|
 |
 |
 |
| |
 |
 |
|
| |
 |
 |
 |
| |
 |
 |
 |
| |
 |
| Enjoy all the benefits of T5T. Learn how by
selecting from list below. |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1. Has anyone discovered any history or proof of the origins of The Five Tibetan Rites of Rejuvenation? Could it be fiction?
It is unlikely we will ever find the original developers of The Five Tibetan Rites of Rejuvenation. When China invaded Tibet, in the 1950's, they destroyed numerous monasteries, ancient spiritual texts and sacred images, and with it the chance of discovering the true source of the Rites. Out of 6,259 monasteries and nunneries in the whole of Tibet, only eight remain undestroyed. (Source: Dept of Culture & Religion, Tibetan Government-In-Exile).
It is a valid question and one often asked. I have read the original text (The Eye of Revelation published in 1939), which tells the story of Colonel Bradford's discovery of the monks. Although the story is interesting, it is written in a what I would call a charming, rather naive and simplistic way, as if the author (relating the travels of Colonel Bradford) finds it all rather 'magical'. Because it is so simplistic, I don't believe the author would have been a yoga teacher.
Esoteric practices in the 1930's... more
2. Why would I pay for your T5T materials when information on "The Five Tibetan Rites of Rejuvenation" is freely available online?
The first question you should ask is if the material is from someone who has taught lots of people. It is easy to have a personal practice and think you are an expert.
However in teaching thousands of people I have discovered that people have all sorts of left/right muscle imbalances or weaknesses; previous history of injury, recurring back or neck pain, non diagnosed degeneration of the spine, postural variances, lack of co-ordination or inability to perform the original postures as described.
It is important to understand that the monks probably did these movements from a young age and lived a much more menial lifestyle that us largely sedentary Westerners!
When I started teaching the original version I noticed a recurring pattern in some people of lower back and neck pain. I consulted numerous other health professionals such as physiotherapists, osteopaths, chiropractors, occupational health, Iyengar, Pilates and Feldenkrais instructors to find the best and safest way to teach this ancient program - so a lifetime of practice could be safely achieved.
I tried all their ideas out in the living laboratories of my classrooms and the result is T5T. The problems of the past were completely eliminated if people follow the T5T step-by-step strength development program as described.
My book and DVD are the culmination of this knowledge in teaching to so many people.
I have not seen any information online that is anything other than a copy of the original booklet by Peter Kelder. This booklet is a great story of the history of the Rites (that I highly recommend you read.
However in terms of a teaching aid, it is has only 2 photos per movement and minimal description of how to perform each movement. This is insufficient information for most sedentary westerners who need to know what all the common problems are and the solutions to those problems.
My book is a manual - not an article - and contains 202 photos and 176 pages. I combine the original Rites with with core stability training to protect your precious spine and develop strength from the inside out.
If you want to find out what is best for you individually read "Are The Five Tibetan Rites For You?"
3. Are the Five Tibetan Rites suitable for you?
This unique sequence of 5 yoga movements was developed by the monks to slow down aging, increase energy, calm the mind and remain physically active and healthy well into old age. They take around 10 minutes per day to practice.
These benefits are very enticing, and it all sounds very simple. However there are some things to watch out for before you commence a daily practice. I would hate you to start and not continue for whatever reason. Are they suitable for you? read more ...
4. There are lots of health claims for The Five Rites - are they all true?
Claims for the benefits of performing the Rites have proliferated over the web, becoming increasingly exaggerated to a point where they have been made to sound like a 'miracle cure' – an ancient, secret snake oil medicine!
People are led to believe that the Rites will completely halt their aging, help them lose enormous amounts of weight; fix their cancer, heart disease, fibroid cysts, and numerous other serious health conditions. Their expectations are often set way too high, and they are bound to be disappointed. This is regrettable, as it steers people away from this truly beneficial routine which takes such a short amount of time per day.
So what are the likely benefits I can expect? read more..
5. Which direction should we spin? Some people think you should spin anti-clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere. What is correct?
Colonel Bradford's book only gives instructions to spin in a clockwise direction.
In the absence of this traditional knowledge, people (including myself) have adapted the Rites to suit their philosophy or in accordance with their own experience.
