The Tibetan 5 Rites and The Five Elements
Carolinda Witt
9/13/08
At the time of the development of the Five Tibetan Rites of Rejuvenation, the ancients
believed that their world was composed of Five Elements; water, earth, air, fire and spirit
(energy).
In psychology the Five Elements are used to personify different human traits, such as the
personality types categories by Carl Jung (feeling, sensing, intuiting, and thinking) and
those associated with the astrological signs of the zodiac. I experimented with the
concept of assigning an element to each of the Rites, and found the results to be
amazing.
In each case, the physical movement of the Rite was a metaphor for what we were trying
to achieve mentally - awareness in a different aspect of life. For example the Spin takes
the element energy, and the vortex that the movements create allows you to replenish
your body from the larger energy all around us. The Tabletop takes the element earth,
and its movements focus on stability, foundation and balance, giving us a solid base from
which to form new ideas.
In holistic exercise it can sometimes be hard to marry the physical state with the mental
state, and having a metaphor helps people enormously to align the two, and to present a
clear picture of what they are working towards.
Having assigned an element and a modern name to each Rite, I then experimented with
creating an affirmation that expressed the 'energy' of each movement. The result is a
method of reinforcing and focusing upon the positive benefits of each Rite physically,
mentally and spiritually. This has a ripple effect on every area of your life.
Rite No 1 - The Spin - I am full of energy
Rite No 2 - The Leg Raise - My mind is clear and calm
Rite No 3 - The Kneeling Backbend - I am flexible and receptive
Rite No 4 - The Tabletop - I am strong and balanced
Rite No 5 - The Pendulum - I am positive and motivated
Copyright (c) 2005 Carolinda Witt - author T5T - The Five Tibetan Exercise Rites and The
10-Minute Rejuvenation Plan
Carolinda Witt
9/13/08
At the time of the development of the Five Tibetan Rites of Rejuvenation, the ancients
believed that their world was composed of Five Elements; water, earth, air, fire and spirit
(energy).
In psychology the Five Elements are used to personify different human traits, such as the
personality types categories by Carl Jung (feeling, sensing, intuiting, and thinking) and
those associated with the astrological signs of the zodiac. I experimented with the
concept of assigning an element to each of the Rites, and found the results to be
amazing.
In each case, the physical movement of the Rite was a metaphor for what we were trying
to achieve mentally - awareness in a different aspect of life. For example the Spin takes
the element energy, and the vortex that the movements create allows you to replenish
your body from the larger energy all around us. The Tabletop takes the element earth,
and its movements focus on stability, foundation and balance, giving us a solid base from
which to form new ideas.
In holistic exercise it can sometimes be hard to marry the physical state with the mental
state, and having a metaphor helps people enormously to align the two, and to present a
clear picture of what they are working towards.
Having assigned an element and a modern name to each Rite, I then experimented with
creating an affirmation that expressed the 'energy' of each movement. The result is a
method of reinforcing and focusing upon the positive benefits of each Rite physically,
mentally and spiritually. This has a ripple effect on every area of your life.
Rite No 1 - The Spin - I am full of energy
Rite No 2 - The Leg Raise - My mind is clear and calm
Rite No 3 - The Kneeling Backbend - I am flexible and receptive
Rite No 4 - The Tabletop - I am strong and balanced
Rite No 5 - The Pendulum - I am positive and motivated
Copyright (c) 2005 Carolinda Witt - author T5T - The Five Tibetan Exercise Rites and The
10-Minute Rejuvenation Plan
This work is the intellectual property of its author and is fully
copyrighted. It may not be copied or republished in any medium
(including but not limited to electronic and print media) without the
express permission of the author. All rights are reserved.
copyrighted. It may not be copied or republished in any medium
(including but not limited to electronic and print media) without the
express permission of the author. All rights are reserved.
