Sun Salutations and The “Five Tibetans”

So…the 108 Sun Salutation program showed me that I can’t handle that volume AND do my other practices, some of which work aspects of health and fitness not in the SS. So I have to step back, ask myself what I’m working to accomplish, and what are my best approaches.

It takes me back to the Five Tibetans.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_bY6REpIPE&t=3s

If I look at them as a dynamic but limited practice, I have the right to ask myself what the evolutions of each Tibetan might be. At this point in my life, I have the right to do that: I can FEEL what they are doing in my body and energetic system.

Tibetan #1, twirling in place, is working balance and the vestibular system. No joke, considering how many people die because they fall down. More related to Dervish whirling than any asana I know of. “Speeding up the chakras” has been mentioned, and I’ll take that as a useful metaphor.

Tibetan #2 is working the Abs and a bit of spinal flexibility. A progression on this might be the “Dead Bug” exercise, which I’m currently fond of, because it seems so focused on spinal position.

Tibetan #3 is a baby back-bend/kneeling ab crunch. Step back: this is a form of “Be Breathed” exercise, which also works balance. Hmmm.

Tibetan #4, the “Tablemaker” is a baby back bridge also. Clearly, the creators of the system (whoever they are. The only thing I’m pretty certain of is that the origin story is a fable)…