The 5 Tibetan Rites

The Tibetan monks had five yoga based moves that they did every day to stay in optimum health.

They also believed that practicing these 5 exercises every day was their key to the fountain of youth! More than 2,500 years old, each exercise has many strengthening benefits that with consistent practice will keep your body strong, preventing the common problems that come with aging. They will help maintain your equilibrium so that you keep your balance. Strengthen your core to keep your frame solid. Create flexibility in your back to keep you agile and open-minded. Build strength and stamina so that you stay ahead of the aging process. Most of all, the Tibetans claim that these five exercises activate the seven Chakras that stimulate all the glands of your endocrine system. Your endocrine system is responsible for the proper function of all your organs which in turn will affect your aging process and keep you young!  Start by doing 3 sets of each pose a day. Gradually increasing to a maximum of 21 each.

1. Spin clockwise with your arms out to your sides, parallel to the ground.

2. Start lying flat on the ground then lift your legs straight up to the sky and bring your chin to your chest. Then return your legs and head to the ground and repeat.

3. Come onto your knees into camel pose and lift your chest to the sky, arching your back but drawing your tailbone down. Continue drawing your tailbone down and bring your chin to your chest. Then lift your chest back to the sky and repeat.

4. Start sitting with your legs straight out in front of you and your palms flat on the floor. Reach your hips to the sky, feet flat on the floor come up into a table top position. Then return to the ground and repeat.

5. Start in downward facing dog then transition into upward facing dog. Continue a rhythm with your own breath.

* ~ "People suffer because they are caught in their views. As soon as we release those views, we are free and we don't suffer anymore." ~ Nhat Hanh