The Five Animal Frolics are considered the oldest form of Qigong still practiced today. Scholars trace its roots to shamanistic healing dances from the paleolithic age, but the form you will be learning is attributed to Taoist sage and medical practitioner Dr. Hua Tuo (c.140-208 CE). He is credited also with the development of other significant techniques in Traditional Chinese Medicine including acupuncture, moxibustion, and versions of anesthesia. I learned this form from Daisy Lee, who studied it under Master Wang San Hua, Bo Zhou, in China. He is the 58th generation lineage holder of Dr. Hua Tou’s original system and Daisy Lee is the 59th lineage holder here in the West.
One of Dr. Hua Tuo’s disciples, Wu Pu, recorded his teacher’s wisdom in his book The Five Animals Classic:
[the] 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.
Sounds good, doesn’t it?
All Qigong practices promote health and longevity, but the Animal Frolics are certainly one of the most enjoyable. They offer an opportunity to break out of old, unconsciously limited movement patterns. The Frolics build physical strength, flexibility, agility and balance, yes: but note that Hua Tuo refers to them above as an “art”. Their whimsical movements encourage us to move in unfamiliar ways, to express and embody the contrasting natures of each animal, and this engages and challenges our minds and imaginations, too. We get to “monkey around”, float our arms with the grace of a crane’s long wings, feel the strength and confidence of the bear and tiger, and the flexibility of the deer.
Please contact me with any questions or concerns. I look forward to “frolicking” with you!
cris@criscaivano.com
Instructor: Cris Caivano, M.A. (Columbia University)
Originally a classically trained dancer, Cris taught dance at SUNY Purchase, the Davis Art Center, Davis CA, and the 92nd St Y, NYC. She was certified in Qigong by Lee Holden/Santa Cruz Qigong Center in 2013. Cris enjoys investigating current research on this and other ancient dance/movement practices, and shares her discoveries in online classes and newsletters at criscaivano.com.
Cris has implemented exercise/movement programs at psychiatric hospitals in Sacramento, CA and through the MHA Recovery Center, Dutchess County, NY. She is the author of the commissioned book Strength Training, Staying Fit and Fabulous (Dover, 2018), which has been published twice in more than six languages. With over 35 years of experience, Cris offers Qigong workshops and classes throughout the Northeast, including at Kripalu, Innisfree Gardens, the Millbrook, NY and Sharon, CT libraries, and online at www.criscaivano.com