What is T5T?

T5T is a series of five yoga-like exercises and one rejuvenation breathing technique. Each exercise is performed 21 times, daily. Between each different exercise, the Energy Breathing technique is completed three times. The complete program will eventually take you between 10 to 15 minutes per day. The average is just under 10 minutes. Two optional breathing techniques for focusing one’s awareness and achieving a deeper state of relaxation are also included.

When you begin learning T5T, you complete three repetitions of each exercise for the first week. In the second and ensuing weeks you simply add two extra repetitions, until you reach the full 21 repetitions. Throughout the program, you also carry out three repetitions of the Energy Breathing technique between each different exercise.

Increasing repetitions by just two per week allows you to progressively build up strength, as muscles take time to develop. Be prepared to take your time; it should take you around 10 weeks to achieve 21 repetitions, but you may find that you reach 21 repetitions of one posture, but remain at a lesser number of repetitions of another for several weeks. This is fine. It’s much more important that you do yourself no harm. Allow your body to guide you, and you will eventually be able to do all five exercises the required 21 times each. The reason why the number of repetitions does not exceed 21 is a mystery. I have found that practising more than 21 repetitions does not increase the energy and benefits already generated, and for some people it actually depletes them. Twenty-one repetitions seems just ‘rite’.

In the beginning you will most likely need to allow more than 10 minutes to complete your program. Remembering what to do takes time, as does building up the strength and flexibility to do the postures at a smooth, continuous pace.

If you already attend yoga or Pilates classes

If you have been doing Pilates regularly, you may have already developed strength and control of your core stability muscles. You may also have learnt how to focus your mind, to control and correctly align your body, and to move with precision. These skills are equally important for T5T.

Those of you who practise yoga weekly are likely to have similarly developed strength and control. However, if the development of strong core stability muscles has not been part of your yoga regime, you will need to allow time for these muscles to strengthen. In Part Two, I explain how these deep core stability muscles protect your spine, regardless of your level of fitness.

In either case, it is understandable that you may wish to progress through the steps at a faster rate. Be alert to changes in the energy system of your body, and possible detox effects. Pay particular attention to the Spin, as this is not part of a yoga or Pilates practice, and will therefore be new to you. You should build up the number of repetitions of the Spin gradually, stopping each time when you reach a level of mild dizziness.

For more information visit http://www.t5tonline.com