UPCOMING
March 6 — May 29, 2025
Nalanda Institute x Sowa Rigpa Institute • Online 13 week program
VAJRA THERAPY
Within the historic interchange between Buddhist and Western psychology, the most current and promising domain is the dialogue between the healing arts and sciences of the Tantras and today’s innovative embodied trauma therapies. This groundbreaking course brings together two of the world’s leading voices in the field for a shared exploration that will touch on all aspects of these convergent paths of transformational healing. The course follows the Tantric map of healing and human development and engages it at each point in dialogue with contemporary trends in psychotherapy, neuroscience and ecopsychology/ social justice.
Dr. Nida Chenagtsang and Dr. Joe Loizzo will begin by reviewing the foundations of self-healing and comparing both traditions’ approaches to the power of healing relationship. They will then unpack the healing arts of transformational imagery and narrative within the creation stage and move on to explore the completion stage, with its alchemical neuropsychology of transforming trauma into flourishing at all levels of mind, brain and body. Finally, our journey culminates in the Clockwork (Kalachakra) Tantric prophecy for the global future of humanity and all life on earth, from the shift towards sustainable lifestyles and universal contemplative learning to the emergence of truly equitable societies and a medicine planet. Join us for this historic meeting of two of humanity’s most powerful paths of embodied healing and transformation.
March 7 — 9, 2025
Online • 8–10am Los Angeles • 11am–1pm NYC • 5-7pm Rome
Hosted by SAMAYA
All proceeds go towards fundraising for the Yuthok Ling retreat center in Arce, Italy.
A three-day workshop on the Spring season from the perspective of Sowa Rigpa (Tibetan Medicine) with Dr. Nida Chenagtsang, Liz Sung, and Edward Coughlin.
On Friday with Dr. Nida Chenagtsang, delve into the deep connections between the season and the liver, gallbladder, and eyes—organs intrinsically tied to the season—as well as the powerful emotion of anger. Dr. Nida will illuminate the rich tapestry of Sowa Rigpa theory, offering practical methods to cultivate harmony and health in these vital systems. Exploring both the physical and metaphysical dimensions of Spring, including its connection to the Wood element and insights from Buddhist philosophy, this session will be a rich journey into seasonal well-being and emotional balance.
As we transition from hibernation to the warmth of Spring, join Liz Sung on Saturday for an exploration of the Spring themes of creation, clarity, and renewal through guided meditation and movement. This invigorating session is designed to support your organs, dissolve the heavy accumulation of Beken (earth and water elements) from winter, and gently reawaken your body from seasonal slumber.
We’ll finish on Sunday with Edward Coughlin, AP DOM, with an enriching workshop on the plants and herbs tailored for Spring’s unique challenges. Delve into the wisdom of herbal medicine as Edward shares remedies to restore balance, support digestion, and invigorate liver health. Sharing dietary insights that highlight nourishing foods and mindful eating practices, Edward will also talk about the essential herbs to cultivate this time of year for our home gardens. Then, deepen your connection to herbal medicine through a step-by-step tutorial to make your own Tibetan herbal medicines.
TANADUK GARDEN PROJECT:
SPRING REJUVANATION
Trulkhor Mural photography, Lukhang, © Thomas Laird, Murals of Tibet, TASCHEN 2018.
Mar 12 — July 2025
In-person & online hybrid program • Pure Land Farms • Topanga, CA
TIBETAN NEJANG YOGA IMMERSION & TEACHER TRAINING
100-day training with Christiana Polites, Liz Sung, and Fernanda Gonzalez
Live lectures by Dr. Nida Chenagtsang and special guest teachers online
In-person retreat & weekly online sessions
Two retreat options:
March 12 - 16, 2025 Pure Land Farms Topanga, CA USA
April 9 - 13, 2025 Pure Land Farms Tuscany, Italy
Weekly Sunday practice sessions May - July 2025
This Nejang Yoga Immersion is Module One of Sowa Rigpa Institute's three-part Tibetan Yoga training.
Graduates of this program may continue on to deepen their personal practice by participating in the subsequent 100-day Module Two/ Lujong Yoga and Module Three/ Tummo Yoga. (Only Module One/ Nejang offers the option of teacher certification.)
The three modules must be completed in consecutive order, but participants may choose to enroll in subsequent modules the same calendar year or pursue them in future years.
All participants must have completed or be simultaneously enrolled in Foundations of Sowa Rigpa or the equivalent 100+ hours of Tibetan Medicine training.
For full program details and application, visit Sowa Rigpa Institute.
Dates TBA – Summer 2025
In-person & online hybrid program • Sowa Rigpa Institute & Pure Land Farms
MODULE 2: LONGCHENPA LÜJONG
Module 2 of the 1 year Sowa Rigpa Yoga Practitioner program focuses on the Lüjong series from Longchen Nyingthig.
This dynamic Tibetan yoga series consists of 20 trulkhor exercises with its root text originating from the Wish Fulfilling Treasury by Longchenpa.
Theory, Sowa Rigpa lectures, and transmissions by Dr. Nida Chenagtsang. Physical exercises demonstrated and taught by Liz Sung.
Program dates will be announced soon. Application through Sowa Rigpa Institute.
PAST EVENTS
January 18, 2025
Online • 8am Los Angeles • 11am NYC • 5pm Rome
TANADUK GARDEN PROJECT:
A TOUR OF MEDICINE BUDDHA’S TANADUK
Hosted by Liz Sung
All proceeds go towards fundraising for Yuthok Ling Arce.
