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Many people ask me exactly what is Kunye Tibetan Massage, what makes it different
from regular massage?

This special form of massage comes from a larger body of healing practices that are part of the external therapies found in the rGyud bZhi, (The four Tantras of Tibetan Medicine).

In simple terms Kunye means massage therapy when translated from Tibetan to English. The exact meaning of Kunye can carry several translations depending on how it’s spelled. bKu-mNye is one way to write Kunye in Tibetan; this means ‘apply and rub’. If it is spelled sKu-mNye this can be translated as ‘body and massage (i.e. rub)’. Thus, as with many words in the Tibetan language, the exact translation can be tricky. I have seen it written both ways. But in the end, Kunye simply means to give a massage.

Originally Kunye is thought to have developed from the practice of early tantric yogis who used various methods, such as oil massage and acupressure points on themselves to help bring balance to their energy bodies and life-force. The effect sought via these treatments was for the energetic channels to remain clear and open from stagnation. Any stagnancy of energy ultimately leads to blocks, disorders and difficulty controlling the mind and subtle channels when meditating. If one is healthy and free of blocks and stagnant energy; naturally the flow of ones life-force increases, the mind is clearer and emotions are more stable. This serves in supporting ones practice; both in the physical level of flexibility in yogic positions and in the yogis goal of seeking enlightenment through meditation.

As the practices of yoga and meditation developed these practitioners gained deep insights into their subtle body systems. The understanding of the subtle body channels lead to the development of both the chakra system and understanding corresponding points relating to these chakras and energy pathways. Many great ancient civilizations developed an understanding of the body and mind through these means, and the Tibetan culture was no exception to this. The various forms of Tibetan Medicine and massage practiced are not, as is sometimes thought, just a copy of Ayurveda or Chinese Medicine massages. Rather, it developed quite organically just as it did neighboring medical systems. While the early Tibetan healing practices began synthesizing some of the techniques that neighboring medical systems had come to use, there is much that is purely Tibetan.

One such example is evidence which points to indigenous Tibetan methods for the use of various oils, fats and applications with stones, mud, and herbs during massage for very specific benefits.

While there was a great amount of sharing between the civilizations along the silk route and throughout the southern path of the Himalayas (Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan and India), most similarities found in Tibetan medicine and other massage techniques come from Ayurveda and Unani Medicine, not from Chinese Medicine.

Slowly, as in all indigenous cultures, the basic wisdom's and practices permeate out into society. Doctors of Tibetan Medicine as well as ordinary people used Kunye techniques and they became both folk remedies and a formal treatment method which could be found in the Tibetan medical texts. I have received massage from both esteemed and highly qualified doctors and simple women known in their community for their healing ability. Both exhibited the same reverence for the methods found in Tibetan massage and knew of which oils, butters and mixtures to use and under what circumstances.

In my years studying Tibetan Medicine I met and trained under multiple teachers. Regardless of their time or ability to practice massage on their patients; all respected massage as a viable mode of treatment for its ability to treat very specific conditions. Massage is taught as a part of the curriculum within the rGyu bZhi (4 Medical Tantras) and is a crucial part of any Tibetan doctors training. It is found in two chapters of the 4th Tantra, where many of the treatment methods are explained in great detail. These are the 13th and 24th chapters.

In the13th chapter of the 4th Tantra specific use of oil application, called nums jug, is discussed. It is stated that those who are of old age, weakness of body, stressed with a restless mind, having depression, those who have taken un-nutritious foods long term, suffered excessive blood loss, those who’s reproductive fluids have become exhausted or are not functioning well (either from disease or excessive sex), persons with wind diseases, when the power and strength of the eyes and vision are decreasing, when vision worsens, and those with a tiny body structure combined with a wind nature, all of these will all benefit from oil application.

Many types of oils, fats and medicine butters with a variety of specific healing benefits are discussed. I will cover those in a different article and thus at this time for sake of length, will not include them here.

