Five Animal Qigong is the oldest known dynamic Medical Qigong system, created by Hua Tuo (110-207 BC). Hua Tuo was one of the most famous Chinese Medicine doctors in history.
Hua Tuo (c. 140–208), whose courtesy name is Yuanhua, was an ancient Chinese physician who lived in the late Eastern Han Dynasty. Historical texts – “The Records of the Three Kingdoms” and “The Book of the Later Han” - both record Hua as the first person in China to use anesthesia during surgery. He used a general anesthetic that combines wine with an herbal concoction called máfèisàn ( 麻沸散 , lit. "cannabis boil powder"). Besides being respected for his expertise in surgery and anesthesia, Hua Tuo was famous for his abilities in acupuncture, moxibustion, herbal medicine, and medical Taoyin (now called Qigong) exercises. He developed the Wuqinxi (Wade–Giles: Wu-chin-hsi; 五禽戲 ; lit. "Exercise of the Five Animals") from studying the movements of a tiger, deer, monkey, bear and crane.
Wu P'u of Kuang-ling and Fan Ah of P'eng-ch'eng in China both studied with Hua Tuo. Using Hua Tuo’s methods of treatment, many people were completely cured by Wu P'u. "The human body needs exertion." Hua Tuo told Wu P'u, "But it shouldn't be pushed to the limit. Movement of the limbs facilitates the absorption of nutrients in food and enables the blood in the arteries to flow freely, preventing sickness from occurring. It's like a door-pivot that never decays from bugs or worms because it constantly opens and closes. That's why, when the ancient transcendent practiced duction, they strode like a bear and turned their head backward like an owl. They elongated their waist and limbs and moved all of their joints, seeking to stave off old age. I have a technique called 'the exercise of the five animals'. The first is the tiger, the second is the deer, the third is the bear, the fourth is the ape, and the fifth is the bird. They may also be used to rid one of illness and are beneficial for the legs and feet, being that they are a type of duction. If there is discomfort somewhere in your body, get up and do any one of my animal exercises until you're soaking with sweat, then sprinkle powder on yourself. Your body will feel relaxed and you'll have a good appetite." (tr. Mair 695-696).
Hua Tuo was eventually put to death by Cao (155-220), the infamous war lord whose reign lasted during the Three Kingdoms era. Cao killed him for failing to treat him whenever he needed it. This is because Hua Tuo refused to be anyone’s personal slave, even that of the emperor.
But despite Hua Tuo’s tragic death, you will find his story in the most famous novel in Chinese history, “The Romance of the Three Kingdoms”.
Hua Tuo’s story is quite fascinating, and beyond the scope of this book. If you are interested in his story, I suggest that you check him out on the web. There are many stories written about him online.
I have seen many different styles of Hua Tuo’s 5 Animal Qigong. I have seen it called by many different names, such as the 5 Animal Sports Qigong, the 5 Animals Play and the 5 Animals Qigong among others. In Chinese, it is called 五勤 .
I, on the other hand, call it Dynamic 5 Animal Qigong because I have seen static 5 Animal forms and I want to properly distinguish this Qigong from the rest, as this is one of the most dynamic Medical Qigong forms I’ve seen.
It is important when practicing this Qigong that you not only imitate the movements of the animals, but also seek to attain and display their spirit and behaviors. The five animals each have a different character and spirit which, when practiced together, will create a unique and balanced flow. The Tiger should be practiced as if untamed and powerful, while the Deer should be light and graceful. The Bear should feel heavy, solid and grounded, whereas the Monkey should feel agile and playful. And when practicing the Crane, you should feel as if you are flying.
This complete system of Qigong, when practiced regularly, will help you develop grace, agility, strength, balance, and a lighter heart.
Having witnessed many different styles of the 5 Animals, I was drawn to this particular style for several reasons:
1. This is true to its original intentions, not a choreographed piece.
2. My teacher could explain clearly what was happening in the body as a result of the practice and the benefits.
3. My teacher displayed a high level of skill as well as the fine, subtle details of the movements.
4. This form was not a standardized or commercialized form.
5. This form is challenging even for the advanced practitioner, yet simple enough for a complete beginner to get into.
I have seen other styles that were choreographed to be more visually appealing, whereas the Qigong remains true to the intention of healing. This is the issue I see in some esteemed temples; the arts are becoming more performance based rather than focusing on maintaining the original intent of the Qigong.
The few published books on Qigong do not impress me with their style of movements or the depth of knowledge their authors display about Qigong. Since most of these books are written in Chinese, there is usually incoherence in the Chinese to English translations, as the person translating it is usually not a native English speaker. I believe that proper translation can only be achieved by a native English speaker.
