The Five Tibetans: Five Dynamic Exercises for Health, Energy, and Personal Power

by Christopher S. Kilham

Book Overview

The Five Tibetans is a yogic system of simple yet highly energizing exercises that originated in the Himalayas. With a minimum of daily time and effort these exercises can dramatically increase physical strength and suppleness as well as mental acuity. Regular practice can be a powerful vehicle not only for enlivening the senses but for generating and harnessing vital energy for self-transformation.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0892814500
• ISBN13: 9780892814503
• Release Date: January 1994
• Publisher: Healing Arts Press
• Length: 84 Pages
• Weight: 0.34 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.3" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

The system works

If you are like most people, you may be wondering if you can do these exercises consistently, if they work, and why they work. I have been doing these exercises for a couple of weeks, not being a very physically active person. These exercises are not difficult, though it may take a while before you can do the recommended 21 repetitions on each. I consider only one of the exercises to be difficult. If you have done yoga you will recognise some similarities with these rites. If these exercises work for me, they will probably work for you. The more you practice, the more you improve. So far, I have noticed increased energy, and better muscle definition, and there appears to be less gray hair than before. My posture has dramatically improved. The particular area with the most pronounced improvement I would say is my abdominal area, what physical trainers refer to as the core. I can feel the reemergence of the body I used to have years ago. I can see better muscle tone. I believe these exercises work because according to the Eye of Revelation by Peter Kelder on which this book is based, your body has seven psychic vortexes, which are activated by these exercises. The rate of spin of these vortexes decreases with age and these exercises restore the spin rate to a youthful level, restoring your metabolism in the process. My personal belief is these exercises do stimulate your key internal organs, and some of your chakras. Some of the exercises seem to focus on the kundalini energy located at the base of your spine. This is is the most powerful energy point in your body. If you were to find this review helpful, please click yes.

Simple and Effective

I got this book many years ago and I love it. I've read some of the reviews here and see that some people do not like the first exercise - the spinning. It is my favorite. While it does say in this one and other similar books that it is not recommended to go overboard with spinning - there I times I do spin about 99 times three times a day. It's a way of getting naturally high. (On a side not, spinning is my favorite part of salsa dancing). I also know a woman who has transformed literally in a few months by doing these exercises - and she too, did mostly spinning. Not only did she look younger, but she become way slimmer. Some reviewers say that this it not a book for beginners - but the exercises are very simple and you are meant to do them according to your comfort level, progressing at your own pace, so it doesn't matter how stiff or flexible you are - if you persist with the exercises you are bound to make progress.

Essential to the understanding of the 5 Tibetans

If you are a fan of yoga, and have never heard of the Five Tibetans (or even if you have, and aren't quite sure what they are) this book is for you. The author's language is simple, yet eloquent. The reader gets a basic knowledge of the chakras, Kundalini meditation, deep relaxation techniques and basic pranayama ("breathing exercises"). The actual Five Tibetans (yoga-inspired exercises) are well depicted in black and white photos (except for the first Tibetan, in which you spin clock-wise 21 times).The author claims that these exercises can be done in about 5-6 minutes. It takes me a little longer than that to complete 21 repetitions of each movement, but the effects are wonderful. I find them invigorating, and have started to use them at the beginning of my daily yoga practice.One word of caution: if you get dizzy easily, cut the first Tibetan short. There are still days that all 21 reps are not possible for me to complete. In short, this book is an interesting, easy read and a handy resource.

Best 15 minutes spent either horizontally or vertically

I am familiar with the benefits of Tai-Chi, Qi-Gong, Meditation, Martial Arts, etc. Most take a couple of years of training, and 1-3 hours a day of practice to achieve the health benefits that these 6 exercises will give in 10-15 minutes a day, and you'll start feeling the benefit nearly immediately. At least I did. I'm 48 and due to various debilities can't lift weights or do violent exercises any more. I've done the rites now for about 8 months and I can move pretty much pain free and rapidly. I've benefited mentally and physically vastly out of proportion to the apparent simplicity and brevity of these exercises. I bugged my 70's something dad to try them, and once he found out how much his energy and strength levels improved, he now does the rites daily. Mom is still trying to figure out what's going on, but even she's impressed with dad's increased energy levels. Remember, they will improve your physical and mental condition, but the rites are not a cure-all. Buy the book(s) and try them anyway.

Excellent exercise regime

I have a bad back that has greatly improved since undertaking these wonderful exercises. The five Tibetans only take about 8 minutes of your time (I do every morning)and the benefits are amazing. It's a great way to start your day feeling refreshed and ready to go. The exercises are simple and layed out nicely in the book with photographs showing the correct way to do. The first Tibetan involves spinning and does take a few times to get "used to" but should not be a deterrant to undertaking the rest. Absolutely the best exercise regime I've ever made a part of my life and one that will remain for as long as I live, it's that beneficial. Bravo!