It is important to note that oil application and massage is not allowed according to our Tibetan medical texts for certain conditions. Specifically those who have weak digestion, lack stomach heat, any chronic indigestion, diarrhea, vomiting, gout, skin conditions with inflammations or open wounds, persons suffering from some type of poisoning, (example directly undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments), during times of experiencing loss of desire for food, for either phlegm diseases and gross overweight conditions, or for one who is excessively thirsty. These are all contra-indicated for oil application.

While some of the contra-indicated conditions might seem strange to those unfamiliar with the principles of Tibetan Medicine, I can assure you there are valid reasons for this. For example, someone who is directly undergoing a poisonous treatment such as radiation or chemotherapy has a highly toxic substance in their body. Massage can only aggravate or spread the poisons deeper into the system and cause more harm to the internal organs and systems. After treatment has ceased and Tibetan medicines for poisons and detoxification from such treatments have been engaged, it is a perfect time to get a massage and help flush the system further.

Tibetan physicians tend to treat situations such as I just described with medicines that will protect the organs from the poison and protect the immune system during these kinds of treatments before engaging in massage therapies. Likewise those with very weak digestion most likely have a chronic cold condition which hampers their ability to receive adequate nutriments. By the very nature of oil massage it has a heavy, smooth, oily quality. These qualities further weaken the digestive fires and ability to break down food into nutriment. Most especially we will not perform any oil massage on the abdomen as this will kill or greatly harm even a healthy digestive heat system.

Though it is not recommended to massage those who are suffering from overweight conditions, in modern times and especially in the western world this is commonly practiced. One way to ameliorate the negative increase of earth and water (phlegm conditions and disorders) which will allow these populations to receive the benefits of massage is to counteract the influence the oils quality. By counterbalancing the qualities of heavy, smooth, stable and oily have in the basic nature you can prevent excessive accumulation of ‘earth and water’, which will increase overweight conditions and symptoms.

I use oils infused with herbs and essential oils possessing various qualities to antidote the heavy, smooth, oily nature. In some cases I also use powdered chick pea or roasted barley flower to apply and rub vigorously following massage. This is very beneficial for specific conditions where massage is indicated but the patient’s nature of earth and water (phlegm disorder) are too heavy.

In the 24th chapter of the 4th Tantra on jugpa which roughly translates as ‘application’ there are 14 specific recipes given for oils, fats, butters, and substances added to these to remedy very specific disorders. It also re-emphasizes the appropriate and inappropriate conditions for therapeutic massage.

Kunye Therapy has several purposes from a Tibetan health care standpoint. The first is to soothe and relax tensions, relieve stress, insomnia, depression, nerve system dysfunctions and bring balance to the internal elements of the body. The second function is more therapeutic and geared for specific individual disorders. It has great therapeutic value to relieve a variety of ailments in a soft and non-invasive manor.

Some Conditions known to benefit from Tibetan Massage:

• Chronic Pain
• Insomnia
• Depression
• Nervous system or autoimmune disorders, such as MS, ALS, Parkinson’s, Fibromyalgia, Lupis
• Spinal and head injuries
• Muscular disorders which cause spasms, contracted, extended or frozen limbs
• Headaches
• Fibrocystic breast disease
• Inner torso and abdomen organs displacement and disorders, such as the diaphragm
• pain, chronic liver diseases, small and large intestine pain
• Wind disorders are said to be without exception benefited by massage
• Prenatal and postnatal healthcare option for pain relief, emotional grounding and structural issues which arise in pregnancy and childbirth

The various possible forms the Kunye treatments can take can includes basic massage similar to Swedish Massage with effleurage and relaxing strokes, treating crucial points in a manor similar to acupressure during the massage, applying medicinal oils, gemstones, hot or cold stones, compresses and massages before or following specific medicated or medicinal vapor baths.

Acupressure points are often employed during the massage to work on the nervous system and organ levels. Each treatment is unique and geared towards the individual body. There are specific strokes and movements designed to open the channels, increase energy flow and vitality.

