About me
Lu Jong: TibetanYoga for Modern Life
Gentle Movement. Deep Presence. Inner Balance.
There are times when the body feels heavy, the mind crowded, and the heart quietly asks for a way home. For those seasons of burnout, transition, or spiritual weariness, Lu Jong — commonly known as Tibetan yoga — offers a gentle return.
This practice is not about performance—it’s all about presence.
Rooted in Tibetan medicine and Buddhist wisdom, Lu Jong restores the spine, strengthens the organs, balances the elements, and clears stagnant energy—softly, powerfully, precisely.
Classes are free, with no expectation of donations, ever. All are welcome—regardless of age, body, or background. Each session is a space to soften, breathe, and return to the quiet wisdom within.
These teachings were introduced to the West by Tulku Lobsang Rinpoche and are lovingly upheld by Nangten Menlang International. I was personally certified by Rinpoche, and although I now share them independently, he continues to hold and guide me through this lineage. I offer these practices with reverence and joy, honoring both the sacred tradition and the profound blessing of having received them directly from him.
My path began two decades ago when yoga became a lifeline—first Ashtanga and Bikram, then Kundalini. I was certified in Kundalini Yoga in 2012 under Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa and became a Reiki Master in 2013.
I’ve practiced Buddhism since 2005 and became a student of H.E. Khangser Rinpoche in 2018. With his blessing, I now help facilitate Lamrim and Vajrayana teachings at the Dipkar Vajrayana Institute.
I’m the founder of Zen & Tonic — a modern wellness space rooted in Tibetan Yoga, Reiki, Kundalini Yoga, and Applied Analytical Kabbalah, the tradition that works with the Tree of Life as a sacred framework for inner alignment. I help others reconnect to their true essence and live in harmony with their soul’s design.
You may also know me through my maiden name, Tati Friar or Tatiana Friar—a name from earlier chapters that still appears in past work and creative projects.
While living in Texas, I spent 25 years in public service where I taught Spanish grammar & literature to at-risk students, produced humanitarian documentaries, and worked a counselor and a congressional staffer for the U.S. House of Representatives.
I also served on multiple nonprofit boards dedicated to systemic healing and community well-being, including:
• RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), advancing trauma recovery and survivor advocacy
• Texas Healthy Women and Texas Healthy Babies, focused on maternal health and access to reproductive care along the U.S.–Mexico border
• Nurse-Family Partnership, promoting early childhood wellness through home visitation programs
• Any Baby Can, offering wraparound support for families of children with special needs
• Classical music and arts organizations, where I helped champion creative access and cultural education in underserved communities
• Faith-based humanitarian agencies, coordinating surplus FEMA resources to support housing, food, and recovery for displaced populations across the Southwest
My advocacy work spans trauma-informed care, spiritual resilience, and cross-border collaboration for vulnerable families.
I hold a Master of Public Administration (MPA), a Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership, and a B.A. in Sociology and Spanish Literature, all from Texas A&M International University.
Today, my husband and I split our time between Mexico City and San Miguel de Allende. I’m a mom of two, a bonus mom to three, and our pups, Dave and Josh, keep us grounded in joy.
Note: These practices support well-being and self-awareness, and are not a substitute for medical care.
