Your Five Tibetan Rites For Fitness and to Stay Young 

FIVE TIBETAN RITES

The Five Tibetan Rites are a short series of yoga-type exercises that first appeared in a book by Peter Kelder in the 1930s.

Kelder told how he had gotten to know a retired British army officer called Colonel Bradford who had recounted his travels in far off lands including a tale he had heard of a series of exercises or Rites practiced in a remote temple in Tibet that were believed to have rejuvenating properties, keeping the monks forever young.

Colonel Bradford soon returned to Asia to seek out the rejuvenating Rites for himself. When Kelder met him again a few years later, Bradford was transformed. Much of his balding hair had grown back, it was darker with less gray, and his arthritic stoop was gone. He seemed like a middle aged man instead of the old man that he had been. He showed Kelder how to perform the Rites and Kelder soon felt the benefit for himself.

We now know that the exercises have more in common with Indian yoga traditions than Tibetan, but wherever they came from, they certainly have a wonderful effect. If you practice them correctly you should begin to feel physical, emotional and spiritual benefits within a few weeks or even days.

Almost anyone can do the Five Tibetan Rites (but see the Important Note below if you have any health problems). They are quick and simple, requiring no special equipment.

It is best to start with just one of each Rite a day, increasing to 3, then 5, etc whenever you feel ready, up to a maximum of 21. Do not increase beyond 21 repetitions. There is no added benefit in doing more and it may have a negative effect.

If you are very unfit or overweight, start by doing exercises 1 through 3 only. Add in 4 and 5 (together) when you feel ready, starting with just one repetition of these even if you are doing more of the others.

It is very important to do the exercises in the correct order, and try to do them every day. Do not miss more than one day a week. If you do not have much time one day, you can cut back to 7, 3 or even one repetition of each. It is better to do just one than none.

Most people get maximum benefit by doing the exercises in the morning before breakfast but choose a time that is convenient for you. Always wait at least 2 hours after eating. You may want to do some gentle stretching to warm up the body before you start.

To get the best results, it is vital to do the Rites in full awareness of all of the movements. Breathe in as you go into an exercise and breathe out as you come out of it.

Try to keep a relaxed attitude of mind, and do not compare yourself with other people or think about how you are doing compared with yesterday or last week. All that matters is what your own body is doing, right now.

Doing the Rites slowly will help you to stay focused on your body. Do not over stretch or push your body to limits in any way - you should be comfortable all through your session.

The exercises are fully described on the next page, titled '5 Tibetan Rites: The Exercises'.

Important Note:

If you have heart problems, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, hyperthyroid, high blood pressure, vertigo or dizziness, or any other chronic or serious health issue, you should not do the Five Tibetan Rites without first consulting your doctor.

Editor
My Health Articles.co.uk