Meditation as Medicine
Tibetan Self-Healing Workshop Series (Class 3)
with Bryan Watrous DACM, LAc. and Julia Mariko Shannon, M.Ed.
January 11th 2026, 2 - 5pm
Meditation as Medicine is a monthly series of in-person introductory workshops based on the teachings of Dr. Nida Chenagtsang, world-renowned traditional Tibetan physician and lineage holder of the Yuthok Nyinthig, the unique spiritual healing tradition of Tibetan Medicine (Sowa Rigpa). This series invites participants to explore their own constitutional typology and learn to apply customized Tibetan self-healing practices, including meditation, movement, breath, sound, and the healing properties of plants and herbs found in the Medicine Buddha’s Botanical Garden, Tanaduk.
Meditation as Medicine explores multiple methods of meditation to give participants a range of meditative experiences, each with unique benefits. Based on the fundamental self- healing principle of balancing the inner elements of Wind, Fire, and Earth & Water, each workshop includes guided instruction and group practice of meditative and nature-based healing methods. Meditation as Medicine is designed for those curious about learning which meditative and self-care practices might be the best fit for their individual body-mind typology. Through these practices, participants will gain tools to increase self-awareness and promote inner balance by working with the inner elements to calm, detoxify, and energize.
The workshops will take place inside the beautiful Yuthok Ling Temple and outdoors in the Tanaduk Garden at Pure Land Farms, as weather permits.
Open to all, including both experienced practitioners and those completely new to meditation and Tibetan Medicine (Sowa Rigpa).
Participants may drop in for a single workshop or subscribe to the entire series.
An optional supplemental text by Dr. Nida Chenagtsang, Let Meditation be thy Medicine, is available for purchase from Sky Press or in-person at Pure Land Farms.
January 11th Program Details
Workshop 3: Cooling Inner Fire to Detoxify Mind and Body
Introduction to the Fire Element – Tanaduk Garden
What is the inner Fire element? How does it increase anger and irritability?
Diet and lifestyle tips for balancing Fire to decrease inflammation and toxic stress
Explore Fire pacifying foods and herbs: cooling and detoxifying foods and drinks
Fire pacifying tea tasting
Tibetan Yoga - Yuthok Ling Temple
Tibetan Nejang Yoga practice: gentle guided movements, choregraphed with breath to cool the body, mind and emotions
Guided Meditation – Yuthok Ling Temple
Guided detox breathing (Ninefold Purification Breathing)
Guided group meditation: Vajrasattva Purification Practice to release habitual negative patterns and reactivity
Guided relaxation
FACILITATORS
Dr. Bryan Watrous is a doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, with over 20 years of clinical practice. He is a Sowa Rigpa Tibetan Medicine practitioner and Ngakpa, ordained, non-monastic Tibetan Tantric Buddhist. Bryan is the clinical assistant of Dr. Nida Chenagtsang and the resident doctor at Pure Land Farms, Topanga.
Julia Mariko Shannon is a student of Dr. Nida Chenagtsang, completed a certificate in Sowa Rigpa Counseling from the Sowa Rigpa Institute of Tibetan Medicine, and holds a Master of Education degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.