五禽戲 


The following videos have been compiled as an introduction to the 5 Animal Frolics practice. 

There is a variety of instructional videos demonstrating parts of the form as well as all the individual animals.

You can also follow videos demonstrating each part in one flowing sequence and work towards joining the first three parts together into a continuous sequence. All videos will be separately available in a digital format (USB drive) or on a DVD. Watch this space or enquire on stringofpearlstaichi@icloud.com or taiji.kneadinghands@icloud.com



Regular Practice of 5 Animal Qi Gong can help you


Loosen the Muscles and Builds Power

Strengthen the Organs

Improve Cardio-pulmonary Function

Strengthen the Nerves

Improve Vascular Function

Prevent Injury to Joints, Ligaments and Bones

Speeds Recovery Time from Injuries and Operations

Build Strength and Stamina

Ease Stress and Balance Emotions

Benefits Sedentary People and Meditators


According to the Traditional Chinese Medicine 5 Animals correspond with 5 phases of change, and 5 systems.


DEER 鹿 Kidney and Bladder


BEAR 熊 Spleen and Stomach


MONKEY  Heart and Small Intestine


BIRD 鳥 Lungs and Large Intestine


TIGER 虎 Liver and Gall Bladder


The whole sequence can be complemented by a self-massage which is normally done in the middle of the form.

VIDEOS


Part 1

5 ANIMALS Frolics Qi Gong - Overview, Part 1 - Preparation

5 ANIMALS - Follow - the preparation part - 3 times

5 ANIMALS - introduction to phases / animals

5 ANIMALS - We are continuing 5 animals up to Liver Massage & Tiger sitting


5 ANIMALS - DEER - Opening

5 ANIMALS - BEAR

5 ANIMALS - MONKEY

5 ANIMALS - BIRD

5 ANIMALS - TIGER

5 ANIMALS - DEER - TRANSITION - integrating all the animals

5 ANIMALS - PART 1 - Rear View

5 ANIMALS - PART 1 - Side View 

5 ANIMALS - PART 1 - Front View

Part 2

5 ANIMALS - PART 2 - Rear View

5 ANIMALS - PART 2 - Side View

5 ANIMALS - PART 2 - Front View

5 ANIMALS - Basics - Principles of Movement

5 ANIMALS - Part 1 & 2 - Rear Right Diagonal View

5 ANIMALS - Part 2 - Animals Individually - 1

5 ANIMALS - Part 2 - Animals Individually - 2

5 ANIMALS - Part 2 - Continuous View 

5 ANIMALS Qi Gong Massage - Part 1

5 ANIMALS Qi Gong Massage - Part 2

5 ANIMALS - Part 1 & 2 - Recap Demo DEMO - Rear View 

To purchase any Part of the 5 Animal Frolics videos please contact us on

stringofpearlstaichi@icloud.com or taiji.kneadinghands@icloud.com

Part 3

5 ANIMALS - PART 3 - DEMO   P&L

5 ANIMALS - PART 3 - DEMO With Annotations - Laraine

5 ANIMALS - PART 3 - TIGER / INTRO

5 ANIMALS - PART 3 - MONKEY (2x)

5 ANIMALS - PART 3 - BEAR

5 ANIMALS - PART 3 - MONKEY


5 ANIMALS - PART 3 - GOLDEN PHEASANT

5 ANIMALS - PART 3 - CRANE

5 ANIMALS - PART 3 - DEER

5 ANIMALS - PART 3 - TIGER

5 ANIMALS - PART 3 - MONKEY

5 ANIMALS - PART 3 - BEAR

5 ANIMALS - PART 3 - CRANE

5 ANIMALS - PART 3 - MONKEY

5 ANIMALS - PART 1 + 2 + 3  ONE CONTINUOUS SEQUENCE

"Dr Hua Tuo  was a contemporary of Zhang Zhongjing. Hua Tuo often recommended the use of physical exercises for his patients.  He devised movements that were similar to the movements of five different animals.  These were the tiger, deer, bear, monkey and bird. 

Unfortunately, few, if any, of Hua Tuo's written works have survived from the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220 CE).  There are no surviving documents from Hua Tuo that tell us how to do the Animal Frolics exercises, or even their names.  One manuscript, The Classic of the Central Viscera, questionably attributed to Hua Tau, is considered one of the 10 most important pre-modern works on Chinese medicine.  Hua Tuo is often called the "Father of Chinese Medicine."  

"There are many stories, passed down from generation to generation, as to how Hua Tuo cured difficult diseases.  He became known as the "Magical Doctor".  His principle of resisting the onset of disease by working and doing exercises was also a major contribution to traditional Chinese medicine."

Hua Tuo's life ended at age 97 in an unfortunate manner.  He had been called and ordered to serve as a personal physician to Zao Cao, a ruthless general ruling the state of Wei.  Zao Cao had severe headaches which Dr. Hua Tuo could not cure.  General Zao Cao, for some unknown reason, became angry with Dr. Hua Tuo, and had him imprisoned and executed. (8, 6) 

One of Hua Tuo's outstanding disciples, Wu Pu, lived for over 100 years, and practiced the Frolics daily.  Wu Pu wrote a book called The Five Animal Classic, from which only a few fragments have survived.  Wu Pu reported that Hua Tuo once said,

"Man's body must have exercise, but it should never be done to the point of exhaustion.  By moving about briskly, digestion is improved, the blood vessels are opened, and illnesses are prevented.  It is like a used doorstep which never rots.  As far as Tao Yin (bending and stretching exercises) is  concerned, we have the bear's neck, the crane's twist, and swaying the waist and moving the joints to promote long life.  Now I have created the art called the Frolics of the Five Animals: the Tiger, the Deer, the Bear, the Monkey, and the Crane. It eliminates sickness, benefits the legs, and is also a form of Tao Yin.  If you feel out of sorts, just practice one of my Frolics.  A gentle sweat will exude, the complexion will become rosy; the body will feel light and you will want to eat." (9,6)

To acquire any 5 Animal Frolics videos please contact us on

stringofpearlstaichi@icloud.com or taiji.kneadinghands@icloud.com