The Deer symbolizes relaxed elegance, beauty, fluidity of movement and consciousness. Practicing the Deer strengthens the Lower Damien (LDT), strengthens the bones and balances sexual vitality.
The Deer Stance (DS) is like the Crane and Monkey, with the heels together and empty fists gathering qi to the sexual organs and LDT.
- Deer Meditation: From DS, extend R empty foot F as push both palms
F/ Hold posture for 7 breaths with elongated spine, being aware of
movement of the breath as if the deer/ step F to ROS. - Graceful Deer: From DS, extend R empty foot F as both arms extend/
SW F elongating as R arm F facing MDT and L palm facing LDT/
gather qi at LDT to DS and ROS - Bowing Deer: From graceful deer elongating Fl SW B on L foot.
opened back with L hand on hip and bowing over R leg with R palm
facing to the R toe (keep knee joint soft)/ gather qi to DS /ROS - Male Deer: From DS lift R foot to L knee (balance) as lift antler fists
over head, step R foot making T-step at L toe, twist to right as L knee
sinks into R calf/ DS ROS - Deer Walk Extend empty R foot and L arm forward, open R foot
SW/ROS
After practicing the Five Animal Frolics, it is recommended that one do standing meditation or walking then Sitting Meditation for a few minutes to reap in the full benefits from this qigong practice.
“The Five Animal Frolics° was written by Kenneth Cohen and excerpts were taken from his book, The Way of Oigong, and from his video tape on the Five Animal Frolics. The movement descriptions are short hand notes prepared by Dove Govrin.
The qigong form, The Five Animals Frolics® was taught to Kenneth Cohen by taichi and qi gong instructor Dan Farber of Kentfield, Ca. who shared this wealth of information to Dove.