Do you want to live a long life, one blessed with vitality, good health and wellbeing?
Remember that you and you alone are responsible for the choices you make and you are the only one who can implement the changes you need to be the best that you can be!
Your health and well-being is in your hands!
It is the most important, essential DIY project that each and every one of us is involved in on a daily basis and yet is treated with scant regard.
Taking simple steps to prevent ill health is not difficult – you simply have to want to do it!
After breaking my neck and damaging my spine I knew that my ability to live a life free of the disabilities the medicos foresaw for me that I would have to invest fully in that journey.
Research led me to the Tibetan Five Rites which proved to be my Golden Chalice.
This is a daily yoga routine otherwise known as the Fountain of Youth. Google will produce numerous sites extolling the benefits of the practice.
The book, The Ancient Secrets of the Fountain of Youth written by Peter Kelder in 1939, will leave you determined to take up the practice just as it did me.
As a direct result of the success of his first book, Kelder updated it with The Eye of Revelation – The Original Five Rites of Rejuvenation (Borderland Sciences Research Foundation, 1989). Those books will go into the energetic philosophy behind each movement, which may or may not be relevant for you.
I have been doing this routine on a daily basis since reading of his journey to Tibet and have rarely missed a day since 1990.
It is how I welcome each morning. I have occasionally added some Pilates over the years to extend and slightly vary the workout.
This has helped me completely overcome my neck and spinal problems and keeps me supple and enjoying life. [Ed’s note: Bev is now 69 and we think she looks amazing!]
Before you begin
A 4-stage breathing pattern is an essential part of the routine.
Inhale deeply, expanding your belly and then your chest.
Hold that breath.
Completely exhale sucking in your belly.
With each Rite, breathe in deeply as you open your chest up and breathe out fully as you compress your lungs.
The objective is to reach a maximum of 21 of each of the Rites. I initially struggled to do 3 of each but with persistence I gradually increased the number until reaching 21.
Feel free to modify the movements slightly in order to feel comfortable until your body can manage the full movement.
Rite 1: Spinning
This stimulates the body’s energy systems and wakes up the chakras.
With arms held straight out to the sides spin in an anti-clockwise direction when in the Southern Hemisphere. To help overcome dizziness, focus on a reference point in front of your starting position, then close your eyes and open them again when you have completed one turn. Repeat in a continual flowing motion as you are able.
If dizzy, lie flat on the floor and breathe deeply before commencing the 2nd Rite.
Rite 2: Leg raises
Best to use a mat to protect your back.
- Lie flat on the floor with your face up and arms by your sides, palms down, fingers together.
- Lift your head up and tuck your chin into your chest as you breathe in.
- Raise your legs, knees straight into the vertical position.
- Lower your head to the floor as you lower your straight legs breathing out as you do so.
- When completed, slide your hands down the outside of your legs as close to your feet as possible and grab hold pulling your head as close to your knees as possible.
Rite 3: Solar plexus
- Opening the Solar Plexus and the heart draws energy into the emotional body
- Kneel on the floor with your hips directly above your ankles, body erect and toes flat on the floor.
- Place your hands just under your buttocks.
- Tilt the head forward tucking the chin onto your chest as you breathe out.
- Tilt the head back while arching the spine backward and looking up while breathing in.
- Finish by stretching your arms directly in front and remaining erect.
Rite 4: Sacral area tabletop
- Sit on the floor with your spine erect, arms straight by your side and your palms flat on the floor with fingers pointed towards your feet.
- Tuck your chin onto your chest as you breathe out.
- Tilt your head backwards as far as it will go and bend your knees while pushing up to a tabletop position and breathing in.
- Tense all of your body muscles while doing this movement.
- Relax your muscles and breathe out while returning to sit on the floor.
- Continue to breathe deeply while sitting between repetitions.
Rite 5: Up and down dog
- This speeds up all of the energy centres in the body leaving you feeling energised.
- Begin on all fours with palms on the floor and toes flexed.
- Keep your hands and feet straight.
- Start with your arms perpendicular and your spine arched toward the floor while breathing in.
- Lift your bottom upward while dropping your head toward the floor and breathe out. Your body makes an inverted “V”.
Yoga For Seniors Is The Best Way To Stay Forever Young. Here’s The Proof!
