Naomi Sophia Call - Fountain of Youth Exercises: For Vitality, Radiance, Joy & Fulfillment in Fifteen Minutes

If I were to wish for anything, I should not wish for wealth and power, but for the passionate sense of the potential, for the eye which, ever young and ardent, sees the possible... what wine is so sparkling, so fragrant, so intoxicating, as possibility!

~ SQREN KIERKEGAARD

Entire contents copyright 2011 Naomi Sophia Call.

First edition published by Findhorn Press, 2011

The right of Naomi Sophia Call to be identified as the authors of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1998.

ISBN 978-1-84409-528-5

The exercises in this book are safe and gentle. If you have unmedicated high blood pressure, eye inflamations or any reason to question the suitability of the exercises, please consult with your doctor first.

The publisher and author disclaim all liability in connection with the use of the information in individual cases.

All rights reserved. The contents of this book may not be reproduced in any form, except for short extracts for quotation or review, without written permission from the publisher.

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data.

A Catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

Cover, interior design by Damian Keenan

Cover & interior photographs by Naomi Sophia Call

Five Rite photographers Auston Call & Donna Jacobsen

Author photographs by Loghan Call & Ian Robson

Back cover author photograph by Auston Call

Printed and bound in the European Union

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For my mother Mary Jane...

and your forever youthful passions

for my father Jack...

building countless best moments

and to all of my ancestors

~ Thank you

Words fall short of the depth of my gratitude. I cherish the blessing that you all are to me, to this book and to our world.

Thierry Bogliolo and Findhorn Press for your choice, trust and patience to share my ideas with the world. For all of the times you stretched with me to bring this vision to its fullness, I am deeply grateful. Findhorn Gardens for opening and affirming to the world, the inherent magic that abounds on our Earth.

Deborah Doyle for your literary brilliance, friendship and wisdom. Gerri Merrielle, from the first murmur of conception you were there again. Taylor Call for your wealth of information and support through editing, and life. Donna Jacobsen for your loving support in countless ways, not to mention your t-shirt.

Megan Pincus Katijani for serendipitously becoming my editor... your extraordinary labor support and fortuitous pearls of wisdom are the the icing on the cake. Thank you for perfecting the recipe!

Damian Keenan, for your graphic perfection, patience and perseverance throughout a spiritual journey across an ocean and thousands of miles enabling us to co-create this work of art, and be blessed to get to know one another.

Gail Torr for being there with your shining light, and helping me to shine mine.

Auston Call & Donna Jacobsen for photographing my mother and I in The Five Rites. Loghan Call & Ian Robson for photos of me.

Models are volunteer students who were photographed on chilly winter mornings in southern California. Their love of yoga and pre-dawn sense of adventure is a gift and inspiration to us all. A special thank you to Bill, Carolyn, Helen and Ian whose photos were unfortunately not used, your spirit is equally appreciated. Also a big thank you to Gary.

Patty Arambarri, 65 years young

Julia Burgess-Perrot, 74years young

Mary Jane Call, 79 youthful years

Brigit Clark-Smith, 82 years young

Marla Daigh, 56 years young

Vic Freudenberger, 91 years young

Mary Hansom, 69 years young

Donna Jacobsen, 65 years young

Jan OHara, 60 youthful years

Heather Martin, 57 years young

Tony Matarrese, 57 youthful years

Pat Miller, 77 years young

Cap Strawser, 89 years young

Harry Tracy, 57 years young

To my family and friends, your loving, inspiring support in countless ways, between every word. is the leavening in my life.

Living is the art of loving. Sharing is the art of living.

~ BOOKER T. WASHINGTON

To find joy in work is to discover the fountain of youth.

~ PEARL S. BUCK

A s I reflect on my lifes journey, the people who have enriched my life and my desire to make a difference in the world, I am present to the concept of pay it forward. This is the title of a movie from 2000, about a boy who comes up with the idea to pay good deeds forward, rather than back, and in turn, transforms the lives of an ever-widening circle of people. I believe, as a teacher, life coach, chef and healer, in paying forward the gifts that I have been given on this path to health, radiance, happiness and longevity.

My journey began in the 1970s, when I learned of macrobiotics from my sister Kimberly. I had recently become a vegetarian and was transitioning from a standard American diet. My revelations led me to studies pioneered by Michio and Aveline Kushi, who brought an inspired vision, a tantalizingly beautiful cuisine and a refreshing way of life to my family. I am grateful to my teachers and especially the Kushis, whose profound philosophy has continued on and inspired millions of people around the world. (www.kushiinstitute.org)

As my studies deepened, my mother introduced me to The Five Rites, often referred to as the secret to the fountain of youth. Peter Kelder brought these exercises to the general public in his 1930s book entitled, The Ancient Secret to the Fountain of Youth.

Years later, my sister Taylor met Dr. Tienko Ting, who is originally from Taiwan and currently resides in the United States. Ting discovered what he calls Natural Chi Movement (www.naturalchimovement.com). I thank them both for adding this significant ingredient to my practice and teaching.

Many of the yoga stretches woven into this book are central to my work at retirement communities. It is an unequalled inspiration to witness the courage and desire of students practicing, and often beginning, yoga in their 70s, 80s and 90s. The beauty of yoga is that it can be easily modified for any body. I have no doubt that regular, conscious exercise can absolutely contribute to a longer and healthier life. I thank my elder students for further crystallizing this faith that was introduced to me by my Kripalu yoga teachers.