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The Art of La: Tibetan Vitality for Body & Mind


  • Pure Land Tuscany Reggello Italy (map)

The Art of La: Tibetan Vitality Techniques for Body & Mind

A FIVE day Retreat WITH DRUKMO GYAL

AUGUST 19 - 24 2025

At Pure Land Tuscany, Italy
+ ONLINE LIVESTREAM OPTION

(PROGRAM DETAILS BELOW)



Join renowned teacher Drukmo Gyal for an immersive five-day journey into the ancient healing wisdom of Tibet. This transformative retreat combines the profound medical traditions of Sowa Rigpa (Tibetan medicine) with time-honored-Vajrayana Buddhist practices designed to restore and revitalize essential life force.

Through both theoretical understanding and hands-on practice, we explore specialized techniques for awakening vitality, including the method of la/lunar massage, mantra recitation, and guided visualizations that work to harmonize body, mind, and spirit. This comprehensive and immersive program integrates traditional Tibetan approaches with accessible self-care practices including gentle therapeutic yoga, restorative breathing techniques, and external therapies you can continue at home.

Whether you're seeking personal renewal, deeper understanding of Tibetan healing arts, or practical tools for maintaining energetic wellness, this retreat offers a rare opportunity to learn authentic practices from a master teacher in an intimate, supportive setting. All levels of experience are welcome.

What You'll Learn:

  • Fundamentals of Sowa Rigpa, traditional Tibetan Medicine

  • The Tibetan theory of “la” vital energy, and the causes and symptoms of it’s depletion

  • The practice of a gentle (clothed) massage that utilizes 16 mantric syllables and 30 points on the body that flow through the body according to the lunar cycle.

  • Buddhist ritual technique for “hooking back” lost la energy spiritually from the ten directions.

  • Tibetan daily self-care techniques to support health and wellness including yoga, breathwork, and meditation, along with diet and lifestyle recommendations according to one’s individual constitutional typology.

This retreat is open to all, no prior background in Buddhist practice or Tibetan medicine required. However for students and practitioners of Sowa Rigpa, this program provides an invaluable addition to the toolbox of methods that are effective and applicable in one’s healing practice.


Registration

In-PERSON PRICE

1000 Euros (TUITION + ALL MEALS)
+ 300 - 1000 Euros FOR ONSITE ACCOMMODATION

INCLUDES:

  • Five days of teachings, guided group meditation sessions in the magical healing environment of of Pure Land Tuscany.

  • One year access to recordings of teachings and all text and audio resources

  • Nourishing farm to table Italian vegetarian meals

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:

International travel to Florence, Italy

Pure Land Farms is seeking 1 - 2 student volunteers to attend this special retreat at no cost in exchange for assistance during this retreat. Assistance includes clean up after meals and general household support and assistance with daily livestream of sessions. Please write to inquire.


ONLINE LIVESTREAM + VIDEO COURSE

500 EuRos INCLUDES:

Livestream (on Zoom) of all sessions of the retreat
Approximately 35 hours of teaching and guided practice sessions
+

One year access to online version of the retreat hosted on the Sowa Rigpa Institute’s learning platform includes:

  • Video recordings of the retreat for review or self-paced learning -
    made available within 24 hours of each teaching session to accommodate students’ schedules and time zones

  • Study and practice supports including PDF texts and audio files


schedule
(LIVESTREAMED SESSIONS IN BOLD)

Tuesday August 19th:

2 - 5pm: Arrival and check in at Pure Land Farms for residential guests
(PLF will assist with coordinating arrival time of students via train to nearby station)

6pm: Welcome dinner and orientation

7:30 - 9pm: Introductory Teaching Session

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 20th - SATURDAY AUGUST 23Rd:

7:30 - 8:30am: Guided Practice Session

8:30 - 10am: Breakfast Break

10am - 12:30pm: Teaching Session

12:30 - 3pm: Lunch break and rest

3 - 6pm: Teaching Session

6 - 8pm Dinner Break

8:30 - 9:30pm: Guided Practice Session

Sunday AUGUST 24th:

7:30 - 8:30am: Guided Practice Session

8:30 - 10am: Breakfast Break

10am - 12:30pm: Teaching Session

12:30pm: Lunch and check out

Schedule subject to slight modifications


ABOUT DRUKMO GYAL

Born into a family of Ngakpas (Tibetan non-monastic Buddhist practitioners) in the culturally rich Amdo region of Tibet, Drukmo Gyal’s life has been steeped in the practices of mantra and meditation from a young age. Growing up in a diverse community in Rebgong, she was immersed in an environment where spiritual practices were a daily ritual.

Her journey in traditional healing began with studies in Tibetan medicine in Amdo, after which she furthered her expertise by working for Sorig Khang Estonia (EATTM) and studying under Dr. Nida Chenatsang, a renowned Tibetan physician and lineage holder of the Yuthok Nyingthig - the spiritual healing tradition of Tibetan Medicine.

Combining her passion for singing with her knowledge of Tibetan medicine, Drukmo Gyal has sought to create healing concerts that nurture the body, speech, and mind.

Drukmo Gyal serves as an international teacher and guide for Sorig Khang International and as the lead organizer of SKY Estonia.


ABOUT Pure Land Farms TUSCANY

Pure Land Tuscany was born on what once was “Il Mulino di Ferraia” (still known to locals by this name): a 16th Century stone water mill, newly renovated with loving care to combine a preservation of its original appearance and fascinating mystique with all modern amenities. This magical and serene place, situated next to a river and surrounded by diverse vegetation provides the perfect healing space for meditation and contemplation and connecting with our international sangha of practitioners in the heart of Italy.

ACCOMMODATIONS ONSITE AT PURE LAND FARMS TUSCANY:

Pure Land Tuscany is a small and intimate retreat center with very limited accommodations (15 people maximum). To stay onsite, please register early!

Deluxe Accommodations: 3 twin rooms (shared accommodation for 2 + 1 Queen room suitable for a single or couple) each with private en suite bathroom in the main Pure Land villa.

Dorm style Accommodations:

  • Yuthok Ling Temple (4 people)

  • Camping (4 People)

Overflow accommodations are available at our neighbor’s farm/agriturismo (3-minute walk from Pure Land Farms). Please inquire for availability. For students with cars, there are additional Airbnbs and hotels in the vicinity, however due to the high tourist season, be sure to book early.


LOCATION AND INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

The closest airport to Pure Land Farms is Florence Airport, Peretola (Amerigo Vespucci Airport FLR). Alternatively, arriving by train into Florence center (Santa Maria Novella Station) is a good option for those who prefer to arrive in another larger Italian city (Rome, Milano, Bologna, etc).

If you are traveling from the United States, we highly recommend arriving in Italy a few days before our program starts to adjust to the time change and have an opportunity to do personal sightseeing in Florence, or other Italian destinations.

Earlier Event: August 18
Yuthok Nyingthig Ngöndro
Later Event: August 22
Shanglon Protector Practice