Get More Energy: Five Tibetan Rites Giveaway

by Holly St. Lifer (Subscribe to Holly St. Lifer's posts)
Oct 30th 2009 11:00AM

Obsession with youth is not only the plague of modern society. In the 1930s, a retired British army officer stumbled upon a remote monastery in the Himalayas where the monks were rumored to have found the fountain of youth. Amazed by their age-defying health and energy, he attributed their vitality to a series of yoga-like postures they practiced daily – as had generations of monks for thousands of years. These Five Tibetan Rites are believed to work by stimulating and balancing energy centers in our bodies called chakras that correspond to each of our endocrine glands. "They're like electricity transformers, receiving and regulating energy and transmitting it throughout the body," explains Sydney-based Carolinda Witt, who's been teaching the rites for more than seven years.

Witt says practicing The Five Rites is like flicking these energy switches to ON. And they're easy to do. In fact, she's made modifications that focus on breathing and building core strength so you don't have to be a veteran yogini to get yourself, well, turned on. Plus, it's yoga, so you'll create a leaner, stronger body! Start with three repetitions of each posture daily and in order. Add two per week until you're doing 21 in about 10 minutes. When you finish each move, pause and take three energy breaths. The directions are below.

Rite #1: Spinning
Harmonizes chakra spin rates. Improves balance, focus and coordination.

Rite #2: Modified Leg Raise
Strengthens and tones the core, hips, lower back, legs and neck.

Photo: Steven Murray

Rite #3: Kneeling Backbend
Opens the front of the body, bringing energy to the heart chakra. Relieves muscle tension and stretches muscles that shorten as we age. Lengthens and tones the spine.

Rite # 4: Tabletop
Invigorates the hormonal glands, circulatory and lymphatic systems. Builds strong arms, wrists, shoulders and lower body. Improves balance and stability.

Rite #5: Pendulum
Relieves fatigue and stress. Improves flexibility and strengthens almost every muscle in the body.

Here's the energy breathing technique. This method improves your lung capacity: The more oxygen you take into your body, the more energy you'll have. "Most of us shallow breathe in the upper chest," says Witt. Place your hands over your lower ribs, with your fingers interlaced at the first joint. As you breathe in -- your fingers will widen. As you breathe out, your fingers will come together. Begin by breathing out normally. Now, breathe in allowing your middle to expand gently outwards, your ribs to widen and lift and your collarbone to naturally rise. Pause; breathe out slowly, gradually extending the length of your out-breath to about double your in-breath. Pause. Repeat two more times.

Now that you've got all this new-found energy, throw in a few tummy tightening yoga postures or combine this practice with the youth-enhancing poses I covered two posts ago.

Has yoga had a profound effect on your life? Has it made you feel younger? Let me know how for a chance to win Witt's, The T5T Companion DVD.

To enter, leave a confirmed comment below describing how yoga has made a positive impact on you physically and emotionally.
The comment must be left before 5 p.m. ET on Friday, November 6, 2009.
You may enter only once.
One winner will be selected in a random drawing.
One winner will receive The T5T Companion DVD (valued at $19.95).
Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older.
Click here for complete Official Rules. Winner will be notified by e-mail, so make sure to check next week to find out if you've won!

Comments (44)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

Amber G 10-31-2009 @ 11:29AM

Yoga has helped me find calm and inner peace in my life and gives me more energy!

Kathy63 11-04-2009 @ 6:23PM

The deep breathing in yoga makes me feel calm and peaceful and the effect lasts all day. I also like both the strengthing and stretching that I get from a good yoga workout.

Michelle 10-31-2009 @ 11:57PM

I've done yoga on and off for 20 years. However, I stopped about three years ago after not finding a studio that was a good fit when I moved. Then I started back, and I've been doing yoga regularly since January 1 of this year. It has given me so much physically,mentally and socially. First, it reduced the pain I have from a car accident I was in last year. Second, it has lifted my depression and given me insight into stressful situations in my life. Third, it has brought me into a wonderful group of women friends who work at my yoga studio and others who just take classes there. Yoga gives me much happiness.

christopher h 11-01-2009 @ 3:36AM

doing yoga relaxes me, all the tension of the day just drains away

lonetree72 11-01-2009 @ 7:27AM

Doing yoga helps ease tension, regulates my breathing, and sets the tone for the entire day.

Diane R. 11-01-2009 @ 4:49PM

I've only done yoga intermittently through the years. When I do, I think it brings a certain peace. I am particularly interested in this giveaway because I visited Tibet a few years ago. It was an extraordinary experience and have become interested in adding to the little I know about the culture.

Kimberly 11-01-2009 @ 4:06PM

Forget my morning coffee! Practicing yoga daily for the past 6 months has not only increased my energy levels, but it has taught me patience. In fact, I have become one of those few people who don't freak out when another driver cuts me off. I simply smile and wave :)

jakeandsydsmom 11-02-2009 @ 7:47AM

Yoga helps relax me, yet at the same time I know I'm getting stronger so it gives me a sense of accomplishment.

Monique Rizzo 11-02-2009 @ 7:53PM

I love Yoga. It relieves stress headaches. Thanks for the chance.
mogrill@comcast.net

gaileee 11-03-2009 @ 10:24AM

During the birth of my fourth child, I did hip circles on the birth ball, did meditative walk down the hallway during labor, used my cat/cow yoga poses to help relax the pain in my back, and used a lot, my ujajji breath to help me through contractions.

I now use it to help me with some minor back issues that I have, and to help focus and still my mind, when things get all crazy!

Plus I use my neti-pot to help cut down the time of my most recent cold. (I think it helped me avoid the flu, when the rest of my household -- 3 people -- got the flu.)

gaileee

alejandro aguilar 11-03-2009 @ 5:50PM

is great activity that makes me happy

Tisha 11-03-2009 @ 4:53PM

Yoga has opened up a whole new type of enegry! My mind is clearer. I feel more relaxed & I don't let things get to me like I use to. Not to mention my flexability.

praveen 11-03-2009 @ 5:32PM

Yoga is part of my life. I practice Yoga for strength, balance, condition and most importantly peace of mind. Physically and mentally yoga takes me to place of peace and gives me "my" time in this hectic world.

Carly 11-03-2009 @ 5:53PM

I have just started doing Yoga classes and it is a great spiritual and relaxing method of exercise. I have seen a noticable change in my posture and my attitude which can be accredited to Yoga. I really think Yoga is brilliant!

Tamara 11-03-2009 @ 8:37PM

I just started yoga recently and not only has it improved my overall muscle strength, but it has also helped me to reduce stress by learning how to approach life with a more balanced, relaxed and focused attitude. I've recently lost over 90 pounds, so yoga has helped me take on weight maintenance with optimism and strength instead of stress and fear.

Terri Bruney 11-04-2009 @ 3:13AM

Haven't tried Yoga yet, but I'm convinced it would change my life. I don't even know how to relax.

Nichole A Purcell 11-04-2009 @ 8:12AM

I started practicing yoga when I was a senior in high school back in 1999. It has helped me to be more flexible. It also gives me a time that I can relax and just be. When I stop practicing for any length of time, I find that I miss it greatly.