Many of the feet and hand points are similar to reflexology. Tibetan Massage also incorporates work on the cranium to release the jaw, head and neck tension as well as the release of the spine and vital fluids circulating throughout the body.

No one type of Kunye treatment is the most superior among them. Rather it is best to have the massage treatment designed for your unique body-mind needs.

Often people fall into deep states of restfulness, even if there are moments of deeper structural adjustments, they are able to relax through them in a way normal structural adjusts do not allow. I frequently get comments such as, ‘I never felt this good after a massage before’, or ‘I don’t hurt but I feel so different and so good’ and ‘I feel more relaxed than I have in years.’ I often joke with my patients that once you get the Tibetan rubdown you never go back to regular massage. It really is quite special and the changes hold and build upon themselves when the patient receives regular treatments.

In my practice in Boulder, Colorado I find that when I complement Kunye massage with the other treatments used in Tibetan Medicine such as diet, lifestyle and medicines the person is able to find balance and many symptoms go away quicker than without this complementary treatment. This is especially true of neurological and nervous system conditions as it has a special ability to work with those conditions.

While currently in the USA there are less fully qualified Tibetan Kunye Massage therapists, the practice is gaining some popularity as Tibetan Medicine becomes more known and accepted. Now a comprehensive Kunye training program in Conway, Massachusetts at the Shang Shung Institute for Tibetan Medicine has been established. It is my hope that this rarely known healing massage which is a part of Traditional Tibetan Medicine will start to make its way into the mainstream massage world.

© 2010 Amchi Nashalla Gwyn Nyinda TMD, LMT

Summer can be especially tricky because we are accumulating heat from the external environment, the sun is literally closer to us in the northern hemisphere, but if there is a high amount of rain, like a monsoon or simply daily or frequent afternoon showers this can also increase and give rise to the wind. As in all Tibetan medicine we seek to balance the elements accumulating before they become excessive. The accumulation of heat will continue until the autumn when it manifests and is pacified. I understood this process very well when I lived through several monsoon seasons in Darjeeling. The wind and rain mixed made you chilled to the bone, restless and edgy. But if I came down to the planes of India even for a day the heat was so unbearable you would get feverish and desire cold iced drinks immediately and all too happy to return to the howling raging rains of the hills as soon as you could.

One tip to maintain body temperature against this wide fluctuation of temperatures and influence of the wind and bile humor in the summer is to drink water which has been previously boiled, then cooled to room temperature. This method changes the very nature of water.

The nature of water is heavy, cool, smooth and thus a bit hard to digest. Ever down a big amount of water when you feel overheated and feel like it is sitting in your stomach like a lead weight? This is due to the nature of water. So by the simple act of heating up the water and bringing to a boil we make it lighter, warmer and easier to digest. When it cools back to room temperature it can help pull out excessive heat in the body. This is far superior to iced drinks when you really want to cool off.

Likewise, while it is excellent at eliminating excessive trapped heat, it also protects the digestive fires. No other beverage can do all that while supporting healthy renal function and flushing. I am often asked should you boil it for a long time and the answer is no, just bring it to a boil and shut it off, cool it and drink.

If there is a extreme heat condition and less wind, fenugreek seed can be soaked and boiled and drunk as a tea. However, it acts as a mild diuretic, so this should be done for only higher heat conditions and in the morning.

Many people who have complained to me over the years that water just doesn't feel good and thus are severely hemo-concentrated because their dehydration is so severe from not consuming the bare minimum water daily needed and also have resulting sluggish stools, poor digestion and bloating are pleasantly surprised to find that by simply boiling water, cooling it, then adding only a few grains of sea salt (also an antidote to the rising wind) allows them to drink 16 ounces of water at a time with no discomfort or feeling of fullness. Nothing can hamper digestion quicker than ice or carbonated beverages, and so it is best to avoid those altogether.

NOTE: Don't keep this water past 24 hrs maximum, as according to Tibetan Medicine this becomes like a poison. In my house we boil water in a pan on the stove first thing in the morning most summer days. We let it sit, then place in our water bottles to drink throughout the day. If it has sat overnight it is always tossed because the nature has changed once, and it should not be consumed after sitting 15-24 hrs.

