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

"I bought my first copy of this book a few years ago and now buy it from time-to-time as a gift to people I think will benefit from the wisdom that is in it. A small book, well written, and well illustrated. I highly recommend this to all health conscious people.

Michael Upper"
~ Written on 2008-06-28

"I was looking for a contemporary guide to these ancient exercises; I found it in this book. Combining the rites with the meditation exercises works great. I've only been doing them for a few weeks and I'm feeling better, more flexible and after doing them in the morning, I feel just amazing. "
~ Written on 2008-03-24

"OK, so I'm Chris' wife, Zoe Helene. I've a history of health and fitness of my own, although mostly movement for performers, meditation, belly dance and exploring the great outdoors. Zero YOGA. Chris and I were married last July and I had to make some very sudden adjustments. After experiencing the style of travel Chris engages in (conditions, while often astounding, can be harsh) I quickly realized yoga was one his big secrets---perhaps the best if not the only way to stay fit and flexible enough to handle life on the Medicine Trail. Finally, I broke down and swallowed my pride and asked Chris if he would teach me. He said, "YES!" The experiencing of learning yoga from ground zero privately with my amazing husband has proved to be an intensely inspiring life changing experience. It has also proved to be extremely... humbling. I've dubbed myself the "Yogapotamus" due to the occasional falling backwards on my rather bountiful bottom. We laugh a lot. But hey, I'm getting much better fast and it truly is incredible what the body is willing and able to adapt to. We usually do the Five Tibetans every day after whatever routine he takes me through--and oh yes, he's pushing me. But in response to a few reviews I've read online, I'd like to share some personal experience with the First Tibetan (the spinning exercise). YES, it can be strange at first, and yes, it does make you dizzy at first, but there are sound health reasons for it, and they are in part about sustaining balance throughout life and thus your longevity. The trick is to start slowly. As slowly as you like. Two turns the first day, three the next, four the next, etc.---work up to it. And don't skip the two big breaths at the end, and try to relax into it and try to enjoy the sensation more as a buzz rather than a dizzy. You'll be whirling like a dervish in no time and I promise you'll find it exhilarating. I'd politely passed up the opportunity to share the First Tibetan with Chris until one morning I had an ah-ha! moment. The motion was none other than a belly dancing 'paddle turn.' Once I made that connection, I realized of course I'd been spinning for decades, just with veils and music. [...]"
~ Written on 2008-03-05

"This version of the five tibetans is useful only for the excersise descriptions. I purchased the original about 2 years ago and lost it when moving. I purchased this thinking it was that book, not knowing the original authors' name. Needless to say I was dissappointed when I recieved this. I don't pay attention to the extra info, though it is nice for beginners, and the "sixth tibetan" is common sense for anyone who has any yogic training, but again it is appreciated. "
~ Written on 2008-01-30

"Good things do come in small packages. This is a small but powerful book. The "Five Tibetans" are Yoga but Yoga anyone without special training can do. The 21 repetitions of each pose may not be possible for everyone at first but they are definitely worth striving toward. There are also some great meditations in the back of the book that are worth exploring for those who meditate. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to start or to supplement their fitness routine."
~ Written on 2008-01-12