Five years ago when I happened onto the Tibetan Rites of Rejuvenation in a book called “The Ancient Secret of the Fountain of Youth” by Peter Kelder, I knew instinctively these exercises would help me grow younger, and they have!

Known as The Five Tibetans, this series of movements form a system of exercise that affects the body, mind and emotions, activating and stimulating key chakras (energy centers) thereby stimulating all the glands of the endocrine system. Since the endocrine system is responsible for the body’s overall functioning and aging process, these exercises affect the functioning of all our organs and systems. The Tibetan Rites can be considered a form of Tibetan yoga similar to the more well-known yoga series that originated in India. However, these are designed to make you grow younger and they really work.

I know - because The Five Tibetans are part of my 21 daily practices for growing younger – and they’re certainly working for me. To begin, you should only do each 3 times, gradually working up to 21 of each. I’ve recently posted a brief video on YouTube.com in which I show the correct way to do the five primary exercises. Check out my video on YouTube: THE FIVE TIBETAN RITES – THE RIGHT WAY, and please pass it forward. I’d love if you’d rate it and comment. Here’s the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjtslbrFbLY

All the studies into societies with populations that live long, active lives report that one of their characteristics is remaining physically active in their 60s, 70s, 80s and beyond. We must keep moving as practically any doctor will tell you, so there’s really nothing radical about my recommending an exercise practice. The only thing that might seem unusual is that the practice I use and advocate is one that dates back more than 2000 years.

You might wonder how we know about these Rites of Rejuvenation. They were introduced to the Western world by Peter Kelder in 1939. Kelder had met a retired British army colonel in the 1930s who told him stories of his travels to India and Tibet and the discovery of the Tibetan Rites of Rejuvenation. Kelder published The Eye of Revelation in 1939 based on his conversations with the colonel.

Although I have been practicing The Five Tibetans daily since 2004, I recently discovered a new edition of Kelder’s The Eye of Revelation, edited by W.J. Watt and published in 2008. This book, based on a recently discovered manuscript of Kelder’s from 1939, gives additional detail and information on the correct way to do the exercises and their benefits.

One of the details is that they should be performed very slowly. What a difference that makes! I had easily worked up to 21 of each of the rites doing them the old way but when I slowed down, I had to cut back to just six a day of each and my muscles were sore! Now I’m back up to 21 of each with no soreness. I plan to produce an instructional DVD on how to properly practice the Tibetans. Watch for more information on this in my monthly newsletter at www.howtogrowyounger.com. When beginning this practice, as with any new exercise program, please use caution. If you don’t already practice yoga or something similar, I suggest you do not attempt these exercises without first getting your doctor’s permission.

Here’s the link again: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjtslbrFbLY

If you’re interested in learning more, I recommend the following two books:

THE EYE OF REVELATION: The Ancient Tibetan Rites of Rejuvenation by Peter Kelder; edited by J.W. Watt, pub. 2008 and 2009, Booklocker.com, Inc. Buy it on Amazon

ANCIENT SECRET OF THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH: BOOK 2 by Peter Kelder; published by Doubleday 1999 Buy it on Amazon

Author's Bio: 

Ellen Wood, inspirational speaker and author of The Secret Method for Growing Younger is a living example of the effectiveness of the processes she teaches.

Since Ellen began using this consciousness-based approach in 2004, she has gained a clearer,sharper mind and stronger body, and has more vitality, stamina, flexibility, exuberance and energy than she had 30 years ago. Now, Ellen's passion, as both a writer and workshop leader, is pioneering a revolution in age-reversing consciousness.

Born in 1936, Ellen is an award-winning marketing and advertising executive who had given numerous talks throughout the country during the 1980’s and 1990’s and had authored or been featured in more than 30 articles in national magazines and newspapers. Recently Ellen has enthralled many hundreds of people with her workshops on how to grow younger.

Her lifelong interest in mind/body/spirit practices includes over 40 years of research exploring Eastern spirituality and Western psychology, attending seminars, workshops and retreats; and practicing techniques for balancing and joyfully integrating body, mind and spirit.

For decades Ellen applied the dynamics she learned to many aspects of her life. It was after her beloved mother wasted away with Alzheimer’s that she began to wake up to the fact that she could also change the process of aging by applying techniques she had used in other areas of her life. Soon a whole program evolved along with a passion to share the information. The result is her first book, The Secret Method for Growing Younger.

In the Foreward to Ellen's book, Dr. Norm Shealy, bestselling author of over a dozen books, including Life Beyond 100, says, "Ellen Wood has integrated this century of positive thinking and its effect upon health to the next level - its power not only to retard aging but to reverse it!"

Her book is also endorsed by Barbara DeAngelis PhD, and world-renowned physicians, including Larry Dossey MD, David Simon MD and Richard Moss MD. Ellen has a regular column in The Taos News, Taos New Mexico.