What Are the 5 Tibetan Rites? (And Why You Should Try Them)
The 5 Tibetan Rites are a series of exercises that were first publicized in the west by Peter Kelder in his 1939 book, The Eye of Revelation.
By balancing energy flow through the chakras, they are simple exercises to increase youthful vitality and health.
The 5 Tibetan Rites are deceptively simple. They involve basic moves that almost anyone can do, but don’t be fooled – these exercises can be challenging!
Key Takeaway:
The 5 Tibetan Rites are a series of exercises that are said to promote overall health and well-being. They’re easy to do, can be done anywhere, and don’t require any special equipment. Plus, they have a host of benefits, from increased energy levels to improved flexibility.
The history of the 5 Tibetan rites
The rites are said to be more than 2,500 years old, and were originally practiced by Buddhist monks in Tibet. The monks believed that the rites helped to keep them healthy and youthful, and that the exercises could be used to treat a variety of ailments.
The 5 Tibetan rites were first brought to the Western world by Peter Kelder, who claimed to have learned them from a Tibetan lama in the 1930s.
Since then, the popularity of the 5 Tibetan Rites has grown, and they are now practiced by people all over the world.
The 5 Tibetan Rites are said to be a form of Tibetan yoga practice similar to the yoga series that originated in India.
The Rites are said to improve circulation, increase energy levels, and promote overall health and well-being.
How to perform the 5 Tibetan rites
If you’re interested in trying the 5 Tibetan Rites, here’s what you need to know.
First, it’s important to start slowly. Don’t try to do all 5 rites at once. Instead, start with one or two, and work your way up as you get used to the movements.
Second, be sure to warm up before you start. A few minutes of light stretching will do the trick.
And third, don’t overdo it. The whole point of the 5 Tibetan Rites is to promote health and well-being, not to exhaust yourself. So listen to your body, and take breaks as needed.
The 5 rites mastery is 21 rounds of each rite. In the beginning do as many rounds as you can and work your way up to 21.
Will I need any equipment?
Not at all, but to do the rites comfortably, you will need:
- a quiet and comfortable place to lie down
- a yoga mat or towel (optional)
Now that you know the basics, here’s a more detailed look at how to perform each of the 5 Tibetan Rites:
Rite 1: The Spin
This is the first and most important of the 5 Tibetan Rites.
To do the spin, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Take a deep breath in, and as you exhale, begin to spin around in a clockwise direction, letting your arms hang loosely at your sides.
Spin as fast as you can, and continue for as many rounds as you can, with 21 being the end goal seconds. If you start to feel dizzy, slow down or stop.
Rite 2: The Leg Lifts
For the second rite, lie flat on your back with your legs straight and your arms at your sides. Slowly lift your head and shoulders off the ground, and then begin to lift your legs, keeping them straight.
If you cannot yet keep your legs straight, bend your legs until you build up the strength and flexibility to perform them.
Inhale as you lift your head and shoulders, and exhale as you lift your legs. Continue for as many rounds as you can, or until you start to feel fatigued.
Rite 3: Arching
Sit on your knees around shoulder width apart with toes curled down. Place your hands on your hamstrings. Inhale and drop your head back, gently arching your back and looking up at the ceiling.
Exhale and gently drop your chin on your chest in return to the starting position.
Rite 4: Tabletop
Start on the floor in a seated position with your legs stretched out in front of you. Place the palms of your hands down on the floor, with your fingers facing forward. Push your trunk up with your hands and feet, your body forming a table supported by it’s legs (your arms & legs).
Gently lower your head back slightly. Exhale, and slowly lower your hands and hips back to the original placement.
Rite 5: The Two Dogs
The Two Dogs is the fifth yoga movement in the 5 Tibetan Rites.
It is a yoga practice that can be completed by anyone, regardless of yoga experience.
Stretch forward with your palms facing down, gently arching your back and looking upwards whilst stabilizing yourself on your toes in a shoulder width straddle. This is also known as the upward facing dog yoga position.
Move then into downward facing dog with your head looking towards your navel and your legs straight. Your body will almost be in the shape of a triangle if viewed from the side, with your lower back/bottom at the peak.
To complete the rite, return to the original position by going back through downward and then upward facing dog. Remember to inhale in the upward facing dog position.
So there you have it—a detailed guide to performing the 5 Tibetan Rites. Give them a try, and see how you feel!
What to expect when you start doing the 5 Tibetan rites
When you first start doing the 5 Tibetan Rites, you may not be able to do all of them. And that’s OK! Just start with one or two and work your way up.
You may also find that some of the exercises are more difficult than others. That’s normal, too. Just focus on doing the best you can, and don’t worry about getting it perfect.
