I Started Five Animal Frolics From Where Winds Meet
Where Winds Meet has given this blerdy girl so many gems—from beautiful scenery in a fantastic world to explore, exciting gameplay, fascinating storytelling, and learning to play Mahjong and Madiao to beautifully presented history lessons. And now, a new low-impact workout routine. Stay with me.
Where Winds Meet has a lot of mini-games and they are all tied to China’s rich history and culture. One of the mini-games is a multiplayer event called The Five Animal Frolics. My character uses the Panacea fan, a healing weapon that embodies the supportive, restorative path. The Five Animal Frolics event feels like a natural extension of the healer role. While the fan mends wounds, the Frolics prevent them, promoting internal balance and long-term wellness. It’s the difference between being a combat medic and a wellness coach, and I love that the game lets me explore both (check out my dual fan build here).
The Five Animal Frolics event takes place in multiplayer mode where you join other players in Qinghe to participate in a group exercise where you perform the movements of five animals: Tiger, Deer, Bear, Monkey, and Crane. When you begin, the music changes and it’s just a relaxing event that earns you Righteousness points.
I found myself mimicking the movements while sitting at my desk. And then I thought to myself: this game is full of history and culture. I wonder if The Five Animal Frolics is an actual routine, because it looks a lot like Tai Chi. And sure enough, it really is.
Where Winds Meet character doing Five Animal Frolics
I Wanted to Learn Tai Chi—But Didn’t Know Where to Start
I have wanted to learn Tai Chi for years but for one reason or another, I couldn’t. I was too busy with work and/or life or there were no facilities offering lessons nearby. Now, I live in a remote area, and my budget is currently a bit tight (no, I do not make a lot of money running GNL). And the lessons I found online just felt disconnected or too advanced. Even the Qigong lessons I found felt a bit advanced for me in how they were presented in my search.
Since moving back to the U.S., I’ve gained so much weight, my energy levels are always on low, and managing my overall wellness, physical, mental, and emotional—has been an absolute struggle bus.
So, imagine my surprise when I learned that The Five Animal Frolics is an actual system of movement from Traditional Chinese Medicine. The Chinese government even standardized Wu Qin Xi as one of the four major Health Qigong practices (alongside others like Ba Duan Jin).
What the Five Animal Frolics Actually Are
The Five Animal Frolics, also known as Wu Qin Xi, are a real system of movement from Traditional Chinese Medicine, developed nearly 2,000 years ago by the physician Hua Tuo (c. 140–208 CE) during the Eastern Han Dynasty.
Hua Tuo’s story is really cool. He grew up poor and, at the age of seven years old, worked at an herbal pharmacy to support his family. He not only became the known as the first surgeon in Chinese medicine, but he also invented surgical anesthesia, Ma Fei San (Numbing and Boiling Powder). He was one of the most innovative physicians in Chinese history.
Hua Tuo noticed a pattern of chronic illness due to lack of physical activity. The body needs movement, not to exhaustion, but to stay alive, balanced, and well. So, instead of focusing on only treating illnesses, he began to focus on prevention.
And his solution? Movement inspired by animals. Hua Tuo drew inspiration from Daoist longevity practicesknown as Daoyin, including references to "bear stretching" and "bird extending" found in the philosophical classic Zhuangzifrom the 4th century BCE. From this, he created a systematic set of exercises.
| Animal | Chinese | Organ Connection | Key Movement Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tiger | 虎 (Hǔ) | Liver | Powerful pouncing motions to soothe liver qi |
| Deer | 鹿 (Lù) | Kidney | Gentle, graceful extensions to strengthen lower back |
| Bear | 熊 (Xióng) | Spleen | Steady, swaying motions to regulate digestion |
| Monkey | 猴 (Hóu) | Heart | Agile, quick, playful actions to calm the mind |
| Crane (Bird) | 鹤 (Hè) | Lungs | Light, expansive wing-like motions to boost respiratory health |
Though The Five Animal Frolics are not exactly a form of Tai Chi, they come from the same family free. They are medical Qigong.
Why I Started Doing It in Real Life
While participating in the Five Animal Frolics event in the game, I began to mimic the hand movements, and then the body movements. And then I started learning how to do the actual movements.
