In the West, we have a fascination with ancient cultures and their spirituality. Part of that fascination is the idea that we can learn from Eastern traditions. The idea of yoga is a powerful part of that fascination, as it is a practice we can easily learn, and it can be an important part in our lives.
Before we turn our attention to the five Tibetan rites, there is a yoga that perhaps deserves an introduction or two. It’s called Vajrayana, and it is the most ancient of all the yoga traditions. It was developed in the 8th century BCE, long before the more famous yoga of Patanjali, that has become the standard for all of its variants. The Vajrayana was practiced in South Asia, especially in Tibet, and spread to China and to parts of Europe.
The Five Tibetan Rites are a set of five easy kriyas (movements involving two or more postures) that can be performed in about 20 minutes and will help you live the long, healthy life of a Tibetan Monk. Look at the Dalai Lama: he doesn’t want to seem as youthful, active, and joyful as he is!
The Five Tibetan Rites, often known as the Five Tibetans or the Fountain of Youth exercises, are said to be over 2,500 years old. Consider it! We are currently in the year 2013, therefore they are almost 500 years older than our current timekeeping system!
Their western roots are based on Peter Kelder’s book The Eye of Revelation, published in 1939. Kelder claims in this book to have met a former British army colonel who told him tales of living in a Tibetan temple (lamasery) and studying from Tibetan monks (Lamas).
In contemporary yoga terminology, the five sets of moves are known as a vinyasa flow. Vinyasa is defined as a sequence of two or more asanas (postures) with a transition that transforms the poses into dance or tai chi motions.
Colonel Bradford (not his actual name, but who wouldn’t want to be recognized as the creator of the Fountain of Youth?) recounts his travels in Tibet, where he met lamas who taught him the rhythmic motions that let the lamas live a healthy, strong, and long life. Although these rituals are believed to have been introduced to the west by Colonel Bradford after WWI, they have lately experienced a surge in popularity. Dr. Oz has promoted the Rites on his television program, as well as in many health publications and books.
Table of Contents
The Five Tibetan Rites Have Many Advantages
- Detoxification
- Chakras must be in balance.
- Reverse the effects of aging
- Good night’s sleep
- Improve your memory
- Mental and emotional well-being
- Relief from arthritis and joint discomfort
- Strength and coordination have improved.
Regarding the roots of the practice, Chris Kilham, a yoga instructor and author of The Five Tibetans (Healing Arts Press, 1994), says, “They may be from Nepal or northern India… They were shared by Tibetan lamas, according to the narrative; beyond that, I have no knowledge of their past. These exercises, in my opinion, are most likely Tibetan in origin. The problem at hand, however, is not the Five Tibetans’ ancestry. The idea is that [!their!] enormous potential benefit for individuals who would set up 10 minutes a day to practice is enormous.”
Whatever the practice’s roots, the Five Rites are powerful in their intensity. The rituals, if performed correctly and with breath and purpose, may bring about significant changes in the body and psyche.
The Exercise Program of the Five Rites
Precautions
If you’ve never done a rigorous workout or yoga program before, start gently. If you have any concerns about your health in connection to a new fitness regimen, see a physician. If you are overweight or have been inactive for a long time, wait until you have gained some strength and endurance before doing Rites #4 and #5.
To Start
Each exercise may have a maximum of 21 repetitions. It is not advised to perform more than 21 repetitions in a single day, since this may adversely impact your chakras and cause bodily imbalances. If you’re doing less than the maximum 21, attempt to finish on an odd number to assist with chakra alignment.
Remember that your breath is the foundation of all yoga movements. Move in sync with your breath, inhaling as you exert and exhaling as you relax. In addition, each of these postures has variants or adjustments that allow anybody to perform these exercises in some way.
Tibetan Spin is the first rite.
Stand tall with your arms out to the sides, horizontal to the ground and palms down. Alternatively, raise your index finger and spin while keeping your gaze on it. This alleviates the possibility of dizziness. Begin spinning in the direction that feels most natural to your body and mind. When you start to feel dizzy, count your spins and stop on an odd number, or finish all 21 revolutions.
Prone To Upward Staff Pose is the second rite
Lie face up on the floor with your palms on the ground. Tuck your chin into your chest and lift your head. Raise your legs vertically as you elevate your chin, knees straight and feet flexed. Return to the prone posture by slowly lowering your legs. Rep for a total of 21 times, synchronizing your breath with the action.
Rabbit to Camel Pose is the third rite.
Kneel on the floor, curling your toes under and tucking your brow down into your knees. Tuck your belly button up against your spine and arch your back (Rabbit Pose). As you utilize your abdominal muscles to make your body upright, slowly elevate your chest and stretch out through your head. To remind yourself to stretch through your spine, place your hands on the top of your buttocks muscles and apply slight pressure. Extend and expand your quadriceps, abdomen, and chest while lowering your head back (Camel Pose). Return to an upright posture by inhaling and lifting up through your chest. Rep from Rabbit to Rabbit to Rabbit to Rabbit to Rabbit to Rabbit to Rabbit to Rabbit to Rabbit to Rabbit to Rabbit to Rabbit to Rabbit to Rabbit
Staff to Upward Plank Pose is the fourth rite
Sit on the floor with your feet approximately hip width apart and your legs straight out in front of you (Staff Pose). Your fingers are pointing toward your feet, and your palms are on the floor. Lift your body so that your knees bend but your arms stay straight. Tuck your chin to your chest, lower your head back, and raise your body so that your knees bend but your arms remain straight. You should have the appearance of a table (or upside down table pose). You can also perform an upward plank, which involves keeping your legs straight while raising your center of gravity into an upward facing plank or an upside down push-up. Another change would be to do a bridge stance. Remember to utilize your ujjayi breath to get through them. Complete 21 repetitions or an odd number of repetitions.
Upward Dog To Downward Dog is the fifth rite
These are two common yoga postures that may be found in virtually every yoga session. You’ve all done these two fantastic postures a zillion times. Back and forth through the postures, focusing on your breath and alignment. Alternatively, you may perform upward puppy to child’s position (upward dog with the tops of your legs on the ground). Which is fantastic for your spine. Of course, these four sets of postures may be combined to make a total of 21.
Yoga is a system of physical and mental exercises, practiced in order to increase flexibility, strength, and balance. The five Rites: 1. Dharma Rites: Chants, prayers, and meditation that help one to focus on the divine in the natural world. 2. Chaturanga: A standing, forward bending pose, with hands in a ‘V’ shape. 3. Parivrtta: A sitting, reclining pose, with hands in the ‘U’ shape. 4. Supta: A lying, resting pose, with hands and knees together 5. Ardha Matsyendrasana: Half Lord of the Fishes Pose (a.k.a. the Plank Pose). Read more about 5 tibetan rites side effects and let us know what you think.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Five Tibetan Rites real?
Yes, the Five Tibetan Rites are real.
What do the 5 Tibetan Rites do?
The 5 Tibetan Rites are a set of Buddhist practices that help to reduce the effects of negative emotions like anger and jealousy. They also help to increase compassion, love, and wisdom.
How long does it take to do the 5 Tibetan Rites?
This depends on your skill level. The 5 Tibetan Rites are a series of exercises that can take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour or more, depending on the persons skill level.
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