Learn more about Esalen workshop leaders from past and present.
Emilie Conrad is the founder of Continuum. Her work has been incorporated by international professionals in rolfing, craniosacral, osteopathy, physical therapy, dance, and psychoneuroimmunology, among others. Emilie is the author of Life on Land.
David Corbin is a shamanic practitioner and teacher, serving on the faculty of the Foundation for Shamanic Studies for more than 15 years. He is coauthor of Weather Shamanism: Harmonizing Our Connection with the Elements and CloudDancing: Wisdom from the Sky.
Robert Corff is one of Los Angeles' most prominent performance teachers. His clients include such award-winning celebrities as Sally Field, Samuel L. Jackson, Vanessa Redgrave, and Hank Azaria. In addition, he has had leading roles on Broadway, television, and in motion pictures.
Ann Weiser Cornell is the bestselling author of The Power of Focusing and The Radical Acceptance of Everything. She teaches her popular workshops in Inner Relationship Focusing and Getting Unblocked internationally, both in person and by telephone bridge line.
Jean Couch, originally known for her classic Runner's Yoga Book, has shown thousands of people of all ages how to improve their health. She most recently taught 50 physicians and their spouses, one of whom wrote, "I now have hope for me and my patients."
Phil Cousineau is a freelance writer, filmmaker, teacher, and youth baseball coach. He has published more than 30 books, including the bestselling The Hero's Journey: The Life and Work of Joseph Campbell. He has written award-winning documentary films, and is the host of "Global Spirit," a nationally broadcast series on LINK TV and PBS.
Dixie Cox, cofounder of the Fun Institute in Santa Cruz, Calif., has been teaching people to re-create themselves through improvisational acting classes since 1993. She performs regularly with the improv troupes Loose Cannon Theater and Crash Test.
Eleanor Criswell Hanna, director of the Novato Institute for Somatic Research and Training and an emeritus professor of psychology at Sonoma State University, is editor of Somatics, and author of How Yoga Works and Biofeedback and Somatics.
Stewart Cubley's work has carried him throughout the world in facilitating groups to access the potential within the human heart and imagination. Originally a scientist, he has led seminars in creativity for more than 30 years.
Raphael Cushnir contributes to O, The Oprah Magazine, and presents workshops worldwide. He’s written five books, including The One Thing Holding You Back and Surfing Your Inner Sea. His heart was opened through profound grief.
Kerry D’Ambrogio is a lecturer, author, physical therapist, osteopath, and board-certified acupuncture physician. He is the president and director of Therapeutic Systems, Inc. (TSI). TSI is an internationally known seminar company as well as a treatment center.
Karishma Deanna Darby is a licensed psychotherapist in the Sierra foothills, specializing in somatic psychotherapy. A certified massage therapist for 20 years, her passion is bringing together mind, body, and heart to create the opportunity for profound self-understanding and greater ease.
David Darling is a Grammy Award-winning composer, cellist, and artistic director of Music For People. An internationally-acclaimed recording artist and educator for more than 40 years, his album Mudanin Kata, made with the singers of the aboriginal Wulu Bunun tribe of Taiwan, was one of the top-selling ethnic albums on Amazon.com.
Deborah Davis, LAc, is the author of Women’s Qigong for Health and Longevity and the instructional DVD, The Spirit of Qi Gong. Deborah teaches women’s qigong nationally and has a private practice in acupuncture, intuitive readings, and medical qigong.
Laura Davis is the author of seven bestselling books, including The Courage to Heal and I Thought We’d Never Speak Again. Founder of The Writer’s Journey, she leads retreats worldwide and specializes in the use of writing as a transformational tool.
Erik Davis is an award-winning author and teacher. His books include The Visionary State and Nomad Codes: Adventures in Modern Esoterica. He has taught at UC Berkeley, Pacifica, and CIIS, and hosts the popular podcast Expanding Mind on the Progressive Radio Network.
Laura Day has taught at Esalen Insitute for more than two decades. A New York Times bestselling author of six books on intuition in business, love, and healing, Laura travels the world creating communities of intuitives and healers. www.practicalintuition.com.
Lorie Eve Dechar is the author of Five Spirits: Alchemical Acupuncture for Psychological and Spiritual Healing. Her work as an alchemical healer is supported by 25 years of Chinese medical practice and extensive training in Jungian and Gestalt psychotherapy and Focusing-oriented psychotherapy.
