The Five Animal Frolics: Wu Qin Xi Qigong
By Simon Murray
Our current focus in the Monday 7:45am Qigong class is the Wu Qin Xi (pronounced woo chin shee) form. The name translates roughly as Five Animal Frolics (or Exercises).
This well-known set of Qigong was formulated by the legendary physician Hua Tuo during the Han Dynasty (around 1800 years ago) as a way to sustain health and vitality.
By mimicking the postures and movements of animals, Wu Qin Xi brings unique benefits not easily achieved through ordinary human movement. It also nurtures the mind and emotions through calmness, focus, and the light-hearted joy of imitating these creatures.
The Five Animals
The five animals used for inspiration are tiger, deer, bear, monkey, and bird. Each has two exercises, resulting in a wide range of movements that work the entire body. Every animal also has a characteristic hand posture, enhancing strength in the wrists and hands.
| Animal | Exercises | Benefits | Hand Posture | Qualities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tiger | Stretching in the sun, then pouncing on prey | Abdomen circulation, shoulder/leg/grip strength | Tiger’s Claw | Courage, robustness, wildness, fierceness |
| Deer | Locking horns, then prancing in victory | Spine/rib flexibility, co-ordination | Deer’s Antler | Serenity, poise, light-footedness |
| Bear | Waking from hibernation, roaming for food | Digestion, stability, whole body strength | Hollow Bear’s Paw | Steadiness, solidity, grounded strength |
| Monkey | Surveying surroundings, then picking a peach | Balance of contraction/stretch, agility | Monkey’s Hooked Paw | Nimbleness, curiosity, playfulness |
| Bird | Stretching wings, then taking flight | Balance, softness | Bird’s Wing | Grace, swiftness, lightness |
How It Feels in Practice
Each session includes preparatory and closing movements, often ending with standing meditation and self-massage. Students report feeling well-exercised, calm, and energised to start the day.
Wu Qin Xi is designed to be:
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Safe and adaptable to different abilities
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Accessible and relatively easy to learn (though some movements take a few tries!)
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Holistic, improving muscle strength, grip, joint flexibility, cardiovascular and respiratory health, while calming and focusing the mind
As practice deepens, breath work and the spirit of each animal are added, along with awareness of how movements affect the organs and energy channels.
Join Us
If frolicking like animals while boosting health and vitality sounds like your kind of fun, join us for Wu Qin Xi on Mondays at 7:45am at Kundalini House.
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About Simon
Simon Murray is an experienced Qigong and Tai Chi practitioner and instructor, as well as a Chinese Medicine practitioner. He holds a Bachelor of Health Science (Chinese Medicine) and offers treatments at Kundalini House on Mondays and Fridays, drawing on acupuncture, herbal medicine, cupping, gua sha, and other traditional therapies.
Guided by Taoist principles of balance and simplicity, Simon creates a warm and supportive space for healing and renewal. Alongside his clinic work, he teaches Qigong classes at Kundalini House, sharing practices that cultivate vitality, calm, and connection.
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