Five Animals Play: About the Bear

The Bear is one of the five animals that are found in the Five Animals Qigong (Wu Qin Xi). The form is based on the Five Phase theory which describes the cyclical transformations of Yin and Yang using the icons of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water.
The Bear represents the Earth phase, which is often described in Five Phase theory as a pivot - the mid-point between the rising of Yang (Spring and Summer) and the increasing of Yin (Fall and Winter). In an agriculture society, it is also the time in the year when crops ripen and are ready for harvesting. Not surprisingly, this Phase corresponds in the body to the digestive system and is said to manifest in the muscles.
Being an Earth phase, the movements of the Bear are rounded and centered. Broad in structure it has the movement like a wide river. Power in the form comes from the hips and abdomen (similar to the core emphasized in Pilates). The joints of the body (especially the hips, shoulders and spine) are all rounded allowing the movements to travel through the muscles and soft tissue of the body rather than the bones or ligaments.
Intellect and thoughtfulness are the mental aspects represented by the Earth phase. In the same way that this phase is responsible of the digestion and assimilation of food, this phase also governs the assimilation of ideas.
Within Five Phase theory, there are several ways to describe the interaction between the phases. In TCM, a very important arrangement places the Earth in a central position. Fire is above, Water below with Metal & Wood on either side. This emphasizes the ability of the Earth to balance and support all of the other phases. Because of this, I view the Bear form as central to the Five Animals series of animals. Training the Bear will strengthen the body, keep the mind centred and build a strong foundation for other types of movement.