However one of these adaptations that I do not agree with is to spin clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and anti-clockwise in the Southern hemisphere. From my research this modern belief appears to be based on the following myth..
6. Do the Five Tibetan Rites help you loose weight?
Over the many years I have been teaching the Rites, I have noticed the following trends when it comes to losing weight. One thing for sure, is that there is no "one size fits all" answer to this question.
Prior to learning T5T (The 5 Tibetans) - people who have been doing very little exercise, seem to lose weight.
There are other people who have consistently done moderate amounts of exercise, who also lose weight when they start practicing the Rites.
Those that have lost weight tend to find it easier to maintain their weight loss.
The Rites are said to work by stimulating the major hormonal glands of the body. Around menopause many women tend to put on weight. My own experience and that of many other women I have spoken to, is that ...
7. Is there a link between the Spinning movement in The Five Tibetan Rites to the spinning of the Whirling Dervishes?
Although they both spin, the First Rite and the Sema (a religious ceremony) have different outcomes and vary significantly in technique. The Dervishes spin to induce a trance-like ecstatic state, whereas the Tibetan 1st Rite is performed to stimulate the vortexes into action.
In the Tibetan First Rite, both palms are facing downwards towards the floor. The Dervishes however, place their right palm upwards to receive the power of the heavens, and their left palm turned downwards to direct this energy into the earth. They see themselves as the conduit of God’s power and do not try to hold onto or direct that power.
In Peter Kelder's books whereupon he outlines Colonel Bradford's direct teachings from the Lamas in the Tibetan Monastery, he mentions Bradford's discussion regarding the Dervishes as follows:
When I spoke to one of the Lamas about this, he informed me that while this whirling movement of the Dervishes did have a very beneficial effect, it also had a devastating one. It seems that a long siege of whirling stimulates into great activity Vortexes
8. What is the significance of 21 repetitions? Will I get increased benefit if I do more?
9. Should I breathe through the nose or through the mouth?
You should breathe only through the nose. The nose is designed for breathing. The nose is the first line of defense, warning you of harmful smells, and trapping and filtering out particles and bacteria.
When you breathe through your nose, it is easier to regulate your breathing rate and depth. When you breathe slowly and deeply it stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system associated with digestion, assimilation, calm and relaxation. When you breathe rapidly into the upper chest you stimulate the sympathetic nervous system associated with ‘flight or fight’ response of the body. By controlling your breathing you can initiate the ‘relaxation response’ of the body which reduces stress.
An expert on this matter is ..."Dr John Douillard "
10. Can I practice T5T whilst menstruating?
During menstruation some women's physical energy is not as strong as usual. In this case - maintain the pattern of your practice so as not to lose the motivation of the daily ritual - but perhaps to do less repetitions. Or revert back to one of the easier versions of the postures. However, some women experience increased energy during their period - so there is no one size answer to fit all!
Exercise is good for you, and in fact is normal! Our sedentary lifestyle has turned exercise into an option!
Certainly if you have a condition that requires you to receive treatment from a doctor - you should definitely discuss this with him/her. There are some people who have underlying conditions such as cysts that have become aggravated through practicing the Rites (or doing other forms of exercise). If you experience any irregular spotting then you should see your doctor.
Personally I share "the opinion of ..
11. If I get dizzy during the Spin, what can I do?
The symptoms of motion sickness occur because your brain receives conflicting information from your sensory systems. These senses send information to your brain about the position and movement of your body, and include your eyes, the sensors of the semicircular canals in your inner ears, and the somatosensory receptors in your skin, joints and muscles. A mismatch in sensory information causes a conflict between what is seen or felt, and your previous orientational experience. When this happens, the body responds with the symptoms of dizziness and motion sickness. For this reason, using the correct technique during the spin is crucial.
There are natural remedies you can take that help with dizziness as well as desensitizing exercises you can do.
Before you spin, drink a small glass of hot or cold water with some freshly squeezed lemon juice or a small slice of fresh ginger added. This often helps with nausea. Peppermint tea is also good for soothing the stomach.
Take a supplement of Ginkgo Biloba or feverfew. These may help prevent dizziness, but if you are taking medication check with your doctor first.
Do not eat a heavy meal or drink alchoholic beverages before spinning more tips
12. How do the Five Elements and The Five Tibetans compliment each other?
At the time of the development of the Five Tibetan Rites of Rejuvenation, the ancients believed that their world was composed of Five Elements; water, earth, air, fire and spirit (energy).