Russell Delman studied with Moshe Feldenkrais for many years. One of the first Feldenkrais trainers, he has been teaching the method since 1975. He has also maintained a Zen meditation practice for more than 35 years, and conducts workshops and training programs internationally.
Carol DeSanto is the cofounder of Nervous System Energy Work and a psychotherapist in private practice. She has been a longtime student of Rev. Rosalyn Bruyere. Her special interests in energy work encompass addiction-recovery, health and healing, and work with cancer and chronic illness.
Harvey Deutch has been both a physical therapist and yogi for the past 30 years. His life path has blended the intricate knowledge of movement with the practice of yoga. He is the owner and one of many physical therapists at Red Hawk Physical Therapy in San Francisco, Calif.
Christina Dickinson, CAC II, in addition to being certified in Hakomi Therapy and Focused Expressive Psychotherapy, is a founding trainer of the Sensorimotor Psychology Institute and a certified addictions counselor in Colorado. She maintains a private practice in Boulder, Colorado.
Lisa Lieberman Doctor teaches character development at the UCLA Extension Writing Program. She is a former motion picture executive and a nominee of a Daytime Emmy and Writers Guild Award.
Mick Dodge is known as the Barefoot Sensei. His work draws upon what he learned while studying diverse martial arts forms in Japan and Okinawa throughout his childhood, walking as a barefoot nomad, and living ascetically in the wild. He now lives in the Hoh Rainforest in Washington State.
William Donius is an author, speaker, and founder of Right Brain Institute. His New York Times bestselling book, Thought Revolution: How to Unlock Your Inner Genius, introduces a methodology that activates the right brain and leads to innovation and transformation.
Bob Doppelt is a counseling psychologist and ecologist grounded in socially engaged Buddhism. He integrates these fields into his work as a climate and sustainability consultant, educator, researcher, and writer. His most recent book is From Me to We.
Jim Dreaver was on a spiritual journey for twenty years before finally awakening to the freedom that is his true nature. His mission now is to guide others to the same realization, but in a much shorter period of time.
Lama Drimed offers awareness teachings from Great Perfection/Dzogchen and Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism. His Tibetan teacher, Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche, recognized Lama Drimed as his lineage holder in 1995. His vision is to open dialogues that include current discoveries and the ancient tantric arts.
Jennifer Dumpert is a San Francisco-based writer and lecturer, and the founder and leader of the experiential dream group Oneironauticum. She tweets a dream a day as Oneirofer.
Carlos Durana, PhD, MAc, is a licensed acupuncturist and clinical psychologist; he is also a body worker and writer/researcher with many years of experience in Chinese herbology, medical qigong, life and wellness coaching, meditation, stress management, exercise, and nutrition.
Chandra Easton studied Buddhist philosophy, meditation, and Tibetan language at the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives in Dharamsala, India, and translated Tibetan Buddhist texts on meditation with B. Alan Wallace. Chandra has taught meditation and yoga since 2001.
Steve Edelman, JD, is a veteran of many career changes: law, television broadcasting, entrepreneur, and creator of a multi-million-dollar television production company. He co-developed the Unfinished Business workshop by blending state-of-the-art video storytelling and computer assessment technology with dynamic workshop processes.
Charles Eisenstein is the author of Sacred Economics and The Ascent of Humanity, a teacher and speaker considered by many to be a leading voice of his generation. He is on the faculty of Goddard College.
Daniel Ellenberg, PhD, is a leadership coach, group facilitator, organizational trainer, and licensed therapist. He is a principle in both Relationships That Work and Authentic Leadership Institute. He leads men’s growth groups and co-authored Lovers for Life.
Karen Ely is the founding director of A Woman’s Way, one of the country’s premiere women’s retreat programs, and the author of Daring to Dream: Reflections on the Year I Found Myself, A Retreat of My Own, Breathing Space: Mini-Retreats for the Heart & Soul, and others.
Matthew Engelhart is co-owner of Café Gratitude. He has coauthored 3 books with Terces Engelhart, and when they are not on the road speaking or teaching, he and Terces live on “Be Love” Organic Farm where they grow food for their 7 restaurants.
Terces Engelhart is co-owner of Café Gratitude. She has coauthored 3 books with Matthew Engelhart, and when they are not on the road speaking or teaching, she and Matthew live on “Be Love” Organic Farm where they grow food for their 7 restaurants.