Finally, be sure to listen to your body as you go. The 5 Tibetan Rites are meant to promote health and well-being, not to exhaust you. So if you start to feel tired, take a break. You can always pick up where you left off later.
What are the benefits of the 5 Tibetan Rites?
These reports are mainly grounded on anecdotal evidence collected by practitioners of the Five Tibetan Rite and the opinions of medical experts and yoga instructors. Reports indicate that it helps reduce arthritis and stiffness in joints. Improves strength and coordination.
Improved circulation
One of the main benefits of the 5 Tibetan Rites is improved circulation. When you spin, your body gets a mini-massage from the centrifugal force. This helps to move stagnation and improve blood flow.
Similarly, the leg lifts and arching help to increase blood flow to the abdominal organs. This can help to improve digestion and elimination, as well as increase overall energy levels.
The inversion of the Two Dogs position is also thought to help with circulation by “flushing” the lymph system. This helps to cleanse the body of toxins and improve immunity.
Increased energy levels
The 5 Tibetan Rites are a form of exercise, and like all forms of exercise, they can help to increase your energy levels.
Just a few minutes of the rites can give you a boost of energy that can last for hours.
Improved flexibility
Improved flexibility is another benefit of the rites. The twisting motions help to loosen the muscles and joints, while the inversions can help to lengthen the spine.
Over time, you may find that you are able to do the exercises with greater ease and range of motion.
Strengthens back muscles
The rites can also help to strengthen the muscles in your back, which can improve your posture and reduce any pain, stiffness and tension you may be feeling in that area.
Can be done anywhere, anytime
One of the best things about the 5 Tibetan Rites is that they can be done anywhere, anytime. You don’t need any special equipment or a gym membership to do them.
All you need is a few minutes and some space to move around. You can do them first thing in the morning when your energy levels are typically at their highest, but during your lunch break, or before bed if absolutely fine!
Better sleep
The deep breathing exercises in particular can help to calm the mind and body, making it easier to fall asleep.
In addition, the improved circulation from the rites can help to reduce pain and stiffness in the body, making it easier to get comfortable and fall asleep.
Improved digestion
The leg lifts and arching in the rites help to increase blood flow to the abdominal organs. This can help to improve digestion and elimination, as well as increase overall energy levels.
In addition, the deep breathing exercises can help to relax the digestive system and reduce any discomfort you may be feeling.
Promotes overall health and reduces stress levels
The 5 Tibetan Rites are said to promote overall health and well-being. They can help to improve circulation, digestion, and even sleep.
The 5 Tibetan Rites can also help to reduce stress levels. The breathing exercises in particular can help to calm the mind and body.
Weight loss
The 5 Tibetan Rites is a form of exercise, and like all forms of exercise, it can help with weight loss.
The rites can help to increase your metabolism and promote the release of toxins from the body.
In addition, the improved circulation from the rites can help to reduce water retention and bloating.
Increased muscle strength
The 5 Tibetan Rites can help to increase muscle strength, especially in the back and abdominal muscles.
The inversion of the Two Dogs position is especially beneficial for strengthening the back muscles.
The leg lifts and arching help to strengthen the abdominal muscles.
So if you’re looking for a way to improve your health and well-being, give the Five Tibetan Rites a try! You may be surprised at how much they can help.
As with any new exercise routine, be sure to check with your doctor before starting the Five Tibetan Rites. This is especially important if you have any pre-existing medical conditions.
Conclusion on the 5 Tibetan Rites
Overall, the Five Tibetan Rites are a great way to promote health and well-being. They’re easy to do, can be done anywhere, and don’t require any special equipment. Plus, they have a host of benefits, from increased energy levels to improved flexibility.
You can read more about Peter Kelder and his fascinating book “The Eye Of Revelation” here, I highly recommend it.
So why not give them a try? You may be surprised at how much they can help! Just be sure to check with your doctor beforehand, and start slowly to avoid injury.
Why are Tibetan rites 21 times?
There is a story that says that when the monks who first brought the rites to the west were asked why they were done 21 times, they replied, “because 21 is the magic number.”
21 is a sacred number for Tibetan culture. This rite stimulates the chakra (the 7 energy centers within the body) and increases circulating energy from the center to the outside.
The truth is that there is no one answer to this question. The number of times you do the rites may depend on your personal preference, general fitness level or the amount of time you have available. Maybe start off with 2/3 repetitions with the end goal to get as close to 21 as possible.
Some people prefer to do the rites for a shorter period of time, such as three minutes, while others may want to do them for a longer period, such as 10 minutes.
Ultimately, it is up to you to decide how long you want to do the rites and how many times you want to do them.