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Tibetan Yoga, a Natural Source of Youth

Tibetan Yoga

We have seven chakras placed all over our bodies. They are directly connected with our seven endocrine glands. Glands are producing hormones. We can’t live without hormones. Hormones are responsible among other, for our well functioning immune system, for growth and cell renewal, for our reproduction and metabolism, and even for our feelings and moods.

Chakras (or endocrine glands), are also known as energy centers. Chakras seen from the cosmic energy level are spinning energy twisters. When we age or don’t feel well, the spin energy decreases. Less energy in the chakras means less optimal hormone production. This causes varied complications in our complex health system.

There are many ways to improve the energy flow in our physical form. Yoga is one of these ways. We have many different kinds of yoga. The oldest branch is part of so-called Tibetan yoga. It represents intact and ancient traditions. Its name is Yantra yoga.

The Tibetan Yoga of Movement

Yantra yoga is more active and movement oriented than Indian yoga. Its roots are probably somewhere in the Swat Valley located in Pakistan, a very beautiful place situated close to Kashmir and also named ‘The Switzerland of Asia’.

Yantra yoga was introduced to Tibet in the eighth century AD by a Tantric saint, Guru Padmasambhava. It is a body movement, which is coordinating, balancing, and guiding the flow of vital energy. Yantra yoga was originally named as “Sun and Moon Union”. If you wish, here you can watch the movement of Yantra yoga.

To learn the postures of Yantra yoga, the Tibetan yoga of movement, you need to be guided by an authorized teacher. Here at yantrayoga.org or here at shangshunginstitute.org you may find more information about it.

‘The Five Tibetan’ Exercises

Other possibilities to balance and harmonize the energy in your chakras are, so called, “The Five Tibetan Exercises”.

A legend reveals that the source of these exercises is in ancient Tibet. Its roots are to find in Buddhism. Like in the Indian yoga, the union of body, mind and spirit are essential for the five Tibetan movements. The not verified story tells us, that this flow is developed over many hundreds of years in Tibetan monasteries; there it was one of the best kept secrets for attaining vibrant health.

This sequence of movements was daily exercised by Tibetan lamas. Their tradition says, that the flow of physical activity allowed these monks to stay healthy, look younger, and reach longevity.

The ‘Five Tibetan’ program is not only a physical movement. Meditation, the right breathing, unselfish love, compassion, positive thinking, drinking water, and the right nutrition are also parts of this special way of life. It is also said, that the ancient set of activities balances the seven chakras and controls the glands and their output.

The Advantages of ‘Five Tibetan’

With ‘Five Tibetan’ you will lose some fat-padding on your precious physical form; also double chins, and feeble muscles will not survive these exercises. Toxins will leave your body, the flow of your lymph system is going to be improved, and your all cells will say, “Thank you very much, for more oxygen!”

These exercises have dramatically influence on general well-being. The list of advantages is very long. I will present here only few. I will not speak about youth and vitality again; this is already suggested. I will share with you my experiences with ‘Five Tibetan Exercises’.

Following I have experienced on my body; I am cured from backaches and cardiovascular difficulties. I work more and my concentration is better than ever, and this is most important for me, I don’t know what tiredness is. I feel energized.

I have a great sense of well-being and fitness, the digestion is flawless, I am more calm, peaceful, to greater extent balanced, and comfortable, and I can cope better with any tensions in my life. My posture is also improved.

This is sort of funny but I’ve experienced absolutely different state of mind when I exercise and when I don’t. On some days, I don’t manage to practice the ‘Five Tibetan’ in the morning. On those days, I am much more easily irritated, less stable, and less balanced.

Other Benefits of the Ancient Yoga Flow

The biggest benefit is that you have to memorize only five different movements. The flow is very effective but contains solely five exercises and even I have memorized them directly. I said, ‘even I have memorized…’ because I don’t like to memorize things.

The exercise takes between ten to fifteen minutes per day. You don’t need much room to exercise; a space in size of a yoga mat is enough. Of course, to use a yoga mat is a great idea. Please don’t forget, we practice ‘the Five Tibetans’ barefoot.

You can exercise when you want; you’re independent of teachers and of having classes. Because of it, you are able to exercise practically everywhere and all the time.

When to Exercise?

Important is to find out, when it is the best time for you to practice yoga. In my case, it is directly after I wake up. Some people are unable to exercise early in the morning. For them, the best time might be early or late afternoon or evening. Practicing yoga just before going to bed is probably not a good idea. Personally, I wouldn’t do it; I want to be sleepy and not activated by exercise. After you have decided which time is the best for you, stick to it and practice every day.

The ‘Five Tibetan’ can also be used as a warm-up for a yoga session. I often begin with ‘five Tibetan’ and end up doing some yoga postures additionally. It depends on how much time I can invest for my fitness.y.

A Few Other Tips

Please, never exercise after a meal. It never works well to be physical active after lunch, breakfast, or supper. Wait around two or three hours after eating. Drinking water is always good. Drink water during or after exercises. Try to drink at least four glasses of water, during a day.

Who Shouldn’t Exercise?

If you’re not used to physical movement, overweight, desk-bound or sofa-bound… first ask your physician and then do only three repetitions of each exercises and please, use only the variations for beginners. Each week increase the number of exercises until you reach 21 repetitions.

It is easy – see the exercise instructions here. Only ten to fifteen minutes per day may change your life.