Just getting started with The 5 Tibetans?
Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions. Click on question to read answer below.
Before You Begin
The great benefits and popularity of the Rites mean almost everyone wants to try them.
For those of you who don't do much exercise (particularly stretching and strength bearing), it is wise to pursue any form of new exercise with safety and caution in mind. Consider also, that the monks who developed the Rites probably did these movements from a very young age - and their lifestyle was much more menial than that of our modern, largely sedentary one too.
And, for those of you that are already fit, it is important to remember that these are repetitive movements done 21 times each per day. Form, technique and alignment are important, and if core stability is not already part of your workout, you can learn this in the T5T The Five Tibetan Rites step-by-step method that I teach.
The instructions left by the monks were simple - some say too simple. Keep Reading...
Modifying the Rites in response to individual needs is normal and responsible - and in fact, Colonel Bradford, the protagonist in the original book The Eye of Revelation, written in 1939, quotes several examples of this.
The changes I have made to the original routine, do not adversely affect the spin rate of the chakras – the principal purpose of performing the Rites. The T5T The Five Tibetan Rites step-by-step learning method does, however, significantly improve the physical aspects of the movements, making them safer & more achievable for just about everyone to perform. Keep reading...
You can instantly download (for free) the original 1939 book about the discovery of the Five Tibetan Rites, The Eye of Revelation here too.
What is different about our free download, is that is taken from the actual scans of the original 1939 book AND the 1946 update which includes additional information. You can't get this anywhere else. It also includes some of Carolinda's tips on what to avoid or modify if necessary.
Be aware that much of the material available online has been produced by practitioners or journalists, giving the impression that they are 'experts' - when in fact, they have never taught anyone other than perhaps family or friends. I'm glad they exist because I think the Rites are fantastic, but if you want real information and advice - we have taught over 43,000 people. Keep reading...
Benefits - Five Tibetan Rites
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. As a result, their expectations are set incredibly high before they even begin to practice. Anything short of a miracle, therefore could be seen as rather ‘ho-hum!’
So what's real? Keep reading...
Practice & Health Questions
Over the many years, I've 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.
The truth is that some people do, and some don't. Some will lose a little, and some will lose a lot more. However, what they will do is help you control your weight, improve your energy so you feel motivated to be more active, improve your self-discipline, and increase your desire for healthier food. They will strengthen and tone your body, particularly your stomach, upper arms, and back, which contributes to improved self-esteem.
Those who have lost weight, and there are many, love to talk about it! Keep reading
The only source of information about the origins of The Five Tibetan Rites of Rejuvenation is to be found in Peter Kelder's 1939 book The Eye of Revelation (free download). Regrettably, this book provides no information at all about the significance of repeating each movement 21 times. Why not 22, 35 or 50 etc.?
However, a precedent can be found in a system of Yantra Yoga, the Buddhist parallel to the Hatha Yoga of the Indian tradition. Keep reading
There is a mistaken belief that the Rites should be done very slowly and meditatively. However all Colonel Bradford in The Eye of Revelation book (free download) had to say about speed was this:
The use of the Five Rites is no hardship at all; it requires less than 10 minutes a day to practice them. If necessary one can get up ten minutes earlier or go to bed ten minutes later.
There are a number of factors to consider when answering this. It depends on how long you have been doing them. It also varies day to day depending on emotions, activity, and, even the weather!
In the beginning you are bound to be slower as you are learning the movements, and your body has to adapt. I would clear 20 mins per day in the early stages. Keep reading
One of the best things about a daily practice of T5T The Five Tibetans, is that you can do it at any time and any place! You don't have to travel anywhere to do it, and you don't need any special equipment. If you need modifications, you might need a yoga mat or a couple of folded hand towels, but normally - all you need is you and your motivation.
- At home
- At the office
- In the park and a variety of interesting places (so we have been told!) Keep reading...
