To consider taking up whirling as a form of exercise gives new meaning to the expression "give it a whirl." Whirling began seven centuries ago as a Sufi ritual with the purpose of uniting the three fundamental components of human nature -- the mind, heart and body. A similar ritual, spinning, is practiced by the Tibetans as an exercise of body rejuvenation, a way of restoring hormonal imbalances and creating lasting youth, health and vitality. Whirling or spinning is something that children naturally do and consider exhilarating. Even though whirling can be more than just movement, exercise can help you retain mobility and even relieve chronic conditions like arthritis -- and keeping your balance as the room spins around you is anything but boring.
History
The practice of whirling as a religious ritual began with Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi, a popular Muslim mystic and poet, in the 13th century. A Sufi master, Rumi was believed to have become enlightened while doing whirling meditation. Sufism is an offshoot of Islam, which focuses on love, tolerance, worship of God, and personal development through responsibility and self-discipline. Some believe that Rumi did whirling for 36 hours straight before he became enlightened.
Revolving
The Order of the Whirling Dervishes is a branch of the the Sufi tradition of Islam. Whirling dervishes express the universal values of love and service through their practice of whirling. According to the Whirling Dervish website, it is recognized scientifically that the fundamental condition of our existence is to revolve. Because all beings and objects are composed of revolving electrons, protons and neutrons in atoms, there is no being or object that does not revolve. Because humans have intelligence that sets them apart from other beings, they can intentionally and consciously participate in the shared revolution of other beings. By revolving in harmony with nature, the whirling practitioner testifies to the majesty of the creator, acknowledges, thanks and prays to him, according to the Whirling Dervish website.
Whirling
Whirling can be performed with or without music, with the use of mantras, and with concentration on the development of the chakras, the seven energy centers located throughout the body. To begin whirling, keep your eyes open and find your centerpoint within your body. Lift your arms to shoulder height. Keep your right hand palm up and the left hand low, with palm down. Begin turning around your own axis, allowing your body to be soft and relax. The eyes are fixed on one of the raised hands or on nothing at all. Start turning slowly, clockwise. If this feels difficult, try counter-clockwise. Try whirling for 10 to 15 minutes, until you gain momentum. Then drop to the floor and relax. If you should fall during whirling, turn on the stomach and relax.
Rejuvenation
Spinning is included in the five Tibetan rites of rejuvenation, a yoga routine which is said to prevent aging. All exercises help stretch muscles and joints and improve muscle tone, but are more known for speeding up slowly spinning chakras to improve health. Spinning is the first of the five rites. According to Path Foundation website, Tibetan lamas believe negative residues are flung out of the body and the bridge between the right and left hemispheres is strengthened from spinning. Spinning stimulates the body's energy system and wakes up the chakras. In Tibetan spinning, a departure from Sufi whirling, you extend your arms out to the sides and spin clockwise, as fast as possible without losing control, following your right arm. Rather than going for extended periods, you stop with 21 revolutions and proceed to the next rite.
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