The Female and Male Deer Exercises

In ancient times, the Chinese were very observant of nature and how the animals fought and kept themselves healthy, so as to apply what they had observed. The exercises they observed ended forming what we know today as Qigong, which literally means "Energy Work". It was noted that different animals would do things that seemed to help their vitality or strength. Every animal seemed to represent a different aspect of health. Bears were strength and stability. Tigers were speed and agility. The Crane was noted for balance and relaxation (they sleep on one leg!). A particular animal that shows up a lot in the Qigong training is the deer because it is the ultimate representation of health, vigor, and vitality. It seems to possess boundless energy, and is constantly vigilant ('cuz it'd die if it wasn't!)

Here I am aiming at one area that the Chinese noticed about the deer. As they questioned why it seemed to possess such vitality and life they observed that the male deer seemed to keep flicking his tail against his testicles. This would obviously stimulate sexual energy, and anyone who practices energy cultivation may notice that sexual energy is very strong and effective in energy work. It doesn't have to be strictly for sex alone. In the Taoist tradition, this energy is known as Jing, the most physical of our energies.

As for the female deer, who didn't have testicles, they noticed that she would sleep with her hoof tucked tightly between her legs, another demonstration of the stimulation of sexual energy. And so, they decided to try forming new exercises around this idea.

The Chinese of old were not prude. The nation got screwed up when Confucius came along and put total authority with men and the government, oppressing the people and women in particular. Sex was then the big hush. But before that happened, the ancient Taoists were very open minded about sexuality, like many of the other cultures of the world before they were ruined by some fanatics who scared the kings into submission. The lesson is that if you control how people think of sexuality, then you have total control over them.

These two exercises being given are excellent for bettering overall health and vitality, but especially for any sexual issues. They also help to stimulate the Jing energy, which can later be very useful, particularly when practicing the Kuji Ho, as this system begins with that level of energy, which is based in the base of the spine.

Instead of writing out the exercises myself, I found an excellent site which tells of the practice of each. And why rewrite what has already been written well?

The Female Deer Exercise
The Male Deer Exercise