Summer Intensive Courses in Tibetan Medicine

Upcoming Intensive Courses in America

January 2008:
Tibetan Kunye Massage Level I with Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo
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

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

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 – 19th, 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:

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.

For more information contact us directly at info@shangshung.org or 413.369.4928

Kunye Massage Level I: Jan 2008

Greetings and Happy New Year,

We are happy to confirm that Shang Shung Institute with Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo will be offering Kunye Tibetan Massage Level I this January 2008.

Tibetan Kunye Massage Level I with Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo
January 18 – 23rd, 2008 – Starts at 9 am and meets all day (36 hrs total)
Shang Shung Healing Center, 16 Center Street Suite 323, Northampton, Massachusetts USA
Fee: $380
36 PDA credits from the NCCAOM are available for this course

To register please contact Shang Shung Institute by phone or email: info@shangshung.org or greta@shangshung.org by phone 413.369.4928.

Kunye Massage TherapyKunye, 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

Kunye Level II will be offered July 17th – 20th, 2008 in Conway, MA
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

For the complete list of Summer Intensives in Tibetan Medicine & the Tibetan Medicine Symposium, go to www.shangshunginstitute.org, click on the US site and the Courses tab.

Wishing you and your loved ones a Happy New Year and Good Health!

Tibetan Medicine Monthly Talks

Tibetan Medicine Monthly Talks
With Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo

Friday, November 2nd , 7-9pm, The Seven Constitutional Types in Tibetan Medicine
During this course, Dr. Wangmo will introduce the seven constitutions in Tibetan Medicine. Every person is considered to be one of these seven constitutions, based on how the diet and behavior of one’s mother affected the five elements during the gestation period. This class will discuss how to recognize these seven constitutions, their application in the Tibetan medicine, and the useful application of this knowledge in daily life.

Friday, December 7th, 7 -9pm, Conception & Embryology
Dr. Wangmo will introduce the basic theory in Tibetan Medicine of how conception is considered to take place, as well as how the body is formed inside of the mother’s womb. You will be introduced to Buddhist concepts, such as karma and consciousness, and learn the biological phases of development that the fetus goes through according to Tibetan Medicine.

February 1st, 7 -9pm, Understanding & Treating Menopause in Tibetan Medicine
In the ancient texts of Tibetan Medicine menopause is included in the chapters on gynecology. There are many types of female disease, but most are connected with the menstrual cycle. In this system they are divided in two: trag tsab – early stage menstruation problems and lung tsab – which includes chronic problems. Dr. Wangmo will be discussing the view of gynecology and treatment of menopause according to Tibetan Medicine in this course.

1st Friday of the Month

Located at the Shang Shung Tibetan Healing Center
16 Center St. Suite 323, Northampton, MA.

Please RSVP at 413.585.1081
Suggested Donation of $15

Protecting your Health According to Tibetan Medicine

Upcoming Talk on Tibetan Medicine

Shang Shung Institute will be participating in the local event held at Smith College called the “Many Flavors of Buddhism” with a talk on Tibetan Medicine by Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo and an informational table. Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo will be giving a workshop on Protecting Your Health According to Tibetan Medicine, Sunday, October 14th at 12 noon in the Dewey Lounge.

Protecting Your Health According to Tibetan Medicine

Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo, Tibetan Doctor and Director of Shang Shung Institute’s Tibetan Medicine Program, will present on Tibetan Medicine’s knowledge of the healthy body. Dr. Wangmo will discuss what it means to be healthy in Tibetan Medicine. And how to maintain health throughout one’s life through preventative measures including diet and lifestyle. Dr. Wangmo received her advanced degree from the Lhasa University School of Traditional Medicine. As a teacher and doctor she has over 25 years of training and experience. She is a prominent and sought after lecturer and teacher internationally. She teaches, offers Tibetan Medicine consultations, and resides locally, here in the Pioneer Valley.