In psychology the Five Elements are used to personify different human traits, such as the personality types categories by Carl Jung (feeling, sensing, intuiting, and thinking) and those associated with the astrological signs of the zodiac. I experimented with the concept of assigning an element to each of the Rites, and found the results to be amazing.
In each case, the physical movement of the Rite was a metaphor for what we were trying to achieve mentally - awareness in a different aspect of life. For example the Spin takes the element energy, and the vortex that the movements create allows you to replenish your body from the larger energy all around us. The Tabletop takes the element earth, and its movements focus on stability, foundation and balance, giving us a solid base from which to form new ideas. Read here for the Affirmation and Element for each Rite.
13. I'm not getting the benefits I thought I would, what can you suggest?
I believe that the physical, emotional and mental benefits are all achieved on a scale. Some achieve those results at the lowest end of the scale, whilst others achieve them at varying degrees - right to the highest level on the scale.
However, apart from all the measurable, felt and "experienced" (as in consciousness) benefits - I, like the monks who developed them - believe most strongly that there is an energy component that we can't measure or quantify yet. Just because we can't see it, it doesn't mean it isn't there. Electricity is a great example of this.
Focusing only what positive benefits of the Rites you are achieving will inevitably disappoint. Maybe the benefits you achieve are simply not enough to motivate you to get up earlier in the morning when you are tired and stressed? Or it's too cold and you don't want to get out of bed? Maybe, you feel you have been through enough today and don't want to 'stress' yourself by doing any exercise (Rites included).
Sooner or later people are going to come up against these issues. In the beginning it is exciting because you are building up from just 3 repetitions a week to 21 repetitions in around 10 weeks time. Once people hit the target number, they need to adjust their thinking. This has to do with the commitment or outcome they decided upon when starting the Rites.
For me, I made a decision that aging doesn't get better! I knew I would need to do many things to get more out of my life for as long as I could. T5T is one of those. I don't need to think about it anymore, I just do it. I know it works. I know it will work in the long term and no more thought needs to be applied to it. That's my secret!
In answer to what can I do to improve the benefits, I have a question? Are you doing ...read more
14. Should the heels of the feet touch the floor during the 5th movement called Pendulum in T5T and more commonly known as Downward Dog?
15. What happens if I give up practicing the Rites?
16. During the Tabletop (#4) I find it difficult to lift my buttocks off the floor - what do you suggest?
I am a yoga teacher, and have Chris Kilham's book on the Five Tibetans, but your approach is so much more comprehensive...let me know when the book, etc., becomes available in the US. I also have difficulty with the 4th Tibetan...I have trouble swinging my butt back down far enough back to lay flat. It seems as if my arms are too short. What can I do to overcome this? Thanks! See ...
17. What anti-aging diet did the monks recommend?
The monks ate wholesome, good food in the following manner:
They were vegetarians but ate eggs, butter and cheese in sufficient quantities to 'serve certain functions of the brain, body and nervous system'. They had no need of meat, fish or fowl since they are strong and virile from practicing the Rites
One of the secrets of health they describe is to only eat one type of food at a meal, to avoid clashing in the stomach.
Sometimes Colonel Bradford ate a meal consisting only of bread. At others he had fresh fruits and vegetables, or just a feast of one vegetable. At first he missed the variety of foods to which he was accustomed but after a short while came to enjoy the benefits he gained from sharing their diet ....read more ..
18. How do I motivate myself to keep doing T5T every day?
19. Should I add the mantra "OM" to my T5T practice?
Peter Kelder who wrote about the adventures of Colonel Bradford in ‘Ancient Secret of the Fountain of Youth – Book 2” quotes Bradford as saying, “When intoned correctly (Om) has a very powerful stimulating effect on the pineal gland, which is related to the seventh and highest vortex.” He cautions however, that unless a person has already begun to focus on practices to raise higher consciousness, they should not overstimulate the pineal gland. He warns against “overdoing a good thing”, and suggests that it should only be repeated three or four times in succession. He adds that what is important is the sound vibration of the voice, rather than the meaning of the word or the act of chanting.
To chant AUM, you begin with a deep breath. In an effortless single out breath continued ...
|
|
|
|
|
|
