Study On Effects And Applications Of "Wu Qin Xi-Fiver Animals Frolics" In Health Preservation

In the late years of the Eastern Han Dynasty, higly skilled Chinese Medicine doctor Hua Tuo created a set of health promoting exercises, called "Wu Qin Xi" or "Five Animals Frolics". On the basis of Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory of Yin and Yang, Five Elements, Zang Fu, meridians and collaterals, and the motion patterns of Qi and Blood, Hua Tuo summarized the experience of his predecessors'traditional ways of imitation of birds' and beasts'movements and postures in order to exercise body, nourish vitality and restore health. "Wu Qin Xi" includes movements and postures of five animals; tiger, deer, bear, monkey and bird. During the period of 1800 years, Hua Tuo's "Wu Qin Xi" was passed on through generations and through the changes of many dynasties, up till now it developed more then twenty different versions. Being the China's earliest and most complete method of imitation of life forms for medical treatments, "Wu Qin Xi" had a great influence on later generations and methods of Qi Gong, such as Dao Yin, Ba Duan Jin, Wu Shu, etc. By applying different mental concepts and their regulation and transformation, "Wu Qin Xi" utilizes movements such as front bending, stretching back, side bending, twisting and rotating, pulling and drawing of lower limbs, moving each joint, ligament and muscle and through many kinds of movement patterns it controls the breathing and regulates the smooth movement of vital energy. Consequently, the body, Qi and spirit (shen) become an integral whole. The key points of "Wu Qin Xi" promoting and regulating effects on the health lay in the specific movements of the spine and internal organs, and the harmonious relationship between body-mind and natural world."Wu Qin Xi" is based on the Chinese Medicine Theory, the movements imitate tiger's power and force, deer's tranquility and relaxation, bear's steadyness and stability, monkey's intelligence and skill, bird's agility and gentleness. Every exercise is presenting one of the five animals'personal spirit and distinctive feature and as such is able to prevent and dispell various diseases, keep health and prolong life. The Tiger controls the Liver, its element is Wood, it practises tendons, relaxes the sinews, nourishes Liver and improves the eyesight. Regularly practising The Tiger Frolic makes the Liver Qi smooth and relieves Liver connected diseases. The Deer represents the Water element, its organ is Kidney. The Deer Frolic practises bones, strengthens waist and kidneys, it can also strengthen Du Mai. According to Chinese Medicine, Kidney stores Jing-essence, Du Mai controls Yang Qi of the whole body, practising Deer Frolic can improve the function of Kidney and Du Mai and it can also improve and regulate the reproductive system. Bear belongs to Spleen, it practises muscles and can regulate Spleen and Stomach, strengthen four limbs. Practise of The Bear Frolic can prevent and cure Spleen depletion, swelling of the Spleen and Stomach, diabetes, accumulation of fluid in the Liver, constipation, prolapse of Stomach etc. The monkey belongs to Fire, its governing organ is Brain (Heart in Chinese Medicine). Heart governs blood vessels, regular practise of The Monkey Frolic can treat symptoms such as palpitations, mental strains, insomnia and dreaminess, night sweating, cold limbs etc. The Bird represents the Metal, belongs to Lungs. Practising Bird Frolic has an effect on hair and skin, tonifies Lungs, relaxes intestines, regulates and smoothes breathing, enhances the Lung capacity, strengthens the physique. The crane is representative of the bird frolic, and it has a long life span, so the imitation of the crane movements can also affect our own life span. The Bird Frolic can prevent and cure pulmonary tuberculosis, night sweating, arthritis, heart and chest stubbing pain, asthma etc.Because of five animals different life styles, the movement method has its own characteristic, it is strong and powerful, or bold and generous, nimble and agile, steady and dignified, or constantly changing. When people imitate postures of these five animals, through the combination of body movements and deep breathing, they can exercise joints, harmonize internal organs, the Qi and Blood of the whole body can circulate smoothly, dispelling the diseases and prolonging life. It can also improve the function of lungs and heart, strengthen the cardiac muscle and improve the supply of oxygen, and is able to enhance blood circulation, promoting normal growth and development of organs and tissues, thereby achieving the function of health promotion and health care. Contemporary medical studies prove that "Wu Qin Xi" is not only the method for training muscles and joints, but it also has a high health protection and health preservation value.This study mainly focuses on consulting the research materials on the subject, both from China and abroad, in order to summarize and evaluate the three main principles of Five Animals Frolics practice; regulation of posture, regulation of breath and regulation of mind and its effects on preserving health. This study also researches the functions and position of Five Animals Frolics as a part of Traditional Chinese Theory of Health Preservation, its mechanisms for protecting health and its practical significance.