Many Flavors of Buddhism
In its past incarnation, this local Pioneer Valley event was known as the “Many Flavors of the Dharma”. It brings together the various Buddhist groups from different traditions in the area to celebrate the diverse expressions of the Dharma. Held and hosted by Smith College on October 13th and 14th, the main activities are Sunday at 12 noon until 5:00 pm. This year’s event features lectures, workshops, a dinner, informational tables, and the construction of ‘butter sculptures’ by several monks from the Gyuto Monastery. Shang Shung Institute joins this event with an informational table on the center, medicine program, and intensive courses. Visit http://www.geocities.com/shin_sangha/manyflavors.html for more information on the event.

Fall Updates

Fall 2007 Update
Autumn has arrived to New England: as the weather gets cooler and leaves begin to turn, the Tibetan Medicine students have begun the Fall semester, and the summer intensive courses in Tibetan Kunye Massage and Tibetan Astrology have come to a close. The Shang Shung Institute has already hosted the Tibetan Herbal Medicine course with Dr. Kelsang Wangyal, and on the near horizon are the Pioneer Valley’s The Many Flavors of Buddhism event at Smith College, and incoming applications for the new class beginning in February 2008.

To view the Fall Update in its entirity go to
http://www.shangshunginstitute.org/pages/usa/updates.php

And stay tuned for information on upcoming intensives courses with Dr. Kelsang Wangyal on Tibetan Herbal Medicine preparations and Kunye II with Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo.

Limited Room Available for Upcoming Astrology Course

Tibetan Astrology - August 24 - 29th
We are fortunate to have Dr. Chime Rabten, professor of Tibetan Medicine & Astrology at the Eastern Tibet University, and Khenpo Sonam as a translator for the upcoming course in Tibetan Astrology.
A limited amount of spaces remain for the course starting Friday, August 24th.
For more information please contact Shang Shung Institute in Conway, MA at:
info@shangshung.org, Phone #: 413.369.4928

Tibetan Literary Arts Catalogs Available

Tibetan Literary Arts Catalog & Exhibit
An exhibition curated by Marit Cranmer at Neilson Library – Smith College, May 2007
Exhibit Ends August 23rd

The Shang Shung Institute sponsored in part the production of this illustrated catalog for Smith College's "Tibetan Literary Arts" exhibit. This collection of essays and poetry from the exhibition includes an article on Tibetan Literature by Chogyal Namkhai Norbu, as well as poetry and prose by Per Kvarene, Tulku Thondup, Thupten Jinpa, Steven D. Goodman, Per K. Sorensen, and Jacqueline Gens. It also contains a translation of the Song of the Vajra, in addition to a foreword by the Shang Shung Institute International board and Introduction by Marit Cranmer, the Curator of the exhibition.

$20.00 - Tibetan Literary Arts Catalog
To purchase this beautiful collection, orders can be placed by email, fax or phone.
Please contact us at:
greta@shangshung.org
Phone: 413.369.4928
Fax: 413.369.4473

Thank you.

Licensed by Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Dept. of Education

We are delighted to write you to share with you the wonderful news that the Shang Shung Institute of America's Tibetan Medicine Program has officially received its License from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Education.
This is the result of much hard work on the part of many individuals -- Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo, past and present SSI's Board members, the pioneering students of the Traditional Tibetan Medical program, among others-- to whom we convey our most heart felt thanks. As many of you already know, this was a long process, and it is just one of the steps towards getting accreditation in the United States for the Tibetan Medicine Program. It is also a fundamental cornerstone for the Shang Shung Institute, and its future goals of expansion and growth as a cultural and educational institution with the mission to preserve and promote Tibetan Culture, Arts, Language, History, Medicine and Philosophy.

Details of the license:
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Education License to Operate a Private Occupational School in accordance with the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws. License No. 061201B

As always please feel free to contact the SSI board members or staff with any questions.
Warm regards,
The SSIoA Board and Staff

First International SSI Lottery

Dear friends,

I am sending you a reminder about the first international lottery of the Shang Shung Institute.

In case you have not got your ticket, please go to http://www.ssi-austria.at/shop/shope57.php.