Listen. I’m a writer working from home, and a gamer and a homebody who loves to travel. So, I don’t really leave my house unless it’s for essentials or to catch a flight. So, I need the extra physical activity. It’s not enough for me to just go for a walk (I honestly hate walking or running with no destination).
But this was something very adjacent to what I’ve always wanted to learn and, in a way, a gateway to learning how to do it. No equipment needed. No class. Just me, my room, and my game showing me the movements, almost like Wii Fit. (Do people still use Wii Fit?) And it feels good.
The Science Behind It (Yes, There’s Research)
I’m prediabetic. And stubborn. I like what I like, and I don’t like what I don’t like. But I also know I need to keep moving and needed to find something that fits me. Sure, there are a lot of exercises and systems out there. Wu Qin Xi is something that really spoke to me on a molecular level. Though it is not a martial art like Taijiquan, but it’s from the same family and a form of movement that allows me to mentally be still.
The Five Animal Frolics aren’t just about imitating animal postures. Each animal corresponds to specific internal organs in Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, creating a comprehensive system for whole-body health.
Studies on Wu Qin Xi have shown potential benefits like:
Improved insulin sensitivity
Reduced inflammation
Better gut health
Lower cholesterol and triglycerides
Support for weight and metabolic regulation
"Wu Qin Xi can reduce insulin resistance by increasing adiponectin levels, decreasing inflammatory cytokine activity, improving gut microbiota, and enhancing metabolic levels." — Hong et al., 2024
Most of the research focuses on type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome, but the implications are clear. This kind of low-impact, consistent movement can play a real role in long-term health.
And unlike high-intensity workouts, it’s something people are more likely to stick with.
Why This Works For Me When Other Workouts Didn’t (For Me)
I’ve tried quite a few workout routines and, let me just be honest, I am not great at sticking to routines that feel like work. I get bored easily. I like lifting weights, but that’s not all I want to do.
Many routines are just hard for some people to maintain, for whatever reason. But The Five Animal Frolics may be a bit different for some, like it is for me, in addition to just general interest.
The Five Animal Frolics:
Require no equipment
Require no gym
Is low impact
Is flexible time commitment
Is Easy to start, hard to quit
For me, at least, it doesn’t feel like punishment. It feels like meditation.
How I Started Practicing (Beginner-Friendly)
I didn’t start with an hour-long routine. The game’s event is only 2-3 minutes long. So, I started with that. Here’s what I’ve been doing:
10-Minute Beginner Routine
2 minutes– Warm Up: Stand naturally, feet hip-width apart. Gently roll shoulders, circle wrists
2 minutes -Tiger: Soften knees. Inhale, "gather" hands toward ribs. Exhale, press forward with palms as if pushing through something heavy. Feel your back engage.
2 minutes - Bear:Hands at belly height. Sway side to side, allowing hips to circle gently. Imagine you're a bear moving through a forest—slow, steady, grounded.
2 minutes – Crane: Inhale, arms float out and up like wings. Exhale, arms drift down. If balanced, rise slightly onto the balls of your feet as arms lift.
2 minutes – Closing: Rest hands below navel. Stand quietly. Notice how your body feels. Take three more slow breaths.
Then, I found Five Animal Frolics lesson on Youtube that is mad easy to follow. No pressure to be perfect. Just showing up and having fun.
A Quick Note If You’re Trying This for Health Reasons
If you’re dealing with pre-diabetes, diabetes, or any medical condition:
Talk to your doctor first. I am not a medical professional, and this is not a replacement for any type of medical care. I’m just a blerd who found a routine that works for me.
When a Video Game Becomes Something More
I don’t typically play video games looking for a solution to real world problems, outside of needing a distraction. It is, however, a wonderful coincidence when I happen across a game that does offer more than just a great game.
Where Winds Meet ended up giving me something a starting point for something I’ve always wanted to do. Wu Qin Xi is not just for movement, but for reconnecting with my body in a way that feels sustainable.
The Five Animal Frolics aren’t just a mini-game. They’re a reminder that wellness doesn’t have to be extreme to be effective. Sometimes, it just has to be consistent. And sometimes, it starts in the most unexpected place.