My own experience and the feedback of many of the women I have taught is that T5T seems to improve the symptoms of menstruation. Some women report less bloating, moodiness, anxiety, cramps, and sore breasts. Others say they feel less congested, and the flow is improved.
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 fewer repetitions. Or revert 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! Keep reading
They did mine!
The monks said that the purpose of the Rites is to get the chakras (energy centers) of the body spinning rapidly and evenly again. The chakras are located above major nerve plexi (bunches of nerves) and the major endocrine glands of the body. In this way, they are said to improve hormonal function.
It has been noted by many authors that the location of the chakras corresponds to the major endocrine glands (hormone production) of the body. It has also been said that while the chakras regulate the circulation of Qi or life-energy throughout the body, they also interact with the endocrine glands, which in turn regulate hormone production.
Each chakra is associated with a particular function within the body; health, well-being, etc. Keep reading...
Some people need to wear shoes. One lady I taught had painful heel spurs, and she had to keep her shoes on. She had to be taught how to spin aerodynamically in a smooth stepping motion to avoid getting dizzy.
Being barefoot gives you this wonderful connection to the ground beneath your feet. When you have a sense of being 'rooted' into the earth, you can work with gravity - stretching & lengthening against its pull to activate & energise the spine. Growing away from the ground allows your body to free and open. Throughout the whole sequence, work with the ground, the foundation of all your movements, as you stretch away from it, and become balanced upon it. Yes - do it barefoot if you can! Keep reading...
If you have not kept up a regular practice of yoga/Pilates or other forms of exercise, we do not recommend you begin practicing The Five Rites during pregnancy, unless you consult a specialist teacher in prenatal yoga. She can help you adjust the poses (or offer alternatives) at each of the different stages of pregnancy. It would be best if do this anyway, regardless of your fitness level.
Yoga is wonderful during pregnancy to maintain your fitness; keep your muscles toned, and improve your posture. It increases your energy levels and reduces fatigue as well as assists with maintaining optimal health levels during pregnancy.
Once your baby is born, our T5T version of The Five Tibetan Rites incorporates pelvic floor and lower abdominal strengthening and can be helpful in your recovery. However, once again, it is advisable to discuss this with your qualified pre & postnatal yoga or Pilates instructor. T5T is great for finding that little bit of time for yourself as it takes around 10 – 15 mins per day. You can fit it in between sleeps, feeds, and laundry! Keep reading...
When you stop practicing the Rites, you naturally lose the benefits you have gained over a period of time. They don't just go immediately. This is because the chakras start spinning more slowly or unevenly again. When chakras slow down, the Qi (Prana, Life-Force) flows less freely through the body. It is the free flow of Qi that enervates and keeps the body/mind young and vital.
People who have stopped doing the Rites have told me that they notice a significant reduction in energy, calmness, and well-being. They describe the onset of stiffness and loss of strength - exactly what you would expect really. On the positive side, it is a great way of testing how well the Rites are working for you! Just about everyone starts doing them again. Keep reading...
- At home
- At the offic
Historical Information
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.
However, research continues to be carried out by a number of people using Tibetan & Indian texts, some of which date back 2,500 years. Another researcher, antiquarian book dealer Jerry Watt has focused on tracking down the limited clues contained in the original book Free Download. In particular, those clues that relate to the protagonist in the book 'Colonel Bradford' - and the author Peter Kelder. Keep reading...
Breathing With The Five Rites
No instructions were left by the monks.
It would be best if you breathed through the nose at all times. 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 the ‘flight or fight’ response of the body. By controlling your breathing, you can initiate the ‘relaxation response’ of the body, which reduces stress. T5T® has incorporated breathing with the Five Tibetan Rites because it supercharges their benefits by boosting your vitality, and improving health & well-being. Breathing in fills your body with life-giving oxygen, and breathing out eliminates toxins and wastes. Keep reading...