The total income of this lottery is a donation for all our projects and every donor can win wonderful and fantastic prizes. There are only 600 tickets available and you can win 30 prizes - so the chance to win is 1:20. In this lottery you have a much higher chance to win than in any other lottery.

Furthermore it is ensured that everybody who gets a ticket of this lottery is a winner, as you gain a lot of merit by supporting the mission of the Shang Shung Institute, to work for the preservation of Tibetan culture.

Please read more about the lottery here at http://www.shangshunginstitute.org/pages/mission/ssi-lottery.php.

Thank you for your support and very best wishes,
Oliver Leick
Project manager of the lottery of the ISSI
office@ssi-austria.at

Shang Shung Institute’s
Upcoming Intensive Courses held in Conway, MA

Tibetan Astrology with Dr. Chimed Rabtan

August 24 – 29th, 2007

Taught by Dr. Chimed Rabtan, professor of Tibetan Medicine & Astrology at the Eastern Tibet University. Tibetan Astrology & Medicine are intrinsically connected. To be a Tibetan doctor you must have knowledge of astrology. Tibetan Astrology is a traditional practice used by Tibetan doctors & lamas. The study of the five elements, combined with trigrams, numbers, and animal signs form the basis for astrological calculations.
Course Details:
Time: Friday, August 24th Evening only. Saturday, Aug 25th – Wed., Aug 29th: Class meets all day.
Fee: $340 regular registration Early registration before August 9th: $300

Tibetan Medicine Herbal Course with Dr. Kalzang

September 7 – 9th, 2007

Herbal Medicine is one of the four lines of treatment in Tibetan medicine; diet, behavior, external therapies, and medicines. This course will present an overview of the theory and practice of Tibetan herbal medicine including plant identification. 30 % of the course will be spent in lecture and 70% of the course will be spent in the field, outdoors.
Please make sure to bring and wear appropriate clothing for the weather and time that will be spent in nature.
Course Details:
Time: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: All Day – regardless of weather. Come prepared with raingear.
Fee: $300 regular registration Early registration before August 20th: $275

Course Registration

By email: greta@shangshung.org Or Phone: # 413.369.4928

Kunye Tibetan Massage Course

Shang Shung Institute is happy to announce
Kunye Tibetan Massage Level 1 with Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo
June 12 - 16th, 2007
Conway, Massachusetts

Due to a change in travel schedules we are able to offer this rare opportunity of hosting this intensive course on Kunye massage at the home of the Traditional Tibetan Medicine program in Conway, Mass.

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 that 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 eliminate causes for 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

Course Details:
Tuesday, June 12th: 5:00 - 8:00 pm
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday: All day class
Fee: $340
Register and information:
by email: Greta@Shangshung.org SSI # 413.369.4928
Housing, directions, and local information available upon request.
Shang Shung Institute in America is located at 18 Schoolhouse Road in Conway, Massashusetts and is 30 minutes north of Northampton, MA and 2 1/2 hours West of Boston.

May 18th - Good Digestion Talk

Dear Friends,
You are invited to join the next upcoming talk on Good Digestion: The Basis for Vitality, with Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo on Friday, May 18th at the ShangShung Healing Center in Northampton, MA.

The monthly talk series entitled "Tibetan Medicine for Everyone" covers the main topics and ideas in Tibetan medicine. Held on the third Friday of every month at the Shang Shung Healing Center in Northampton, we are delighted to offer this opportunity of an intimate setting to learn about Tibetan Medicine from Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo trained in Lhasa Tibet. Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo, the director and resident teacher of the Shang Shung School of Traditional Tibetan Medicine four year program is the main speaker for this series. We invite you to join us for this wonderful opportunity.

The Shang Shung Healing Center also offers Tibetan medicine consultations and Kunye massage sessions on a regular ongoing basis. We are currently now offering Free Introductory Kunye Massage Sessions by appointment. For more information please call the center at 413.585.1081 .

