Fountain of Youth

At the library booksale today, one interesting book I picked up is Ancient Secret of the Fountain of Youth by Peter Kelder. The book describes fives rites (or five isometric exercises) that are supposed to get the chakras spinning at the right speeds for optimal health, resulting in rejuvenation and longevity. The author claims to have gotten this knowledge from an old man in his 70's, who after practicing the technique himself had come to appear much younger. The book was apparently written in the 1930's, and this more recent edition claims that its author is still alive, though he is a very private person. It begins with 6.5 pages of testimonials on the techniques. It also includes endorsements from some authors I recognize, John Gray, Deepak Chopra, and Bernie Siegel. I'm going to give these rites a shot. If the testimonials are authentic, then this could be the best thing I will ever do for myself. If not, it should at least provide some good exercise. Some of the rites are similar to what I've been trying to do with Pilates. So they'll go hand in hand with that.

Speaking of Pilates, I've figured out why it has become most popular among women. Some of the exercises require the kind of flexibility that is more common among women than men. For example, I have never been able to do a ballet split, but I have seen girls do it easily. Some of the Pilates exercises require me to lift my extended leg at a 90 degree or greater angle. I can't lift my leg to a 90 degree angle without the knee flexing. When I pull my thigh to my stomach, my leg can't open any more than 90 degrees. One of the rites requires the same kind of flexibility, but the book tells of a monk who reports that he was, through doing the best he could, eventually able to do it properly. So I'll do what I can and hope for the same results. I suspect the problem is short hamstrings. As I flex my hips, it pulls on the hamstrings, which are the muscles for flexing the knee. I have only recently begun systematic stretching of my muscles, and I hope over time that my hamstrings will be long enough to let the knee stay extended when I flex my hip.