RITES OF BALANCE

   Based upon The “Ancient Secret of the Fountain of Youth” by Peter Kelder

These 5 movements, called Rites, activate and balance the twelve meridians of the body. When combined with walking, they are a complete system of physically balanced exercises.  Performed daily, a profound difference in energy level can be realized in a brief period of time.  As always, consult your physician or other health care provider before beginning this or any program of exercise.

 The Rites cause the “Chakras” (Hindu, meaning wheel), the seven etherical energy centers of the body, to spin more rapidly and freely.  They correspond to the seven ductless glands, which regulate hormonal output.  The Chakras spin at great speeds in a healthy body, thus circulating vital Energy (Life Force, Chi, Prana) throughout the system.  When one or more of these energy centers slows down, the result is dis-ease of some sort [limited function, illness, and aging].

 Your investment in practicing the five Rites, even for just several minutes a day, will be repaid many times over in your feeling of well-being.  The Rites are a powerful tool to uplift your energy and create a greater sense of physical vitality.  The book suggests you perform them in the sequence described and that you coordinate your movements with your breath.  When performed in the morning, the Rites warm the body and energize the system for the day’s activities.  Practiced later in the day, you can use them to refocus and revitalize yourself.  

Begin with three to five repetitions and increase to a maximum of 21 repetitions in a day.  Add 2 repetitions each week, as is comfortable.   Important!  Begin with a low number of repetitions so that you do not stress or strain your body.  Even just a few of each movement will be of great benefit.  The Rites are aerobic and they will stretch and strengthen your body.  Respond to any resistance you may encounter (dizziness, excuses not to do them, soreness, etc.) by reducing the number of repetitions and doing them SLOWER.  Feeling better is a gift you give yourself from the Universe.

Rite # 1: The physical purpose of Rite #1 is to synchronize and speed up the seven vortices in the body, thereby creating a greater sense of balance and grounding.

Instructions:

1.  Breathe deeply and slowly.  Stand erect with

arms outstretched: left palm facing upward, right

palm facing downward. 

2.  Select a focal point to support your sense of balance.

Spin SLOWLY in a clockwise circle coordinating your

breathing with the turns.   Be sure to move both feet as

you turn, rather than pivoting.

Suggestions:

1.  Allow yourself to feel any dizziness and to move beyond it.

Control the degree of any dizziness with the speed of your

motion and the number of repetitions.                                                                                                 

 Rite #2:  The physical purpose of Rite #2 is to strengthen and stretch your leg, stomach, and neck muscles. 

Instructions:

1.  Lie down flat, face up, arms are by your sides, palms down.

2.  Inhale while raising your head off the floor, tucking your

chin to your chest.  Simultaneously lift your legs into a

perpendicular position keeping your knees straight. 

3.  Exhale while slowly lowering your head and legs.

4.  Totally release the tension in your body then repeat. 

Suggestions:

1.  Keep your lower back pressed to the floor.

2.  For more support, place your hands, palms down, under

your buttocks.

3.  Lift your legs up as high as you can comfortably, without

strain.  Increase gradually as your muscles stretch and become

stronger. 

4.  Rotate and flex the feet for added stretch.

Rite # 3: The  physical purpose of Rite #3 is to strengthen and stretch the abdominal muscles. 

Instructions:

1.  Kneel with chin on chest, toes curled under, and

            palms resting lightly on your thighs.

2.  Hold your lower body stationary.  Inhale, and rotate

your shoulders backwards and squeeze your shoulder

blades together.  Reach your arms around and place your

hands under your buttocks.  Press in with your hands while

leaning your head and neck into a backwards arch. 

3.  Exhale and return to the starting position with your chin

on your chest,  palms on your thighs, and your shoulders

slightly rounded.

Suggestions:  

1.  To increase your back support, place your hands on your

lower back rather than under your buttocks.

2.  If curling your toes is uncomfortable, keep your feet straight.

3.  Work within your ability.  Move slowly and gently.                                              

Rite # 4: The  physical purpose of Rite #4 is to stretch and

strengthen the shoulder and abdominal muscles.

Instructions:

1.  Sit on the floor with legs straight out in front of you;

your feet are hip-width apart; hands are alongside the

thighs, fingers forward, palms down; your chin against your

chest.

2.  Inhale while dropping the head backward and lifting up

your torso while thrusting pelvis upward.

3.  Exhale while returning to starting position; place your chin upon your chest.

Rite # 5:  The physical purpose of Rite #5 is to stretch the shoulder blade and triceps

Instructions:

1.  Lie face down with your toes curled under and your

feet placed hip-wide apart. Place your hands beneath your

shoulders, with your fingers pointing ahead.  Your abdomen

is slightly raised from the floor.  Keep your arms and legs

straight, your neck and back arched.

2.  Inhale while raising your pelvis into an inverted V position.

Keep your arms and legs straight; your head down.

3.  Exhale while returning to the original position.  Continue

to have your arms and legs straight, while lowering the pelvis.

Suggestions:

1.  From inverted V position, push heels toward the floor

to deepen your stretch.

2.  Keep spine and head in a straight line when in the inverted V.

3.  Stretch rear toward ceiling.

4.  If touching the floor is uncomfortable, increase the distance

of pelvis from the floor.

*  If you have any physical conditions please proceed with caution and consult your medical practitioner.   

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