Friday, May 18th - Good Digestion: the Basis of Vitality. An introduction to the importance of healthy digestion and how the rest of the body relies upon it, and how to treat indigestion and maintain digestive health.
6:00 - 8:00 pm
Suggested Minimum Donation $ 15
Shang Shung Tibetan Healing Center
16 Center St.Suite 323
Northampton, MA
RSVP: (413) 585 -1081 or matt@shangshung.org.
For additional information on Shang Shung Institute, the four yearTibetan Medicine Program, and resident doctor and teacher Dr.Phuntsog Wangmo please visit our website at www.shangshunginstitute.org.

May All Beings Be Healthy!

Updates

Greetings friends,

Shang Shung Institute has posted updates on its courses for the summer and activities this spring on the International Shang Shung website under the USA tab.

Please visit http://www.shangshunginstitute.org/pages/usa/updates.php for the updates.

May all beings be healthy.

Tibetan Literary Arts Exhibition

The Shang Shung Institute is happy to announce the opening of the Tibetan Literary Arts Exhibition, organized by Marit Cranmer in collaboration with Smith College.

Tibetan Literary Arts is an exhibition on the history of the Tibetan written language from Ancient times to the 19th century. The exhibit highlights selected poems from all of the five schools with the primary emphasis on experiential poems and advice from many historic masters. Poetry, along with logic, medicine, astrology, art and architecture belongs to the five secular sciences in the Tibetan literary tradition.

The exhibition will open at Neilson and Hillyer Art Library at Smith College in early May in honor of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's visit to the campus on May 9, 2007. It will be on view from May 9th through July in four locations: on the lawn in front of Neilson Library, in the Morgan Gallery, the Mair Reference Room (Neilson Level 1), and Hillyer Art Library. An exhibition catalog together with a free exhibition guide accompanies the exhibition.

Marit Cranmer, a long time student of Choegyal Namkhai Norbu who is curator at the Neilson Library at Smith College, organized the event. She also edited its beautiful catalogue, which contains scholarly essays and the poetry included in the show, and that will be available through the Shang Shung Institute in the future.

Co-Sponsored by The Shang Shung Institute

Contact TibLit@email.smith.edu

NYC Workshop: The Principles of Gems

NEW YORK DZOGCHEN COMMUNITY
TIBETAN MEDICINE & HEALING

Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo
Workshop on The Principles of Gems

Saturday May 12, 2007
9 am to noon; 2 pm to 4 pm Open to all
Kundrolling, 151 West 30th Street, Suite 403, Level 4, New York, 10001

In this workshop Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo from Lhasa, Tibet will discuss the healing properties of various gems including their history, application, names, qualities, and functions.

Gems are one of the eight medicinal substances in Tibetan Medicine. In Tibetan culture, jewelry and wearing gems is very important. In part, jewelry in Tibetan culture is worn to decorate and beautify. It is also used to display social status and standing. However, the origin of wearing gems comes from its knowledge and application in medicine which is based on balancing the constitution and health of the individual. Depending on the health of an individual, certain gems were applied and suggested to wear on certain points to help restore the health, for preventative measures, and to protect against provocation and invasive energy.

To register please contact by e mail to Pilar at: kekeusa2@juno.com
Suggested donation for this 5 hours workshop $40.00.

Visa/Mastercard/Cash/Check payable to the NY Dzogchen Community.

Upcoming events with Dr. Phuntsog Wagmo at Kundrolling

SEPTEMBER 8/9: Kunye Massage Course Level II

April 20th Kunye Tibetan Massage Talk

Dear Friends,

You are invited to join the next upcoming talk on Kunye Tibetan Massage with Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo on Friday, April 20th at the ShangShung Healing Center in Northampton, MA.

The monthly talk series entitled "Tibetan Medicine for Everyone" covers the main topics and ideas in Tibetan medicine. Held on the third Friday of every month at the Shang Shung Healing Center in Northampton, we are delighted to offer this opportunity of an intimate setting to learn about Tibetan Medicine from Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo trained in Lhasa Tibet. Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo, the director and resident teacher of the Shang Shung School of Traditional Tibetan Medicine four year program is the main speaker for this series. We invite you to join us for this wonderful opportunity.

