In the Qingnian Park of Shenyang city, Sadaf was dressed in a traditional Chinese exercise attire. Under the guidance of her teacher, she was concentrated on learning the traditional Chinese fitness exercise known as “the Five Animal Frolics”. From the ferocity of the “Tiger Frolic” to the tranquility of the “Deer Frolic”, followed by the composure of the “Bear Frolic”, the agility of the “Ape Frolic”, and the gracefulness of the “Bird Frolic”, Sadaf meticulously imitated her teacher’s movements, striving to capture the essence of each gesture.

Sadaf comes from Iran and has already resided in Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, for four years. Now, she is a freshman at Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Initially drawn by the fascination with Chinese traditional culture, Sadaf embarked on her journey to Shenyang to study Chinese. Being in a foreign country brought her immense pressure, and a sudden onset of migraine nearly overwhelmed her. She tried various methods to alleviate the pain, yet none seemed to meet her needs. Fortunately, recommended by a Chinese friend, Sadaf tried traditional Chinese acupuncture therapy. “After three months of acupuncture treatments, my migraine symptoms miraculously disappeared”, exclaimed Sadaf with excitement. “Traditional Chinese medicine is truly remarkable, and I benefit from it a lot. From that moment on, I nurtured the aspiration to learn about traditional Chinese medicine.”

Later, upon completing her Chinese language studies, Sadaf chose to stay in Shenyang to pursue her studies in traditional Chinese medicine. Throughout her learning, she encountered the traditional fitness exercise known as “The Five Animal Frolics”. “My previous understanding of traditional Chinese medicine was limited to therapies such as acupuncture and massage,” said Sadaf. “However, the Five Animal Frolics, which harmonize the body by imitating the movements of the tiger, deer, bear, ape and bird, embody the traditional Chinese medicine philosophy of ‘uniting man and nature as one, cultivating one’s moral characters and nature’. It is both intriguing and effective, and many modern people’s sub-health issues can be ameliorated through practicing this exercise.”

“The Five Animal Frolics emphasize the strengthening the five internal organs and the cultivation of ‘Qi (life energy)’. Each frolic focuses on a specific aspect. The Tiger Frolic nourishes the liver; The Deer Frolic strengthens the kidneys; The Bear Frolic benefits the spleen; The Ape Frolic invigorates the heart; and the Bird Frolic moisturizes the lungs. I consider the Bear Frolic to be the most challenging, requiring high levels of bodily coordination and strength. In contrast, the Bird Frolic is relatively simpler. Every time I finish practicing the Bird Frolic, I feel a sense of joy and tranquility,” said Sadaf.

In Liaoning, Sadaf has not only gained knowledge in traditional Chinese medicine, but also found true love. Her husband, also an Iranian, is involved in import and export business and has been residing in Shenyang for 13 years. “My husband is very supportive of my studies in traditional Chinese medicine, and we have made Shenyang our home. His companionship has given me endless motivation,” said Sadaf with a radiant smile. “I heard that the views of the Five Animal Frolics have surpassed 300 million on the internet, especially garnering popularity among the ‘Generation Z’ both domestically and internationally. I am determined to master the Five Animal Frolics and showcase them to my relatives and friends in Iran, so they can also experience the mysteries and charms of traditional Chinese medicine.”