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.
I spent 25 years in public service where I taught Spanish grammar & literature in U.S. public schools, produced humanitarian documentaries, and worked as both a counselor and a congressional staffer for the U.S. House of Representatives. I also served on nonprofit boards dedicated to trauma recovery (RAINN), classical music, maternal health, and wellness initiatives along the U.S.–Mexico border—including Texas Healthy Women, Texas Healthy Babies, Nurse-Family Partnership, and Any Baby Can. I retired in 2022 at 47, grateful for a life rooted in service.
I hold a Master of Public Administration (MPA), a Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership, and a B.A. in Sociology and Spanish Literature 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.
