The Five Tibetan Exercises are a series of five exercises that are said to be beneficial for the mind, body, and soul. The exercises are said to be easy to do and can be done anywhere. The Five Tibetan Exercises were popularized in America by Peter Kelder.
Kelder was a student of Tibetan Buddhism and he learned the exercises from his teacher, Sogyal Rinpoche. Kelder wrote a book about the exercises called "The Five Tibetan Rites" and it became a bestseller, introducing this simple set of exercises to people around the world.
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Kelder's book helped to introduce the Five Tibetan Exercises to a wider audience and they have become a popular form of exercise for people of all ages. The exercises are said to be beneficial for a variety of reasons, including improving flexibility, increasing strength, boosting energy levels, relieving stress, and improving circulation.
The Five Tibetan Rites
1. Spining
Stand with your feet together and your arms stretched horizontally at shoulder height. Spin clockwise, with your arms outstretched and your head held high. As you spin, visualize the energy in your body swirling around and becoming more vibrant.
2. Leg raises
Lie on your back with your arms at your sides, palms down. Raise your legs straight up into the air, keeping your knees straight. Hold for a few seconds, then slowly lower your legs back down.
3. Dynamic Camel
Come to a kneeling position. As you inhale, arch your spine, slide your hands down the back of your thighs and tip the head slightly back. Next, allow the body to come slowly down to a 'sagging' position. Bring the head up, causing it to be drawn as far back as possible.
4. Moving tabletop
Come into a seated position with your legs straight in front of you. Place your hands flat on the floor in front of your hips. As you inhale, lift your hips up off the floor, bringing your body into a straight line from your head to your heels. As you exhale, lower your hips back down to the floor.
5. Downward Dog to Upward Dog
Come into a Downward Facing Dog pose, pressing your hands into the floor and lifting your hips up and back. As you exhale, bend your knees and slowly lower your body down to the floor into a Push-up position. As you inhale, lift your body back up into a Downward Facing Dog pose.
The Five Tibetan Exercises are said to be beneficial for a variety of reasons, including:
• Improving flexibility
• Increasing strength
• Boosting energy levels
• Relieving stress
• Improving circulation
• Promoting overall well-being
If you are new to the Five Tibetan Exercises, it is important to start slowly and gradually increase the intensity of your workouts. You should also listen to your body and stop if you feel any pain.
Sources - Learn more
1. www.ekhartyoga.com/articles/practice/5-tibetan-rites
2. www.scribd.com/document/74748864/Eye-of-Revelation-The-1939-by-Peter-Kelder
3. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Tibetan_Rites