Upcoming Intensive Courses in America

January 2008

Tibetan Kunye Massage Level I with Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo (See course details below)
January 18 – 23rd, 2008
Shang Shung Healing Center, Northampton, Massachusetts USA
Fee: $380
36 PDA credits from the NCCAOM are available for this course

Summer Intensives 2008

Tibetan Kunye Massage Level I with Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo

June 25th – 29th, 2008
Starts Wednesday Evening and meets all day Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Fee: $380
36 PDA credits from the NCCAOM are available for this course

Kunye Massage Therapy
Kunye, a massage that is taught in the Tibetan Medical tradition, is unique to that tradition. Mentioned in some of the ancient texts of the Bon and Buddhist religions, Kunye has been practiced for centuries in the Himalayan regions by Tibetan peoples.

The term kunye is the combination of two words: “ku” and “nye.” “Ku” means to anoint the body of a sick or healthy person with oils which are appropriate to that person’s specific illness or constitution. “Nye” means to externally rub or massage crucial points such as nerves and tendons. The combination of ku and nye is a method to cure internal imbalances and disease.

The Conclusive Tantra, the last of the four medical tantras, states that the mild therapies consist of compresses, medicinal baths and massage." Kunye massage is considered a mild therapy.

The practice of massage is very beneficial and does not have negative effects; moreover, it can be done by anyone, regardless of whether they are doctors, yogis, or not. For this reason, this therapeutic modality has always been practiced throughout the centuries by the Tibetan people and continues to be practiced today.

The study of Tibetan massage is structured on three levels. Each of the three levels comprises a total of 36 hours.

The first level consists of:
A brief history of Tibetan medicine
The principle of the five elements as taught in the Tibetan medical texts
The principle of the three humors
The humoral characteristics of different types of people
The diagnostic procedure of pulse-taking
The diagnostic procedure of urine observation
A review of cases in which massage is appropriate or contraindicated
Finding massage points
Measurement for finding massage points
How to perform the actual kunye massage
Benefits of kunye massage

Tibetan Kunye Massage Level II with Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo

July 17th – 20th, 2008
Starts Thursday evening and meets all day Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday
Fee: $380
36 PDA credits from the NCCAOM are available for this course

Kunye Level second consists of:
How to massage the points
How to apply the oils
Kunye massage indicated for healthy people
Kunye massage indicated for sick people
Kunye massage for neurological disorders
Kunye massage for muscular problems
Kunye massage for people with mental disorders
How to massage points related to internal organs
The medical properties of the application of hot and cold compresses and stones, their use and benefits

Moxabustion with Dr. Tanzin Dargye

June 7th – 9th, 2008
Weekend after Tsegyalgar retreat with Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche. Dr. Dargye, Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo’s brother, joins us from Tibet for this course in moxabustion.
Meets daily Saturday, Sunday and Monday: 8:30 am – 12:30 pm & 2:00 – 5:00 pm

Mental Illness with Dr. Konchog Gyaltsen

June 17 – 18th, 2008
Dr. Gyaltsen will be staying in the area after the Tibetan Medicine Symposium to give this three day course on mental illness as seen in Tibetan Medicine

Additional Courses Offered:

Wound Healing with Dr. Yang Ga

August 1st – 15th, 2008
This course is being offered exclusively for the Shang Shung Institute’s Tibetan Medicine Class of 2009 Students.

Advanced Astrology with Dr. Chime Rabten & Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo

August 22nd – 27th, 2008
Prerequisite of Astrology I necessary to attend this course.
Offered for SSI Medicine Program Class of 2009 & 2011 & previous astrology course attendees.

Tibetan Herbal Medicine with Dr.Kelsang Wangyal

Early September 2008

Dr. Wangyal returns to Shang Shung again to continue to teach the Tibetan Medicine Program students on Tibetan Herbal medicine, preparations, and decoctions. Or contact us directly at info[at]shangshung.org and 413.369.4928.