-old Peng Xiaoying and her 49-year-old husband, Fan Deduo, both live on a farm in the Mayu township in Ruian, Wenzhou. Their livelihood comes from farming corn on a half-hectare field.

YouTube - South China Morning Post
Source:
YouTube - South China Morning Post

Just like any other couple, this pair has had their own share of challenges and tragedies in life.

YouTube - South China Morning Post
Source:
YouTube - South China Morning Post

After surviving a severe traffic accident in Yunnan province 18 years ago, Fan was eventually diagnosed with severe chronic depression. Some of his symptoms included irritability, nervousness, and having trouble sleeping at night.

YouTube - South China Morning Post
Source:
YouTube - South China Morning Post

The couple had a shoe-selling business at the time located in Yunnan, but because of Fan’s condition, they decided to close business and move to Ruian, their hometown.

About four years ago, Peng decided to do something about the depression and found dancing a good way to cope. The woman has always been fond of dancing in public squares, and she thought to invite her husband to join in the activity.

YouTube - South China Morning Post
Source:
YouTube - South China Morning Post

The moment Fan tried dancing was also the moment he finally found life after the accident.

The couple found themselves square dancing enthusiastically and even invented the shuffle. It is a square dance where components of daily living are incorporated such as pumping elbows, walking in the field, and combing the hair.

YouTube - South China Morning Post
Source:
YouTube - South China Morning Post

It was truly a discovery of a lifetime.

Fan did not know how much dance could make a difference in his life until he tried it. He realized how amazing it was and he found a new way to enjoy his daily life at the farm with his wife, Peng.

YouTube - South China Morning Post
Source:
YouTube - South China Morning Post

Peng shared how much dancing has changed their lives in an interview with the South China Morning Post.

“Whenever we feel upset, the shuffle dance always helps cheer us up and lighten our mood. It has been such an uplift in our lives,” Peng said. “I think the main reason we get so happy when we dance has to do with the idea of our exercising with the shuffle on the ridges. It’s really exciting.”

YouTube - South China Morning Post
Source:
YouTube - South China Morning Post

Peng and Fan had found a great way to fight depression and the best thing about it was that they also got to share this amazing thing with the world.

In the midst of the pandemic, the couple uploaded their videos on Douyin or popularly known as TikTok. Both of them have inspired a lot of viewers with their sweet smiles and genuine love for dancing.

YouTube - South China Morning Post
Source:
YouTube - South China Morning Post

Their unique moves and charming presence have reached millions of viewers and followers on the video-sharing platform. Peng and Fan’s children have also joined in the fun dancing, making the netizens even more in love with their dance numbers.

No matter how many viewers or likes they have, the most important thing for them is still their love for life and dancing.

“We love life in the countryside. We dance after our daily work,” Fan said. “It’s a dream life.”

Watch the video below to see the couple’s “rural-style shuffle dance” for yourself!

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