Summer Greetings! Dear Friends of the Shang Shung Institute, This summer marks a season of great change for the Shang Shung Institute US Branch. As many of you know, the US branch of the Shang Shung Institute has seen great accomplishments over the past 6 years. Thanks to the incredible perseverance and commitment of the director of the Shang Shung Institute School of Tibetan Medicine, Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo, the first graduating class of Western trained Tibetan Doctors completed their training between 2005 and 2009. After completing their internship and final examination at Qinghai University and Hospital in Tibet, the graduates were awarded Menpa (Tibetan Doctor) degrees from the University. We are delighted and excited that in 2012 two more classes will travel to Qinghai for internship and examination at the Qinghai University and Hospital in Tibet. Another great achievement of the Shang Shung Institute over the past few years has been the establishment of the Massachusetts state licensure in massage therapy. Under the direction of Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo, SSI offers now the most in-depth training in Tibetan Kunye Massage Therapy in the West. And yet, regardless of these incredible accomplishments, the Shang Shung Institute and the School of Tibetan Medicine still have to undergo a lot of development and adaptation in order to fulfill their true potential. SSI has recently made two big decisions to this end. Firstly, as of July 1st, SSI opened a new classroom and workshop space in Florence, MA. In contrast to the Institute’s original Conway location, this new space in Florence will provide a more central location for all SSI activities. This was a necessary step to begin a 1.5 year Tibetan Kunye Massage Certification Program in January of 2012. It will allow for both students and the needed clientele for student clinical training to easily access the school from the surrounding regions. Secondly, for the time being SSI has decided to focus on creating better online classes for all levels of interest, including the complete four-year curriculum geared towards Menpa certification in Qinghai, Tibet. This decision was made so that more people with various life circumstances can more easily learn Tibetan Medicine. This new direction increases the need for more collaboration with regional Tibetan healing centers and regional practical trainings to supplement and integrate the online theoretical material with real practical experience. The foundation for all of these decisions rests on SSI’s goal of helping create international standards and protection for Tibetan Medicine so that it remains available for countless generations to benefit from. Our long term goal is for SSI to become an International University in all five sciences of Tibetan culture: the jewel of Tibetan culture is one that must not be lost or diluted. It is now vital, more than ever before, that SSI needs the dedicated support of those who care about the future of Tibetan culture. It is in times of change that community support is so crucial. In whatever way you can, please help us all at SSI accomplish its great endeavors. If you are interested in our programs, join them! If you have skills to offer the Institute, use them!! If you have feedback for us to improve, tell us! If you represent any organization that would like to work with us, let us know! And of course, if you have any funds that you’d like to help us with the necessary renovations for our new space, the much needed advertising for our new massage program and to help us with our operating costs please see the various options below. Please also read below our "wish list" in case you may have specific skills or supplies to offer. Below you will also find information on all of our upcoming offerings. Thank you all so much for your continued support. We wouldn’t exist without you. Sincerely, The Shang Shung Institute US Branch Board and Staff Ways to donate: Online: Click Here Check: Payable to – Shang Shung Institute PO Box 278 Conway, MA 01341 Skilled Needs: New Treasurer Graphic Designers Web Developers Communications Consultants/Directors Contractors Committed and enthusiastic team members Supply Needs: Lightweight (plastic) folding tables and chairs Construction materials (plywood, etc..) Office Supplies Current SSI-USA Staff: Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo, Tibetan Medicine School Director Matthew Schmookler, Operations Manager Joey Mella, Tibetan Medicine School Assistant Marina De Paula, Secretary and Bookstore Manager Current SSI-USA Board: Paola Zamperini, Board Member Jim Valby, Board Member Anastasia McGhee, Board Member Ed Hayes, Treasurer International Shang Shung Institute for Tibetan Studies London: www.shangshunguk.org USA: www.shangshung.org Russia: www.shangshunginstitute.ru Austria: www.ssi-austria.at Publications: www.shangshungpublications.org Multimedia Portal: www.shangshunginstitute.com/  |
Tibetan Medicine Summer Intensives
Join the Shang Shung Tibetan Medicine School this summer in Florence, MA for one of our summer intensive courses. This summer's intensives include Tibetan Medicinal Herbs August 1st - 6th and Tibetan Kunye Massage Level 1 August 8 - 13th. The intensives are great for all levels of interest including supplementing an existing healing arts practice, gaining credits towards one of our certificate levels or to simply learn about Tibetan Medicine. Read here for detailed information
The American Branch of the Shang Shung Institute has recently received another very generous offer from a friend with a long-time interest in Tibetan Medicine. This friend would like to help continue funding the Khenpo Tsenam Rinpoche Scholarship Fund for students of the School of Tibetan Medicine. The donor's businesses, JCROWS.com and the J. Crow Company look to support this very positive development in holistic health care by establishing the scholarship again this year for the 2011-2012 school year. So far we have received $500 of the $2500 to fulfill his matching donation raising $5000 in total. Donate Here! |
 Fall WorkshopThis fall SSI will offer a unique workshop in our new Florence, MA location. Professor Paola Zamperini will teach about prominent female teachers of Tibetan Buddhism in the workshop Enlightening Passion: Sexuality and Gender in Tibetan Buddhism. Read more here |
Tibetan Kunye Massage Certification Program
SSI is very pleased to announce the launch of our all new 1.5 year Tibetan Kunye Massage training located in Florence, MA beginning Spring, 2012. This training will be the most extensive training in Tibetan Kunye Massage ever offered in the US and fulfills the professional massage licensure requirements in the state of Massachusetts. The training will conveniently take place on nights and weekends, centrally located in our brand new classroom in Florence, MA. To find out more and apply read here
