The 5 Tibetan Rites (the secret fountain of Eternal Youth)

Want to know the secret of Eternal Youth? You’re a lot closer than you imagine…
(Note: I have done a lot of investigation and used different sources. I have based this video on "The Eye of Revelation" published in 1939 and edited in 1946, but also used notes and updates from other yoga teachers and obserbed some comments from the last decades. I have introduced some of them. Maybe they are not purely the original ones - although I tried to capture them the best way, but I have gathered what I considered the best all of worlds. I hope this answers some questions. Thank you!)
The Five Tibetan Rites are an ancient yoga practice that Tibetan monks brought from India and adapted to their environment. It consists of a sequence of five exercises performed up to 21 times a day (you can start with a few and increase through the days). The program has many physical, mental, and spiritual benefits, restoring vitality and strength. The Five Tibetan Rites are traditionally known as the “Fountain of Youth” by many people in the Eastern and Western world.
They are thought to be more than 2,500 years old. They were first introduced to the Western culture in 1985, in the book “Ancient Secret of the Fountain of Youth” by Peter Kelder, although he already collected his ideas in previous books (as mentioned above). This book, which describes the program as “youthing,” explains the exercises in detail. These exercises are on the body’s energy, which has seven energy fields, or vortexes (chakras in Hindu). These fields control parts of the endocrine system, a network of glands and organs that regulate many of the body’s functions, including the aging process. By practicing regularly, the energy fields spin at the same rate keeping the body young.
Rite 1: (energy) Its purpose is to speed up the chakras. If you feel dizzy, it’s absolutely normal. Just do it at your own degree. Spin as many times as you can and stop when you feel slightly dizzy. You also have an alternative move that won’t get you lightheaded but will ignite the chakras.
Rite 2: (air) Here focus on the rhythmic breathing. Keep it up in each repetition, no matter how many you do this time. You may need a nice, cozy surface to lay on. If at the beginning you have difficulty straightening your knees, bend them as needed. Try to straighten them each time you perform the rite. Keep trying as you progress in your practice.
Rite 3: (water) Like the previous one, pay attention to your breathing. You can choose to close your eyes which will help you focus inward. Keep your hands on your thighs during the entire rite. If this “camel-like” pose is not for you or you don’t see yourself ready, use the alternative one against a wall.
Rite 4: (earth) This “Swinging Tabletop” also requires rhythmic breathing. Your hands and heels should stay in the same place during the entire exercise. You move hips up and down and your trunk, but your limbs stay in the same place. Contract the muscles consciously when coming up.
Rite 5: (fire) It’s a combination of a Downward-Facing Dog and Upward-Facing Dog (with heels up). For this reason, it’s sometimes called Two Dogs. To support better your lower back, you can bend your knees when moving in between poses if it feels good.
When you should take extra care:
- Recent surgery: if you have undertaken surgery in the last 6 months. Ask your physician.
- Heart or breathing problems. Talk to your doctor if you have a serious condition.
- Neurological disorders. Parkinson’s disease or MS can cause poor balance. Make sure you’re safe to practice. Also any condition that causes dizziness (esp. the spinning motion, which may aggravate various conditions, including vertigo, circulatory issues, or nausea).
- Pregnancy. Spinning may not be safe if you’re pregnant. Be also very cautious and avoid holding the breath.
Which one is your favourite?
How many reps did you do today?

[@noself7889]

I did this daily for five years and then just stopped one day ten years ago. As a matter of fact I stopped all my practices after doing meditation , Qi Gong and then added the rites about five years in. I felt amazing those ten years and when I stopped my mental and physical health too a major downturn. I recently started them all back. The 5 Tibetan rites not only balance the chakras but they make the body strong. I remember the first time I tried them I couldn’t do the full 20 repetitions and I was pretty strong at the time. This is an amazing practice to add to yoga, qigong and meditation.

[@yogawithVic]

It's amazing to hear you're back and truly enjoying it! Thanks for sharing. Indeed, the rites can be challenging, as they were designed to cover all areas of the body and all areas of physical fitness (flexibility, strength, cardio...) so it's not a little game, it can be pretty tiring and demanding. Hence, I always advise to start with 3 or 5 and keep increasing once you feel stronger. THanks!

[@noself7889]

@@yogawithVic 🙏😇

[@jedlimen123]

Hi, first vid, new sub..Lovely presentation of the 5 Tibetans and some alternatives.. Whenever I have consistently practiced these, starting several decades ago, I feel great.. I am 69 years old and recently resumed my practice of these exercises.. By the way, you chose a beautiful setting in which to film.. 🙏

[@yogawithVic]

Thanks so much for passing by and deciding to embark in further journeys. So happy to hear you're going to practice this (there are plenty of practices that you can also benefit from. Do whate makes you happy!). Yesterday I had dinner with a gorgeous lady who was 70 and had the vitality of a 30 year old... Age is truly a number, so keep the energy up!! And yes, I love finding beautiful setting to enjoy my practices and share them with you!! Glad you enjoy it!

[@rajendarmenen3672]

Brilliant presentation 👏. I have been doing the Rites for 3 decades. It's awesome.

[@yogawithVic]

So glad to hear!! The rites are fabulous!!! It's like a "concentrated" yoga practice, well put together and incredibly efficient. Keep it going!!

[@daniels4228]

Thank you for sharing

[@yogawithVic]

Thank you for watching and practicing!

[@matcauthon876]

Came up on my feed today, just what I needed. I do yoga or tsigun everyday, but the last week I did not, and this was the perfect pickmeup to reboot. Might just incorporate it as my new morning ritual with the shortage of time I’ve got now. Anyways thanks a bunch for uploading this, changed my day.

