The Monkey is light, playful and loves to move. The Monkey helps loosen joints and opens blockages of blood or qi
The Monkey Stance (MS) is like the Crane with heels together, loose joints, and hands loosely held in an empty fist with thumbs over middle finger nail below the Lower Dantien (LDT) above the groin. The Monkey has no static pose, always moving and the breath is natural and not coordinated with the movements.
l)Monkey hands: From Monkey stance. reach both hands F with fingers extended as R foot extends F/gather qi back to MS/ROS
2)Holding Branch: Reach hands, curl R wrist F as L wrist retracts B to hold branch/gather qi back to MS/ROS
3)Crouch and Hide: Repeat above, back foot crosses F, back knee into
upper calf/ upper band fans in front of face and lower hands circles behind/step and gather qi to MS/ROS.
4)Monkey Offers Fruit a) step R foot F, R hand offers at shoulder height, other hand at mid-arm/ open foot, step and gather qi at MS/ROS. b) Same but both hands offer shoulder height. c) Same but both hands offer under chin, wrists touching as if holding bowl to feed.
5)Inviting Monkey: Monkey offers a), steps back foot to instep posting as wrists rotate out holding qi ball/open door and foot/step offer bowl.
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 FrolicsĀ° 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 FrolicsĀ® was taught to Kenneth Cohen by taichi and qi gong instructor Dan Farber of Kentfield, Ca. who shared this wealth of information to Dove.