The Shang Shung Healing Center also offers Tibetan medicine consultations and Kunye massage sessions on a regular ongoing basis. We are currently now offering Free Introductory Kunye Massage Sessions by appointment. For more information please call the center at 413.585.1081 .

Friday, April 20th: Traditional Tibetan Kunye Massage: What is Kunye? How is it done and what are its benefits?

6:00 - 8:00 pm

Suggested Minimum Donation $ 15

Shang Shung Tibetan Healing Center

16 Center St.Suite 323

Northampton, MA

RSVP: (413) 585 -1081 or matt@shangshung.org.

For additional information on Shang Shung Institute, the four yearTibetan Medicine Program, and resident doctor and teacher Dr.Phuntsog Wangmo please visit our website at www.shangshung.org.

Future "Tibetan Medicine for Everyone" Talk

May 18th, Good Digestion: the Basis of Vitality. An introduction to the importance of healthy digestion and how the rest of the bodyrelies upon it, and how to treat indigestion and maintain digestive health.

May All Beings Be Healthy!

Shang Shung Institute

413.369.4928

www.shangshung.org and internationally at

www.shangshunginstitute.org

Friday, 3/23 The Ancient Art of Heat & Cold Therapy Talk

Dear Friends,

We are pleased to announce this Friday's monthly talk held at the Shang Shung Healing Center in Northampton, MA on The Ancient Art of Heat & Cold Therapy with Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo.

We are resuming our monthly talk series titled “Tibetan Medicine for Everyone” after a hiatus last month. These talks cover the main topics and ideas in Tibetan medicine. Held on the third Friday of every month at the Shang Shung Healing Center in Northampton, we are delighted to offer this opportunity of an intimate setting to learn about Tibetan Medicine from Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo trained in Lhasa Tibet. Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo, the director and resident teacher of the Shang Shung School of Traditional Tibetan Medicine is the main speaker for this series.

We invite you all to join us for this wonderful opportunity. The Shang Shung Healing Center also offers Tibetan medicine consultations and Kunye massage sessions on a regular ongoing basis. We are currently now offering Free Introductory Massage Sessions until April 20th. For more information please call the center at 413.585.1081 .

Friday, March 23rd - The Ancient Art of Heat & Cold Therapy with Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo
Shang Shung Tibetan Healing Center
16 Center St.
Suite 323
Northampton, MA
6:00 - 8:00 pm
Suggested Minimum Donation $ 15
RSVP: (413) 585 -1081 or matt@shangshung.org

If additional information on Shang Shung Institute, the four year Tibetan Medicine Program, and resident doctor and teacher Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo please visit our website at www.shangshung.org.

Warm regards,
Greta Williams
Administrative Assistant
Shang Shung School of Traditional Tibetan Medicine
(413) 369 - 4928
greta@shangshung.org
http://www.shangshung.org

"Tibetan Medicine for Everyone": Scheduled Monthly Series
Current & Upcoming 2007
March 23rd, The Ancient Art of Heat and Cold Therapy: Dr. Wangmo will explain how to make and use hot and cold packs according to the traditional Tibetan methods.

April 20th, Traditional Tibetan Kunye Massage: What is Kunye? How is it done and what are its benefits?

May 18th, Good Digestion: the Basis of Vitality: An introduction to the importance of healthy digestion and how the rest of the body relies upon it, and how to treat indigestion and maintain digestive health.

Past 2006
October 20th, Life Stories of a Doctor from the Land of Snow: Dr. Wangmo will talk about the work doctors of Tibetan Medicine practicing in remote villages, their responsibilities, and their place in the community

November 23rd, Exploring the Relationship between the Sciences of Healing and Astrology : Introduction to the ways in which astrology relates to and augments the Tibetan science of healing.

December 22nd, Tibetan Herbs & Everyday Health: Common Tibetan Herbs and simple ways to use them to maintain everyday well-being.

May All Beings Be Healthy!

Welcome Greta!

