Sowa Rigpa means “the science of Healing”. It has a history of more than 2000 years and is considered one of the oldest living and intact healing traditions in the world. Originating in the high plateau of Tibet, later it spread to other Himalayan regions including Bhutan, Nepal, Ladakh, Sikkim, and Mongolia. It incorporates elements from the foreign medical systems of Ancient India, China, and Greece. Since it is closely connected with Tibetan Buddhism, it can also be called the Tibetan Buddhist medicine system.
This is a holistic and natural system that uses Pulse Analysis as one of the diagnostic methods. Its main treatment methods include diet and lifestyle modifications, herbal medicine, manual therapies (such as Kunye massage), and spiritual healing in order to fulfill its The fourfold aim of Sowa Rigpa is to prevent illness, cure illness, extend life, and cultivate happiness.
According to Tibetan medicine, you were born with a constitution that is made up of a unique combination of three primary energies: loong, tripa, and baekan. To be happy and healthy, you need to make choices that keep your three energies consistent with your innate constitution. Your three primary energies are composed of five universal aspects of energy, called the five elements, namely: Earth, Water, Air, Fire and Space. These five elemental energies in combination make up the three constitutions: wind (Vata/ loong); Bile (Pitta/ Tripa) and Phglem (Kapha/ Baekan). Every person can have one or two dominant constitutions, which can be balanced by the corresponding diet and lifestyles of the specific constitutions.
Pulse reading by a Tibetan Doctor (called Amchi in Tibetan): This will be a 10-15 mins session where the Doctor will check your pulse and ask you a few questions and advice you regarding diet and lifestyle according to your constitution.
Breathing Exercise of Tibetan Medical Tradition: The breathing exercise helps to relax the mind, keep the body healthy and increase energy and joy in life.