I don’t remember where or when I bought the book. It’s now tattered and worn, the glue on the spine long dried and cracked and the pages falling loosely from the cover. I keep it in a sealed plastic bag on my book shelf. I’ve used the contents of Peter Kelder’s book Tibetan Secrets of Youth and Vitality almost every day since I purchased it over 25 years ago. The book has been republished under a new name, Ancient Secrets of the Fountain of Youth, with a new forward by Bernie S. Siegel, M.D.

Each morning I see the handwritten reminder I placed in my workout space a decade ago that reads, “5 rites every morning. This means TODAY.” These five simple movements are part of my daily routine and they help get me moving for the day.

The five rites are simple stretching and breathing exercises often called the “5 Tibetans” that can be done in a few minutes and are based on techniques taught for thousands of years in Himalayan monasteries, where monks would live vital and vibrant lives well into old age. I encourage you to evaluate and consider if using the 5 rites in your daily routine is right for you.

I’m confident that moving my body daily with the Tibetan 5 rites has helped keep me feeling physically healthy and vibrant. In addition to the energetic benefits of exercise and movement, Kathleen Barnes shares perspective on how to stay vibrant in mind, body and spirit in our feature article Ageless Being on page 26.

I’m grateful to all the yoga practitioners that share a passion for teaching throughout our region.  Yoga continues to gain a wider acceptance in our culture, and Western medicine is taking note of the effects that a regular yoga practice has on reducing stress, the root cause of many medical disorders. Be sure to catch our Fit Body department this month to learn how medical research is validating the beneficial effects of yoga and get advice from from several local yogis with tips to reduce stress.

You’ll also want to include a trip to your local Salt Cave in your stress reduction plans.  Rebecca Hanlon provides a review of three area salons on page 24.

Thank you for being part of our growing family and for sharing the valuable information found within these pages throughout our local communities in South Central Pennsylvania and beyond.

Enjoy the rest of the summer and remember to feel good, live simply and laugh more.

Dave