[@yogawithVic]

So happy to hear!! I practice yoga daily too but this is a very powerful practice to incorporate, especially when you don't have much time. And you just adapt it to your needs. Enjoy it!

[@Sa_Stafford]

Beautiful, Thankyou. Your explanations and demonstrations are perfect for me. 🙏 I’ve been doing the rites for about 3 weeks, but your explanations will help me move forward safely.

[@yogawithVic]

Thanks, Sandra. So glad to be of support and find ways to improve your practice. Always adapt to your day, your body, your mood... do your own practice. It will be perfect!

[@anemsporty7429]

Thank you, that was great! ☺️💜☀️

[@yogawithVic]

So happy to hear!! Keep practicing and breathing!!! 😍

[@rajendarmenen3672]

Have subscribed to your newsletter too. Wonderful.

[@lewiscray9052]

Best version on YT thanks with perfect form and modifications. Can rite 4 make shoulder issues such as wear and tear worse? I'm hoping it's beneficial as I can do it with full form.

[@yogawithVic]

Hi, Lewis! Thanks for your comments! 😄 Rite number 4 in full form can be a bit heavy on shoulders in the full form, but you can give it a try and see how it feels. If there's real pain, I suggest you do the modification, which is light in the shoulders but efficient in the rest of the muscle groups we are aiming to work. When you come up to the top (in full form it's when you may feel a bit the strain (or if you have previous injuries, the whole movement may feel a bit tiring). I'd suggest give it a try and if it does not feel good after a few attempts, do it from the bridge pose, which can be equally challenging. I hope this helps!

[@lewiscray1093]

Thank you@@yogawithVic

[@rajendarmenen3672]

Very impressed. Do you have more videos?

[@yogawithVic]

I have plenty of videos!! The channel already has a lot of different practices: short, long, powerful, calm... a bit of everything. I publish every Tuesday and Thursday and some times other days with tutorials or different classes. Happy to take requests if you have any. Thanks for watching and practicing!!

[@carrieb1027]

Thank you for this. 💚 Are the rites meant to be done slowly? Or does it matter? I want to do it the way it’s meant to be.

[@yogawithVic]

Thank you for stepping by and taking care of your soul! As everything yoga related, the pace of things is what you find best for you. Rites cannot be rushed or done around the idea of "fitness" purely, as they also come paired up with breath and are meant to be "felt" through your body. You can start with a few (3, 5, 7... )at the pace that feels good and increment every day. If one day you're not feeling well, you can go back to a few. Always listen to your body. Rushing never helps. Make them in a way that you're fully aware of the move. And enjoy them!! Namaste!

[@krl5852]

What time of day is it best to do the rites?

[@yogawithVic]

Hi! I recommend morning time. The sooner the better. It's a great start for the day, especially because you expand energetically and work on focus and strength. But if your morning is too busy, try the middle of the day. Not ideal for evening time, as you want to chill and wind-down before going to sleep. I hope this helps!! Enjoy them!

[@chriskilham]

Sorry to say these are simply incorrect. Peter Kelder's ORIGINAL book with fine anatomical drawings shows how to do them correctly. Pretty setting but these are not the real Five Tibetans.

[@yogawithVic]

I would love to understand which ones are the right ones. I have been reading and learning from different sources. I offer here what I believed where the 5 original ones and 5 variations (not the original) for those who don't feel good with the original ones. Can you please, help me and let me know what are the variations thaat I am missing? I will be pleased to learn. THanks for your support!!

[@chriskilham]

@@yogawithVic Kelder's original anatomical illustrations show correct placement, especially for feet and head. I reproduce them faithfully in my book The Five Tibetans, and on the KZbin video of med demonstrating them on The Dr OZ Show. That video is called The Five Tibetans Practice Correctly. I hope you will find this of value. These are great methods. best to you.

[@yogawithVic]

@@chriskilham Thanks so much for your input. I will surely check it and learn from it! Always keen on expanding and growing! Much gratitude!!!

[@foreverlearn3866]

This is not the original

[@yogawithVic]

Hi! Thanks for your comment. I am not sure what you are referring to exactly. I have captured what I have learnt and researched. It's based on my knowledge and investigation. I will be happy to hear other versions and keep learning!

[@abigailrockwell6310]

⁠@@yogawithVicThank you for your contribution and for the uplifting, breathtaking location. Respectfully, according to the 1985 Peter Kelder book entitled, “Fountain of Youth” the breathing for the last Rite #5 is carefully explained: "Follow the same deep breathing pattern used in the previous rites. Breathe in deeply as you raise your body. Breathe out fully as you lower it.” I believe you have executed the opposite - breathing out as the body is raised (forgive me if I’m mistaken). Everyone seems to have their own method of doing these Rites, to be sure. Blessings.

[@yogawithVic]

@@abigailrockwell6310 Thanks so much for your feedback!! I really appreciate it. You're right. I have seen people teaching this move with different approaches to breathing. which made me hesitate a lot when I filmed it, as I did it the most natural way (for me) I adapted it to what usually happens in yoga, which is inhaling paired up with a backbend (opening the chest) and exhaling with a more "forward fold" move. So if it's not along the original guides, I will investigate more and do a new video with the adaptations. I am very grateful for your comment. This helps a lot!! Have an awesome day!

[@rabokarabekian409]

Sure, Tibetans being infamous for their hygiene and excellent health. No need to give cheap food offering to thousands of minor god, though. Not even a stupa needed.

[@mariebrechet1438]

C'est pas les 5 tibetaint désolée

[@yogawithVic]

Happy to hear your version! This is the one I learnt. I'd love to learn more from you.