Sowa Rigpa Institute Certificate Program 

Kunye & External Therapist

Now accepting applications
(English and Bilingual English/Spanish Cohorts 🇬🇧 🇪🇸)
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2-Year Certification Training
September 2026 - May 2027

4 Modules:
Each module consists of one seven day in-person retreat followed by monthly online sessions.

Location of in-person retreats (Choose one):

Bilingual Spanish/English cohort:
Mexico City, Mexico (September 4 - 11 2026)
OR
English-language cohort: Xativa, Valencia, Spain (October 2 - 9 2026)

Core Faculty:
Isis Muñoz
With Jacqueline Yu, Elise Mandine, and invited online guest teachers

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Tibetan Kunye Massage

Kunyé is the massage therapy of Sowa Rigpa—traditional Tibetan Medicine—and with other
Sowa Rigpa ‘external therapies’ forms a key component of a sophisticated and holistic system of medicine that offers us a path to health and happiness through the cultivation of balance and harmony.

Kunyé and the related external therapies  employ precise and varied manual techniques, and speciallyprepared herb-infused oils tailored to the individual’s unique constitution, environment, and changes of both life and season--along with an array of time-tested low-tech tools such as heated
and cooled stones, herbal compresses, incense, copper cups, and traditional wooden tools.

A properly trained therapist can safely and effectively practice this noninvasive and highly-adaptable approach to health and wellness for people of all ages and states of health.
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About this Program

This immersive training offers a comprehensive hands-on training in the fundamentals of Sowa Rigpa Kunye massage and external therapies. The training is focused on hands on practice with additional theory offered during online sessions.

VIEW KUNYE CURRICULUM
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Eligibility & Pre-Requisites

This course is open to all who have learned introductory Sowa Rigpa theory.

For those who are new to Sowa Rigpa a short online course will be offered in August by Jacqueline Yu that can be attended live online, or watched via the recordings.

Who this Program is For:

This program is most suited for:
  • Sowa Rigpa Practitioners wishing to gain more proficiency in Tibetan manual therapies
  • Practitioners of other healing modalities including bodyworkers, licensed massage therapists or acupuncturists wishing to integrate Sowa Rigpa therapies into their existing practice. 
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Tuition

Option 1: Full Year Commitment
Year One: $2200
($1000 upfront + 4 x installments of $300)
Year Two: $2000
($1000 upfront + 4 installments of $250)

Option 2: Pay Module by Module
Module 1: $1500 ($1000 + 2 x $250
 Module 2 (Module 1 is pre-requisite): $1000
Module 3 (Open to eligible students): $1500 ($1000 + 2 x $250)
Module 4: $1000 

Please note that tuition does not include travel to retreat destination and accommodation expenses. 

Application is free of charge.
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Kunyé 1 (Module 1) and External Therapies (Module 3) may be taken as independent standalone modules if students have met the prerequisite requirements.

Participating in this 2-year program fulfills all four required in-person intensive practicums for those enrolled in SRI's Sowa Rigpa Practitioner program. Module 1 and 3 taken as independent standalone modules will each fulfill one practicum requirement.

SRI welcomes students from other centers, schools and institutes to join us. For more information, write to info@sowarigpainstitute.org.
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About Certification from SRI:

Graduates of this two-year training will receive a Sowa Rigpa Kunye Therapist certificate upon completion of the full two-year training (certificates of completion will be given after each module)

A certificate from SRI demonstrates that you have completed the study, practice, supervision, and assessment that the Sowa Rigpa Institute as directed by Dr. Nida Chenagtsang deems sufficient to effectively practice the Sowa Rigpa therapies presented in this course. Massage and bodywork are regulated differently across countries, regions, and localities. Participants are responsible for researching, understanding, and when necessary deferring to your local jurisdiction’s limits, if any, on the requirements for practicing massage and external therapies professionally. Additional training, licensure or certification, as well as insurance or continuing education, may be required.

Required Reading

Kunye: Tibetan Healing Massage by Dr. Nida Chenagtsang

Digital copy included in course tuition. Print edition available for purchase through Sky Press Publications or in person at the retreat location
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Program Format & Schedule

The training consists of four in-person 7-day practical retreats followed by monthly live online sessions, creating continuity of practice, study, and integration across the full 2 years. Priority will be given to students who wish to attend the complete 2-year program, however a limited number of spots will be open to eligible students who would like to participate in select portions of the training.

VIEW DETAILED CURRICULUM

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YEAR ONE

Module One (Kunye 1):
September 2026 - April 2027

Module One: In-Person Retreat Options (Led by Isis Muñoz LaCombe)

September 4 - 11 2026

Casa Sowa Rigpa in Mexico City (Bilingual 🇬🇧 English 🇲🇽 Spanish language cohort)


OR

October 2 - 9 2026

Casa Sorig Valencia, Spain (🇬🇧 English language cohort)


Module One: Monthly Online Sessions (x 7)

Mondays
October 12, November 9, December 7 2026
January 11, February 8, March 8, April 5 2027


Time
8AM PT (Los Angeles)
5PM (Rome)

Duration
3 Hours
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Module Two (Kunye 2):
May - July 2028

Module Two: In-Person Retreat Options (Led by Isis Muñoz LaCombe)

May 14 - 21 2027

Casa Sowa Rigpa in Mexico City, Mexico (Bilingual 🇬🇧 English 🇲🇽 Spanish language cohort)

OR


May 30 - June 5 2027
Casa Sorig in Xàtiva, Valencia, Spain (🇬🇧 English language cohort) 


Module Two: Monthly Online Sessions (x 3)

Mondays
June 14, July 12, August 9 2027


Time
8AM PT (Los Angeles)
5PM (Rome)

Duration
3 Hours
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YEAR TWO (Same format as Year One)

Module Three (External Therapies):
Septemer 2027 - April 2028

Module Four (Diagnosis):
May 2028

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Now Accepting Applications (Limited capacity rolling admission)

  • Step 1: Check your eligibility
  • Step 2: Complete the Google Form Application
  • Step 3: You will be notified by email if you are eligible for the program
  • Step 4: You can officially register for the program
Our teachers

Core Faculty

Dr. Nida Chenagtsang

SOWA RIGPA INSTITUTE FOUNDER & ACADEMIC DIRECTOR
This program is offered under Dr. Nida's academic guidance. 

Isis Muñoz LaCombe

CASA SORIG DIRECTOR, KUNYE TEACHER & PRACTITIONER
In Person Retreats in Mexico & Spain

Elise Mandine

SORIG KHANG FRANCE DIRECTOR & KUNYE TEACHER & PRACTITIONER
Online Lectures

Jacqueline Yu

SORIG KHANG SINGAPORE DIRECTOR; KUNYE TEACHER & PRACTITIONER
Online Lectures
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Guest teachers will join select online sessions:
Dr. Nida Chenagtsang, Drukmo Gyal, Bair Manzarkhan