Five Animal Frolics

Name: Five Animal Frolics
ISBN: 9787513292283

何清湖 / 龙专 / 刘文海China Press of Traditional Chinese Medicine · ChinaSep 2026

3.7

Word count: 12K words
Chapters: 19
ISBN: 9787513292283

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Summary

This series brings together Chinese health-preservation exercises, covering the essence of traditional Chinese regimens. Each book uses professional models to demonstrate every movement, with concise text explaining technical essentials, precautions, and health benefits. Pocket-sized and full-color, it also includes digital features: scan the QR code to watch instructional videos and learn to use the exercises well for health. The series serves as recommended reading on TCM health preservation for nationwide reading. In a 48-format size, it is a pocket companion for reading anytime, anywhere.

Editor's review

This book turns Five-Animal Frolics (Wuqinxi) from something you've heard of into something you can practice correctly. Its three authors have professional backgrounds in traditional Chinese medicine, and the writing is down-to-earth rather than mystifying: they break down the five frolics—tiger, deer, bear, monkey, and bird—into the technical essentials, cautions, and therapeutic rationale of each and every movement, so readers can clearly understand what each movement trains and how to avoid practicing it wrong. The book uses professional models for demonstration and is presented as a full-color pocket edition; its 48mo format makes it easy to carry, and by scanning QR codes readers can also watch videos, effectively pairing written explanations with dynamic demonstrations. It suits being kept by the bedside, on the office desk, or in a travel bag—ten-odd minutes of practice a day is easier to sustain than reading long theoretical discussions. One caution: this book is positioned as an introductory and standardized guide to health-preserving exercises, not a treatment manual to replace medical diagnosis; if you have bone or joint problems or cardiovascular conditions, consult a doctor before following along. Overall, it is a TCM health-preserving book that balances professionalism with everyday usability, suitable for ordinary readers who want to learn Five-Animal Frolics systematically but worry about getting the movements wrong.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Introductory health-preserving readers who want to systematically learn the technical essentials of Five-Animal Frolics
Middle-aged and older practitioners who need a portable book to consult and follow anytime
Self-learners who want video support to correct their movements
Readers interested in traditional Chinese exercises who want to understand their therapeutic rationale

Not a good fit for

Readers seeking in-depth TCM theory or academic textual research
People hoping to use this book in place of disease diagnosis and treatment
Readers with severely limited mobility who cannot follow the movements

Reading tips

First read through the technical essentials and cautions, then scan the QR codes to compare the video with your movements, rather than merely imitating the pictures.
Practice one frolic for ten to fifteen minutes a day, rotating through tiger, deer, bear, monkey, and bird in order; this is easier to master than learning all five at once and then adding more;
Before practicing, note the contraindications and bodily-response warnings marked in the book; if discomfort occurs, stop immediately and consult a doctor.
Keep the pocket edition in a fixed place and, together with the scanned videos, review your movements once a week to gradually correct details.

About the publisher

China Press of Traditional Chinese Medicine China · Founded in 1989

China Press of Traditional Chinese Medicine focuses on publishing books in traditional Chinese medicine, covering Chinese medical classics, clinical medicine, acupuncture and tuina, materia medica and formulae, and medical history and literature; its catalogue includes 3,277 titles. Representative books include Xiao Er Yao Zheng Zhi Jue, Shang Han Lun, Yi Xue Zhong Zhong Can Xi Lu, Zhen Jiu Da Cheng, Yi Zong Jin Jian, and Guo Aichun's Annotated Huangdi Neijing Suwen (Second Edition). These works involve writings by historical physicians such as Qian Yi, Zhang Zhongjing, Wang Shuhe, and Zhang Xichun, as well as documentary studies compiled by contemporary authors including Zhao Xin, Zhen Xueyan, Zhang Yongtai, and Wang Xiangang. In terms of publishing characteristics, the press emphasizes collation and annotation of original Chinese medical classics and the systematic presentation of famous physicians' works, balancing the transmission of ancient editions with reference for clinical application. Public information is limited, and no other publishing fields are covered here.

