LONDON—Michelle Eardley, executive coach, found Shen Yun Performing Arts’ revitalization of Chinese civilization joyful and one of endless variation—after all, the artists had 5,000 years of rich culture and history from which to pull inspiration.

“It’s a fascinating combination between animation and live action and dance,” Ms. Eardley said of the production. “It’s just fascinating. There’s lots I’ve learned today that I never knew. And it’s just wonderful, just to go back in history and hear different perspectives on the history of a country. Fantastic!”

“The energy, the vibrancy, the athleticism—it was stunning,” Ms. Eardley said.

“Joyful, sometimes pensive. It’s just a really interesting blend, and it keeps you engaged the entire time. Each dance is unique, but you can see the connection between the themes as well,” she said. “The music itself seems to build into a story ... it makes you inquisitive as it goes on.”

Ms. Eardley said the experience all built up to a vibrant “inner energy, rather than necessarily an external one.”

“You just get that sort of warm glow,” she said. “That warm glow inside is here, and so it feels quite precious to the heart and to your sort of inner sense of worth.”