After instant coffee, it's instant yoga

In about the same time it takes to brew a cup of coffee, you can gain the benefits of traditional yoga, claims Tibetan yoga instructor Razia Patel. Active checks in to test whether her statement holds water

At first, enjoying all the benefits of yoga by practicing it for just fifteen minutes a day seemed too good to be true, but that's the promise that comes with Tibetan Yoga. Started by Tibetan monks, believed to know the secrets to eternal youth, this form of yoga is made up of 'Five Rites' that combine asanas with the science of traditional Indian yoga, packing it into five basic exercises.



As I headed to meet Razia Patel, the Tibetan yoga instructor, I wondered what sort of complicated poses she would ask me to twist my body into. After all, there had to be a catch, I told myself.

Once there, I asked Razia where I could change into my workout gear as I was dressed in jeans and a casual top. "Don't worry," she assured me. "The whole point of Tibetan Yoga is that it can be practised anytime, anywhere, with any kind of clothing. It's all about convenience." Wow! I already loved Tibetan yoga. Not being a big fan of traditional yoga thanks to the patience and concentration required, I dreaded what was coming next.

"Let's start with a few mind exercises," said Razia, "visualise your heart's desires. It could be a trip, a goal or a picture of you in your dream body. Negative thoughts can make you sick, but if you think positively, it will help attract your dreams and make them a reality."

With the power of her words, I transported myself into a serene world of fat-free chocolates and Johnny Depp. As if by magic, I felt all the stress drain from my system, and when I opened my eyes again, it felt like I had woken up from a good night's sleep.

Moving straight into the first of the Five Rites, I found myself spinning, my arms outstretched -- child-like -- the wind on my face. Feeling completely inhibition-free, I felt I knew why Tibetans swore by this rite's energising powers -- I instantly felt years younger.

For the second rite, I was flat on my back, doing simple leg raises. With the pressure off my back and targetted on my abs, it was obvious that repeating this routine every day would lead to those elusive washboard abs. "This rite works wonders for women by easing symptoms of menopause," Razia explained.

In the third rite, I bent backwards, stretching my spine to form a U. Boy, did that feel good! "This reduces the stiffness of the back," said Razia, as I could feel the tension leave my body. Women rejoice, this one also eases menstrual pain and helps tone thunder thighs.

With promises of weight loss and better heart health, the fourth rite involved forming a tabletop with your torso. This pose appeared complicated, but was easy to do.

The fifth rite was a modified version of the 'Surya Namaskar', involving dipping and stretching, making it far easier and quicker than the one we usually practice in regular yoga sessions.

So, minus the complicated moves and demands, and with a routine that lasts for a quarter of an hour, the one question on my mind was, does this really work?

"I feel 25," said Razia, a smile on her serene face. And I didn't need the testimonies of her students or die-hard Tibetan yoga fans to realise that I had experienced something very powerful. For a routine that takes only three hours to master and helps you gain a lifetime of benefits I, for one, had become a fan.