Qi Gong is one of the four pillars of Traditional Chinese Medicine: Acupuncture, herbal medicine, massage, and Qi Gong exercises. Qigong is a unique Chinese exercise system that uses breath, mind and movement to enhance health and vitality and stress release. Through individual effort, practitioners build up their health and prevent illness by combining discipline of mind, body and the body’s “Qi” (vital force).
“Qi” or “Chi” means energy. Gong is translated as work or cultivation. Therefore Qi Gong refers to the exercise of one’s internal energy. The practical components of healing and stress management are the most effective aspects of the tradition in Qi Gong practice. Qi gong enhances the natural healing resources and the spontaneous balancing in the human body.
The practice of Qi Gong brings the following benefits:Improves Health,Increases Energy, Agility and Flexibility,Rejuvenates Body, Mind and Spirit,Improves Concentration, cognitive and Intuitive abilities,Reduces Stress,Improves blood and Qi Circulation,Regulates Moods and Emotions,It is easy to learn and can be practiced in any setting at any time.
Dr. Feng has created a unique offering of The Dance of The Animals or the Five Animal Frolic Qi Gong.The famous Chinese physician Hua Tuo created the “Five Animal Form” in the second century A.D. The form mimics the movements of the tiger, bear, deer, monkey, and bird to facilitate the cultivation of Qi and spirit by the practitioners.
Five Animal Play Qi GongThe “Five Animal Play” focuses on the training of internal Qi. It combines the soft and hard interpretation of movements with the focus of guiding Qi flow in the body. As an internal form, there are also martial art implications. The five animal forms incorporate many fluid and beautiful active movements; therefore, it is often referred to as the practice of the dance of the five animals.
Animal Qi Gong is the oldest form of Qi Gong. “Bear moving” and “Bird stretching” are clearly documented as regular exercises for Chinese people who lived 2300 years ago. Five Animal Play Qi Gong belongs to the unique category of Medical Qi Gong designed by Hua Tuo, a medical practitioner in the second century A.D.
Hua Tuo, an extraordinary healer, taught that through imitating the movement of the tiger, deer, bear, monkey and crane, the Five Animal Qi Gong brings us back to our free human nature. Symbolically, the animals are related to the five elements, colors, sounds, seasons, internal organs, sensory organs and emotions. It is an integrative, comprehensive practice that promotes health, vibrancy and longevity.
The Hua Tuo system of Five Animals is practiced through simple forms of movements, meditation and spontaneous play of the animals. Internally the practice opens the Qi channels and cultivates Jing, Qi, Shen (essence, vital energy, and spirit). Externally it improves the function of bones, joints, tendons, muscles, circulation, hair and skin.
Dr. Alex Feng, a lineage holder of the Zhi Dao tradition, is one of the few masters who can tap into the secrets that are revealed through this magical, rare animal form. An accomplished Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dr. Feng has developed an approach to teaching Five Animal Play Qi Gong that enables the practitioner to understand the inner workings of the medical principles and the Daoist alchemy at play with this unique form of Qi Gong exercise and meditation.
With the guidance of Dr. Feng, the essence of the five animals will become alive in you – the energy of these animals will soar through your being, your channels, your body. Dr. Feng is able through these teachings to evoke your innate animal instinct and beauty… bringing vitality and rejuvenation. The forms are taught with medical and spiritual applications that were formerly unavailable to the English-speaking world. Although others may teach the choreography of the Five Animals, movements without the depth of understanding that Dr. Feng can impart are meaningless.
Dr. Feng collaborated with the eminent Professor Wang Pei Kun and Professor Zeng of the Shanghai Institute of Physical Culture to authenticate this rigorous and comprehensive Five Animal Play Qi Gong curriculum. This series of classes integrate physical movement, medical, spiritual and shamanic aspects of a holistic healing process. The student will learn to be in touch with the energetic vibrational, spiritual and shamanic expressions of Kundalini.
No pre registration required – just drop in any Saturday to begin study. Take this opportunity to awaken your inner animal spirit!This class is an opportunity to learn a rare form of Medical Qigong with an accomplished Master Saturdays at 8 a.m. at Zhi Dao Guan Tuition: $85/month or $25/class