DVD: Five Animal Sports Qigong - by Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming

Medical Qigong (chi kung) for Healing

The Five Animal Sports, or Frolics, are one of the most ancient and popular sets of medical qigong exercises. Passed down for nearly 2,000 years, it is an effective, fun, and sometimes humorous way to energize the entire body. By imitating the movements and spirit of the Tiger, Deer, Bear, Monkey, and Bird, a practitioner can build their strength and longevity inside and out, and enjoy excellent health.

Learn the correspondence between the internal organs and Five Elements theory during an introductory discussion of Five Elements Theory by Kathy K. Yang. Experience a private lesson with one of the world's foremost masters of qigong as Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming offers detailed instruction, starting with a brief stretching and warming up section.

SPECIAL FEATURES: Dozens of Chapter Markers • Menus/Subtitles: English, Spanish • Quick Reference Guide to the 5 Elements Chart and Healing Sounds (on-screen and in enclosed DVD insert) • Interactive Catalog with Previews of All YMAA Titles

YMAA PRODUCTION • DR. YANG, JWING-MING 8 "FIVE ANIMAL SPORTS QIGONG" • WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY DR. YANG, JWING-MING AND KATHY K. YANG, WITH LESLIE TAKAO, PEDRO RODRIGUES, RICARDO CARVAHOSA & SETH PUTNAM • EDITING & DVD AUTHORING BY OCEAN SILVER • PRODUCED BY DAVID SILVER • DIRECTED BY DR. YANG, JWING-MING AND DAVID SILVER

AUTHOR(S)

Yang, Jwing-Ming Ph.D., is a renowned author and teacher of Chinese martial arts and Qigong. Born in Taiwan, he has trained and taught Taijiquan, Qigong and Chinese martial arts for over forty-five years. He is the author of over thirty books, and was elected by Inside Kung Fu magazine as one of the 10 people who has "made the greatest impact on martial arts in the past 100 years." Dr. Yang lives in Northern California.

Kathy K. Yang, daughter of Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming, has trained under the supervision of her father since the age of six. She is a three-time grand champion of both external and internal martial arts in the United States, and she is currently teaching in Europe.

REVIEWS

5 of 5 stars, Bill "Atlanta" (GA) June 2008,
Another Treasure from Dr Yang

Over the last 1.5 years I have purchased a total of 14 of Dr Yang's videos. They are all excellent in every way. I could not begin to recount all that I have learned, but in a nutshell, so much about body awareness, centeredness, breathing, energy manifestation, channeling energy, mind-body-spirit connections, are you starting to get the idea?

These are DVDs that reward repeated viewing and practice over time. Dr. Yang's gift to mankind is treasure for those who seek it.

I've been waiting literally for years for this disc to come out! I was very pleased with the outcome of all of Dr. Yang's efforts. The disc is well produced, with almost too much information, if that's even possible!? This is what has been missing from all other videos in the world teaching this very ancient form of Qi Gong...... proper instruction! Dr. Yang imparts quite a lot of detailed information on relaxation, mood, beathing, and even a large section taught by one of his students on the relationship of the 5 Animals to the 5 Elements in Chinese medical theory and which organs they affect. The 5 sounds for the 5 organs are introduced as well. It's absolutely a wonderful disc if for only the information alone! The disc is well over two hours long, so the instruction is more than enough.

...To sum things up, I couldn't recommend this disc enough! Dr. Yang's teaching style is very warm and personal. After just one viewing you will know so much about Qi Gong and Chinese medicine that you'll be the center of attention at your next party! Just be sure to dress as your favorite animal....the monkey maybe?

This DVD covers the 5 Animal Sports Qigong set that displays the movements and spirit of the Tiger, Bear, Monkey, Deer and Bird. Master Yang's daughter Kathy Yang helps to perform the set with her father. These five routines are far from short and simple. They are complex and long. Each of them in their own right would be a wonderful Qigong routine.

One of the important aspects of doing Qigong, Taijiquan and many other internal martial arts is intent. Without intent the moves become empty in meaning and lack focus, balance, rooting and power. These Qigong routines display the characteristics and spirit of the five animals, which brings life to these routines.

The DVD starts with a lecture by Master Yang on the history of the Five Animal Sports Qigong set. This is followed by discussions of the healing sounds, and their relationship to the Five Elements.

The five animals have their own sound in these routines and are linked to the five yin organs, the liver, kidney, spleen, heart and lungs. Emotions and their link and effect on the organs is explained. These sounds are not some imaginary creation. Master Yang provides concrete examples of how we use these sounds in everyday life. The panting a runner does after a long run is similar to the sound He, which is related to the heart and to the monkey. The He sound is used to release the fire of the heart.

Master Yang has always had a wonderful ability to relate the movements and postures he is teaching to real life actions that people do on a daily basis. This allows the student to immediately grasp the concepts by relating things they are already familiar with to the new routines and skills.

Unlike Taijiquan, which doesn't require much warm up before doing the form, the Five Animal Sports Qigong routines are quite heavy on stretching and a warm up prior to practicing the routines is highly recommended. Master Yang discusses how first you stretch, then move around to loosen things up, and then one can move the stretch deeper into the body to the ligaments and tendons.

After teaching the five routines, they are then performed continuously by Kathy Yang and four other students of Master Yang. The routines are long, complex and very complete. I've been slowly learning the routines from the DVD and feel that this is a stand-out-from-the-pack Qigong form that has many benefits to the practitioner. As always, David Silver's quality production and directing presents this DVD information in a very effective and pleasing to watch format. Highly recommended.