I appreciate the Chinese Health Qigong Association’s efforts in translating some of these books, but it would have been best done by a native speaker. Here is a classic example:
"To learn and practice “Deer Show,” it is indispensable to understand the fitness functions of it. In the first place, it can strengthen the waist and kidney. The traditional Chinese medicine claims that the Du meridian has close relationship with brain, marrow and kidney, which can prevent from the pathological changes for the above three organs.”
-Chinese Qigong Health Association
“Deer Show?” The word “show” implies that it is some sort of performance. I think it is a strange translation. “It can strengthen the waist and kidney.” Don’t we have two kidneys? Does this mean it will only strengthen one kidney? How does it strengthen the waist? I’ve never heard of waist strengthening exercises.
“The traditional Chinese medicine claims that the Du meridian has close relationship with brain, marrow and kidney, which can prevent from the pathological changes for the above three organs.” Aside from the fact that the English errors here are obvious and that this statement appeared in a professional publication, I have a hard time understanding what it really means, and specifically which pathological changes it can prevent. This is typical of the way in which the Chinese write in English: vague and leaving one wondering what they are referring to. If there is any validity to what they are saying, one cannot tell. I personally would not mention details unless I am able to back them up with evidence, or at least provide clear explanations. However, Chinese English often tells the good it does without explaining how.
When I went to Wudang to study Qigong, I was told that I would be taught an “advanced” Qigong. I asked what made it “advanced” and the only explanation they could give me was that the movements were more complicated. When I asked a Wudang well-respected master what was happening with the Qi in the exercises, he could not explain it in Chinese or in English, and told me that he did not know anything about it or have any interest in knowing about it. That is fine for some people, but if I am to devote hours every day, days of my weeks, and years of my life to this practice, I at least want to know what is happening in the whole process. In fact, I have only ever met a few teachers who were truly knowledgeable from a Traditional Chinese Medicine point of view.
As many organizations seek to standardize popular Qigong forms, many keys and subtle points and treasures of the Qigong are lost. Whenever I see standardized forms, I run away.
I have seen many 5 Animal Qigong styles that are so simple that one would get bored after a while. Having always been drawn to the Qigong art, whether from the temple or from an underground source, there is no challenge to it and the art seems to be watered down. What I’m sharing with you now is a Qigong I’ve learned from the temple. Anyone who has studied Qigong there will instantly recognize it, as it is a challenging Qigong with great depth. You can tell that it came from someone who paid much attention to the art and developing its many details.
As this Qigong has great depth, you will become aware of the many components to these simple movements. Not only does one behave like the animal, but each level has a story which is reenacted. These stories are designed to influence and transform the emotions by evoking specific feelings. Wow! What a multi-dimensional form of exercise.
The 5 Animal Qigong is a Qigong that has been refined over thousands of years and is continually being refined as time goes by (hopefully).
I have refined this form by adding proper anatomical alignments and more effective movements that are in line with modern muscle fascia research and sports science. As we now have a better understanding of the human body through modern science, I can clearly see where the masters were wrong. As a Westerner, I am culturally inspired to question things until I understand them. On the other hand, Chinese culture considered it disrespectful to question the master, which is why the Qigong art was not improved, questioned, or refined to a high degree.
QIGONG THEORY
“Wudang arts stress the movement of Qi and blood through the meridians. In training, one must reach a state of total relaxation. This is a cultivation process that takes a long time.”
–Taoist Hermit Guo Gao Yi
“Qi” (chee) means air or energy, while “gong” means work. Qi is defined as the circulating life force. In traditional Chinese culture, Qì (also chi or ch'i) is an active principle forming a part of any living thing. Qi is frequently translated as "life energy,” "life force,” or "energy flow.” Qi is the central underlying principle in traditional Chinese medicine and martial arts. The literal translation of "Qi" is "breath", "air" or "gas." On a more profound level, Qigong is connected with the Tao (or Dao)which is the universal energy that comes from infinity and lives in infinity. It is the harmonizing of self with heaven and earth.
To put it simply, Qigong is an exercise and skill of harmonizing the spirit, body, and breath to achieve “oneness.”
The official definition of Medical Qigong in Chinese medical textbooks is the combination of Traditional Chinese Medicine theory applied to Qigong practice. Modern Medical Qigong utilizes not only Chinese Medicine Relationship theory, but also modern science and technology. It is an exciting and dynamic evolution, so let’s dig deeper.
The word “medical” is self-explanatory. When you put them all together, Medical Qigong refers to the systematic application of energy in the body for health, healing and wellness purposes.
Medical Qigong exercises the internal and external body. Internal cultivation supports essence, Qi and spirit, while external cultivation supports sinew, bone and skin.