So give it a try, see how good you feel and get hydrated - we are 90% water after all! When were in balance with the normal and healthy amount of water we feel so much better! If you feel you have to urinate frequently when you first start to consume the water, don't worry, It takes awhile for the bladder, kidneys and cells to learn that its OK to absorb the much needed nectar of water into our cells. The solution to that is to make an electrolyte mix.

My personal electrolyte formula is 1 quart boiled water, 4 TBS unsweetened orange juice, and 1/4 tsp sea salt or a healthy pinch.

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Hello all the supporters of Tibetan Medicine.
I am using this venue to share some options for supporting those affected by the earthquake:

My root teachers monastery in Kham has been completely destroyed, now for the second time.

This is so hard to hear as this has been the 2nd rebuilt since the Chinese invasion. Many many monks, 25 as of yesterday have been killed and many injured, many were in 3 year retreat and over 50 are seriously injured.

To give help- see link below

www.rinpoche.com

www.thranguemergency.org

THRANGU RINPOCHE TRUST


Other options are through a friends NGO: Tibetan Village Project Here is the up-date as of today when he landed in Beijing to go assist on the ground, he is from Kham and so this hits really close to his heart.

Yushu Earthquake Response (YER) We are very sad to report that more than 600 people have died and an estimated 10,000 as result of powerful earthquake in Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in the early morning of April 14. More than 85 percent of the houses in Jiegu, a town of 100,000 people nearest the epicenter, were destroyed. Tibetan Village Project has now arrived on the ground in nearby Xining and began to join efforts of other aid agencies and volunteers. From Chengdu: TVP volunteers in Chengdu have begin to collect supplies and equipment. First group of volunteers (10 Tibetan men) left Chengdu this evening (April 15th) with a truck full of supplies for Yushu. Volunteers also being sent to main hospitals in Chengdu where injured Yushu residents have been airlifted to. They have no family of friends in Chengdu so much support is needed. More volunteers are needed to translate and assist as many of the injured were Tibetans from Yushu area that do not speak Chinese. From Xining: Tamdin Wangdu and Chris Jones arrived in Xining today and they are helping to coordinate local NGO’s response and relief efforts led by Snowland Service’s Group (SSG) a Yushu Based NGO. The group decided to form a coalition of NGOs named Yushu Earthquake Response to coordinate a centralized volunteer effort. A new website will be created soon to offer information about what and how people can help. A group of volunteers led by Rinchen Dawa of SSG will leave Xining on April 16th for Yushu with supplies to setup a relief center in Yushu and to establish immediate need.

What you can do to help? At this point, cash donation is the quickest and the best way to help. It will help covering cost of medical supplies, tents, blankets, food, and water and trucks to deliver them by to Yushu. Please visit www.Tibetanvillageproject.org to contribute. In meantime TVP is encouraging others to recruit local Tibetan and Chinese doctors to send into Yushu area. At this point, it is unclear whether or not foreign volunteers are permitted to travel.

Donation by Mail Tibetan Village Project 10542 Kipling Place Westminster, CO 80021 Tibetan Village Project P.O. Box 417 Black Rock, 3193 Victoria, Australia.

These are my friends, teachers and as a doctor it is my duty to try and help relieve suffering. If this brings one person inspiration to donate help for those in need that is enough to make me post here.

Thanks! Amchi Nashalla

The American branch of the International Shang Shung Institute is now accepting applicants for the Fall, 2010 class of our four-year School of 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. Over thousands of years, Traditional Tibetan medicine evolved from accumulated empirical knowledge from China, Persia, India, and Greece. It has been practiced continuously in Tibet and is still practiced today wherever Tibetans live in exile.

In the Fall of 2005, the American branch of the Shang Shung Institute initiated the four-year program in Tibetan Medicine under the direction of Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo. This program closely parallels the training of a traditional Tibetan physician culminating in a supervised internship and final exams.