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.   

Copyright 2007 Patrick H. Dickson • All Rights Reserved