Tibetan Yoga

Our team is here to assist you and ensure you have a smooth and enjoyable experience with Kum Nye Tibetan Yoga.

History of Kum Nye and Tarthang Tulku

Kum Nye was introduced to the West by Tarthang Tulku, a leading Tibetan master and teacher who was one of the last Tibetan lamas to receive a full monastic training prior to the Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1959. He received rare teachings and transmissions from nearly 40 Tibetan Buddhist masters including H.E. Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, H. H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, and Jamyang Khyentse Chokyi Lodro.Tarthang Tulku, or Rinpoche as he is known to his students, moved to the United States in 1969 and founded the Nyingma Institute in Berkeley, California (https://nyingmainstitute.com/). The Kum Nye teachings were originally designed to assist Western meditation students who Rinpoche noted struggled at times to move into a state of relaxation.

Kum Nye Tibetan Yoga offers a gentle practice combining stretching, breathwork, and self-massage, to relax the body and mind. In a Kum Nye session, participants engage in a series of movements designed to awaken bodily sensations and emotions while breathing through nose and mouth simultaneously. After each movement, a period of stillness allows for deeper internal exploration of sensation and feelings.

Many practitioners report lasting benefits from Kum Nye, finding it a gentle alternative to traditional Hatha yoga practice. Elizabeth’s Tibetan Yoga classes are trauma-informed, making sure students know that each movement or self-massage practice is a choice. Students can work at their own pace and any of the seated poses can be done in a chair or on the floor on a meditation cushion.

It is advised to bring a small towel, a bottle of massage oil or lotion, and a bottle of water to all classes and to eat only a light snack one hour prior to the class. Please take care of yourself during class and know that if a student starts to experience dizziness, shortness of breath, or lightheadedness, students are advised to come out of the pose and take a break before returning to the class sequence. The focus of Tibetan Yoga classes is greater relaxation not greater suffering.

Eliza Bishop

Eliza Bishop is a distinguished teacher, lecturer, coach, writer, and editor with degrees from Carnegie Mellon and Oxford Universities. She is a Level 2 Internationally Certified Iyengar Yoga Instructor and serves as an editor and proofreader for the Namchak Translation Committee, focusing on sacred texts.

As a Tibetan Buddhist and Yoga practitioner for over two decades, Eliza has studied extensively in India and Europe and now divides her time between Canada and the USA. Her Kum Nye facilitation emphasizes inner healing and well-being through enhanced embodiment and presence. She offers global workshops and online sessions, aiming to foster immediate presence and transformative healing for both individuals and communities.

Ready to join us

Ready to embark on a journey of transformation and inner peace? Join our community of dedicated students worldwide and experience the profound benefits of Kum Nye Tibetan Yoga. Whether you’re looking to deepen your practice, attend a retreat, or explore new workshops, our offerings are designed to meet you where you are. Register now to secure your spot and take the first step toward greater well-being. Subscribe to our newsletter for updates, and don’t miss out on the opportunity to grow with us!