版权信息
《全民阅读·中华养生功法进家庭丛书》编委会
《五禽戏》编委会
丛书序言
前言
第一章功法概述
第二章功法功理
起势
虎戏·虎举
虎戏·虎扑
鹿戏·鹿抵
鹿戏·鹿奔
熊戏·熊运
熊戏·熊晃
猿戏·猿啼
猿戏·猿摘
鸟戏·鸟伸
鸟戏·鸟飞
收势·引气归元

FAQ

Is this book suitable for complete beginners to self-study?

Yes. The book includes demonstrations by professional models, concise written explanations, and scannable videos, and it covers everything from technical essentials and cautions to therapeutic rationale, so beginners can follow the videos alongside the text step by step. It is recommended to start with one frolic rather than learning all five at once, and to add more content once the movements are proficient.

Are the scannable videos mandatory? Can I learn just by reading the book?

The text and pictures help you understand the framework of the movements, but exercise practice places relatively high demands on posture, rhythm, and breathing coordination; videos visually present the dynamic process and reduce deviations from imitating pictures. It is recommended to watch the videos at least during the first pass of learning each movement, and afterward use the written cues to support review.

Can people with chronic illnesses or joint problems practice directly by following the book?

This book is a guide to health-preserving exercises and cannot replace medical diagnosis. People with chronic illnesses, bone or joint problems, or cardiovascular disease should first consult a doctor to confirm whether practice is suitable and which movements need adjustment. If pain, dizziness, or other discomfort occurs during practice, stop immediately and do not force yourself to complete the movements.

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About the author

何清湖 Author

He Qinghu is an author with an extensive body of work in traditional Chinese medicine, with 58 titles held in the collection, commonly classified under medicine, examinations, and health. Due to limited publicly available information, details of his life, such as birthplace, education, and positions, remain unknown. Judging from the existing works, his writing covers fields including TCM andrology, clinical syndrome differentiation and treatment, medicinal and edible herbs, TCM formula granules, and the application of new-type herbal decoction pieces. His output includes both practical clinical handbooks and theoretical reflections on the study and philosophy of TCM, and also involves research on Mawangdui health-preservation culture and the compilation of a national master physician's clinical experience. Overall, his works combine academic substance with practical application, making them suitable for TCM practitioners, students, and readers interested in health preservation.

龙专 Author

Long Zhuan is an author about whom public information is currently limited. Two works are known under this name, both in the health and medicine category. The representative works are Five Animal Frolics (Wu Qin Xi) and Health-Preserving Exercises: Mawangdui Daoyin Portable Cards, both centered on traditional Chinese health-preserving exercises. The Five Animal Frolics is a daoyin practice said to imitate the movements of the tiger, deer, bear, monkey, and bird, while the Mawangdui daoyin exercises derive from the daoyin diagram unearthed from the Mawangdui Han tomb; both are classic subjects in Chinese medicine health preservation and self-conditioning. Long Zhuan's writing clearly focuses on introducing and practically disseminating these exercises, and the "portable card" format suggests an emphasis on easy reference and daily practice. Because public information is limited, the author's nationality, dates, education, and positions cannot be confirmed, and readers can only infer the author's professional direction from the subject matter of these works.

刘文海 Author

Liu Wenhai is an author about whom limited public information is available. His work spans two subject areas: health and traditional wellness, and local history and culture. Among the two titles held in the collection, Wuqinxi (Five-Animal Exercises) deals with a traditional Chinese regimen for health and fitness and is aimed at general readers who wish to learn about or practice this exercise method. Shaanbei Historical and Cultural Celebrities turns to the field of biography, focusing on notable historical and cultural figures from northern Shaanxi and serving as a popular compilation of local humanities. The considerable distance between these two subjects suggests that his writing combines practical health knowledge with regional cultural documentation. Because no clear records of his dates of birth and death, nationality, or professional career are available, it is difficult to sketch a complete biography; only the general direction of his interests can be inferred from the subjects and categories of his works.