The Shang Shung Institute of America is delighted to announce that Greta Williams has just joined its “ranks” as its Administrative Assistant in Conway, Massachusetts. Greta brings to us not only over six years of experience as an administrative assistant and operations manager for newly developing companies with domestic and international presence. She also brings her background in Eastern medicine, as a practicing acupuncturist in Massachusetts incorporating Japanese and Chinese treatment styles, to her new role. She has previously studied with Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo as a student in Kunye Massage and has been a student of Tibetan Buddhism and Dzogchen. We know that Greta is looking forward to collaborating with Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo, Shang Shung Institute, and SSI’s Tibetan Medicine students in manifesting its vision, and we at the SSIoA board, as well as the International Shang Shung Institute team, are thrilled to have successfully concluded our first hire ever for such a position here at Conway. Welcome, Greta, and also thanks to all of you who have applied and helped in this process!

Paola Zamperini, SSIoA president

Losar Celebration at Shang Shung Institute of America

Dear Friends and Fellow Practitioners,


We are writing you today to invite you and your loved ones to join us all here at the Shang Shung Institute of America in celebrating Losar, the traditional Tibetan New Year festivity. This year Losar will fall on Sunday, February 18th, 2007, and will mark the beginning of the year of the Fire Boar. Celebrations will begin at 5pm at the Conway Schoolhouse, the seat of the Shang Shung Institute of America for the Preservation of Tibetan Culture: it will be our pleasure to offer you a traditional Tibetan dinner, followed by singing and dancing by members of our local Tibetan community.

We sincerely hope that you will be able to be with us on this joyous occasion that we see as a tribute to the Tibetan culture thriving in our Pioneer valley. Attendance is free, we just kindly ask you to RSVP to this email address, matt@shangshung.org, if you plan to attend. We are located at 18 Schoolhouse Rd. in Conway, Massachusetts, and have included detailed directions below.

Best Wishes and Happy Losar,


The Shang Shung Institute of America Staff

www.shangshung.org



Coming from Northampton:



Take 91 North to exit 24.

Take a right off the exit onto Rtes. 5 & 10, which take you Rte. 116N.
-Go to 3rd set of lights (you are on Rtes. 5&10 at the moment) and
take a LEFT onto Rte. 116N towards Conway.


-You will drive 15 minutes (about 6 miles) to the center of Conway.

- Look for the Conway Inn on your left.

- Go through the center of town and follow 116 up the hill to the Left.

- You will pass a small Sunoco station/store called Baker's on the Left.

- At the top of this hill is a 90 degree angle where 116N turns to the right &

- there is a sign that points to Ashfield.

-You will NOT go right but rather straight around a little triangular island and take
your immediate Left onto Maple St.and another immediate Left onto Schoolhouse Road.

> We are the big old yellow schoolhouse at the top of the hill.



Coming from Amherst:



Take 116 all the way through Sunderland until you get to Rtes. 5 &10.

Take a right on 5 &10.

-Go to 2nd set of lights (you are on Rtes. 5&10 at the moment) and
take a LEFT onto Rte. 116N towards Conway.


-You will drive 15 minutes (about 6 miles) to the center of Conway.

- Look for the Conway Inn on your left.

- Go through the center of town and follow 116 up the hill to the Left.

- You will pass a small Sunoco station/store called Baker's on the Left.

- At the top of this hill is a 90 degree angle where 116N turns to the right &

- there is a sign that points to Ashfield.

-You will NOT go right but rather straight around a little triangular island and take
your immediate Left onto Maple St.and another immediate Left onto Schoolhouse Road.

> We are the big old yellow schoolhouse at the top of the hill.

Kunye Massage Levels I and II in Tashigar Norte, Margarita Island, Venezuela

Tashigar Norte is very happy to announce Kunye Courses with Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo:

Level 1: January 26th- 30th, 2007
Cost: Bs. 200.000

Level 2: February 5th – 9th, 2007
Cost: Bs. 200.000

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 that 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 eliminate causes for 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

The second level 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



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