Thursday, 26 May 2006

Ancient healing system meets modern health challenges
Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo brings Traditional Tibetan Kunye Massage Therapy to the Bay Area

Berkeley – Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo, director of the Shang Shung Institute of America, will teach an introductory course in Traditional Tibetan Kunye Massage Therapy this Memorial Day weekend at the Dzogchen Commmunity West Center in Berkeley.

“Tibetan medicine is an ancient living knowledge that is beneficial for many modern diseases,” said Phuntsog Wangmo, director of the Traditional Tibetan Medicine certification program at the Shang Shung Institute of America. “In today’s society it is easy to become unbalanced, and Tibetan medicine can effectively prevent and treat these imbalances at both the mental and physical level. The Shang Shung Institute is helping the future of Tibet by preserving our culture and making the wisdom of our ancient lineage available to the world.”

Dr. Wangmo earned her advanced degree in Traditional Tibetan Medicine from Lhasa Universtiy. Working on behalf of the ASIA organization, she has helped set up hospitals and training centers throughout her homeland. She now directs the Shang Shung Institute’s Traditional Tibetan Medicine Program.

Kunye Massage Therapy

Kunye Massage Therapy is unique to Traditional Tibetan Medicine. “Ku”, to anoint with oil, and “Nye”, to massage key points, is an ancient healing practice that involves the application of prescribed medicinal herbs through specialized massage techniques that focus on muscles, nerves, tendons and other external body points. Dating back to 8th century texts, Kunye Massage Therapy has been proven effective for range of acute modern health issues including anxiety, insomnia and fatigue as well as variety of other nervous system disorders.

Traditional Tibetan Medicine

With a history going back over 2,500 years, traditional Tibetan medicine is one of the oldest continuously practiced healing systems on Earth. Regarded as science, art and philosophy, it is an ancient form of holistic heath care indigenous to the Tibetan people that integrates the core Buddhist principles of altruism, karma and ethics. Initially influenced by Ayurveda, traditional Tibetan medicine evolved into a synthesis of thousands of years of accumulated empirical knowledge from China, Persia, India and Greece. It has been practiced continuously in Tibet and wherever Tibetans live in exile today.

Traditional Tibetan Medicine Certification Program

Founded at Tsegyalgar in 1994 by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, the Shang Shung Institute of America currently offers the only full-time, four-year Traditional Tibetan Medicine certification program in the West. The certification program, now in its second year, follows a recent revival of Traditional Tibetan Medicine in the East and marks one of the most significant advances for its preservation and practice in the West.

The first-of-its kind in English, the innovative program is already attracting new students from throughout Europe and the United States. Graduates will be among the first Western-trained certified practitioners and will help put the institute on the path of becoming the first fully accredited school of Traditional Tibetan Medicine in the West.

Under the direction of Dr. Wangmo, the four-year program closely parallels traditional training rooted in the Gyud Zhi, the fundamental text of Traditional Tibetan Medicine, better known as The Four Tantras in English. The ancient Tantras classify an amazing 1600 types of disease and corresponding treatments using more than 3,000 medicinal plants.

For complete course information or to apply online, please visit ShangShung.org. For other new student inquiries, please call (413) 369-4928.

Summer Intensives

The institute offers retreat-style seasonal intensives at Tsegyalgar in beautiful rural Western Massachusetts, Summer 2006 intensives offer introductions to Traditional Tibetan Medicine, Tibetan medical history and theory, the science of Tibetan Astrology and Kunye Massage Therapy with credits that can later be applied toward full certification.

For complete course information or to apply online, please visit ShangShung.org. For other new student inquiries, please call (413) 369-4928.

Tibetan Healing Center

The institute’s new Tibetan Healing Center in Northampton offers Kunye Massage Therapy as well as traditional consultations that cover diet and lifestyle and offer herbal and other therapeutic treatments for a host of common imbalances and modern public health challenges.

Appointments can be made by phone on (413) 585-1081.