The use of Qigong as a medical therapy has been documented as far back as the ancient beginnings of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The branch of Qigong that is guided by Traditional Chinese Medicine theory is known as Medical Qigong.
Medical Qigong is a modality of Chinese Medicine. It is practiced in conjunction with acupuncture and herbal treatment, or strictly by itself. It is a method of moving Qi or energy through the meridians and organs of the body.
Medical Qigong has two parts: preserving health and treating illness. Medical Qigong is most optimally used as a preventative measure, but if illness has ensued, it is used to treat illness in a holistic way.
A form of Medical Qigong is Outgoing Qigong Therapy, in which the practitioner emits Qi to the patient to move stagnant energy or move Qi through the meridians and the organs. It is also often used in conjunction with acupuncture and herbs. To become a practitioner of Outgoing Medical Qigong Therapy, one must have a solid history of dedicated practice in Qigong and Medical Qigong theory to be able to generate the correct kind of Qi and direct it with precision. One of my Medical Qigong teacher’s prerequisites for Medical Qigong was five years of Qigong experience. Outgoing Medical Qigong Therapy, however, is beyond the scope of this training and book.
Many Qigong documents have been discovered in ancient Chinese Medicine classic texts, such as the Yellow Emperor’s Internal Classic, “Huang Di Nei Jing”. It is interesting to note that, during the Sui Dynasty, Chao Yuan Fang, a well-known imperial physician, wrote a book on Medical Qigong, “General Treatise on Etiology and Symptomology of Various Diseases”, which prescribes Qigong therapy for all diseases, instead of herbs.
The traditional theory of Medical Qigong is built on the doctrines of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements; the (Zang-Fu) Internal Organs and Meridians; Qi-Blood and Body Fluids; Jing (essence), Qi, and Shen.
Modern Medical Qigong is an assimilation of ancient Qigong methods. For example, Buddhists, Taoists and Confucianists all have their own healing Qigong methods. The modern methods are a synthesis of these methods for healing and nurturing a healthy life, rather than for spiritual enlightenment.
Taoist Qigong emphasizes the cultivation of both human life and spirituality. Traditional Chinese Medicine originates from Taoism itself. Taoism was the creator of the internal elixir, Qigong. I studied with a school of Taoists devoted to the development of the internal elixir practice. From Taoist Qigong also comes Zhou Tian, which means Heavenly Circulation, otherwise known as micro and macrocosmic orbit.
Buddhist Qigong is most well-known for the famous Iron Shirt Qigong of Shaolin, which is the intensive practice of making the body like steel. It was developed for martial arts purposes and is extremely powerful and effective.
Buddhist Qigong was originally more focused on spiritual enlightenment and martial protection, while Taoist Qigong believes the body and the spirit to be intrinsically connected. They believe to attain enlightenment you would need to cultivate a healthy and strong body. Most Buddhist Qigong forms were traditionally static, while Taoist had a broad range of dynamic and static. As Qigong evolves, it is more and more common to see dynamic Buddhist Qigong forms emerge.
What distinguishes Medical Qigong from the others is the special attention to the meridians and organs. A considerable amount of Medical Qigong is also adapted from Martial Qigong, such as Eight Pieces of Brocade (Ba Duan Jin), which was created by Marshall Yue Fei. The Eight Pieces of Brocade has been a popular basic Medical Qigong set around China and the U.S. since the movements are easy to learn, but it is far from being most profound. There are sets of Medical Qigong that go much deeper into the body and stretch the body more significantly. It does not mean one is superior to another, but it is important to realize that Medical Qigong has many different forms, practices and levels.
Medical Qigong and Martial Arts Qigong have the same origins, but the intent and manner in which they are practiced are distinguishably different. Certain elements of Martial Arts Qigong can be found in most dynamic forms of Qigong.
In Chinese, the Dan Tian is the center and battery storage area of your life force. Many types of Taoist and Buddhist meditations and Qigong instruct the student to bring their attention or awareness to the Dan Tian, as it is believed to quiet the mind.
The Lower Dan Tian, otherwise known as the Xia Dan Tian, is translated as “elixir field,” which lies three finger-widths below your navel and two finger-widths behind your navel, directly towards the center of your body. The two other Dan Tians are located at your third eye (Upper Dan Tian) area in the middle of your forehead, and your heart (Lower Dan Tian) area.
Yin and Yang rests on the belief that wholeness is composed in the union of opposites. They are both complementary and interdependent. Nothing is either all Yin or all Yang. Where there is light there is dark. Look at the Yin and Yang symbol, and you will see that each side is an inseparable part of the whole, while each contains part of the other. They create a continuous flow. In order to bring your body into balance you must balance your body’s Yin and Yang. Yin and Yang principles will be discussed more thoroughly in the training and later in this book.
