Chinese Health Qigong Association 'Wu Qin Xi' 5 Animals Play - A Review

Chinese Health Qigong Association-Wu Qin Xi - Springing Dragon Press (2008} PaperbackAn ancient Chinese Physician's study of 5 Animals led him to design a life-extending and health-improving exercise routine easily mastered with patience and practice by old and young alike. The following review examines an attempt to disseminate this traditional exercise, practised in China for almost 2,000 years, to a wider audience in a modern format suited to the present-day.Wu Qin Xi or '5 Animals Play' is attributed to famous Han Dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE) Physician Hua Toh. Concerned by the suffering which extremes of Continental Weather patterns inflicted upon inhabitants of China's vast Central Plains, particularly during Winter, when prolonged stasis led to stagnation of the flow of Qi (vital energy) causing all kinds of ailments and suffering in his fellow-man, Hua Toh noticed it was business-as-usual in the animal kingdom.5 particular animals, ideal exemplars of vigorous natural hea
lth were the basis of the exercise routines in which practitioners imitate the movements of the Tiger, Deer, Bear, Monkey and Crane, sequentially, comprise the 'Famous Five' behind what we know as 5 Animals Play. Regular performance of this routine, Hua Toh felt, would enable practitioners adjust to and align themselves naturally with the changing patterns and conditions of their environments, thus increasing their health and extending their lifespans.The Chinese Health Qigong Association's 'Wu Qin Xi' (102 pp plus instructional DVD) gives the exercise's history, explaining its grounding in ancient health-giving activities (pottery fragments from China's Yangshao culture, 5,000 Years BCE depict figures clearly practicing related Qigong routines). However Wu Xin Qi represents the oldest written (as opposed to pictorial) record of a complete Qigong sequence--transmitted in detail to subsequent Chinese generations via the writings of successive Daoist sages.The book and DVD, n
evertheless, are firmly located in the present. The latter summarises recent scientific research into the benefits of regularly performing 5 Animals Play and provides clear step-by-step instructions for each of the 5 key sub-routines that comprise the whole, accompanied by a delightful medley of Chinese folk-tunes. The former uses clear colour images of a presenter, supplemented by drawn lines showing directions of movements (and also clear details of essential hand-forms) to complete a pleasing synergy springing from skillful combination of several media.The power and courage of the Tiger, vigour and balance of the Crane, stability of the ponderous bear, agility and nimbleness of the monkey and grace and virility of the deer need to be understood individually (physically,mentally and spiritually) both text and DVD make clear, helpfully highlighting common errors to enable 'fine-tuning' of performance. Once this is accomplished the sequence can be performed as a who
le.Those interested in 'Animal' styles of Kung Fu, in particular, might find Wu Qin Xi of particular interest as a potential adjunct to their practice. Others wishing to extend their knowledge of Qigong and Qigong routines might be intrigued by its 5 Animal focus. Beginners wishing to try Chinese health preservation exercises for the first time will find this a user-friendly package and moreover one suitable for all ages and fitness levels as the comprehensive accompanying commentary explains.

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