Matt Englar-Carlson is a professor of counseling and co-director of the Center for Boys and Men at California State University, Fullerton. A fellow of the American Psychological Association, he specializes in educating helping professionals about the mental-health needs of men. He is coeditor of In the Room with Men and Counseling Troubled Boys: A Guidebook for Professionals.
Scott Engler, a longtime student of presence and healing, is a practitioner of Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy and Lomi Somatic Education. He holds a second degree black belt in Aikido and lives in Petaluma, Calif., with his wife Zuza.
Zuza Engler has been on the spiral path of kinesthetic investigation into consciousness for more than two decades, in motion, stillness, and process inquiry. She is a long-term practitioner of Buddhism, Soul Motion™, and Gestalt Awareness Practice.
Ulrika Engman, E-RYT 500, is an Anusara-certified yoga teacher and Halprin Life-Art practitioner. Ulrika’s unique style blends the transformative power of yoga with movement and the expressive arts. She leads yoga workshops and retreats worldwide.
Carol A. Erickson, MSW, is a licensed clinical social worker and a licensed marriage and family therapist based in Northern California. The oldest daughter of Milton H. Erickson, MD, she has taught therapy and hypnosis workshops worldwide.
Roxanna Erickson-Klein, RN, PhD, was trained in hypnosis by her father, Milton Erickson. Through her work she gives an inside perspective of the healing power that hypnosis can offer. She is a registered nurse and counselor with extensive experience teaching and applying hypnotic techniques.
Wendy Evans brings more than 35 years of body awareness practice and a practical, physical perspective to her international training, organization, executive leadership development practice. Her background includes Gestalt, Cortical Field Reeducation, social science, and four children.
Melody Fairchild was the first high-school girl in US history to run 2 miles in under 10 minutes. At 38, in 2012, she won a gold medal for the US at the World Mountain Running Championships. As a CFR practitioner, she works with athletes and others to heal injuries, upgrade performance, and reduce risk of further injury in Boulder, Co.
Mark Fairfield, LCSW, BCD, is executive director of The Relational Center. Formerly the clinical director for Common Ground in Santa Monica, Calif., he has a private practice coaching and consulting a wide range of clients. Mark has presented and trained internationally and has published in journals and books.
Jayson Fann, musician, artist, and multicultural arts education consultant, has devoted his life to cultural bridge-building through the arts. As founder and director of the Esalen International Arts Festival and Big Sur Spirit Garden Arts and Cultural Center, he has created hundreds of programs celebrating cultural diversity throughout the world.
Robin Fann-Costanzo has a lifelong background in dance and movement. An Esalen® Massage practitioner, CranioSacral practitioner, and certified yoga instructor, she has taught and assisted Esalen® Massage trainings, yoga retreats, and Upledger Institute trainings.
Warren Farrell is author of the best-sellers Why Men Are The Way They Are and The Myth of Male Power. His Women Can’t Hear What Men Don’t Say was a Book-of-the-Month Club selection. He has appeared on more than 1,000 TV shows worldwide.
Mariah Fenton Gladis, founder/director of the Pennsylvania Gestalt Center for Psychotherapy and Training for more than three decades, leads workshops and trainings around the US and in Europe. She is recognized for the sensitive and creative way she practices the art of Gestalt.
Vinny Ferraro has been practicing meditation since 1993. He has taught meditation to incarcerated youth and adults and is the head trainer for the Mind Body Awareness Project. He also is a Spirit Rock Community Dharma teacher.
Lisa Firestone is a clinical psychologist, Director of Research and Education at the Glendon Association and the Senior Editor of Psychalive.org. Dr. Firestone is the co-author of The Self Under Siege, Sex and Love in Intimate Relationships, and Conquer Your Critical Inner Voice.
Robert Fisher, MFT, is an international Hakomi trainer, adjunct professor at CIIS and JFK Universities, and author of Experiential Psychotherapy With Couples. He is the lead instructor of the Certificate Program at CIIS for Mindfulness and Compassion in Psychotherapy and a keynote speaker at national psychotherapy conferences.
Linda Fitch is dean of the Light Body School of the Four Winds Society, founded by Alberto Villoldo. A passionate teacher, Linda works at the level of the soul to seek the larger mythic patterns that shape our lives. Linda’s classes and workshops are in high demand around the world.
William Foote is a psychologist in private practice for more than 30 years. He has been doing transpersonal work during most of his career and has co-taught courses at the American Psychiatric Association meetings for many years.
