Meditation, Breath and Movement:
Tsa Lung External Internal and Secret Practices
About this course
Tsa Lung is a series of ancient yogic practices that brings balance and harmony to our physical body, energy, and mind. The term Tsa Lung can be translated as the energy-winds (Tibetan: Lung, Skt. Prana, Chinese, Qi) in the Channels, for these practices are designed to open the subtle channels, guiding the healthy flow of the energy-winds so that we can enjoy good health and reconnect with more calmness to a quiet, peaceful mind. These exercises are easy to perform, and are suitable for everyone.
There are three levels of Tsa Lung practice: External, Internal and Secret. The External Tsa Lung works primarily on the physical level, using simple movements and breath exercises to balance the energies within our body. The Internal Tsa Lung works more at the level of breath and subtle energy, bringing our attention to opening the five chakras and the central channel. The Secret Tsa Lung uses subtle visualizations within the chakras and central channel to bring harmony to the mind, so that we can rest in our inner refuge, nature of mind. All of the Tsa Lung exercises integrate and balance the five elements within: Earth, Water, Fire, Wind and Space.
These practices are drawn from the Bön Mother Tantra (Tibetan: Ma Gyud) the highest tantra in our tradition. They are a beautiful complement to any meditation practice, and particularly to Dzogchen. They are frequently performed at the beginning of a session so that meditation is deeper and more stable. The External Tsa Lung is commonly performed in all Ligmincha centers and groups.
What is included?
Teaching videos with English subtitles on each of the topics
Guided practices and a thorough written practice guide, available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French
Downloadable MP3 audio recordings of each of the guided practices
Discussion forum to share insights, gain support from peers, and resolve any questions with the course mentor, Alejandro Chaoul
External Tsa Lung
Bringing harmony and wellness to the body
Internal Tsa Lung
Balancing the subtle winds
Secret Tsa Lung
Connecting to the essence of mind
Integrating Tsa Lung
Using the Tsa Lung exercises in combination, and with other practices
Each section includes a teaching video by Alejandro and demonstration of the methods, followed by a guided meditation video using the practices. Participants are encouraged to practice every day, or at least three days a week, for a 45-minute session. Written guides to the practices are included and may be downloaded along with MP3 recordings of the guided practices. Each section also includes suggested readings in the Awakening the Sacred Body book by Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche.
Alejandro Chaoul gives a brief introduction to the Tsa Lung course.
This course is multi-lingual with all resources being available in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese. The videos are in spoken English with Spanish, French and Portuguese subtitles available, and all written material are in all three languages. Participants can post their questions and insights for Alejandro and the group discussion forum in any of the three languages.
All the lessons and meditations are recorded in high definition video and carefully edited and enhanced with graphics to support your visualization and understanding, and so that you may study whenever you like. This course does not include any live sessions, for with participants around the world there is no meeting time that would work for everyone.
Alejandro Chaoul
Alejandro Chaoul has trained in Tsa Lung since 1992 and teaches these practices in retreats and workshops throughout the Americas and Europe. He is a senior meditation teacher in The 3 Doors organization, and earned his PhD in religious studies from Rice University, and his Masters in Religious Studies from the University of Virginia. He brings 20 years of experience at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center as an assistant professor and Director of Education, Integrative Medicine Program. Since 1999, he has conducted research using mind-body techniques, including Tsa lung with cancer patients and their caregivers, and holds group meditation classes for cancer patients and their support system. He is also an adjunct faculty member at The McGovern Center for Humanities and Ethics, where he teaches medical students in the areas of spirituality, complementary and integrative medicine, and end of life care.
Alejandro is the author of Tibetan Yoga for Health & Well-Being (Hay House, 2018) and Chod Practice in the Bon Tradition (Snow Lion, 2009).