Tibetan Rite No 1 - The Spin
Colonel Bradford's book, The Eye of Revelation (Download It Free Here), gives instructions to spin in a clockwise [only] direction.
Confusion about which direction to spin seems to come from a popular myth about the spin direction of water in toilets or sinks going clockwise or anti-clockwise according to your location in either the northern or southern hemisphere. There are other theories and philosophies, including Tibetan Buddhism that support the clockwise rotation of the chakras and, therefore, the Spin - For a more in-depth explanation, keep reading...
This is very common. We have even had seasoned yoga teachers be totally amazed at the effect spinning had on them.
Be patient; it can take six months or more to build up repetitions of the Spin. In the meantime, there is no need to stop building up repetitions of the other postures. You will eventually catch up with the spin movement.
In T5T, we have a beginner version, which often helps. We also teach you how to develop the correct technique - since a spin that is wobbly or irregular increases your chance of feeling dizzy.
Start by slowing down when you spin - and cut back on your repetitions. If you need more assistance than that - there are a number of natural remedies you can take that help with dizziness - as well as desensitizing exercises you can do. Keep Reading...
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. Keep Reading...
5th Rite - Pendulum
It's up to you, really! You can perform it exactly as instructed (heels raised above the floor) in the original book The Eye of Revelation - written in 1939 about the discovery of the monks (Download Free Here) - or you can lower the heels to the floor. It won't make any difference to the intended purpose of the Rites, which is to get the chakras spinning more rapidly so Qi can circulate freely throughout the body.
The upside-down V shape of Rite No 5 is a very common yoga posture known as Downward Dog or Adho Mukha Svanasana in Sanskrit. It resembles a dog stretching after a nap. In today's terms, having the heels elevated off the floor is a classic beginner's version of Downward Dog. Beginners' leg muscles are often very tight, and many would not be able to lower their heels to the floor without over-straining. Over time as muscles stretch, many people can do so.
A precedent for having the heels touch the floor can be found in the ancient 8th Century Tibetan Yantra Yoga as taught by the Master Chogyal Namkhai Norbu. Keep Reading...
THE 6TH RITE
In The Eye of Revelation published in 1939 (Download Free Here), Colonel Bradford informs a group of men that he is teaching that there is one more Rite they can do if they really want to become 'supermen.'
'The Colonel then informed them that in order to go further with the aid of this Sixth Rite, it would be necessary for them to lead a more or less continent [celibate].'
Apart from the fact that celibacy is a choice, not everyone is willing to make; the tantric path is a big subject - and best learned under the guidance of an experienced and ethical teacher.
The 6th Rite is a breathing exercise that in yoga is known as Uddiyana Bandha. It is carried out regularly by both men and women to achieve specific purposes. Although we don't teach this during our workshops, our new online Masterclass - Workbook & Video Series contains detailed instructions.
To discover why celibacy (or re-channeling the sexual urge) is necessary, or to learn why sexual abstinence or constraint is required, keep reading...
Anti-Aging Diet, Mantra
In 1939 Peter Kelder published his book The Eye of Revelation (Download Free Here) about the discovery of the monks who developed The Five Tibetan Rites. In this book, he also revealed the health-giving diet secrets of the monks, which is fairly similar to what we call Food Combining today.
Here are a couple of the monks' dietary recommendations:
- The monks said you should keep starches, fruits, and vegetables separate from meats, fish, and fowl.
- Starches clash with proteins. If you eat bread (starch) with meats, egg, or cheese (protein), a reaction is set up in the stomach, which not only causes discomfort but more importantly, contributes to a shorter lifespan. Keep Reading...
Peter Kelder updated his 1939 version of The Eye of Revelation (Download Free Here) in 1946 and included a chapter on chanting the mantra 'Om.' He says,
When intoned correctly (Om) has a very powerful stimulating effect on the pineal gland, which is related to the seventh and highest vortex.
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. Keep reading to learn how to chant Om (AUM).