thekchen choling
Syracuse

Dr. James Bae, a world-renowned yoga therapist and educator, is marking the Tibetan New Year with a weekend retreat at Thekchen Choling Syracuse, Feb. 28-March 2.

Designed to clear obstacles and create favorable conditions, the retreat runs Friday, Feb. 28, from 7-8:30 p.m.; Saturday, March 1, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, March 2, from 8 a.m. to noon. The Tibetan Buddhist temple is located at 109 East Ave. in Minoa, New York.

The program includes a variety of teachings and activities as well as a Saturday night dinner featuring momos—steam-filled dumplings that are synonymous with the Tibetan New Year, known as Losar. 

“Everyone is welcomed—from practicing Buddhists to those wanting to learn more about ancient healing techniques,” says temple president Babette Teich-Visco. “We accommodate adults of all ages, faith backgrounds and physical abilities.”

Tuition is $165 and covers the cost of Saturday’s breakfast and dinner as well as Sunday’s breakfast. (Saturday’s lunch is self-pay.) Each student also has the opportunity to make a cash donation to Dr. Bae at the end of the retreat. Tuition and donations can be paid by cash, check (payable to “Thekchen Choling Syracuse”) or electronic payment through the temple’s giving page: https://thek.us/syr/support.html

A small number of dorm beds are available to out of towners on a first-come, first-served basis for $25 a night. 

The deadline for registration, which is required, is Friday, Feb. 21, at 5 p.m. (ET). For more information and to register, contact Teich-Visco at 315.480.1088 or tccl.syracuse@gmail.com.

In addition to participating in a New Year’s sang puja for world peace, attendees will learn Tibetan yoga and practices to increase longevity and promote well-being. They also will take in prayers and practices related to Guru Rinpoche, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism, and to Vajrasattva purification practices, which remove obstacles and create merit.

“Dr. Bae draws on ancient yogic methods that, until recently, have remained mostly hidden from view,” Teich-Visco adds.

Losar is a popular festival that predates the arrival of Buddhism in Tibet more than 1,500 years ago. Celebrations are based on the lunar calendar and revolve around a Chinese zodiac sign. This year’s sign is the Wood Snake, representing wisdom, adaptability and growth.

Founder of a thriving acupuncture practice in Brooklyn, Dr. Bae is a highly accomplished, sought-after master of tummo (a Tibetan meditation technique) and Tibetan yoga. His work draws on more than two decades of study and practice in Indian, Tibetan, Japanese and Chinese medicine, resulting in the publication of 10 books and numerous articles.

Dr. Bae also is an affiliate faculty member of Thekchen Choling Syracuse, where he specializes in Tibetan yoga. The Minoa-based temple was founded 10 years ago by Singha Rinpoche, a venerable lama and proponent of Dr. Bae’s work. Thekchen Choling joins other centers that Rinpoche has founded in Malaysia and his native Singapore.