Vol 9, Issue 3/2002

As Light as a Crane

Hexiang Zhuang Qigong – The multifaceted Qigong of the circling crane. By Petra Hinterthür

The roots of Crane Qigong, developed in the 1960s, reach back to the well-known animal exercises of the doctor Hua Tuo in the third century AD. Five set movement sequences serve to strengthen the Qi and direct it into the meridians, and also to harmonize the body as a whole. The special feature of this Qigong – a subsequent phase of involuntary movement triggered by the energy in the body – is attributed with a strong healing effect. On the other hand, it is the reason why some authorities in China regard Crane Qigong as problematic. Petra Hinterthür, who has over 19 years’ experience with this Qigong system, describes Hexiang Zhuang Qigong as a highly inspiring route to the »crane qualities« such as lightness, stamina and gracefulness, and to the longevity symbolized by the crane.

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