Master herbalist, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Sowa Rigpa practitioner, Edward Coughlin, AP, DOM, will take us on a tour through Medicine Buddha’s Tanaduk garden. The Tanaduk is Medicine Buddha’s Pure Land, and serves as a significant symbol within the Yuthok Nyingthig lineage and the study of Sowa Rigpa (Traditional Tibetan Medicine). This presentation will give us an overview of the Tanaduk, its symbolism, and the relevant medicinal herbs found within its mandala.
January 11 — 17, 2025
7am Los Angeles • 10am NYC • 4pm Rome
VASE BREATHING SAMAYA
Natural disasters are nature’s palpable and at times violent response to disruption and imbalance—similar to disorder and disharmony we experience within ourselves through life. All manifestations are connected to a root cause and supported by conditions.
In light of this turbulent week of tragic and devastating events, it seems more important than ever to find our own equilibrium and stability, to rebalance ourselves from the inside-out. We’ll start a weeklong daily practice commitment of 1 mala of vase breathing followed by 1 mala of the Ekazati mantra to pacify earth and fire imbalances.
A mala of bumpachen can take about 75-90 minutes depending on your individual pace.
Open for those who are working on developing a consistent bumpachen practice or could benefit from some group support. Sign up for Zoom.
January 4, 2025
8am Los Angeles • 11am NYC • 5pm Rome
NEW YEAR NEW KARMA: GUIDED MEDITATION & JOURNALING
Set aside dedicated time for deeper self reflection on the past actions and events of 2024, and setting action-oriented intentions for 2025. We’ll examine how our habitual tendencies and conditioned behavior held us back from making the progress we desire, and reflect on how we can adjust our actions for more harmony in our lives and smoother progress on our path. Karma means ‘action’ in Sanskrit. By adjusting the actions we take, we can change our outcomes.
Through guided prompts inspired by Dharma teachings, we will spend time silently reflecting, contemplating, and writing.
December 26, 2024 — January 1, 2025
7am Los Angeles • 10am NYC • 4pm Rome
LOONG & LÜJONG:
WIND & BODY TRAINING
7-day daily practice open to beginner and seasoned practitioners.
We will spend time getting familiar with the subtle anatomy, the foundational vase breathing (bumpachen), and opening the body to develop and maintain strength, flexibility, and stamina for Tibetan yoga through curated Biomechanic and Lüjong exercises. Sign up for Zoom.
Offered as a standalone series or supplementary sessions to the Medicine Mahakala retreat organized by Sorig Khang Italia.
December 10 — 15, 2024
Tibetan Yoga for the Yuthok Nyingthig Mahamudra retreat
In-person only • Menla • Phoenicia, NY
TIBETAN YOGA
In-person Tibetan yoga practice offered to participants as a supporting practice for the Yuthok Nyingthig Mahamudra: Path of Liberation of the Self-Arising retreat with Dr. Nida Chenagtsang and Dr. Robert Thurman at Menla.
September 11— 18, 2024
In-person retreat • Pure Land Farms • Tuscany, Italy
September 22 — Nov 24, 2024
Weekly practice • Online
MODULE 3: TUMMO YOGA
Module 3 of the 1 year Sowa Rigpa Yoga Practitioner program.
The three modules must be completed in consecutive order, but participants may choose to enroll in subsequent modules the same calendar year or pursue them in future years.
All participants must have completed or be simultaneously enrolled in Foundations of Sowa Rigpa or the equivalent 100+ hours of Tibetan Medicine training.
Open for those who are working on developing a consistent bumpachen practice or could benefit from some group support. For full program details and application, visit Sowa Rigpa Institute.
May 20, 2024 • 12 — 2pm • Mexico City
Online workshop • Casa Tibet
LA MASSAGE WORKSHOP
In Tibetan medicine and astrology, བླ་བྱུག La is the pure energy of the five elements and the essence of our consciousness. It is a protective energy and vital force that provides strength, resilience, stability, and clarity, resulting in more balanced energies. When our La energy is in good condition, we feel physically well, strong, clear-headed, and happy.
The La channel flows from the heart through the ulnar artery to the joint ligaments of the fingers. To prevent La energy loss, red threads or rings can be used on the ring finger and fourth toe. Massaging the La points can enhance well-being, relieve pain, balance energy, relax the body, promote longevity, and foster positive energy.
To learn how to restore the vitality of La energy, join Liz Sung in a one-day workshop where you will learn the points and mantras that accompany the treatment.
Register via Casa Tibet Mexico.
May 8 — 12, 2024
In-person retreat • Pure Land Farms • Topanga, CA
May 19 —August 25, 2024
Weekly practice • Online
MODULE 2: LONGCHENPA LUJONG
Module 2 of the 1 year Sowa Rigpa Yoga Practitioner program focuses on the Lüjong series from Longchen Nyingthig.
This dynamic Tibetan yoga series consists of 20 trulkhor exercises with its root text originating from the Wish Fulfilling Treasury by Longchenpa. Theory, Sowa Rigpa lectures, and transmissions by Dr. Nida Chenagtsang. Physical exercises demonstrated and taught by Liz Sung.
In-person retreat at Pure Land Farms in Topanga, California.
Application through Sowa Rigpa Institute.