Change your life with the 5 Tibetan Rites

Yoga is one of the most wonderful things we can do for our overall being focussing on wellness of mind as well as wellness of body. If you are keen to apply a yoga practice to your life and want to maintain a lean, healthy, supple body whilst promoting your overall health then the following rituals may well change your daily life!

Not all of us have the luxury of the space or time in our daily routine to incorporate the intense practices which can range between one and one and a half hours. So how can we fit yoga into our lives without changing up our entire rhythm? Ever heard of the 5 Tibetan Rites? Also known as the “Fountain of Youth” the rites are a series of five or six exercises which are repeated twenty-one times. It is simple, effective, claims to transform your mobility and flexibility if practiced religiously and can be done in the comfort of your own home.

The potential health benefits of practicing the 5 Tibetan Rites

• Increased mobility
• Increased energy
• Increased flexibility
• Improved sleep patterns
• More effective digestion
• Improved mental clarity
• Promotion of weight loss
• Promotion of calmness
• Improved libido
• Increased spinal flexibility
• Healthier circulation and arteries
• Lower cholesterol

All of these help to promote longevity and maintain a more youthful body and mind as we age.

How do we do it?

Yoga is something that can be done anywhere and everywhere. You just need a surface that can accommodate your size and space enough to move. You don’t necessary need a mat but a hard surface will not permit some of the positions and may feel too uncomfortable. Comfortable clothing which allows every part of you to move freely is also recommended. To practice the five rites requires only fifteen minutes from start to finish ultimately making this a daily routine that is achievable.

5 Tibetan Rites

MOVE 1

Stretch your arms out to the side with your palms facing downwards, place your feet hip-distance apart and make a full turn in a clockwise direction. Slightly dip the head to prevent dizziness and repeat this 21 times.

MOVE 2

Lay on your back, arms by your sides, palms facing downwards. Inhale and lift your legs (straight, not bent at the knee) and head at the same time. Try not to raise your shoulders or bend your back, simply lift the head and legs. Exhale and lay back on the floor. Repeat 21 times.

MOVE 3

Sit in a kneeling position with your feet shoulder-distance apart, resting your hands palms-down on your thighs. As you inhale let your head slowly fall back opening up the chest. Exhale as you slowly bring your head back up. Repeat 21 times.

MOVE 4

Sit with your feet planted on the ground, knees bent. Place your palms down at your sides. Inhale and lift your whole body into a table-like position allowing your head to drop back so that you are looking straight up at the sky. Exhale and release back to sitting. Repeat 21 times.

MOVE 5

Position yourself in upward-facing dog (see picture) and as you inhale move into downward-facing dog. Exhale and return to upward-facing dog. Repeat 21 times.

The sixth move is an optional addition which is claimed to improve libido and sexual endurance…

MOVE 6

Stand straight, feet together and release all the air within you. Then bend over towards your toes and inhale back to standing. You can also add a shoulder stand, headstand or plough pose to this series if you feel so inclined!

A Japanese study revealed that spinal flexibility, which this practice promotes and improves, in turn predicts arterial youthfulness independent of overall fitness and muscular strength. Arterial flexibility and aortic stiffness are also positively affected by this type of yoga. The stiffness of our aorta purports to both heart disease as well as dementia. Keeping a supple spine will also help to ward off back injuries and pains.

I personally intend to give this anti-ageing practice a solid go and will report back with any measurable positive results should I experience any. Within 2-4 months there should be a notable difference if practiced daily, during which I hope to maintain a youthful body, mind and spirit as the Tibetan’s promise!