Thomas Michael Fortel is a longtime yoga practitioner/teacher, influenced by the Iyengar, Ashtanga, and Anusara styles of Hatha yoga, and drawing from his devotional experience in Bhakti yoga. He travels widely, sharing his love for yoga.
Benjamin Fox is a licensed massage therapist, certified Zero Balancer, and Evolutionary astrologer. He is a co-founder of A New Possibility, Inc., whose mission is to transform people's lives through healing, education, and community-building.
Jerome Front teaches at Pepperdine University and across the US, and has written about mindfulness, contemplative living, and mindful approaches to relationships. He leads retreats and clinical and corporate trainings, and is an LMFT in private practice.
Seena Frost, LMFT, MDiv, is a clinician, teacher, poet, and gardener from California, and the founder of the SoulCollage® process. She wrote SoulCollage® Evolving and has recorded several CDs. Currently she trains SoulCollage® facilitators.
Erin Gafill is a painter who teaches internationally and cofounded the Big Sur Arts Initiative. She was artist-in-residence at the Children's International Art Museum in Hamada, Japan. In 2009, she was named Champion of the Arts by the Arts Council for Monterey.
Marc Gafni’s teaching is marked by a deep transmission of heart, love, and leading-edge provocative wisdom. A visionary scholar, public intellectual, and spiritual artist, he is the author of ten books, including the award-winning Your Unique Self: The Radical Path to Personal Enlightenment.
Jim Gallas, a Shiatsu teacher for more than 15 years, has led workshops in California and internationally. Creator of the DVD Zen Thai Table Shiatsu: Deep and Effective Body Work with Ease, Jim also teaches Reiki, anatomy, yoga, and chi kung.
Lori Galperin, LCSW, earned her graduate degree in clinical social work at Tulane University. She has authored various journal articles and book chapters and has treated several thousand inpatients. She has trained more than 100,000 clinicians throughout the US Canada, and Europe.
Rolf Gates conducts Vinyasa teacher trainings and programs internationally. His work has been widely featured in television and in print. As a former US Army Ranger and social worker Rolf brings his eclectic background to his teaching and his life. He is the author of Meditations from the Mat. www.rolfgates.com.
Michael J. Gelb is a pioneer in the fields of creative thinking, accelerated learning, and innovative leadership. He has written 13 books, including How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci and Brain Power: Improve Your Mind as You Age.
Siegmar Gerken, PhD, has pioneered body-oriented and heart-centered therapy and humanistic psychology since 1971. He is the founder of Core Evolution® and the Energy & Consciousness Programs™. He teaches at SBGI, conducts mindfulness-based trainings and specialized management and coaching seminars, and teaches worldwide. He has a private practice in Mendocino and the Bay Area, Calif.
Christopher Germer is on the faculty of Harvard Medical School and the Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy. He is a co-editor of Mindfulness and Psychotherapy and Wisdom and Compassion in Psychotherapy, and author of The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion.
Ruby Gibson, ThM, LMT, is an educator/trainer, author, and certified somatic therapist in practice for thirty years. She developed the intergenerational healing modality Somatic Archaeology™ described in her book, My Body, My Earth, The Practice of Somatic Archaeology.
Girish is a singer, songwriter, session tabla player, and producer whose life journey has been marked by a series of profound transformations. Girish lived in an ashram for five years taking the vows of a monk in the divine mother tradition called Dakshina Marg or Mahashakti Yoga. Before embarking on his own journey as a solo singer, Girish preformed with some of the most celebrated kirtan artists including Snatam Kaur, Krishna Das, Rasa, Dave Stringer, Wah, and Donna DeLory, and has been instrumental in the growing popularity of chant and kirtan music in the United States.
Lisa Goettel is a singer, composer, and voice coach with more than 30 years of musical experience. She has taught group singing classes regularly at Esalen since 2007 and leads workshops throughout the US.
Esther Gokhale, LAc, author of 8 Steps to a Pain-Free Back, was educated at Harvard, Princeton, SFCAOM (in Chinese medicine), and by people in non-industrial cultures worldwide. She and other certified Gokhale Method instructors offer instruction online and all around the world.
Simon Goland is an educator, facilitator, and consultant who facilitates transformational learning processes internationally for organizations, groups, and individuals. Simon is deeply passionate about ways we connect with and express our individual callings and vocation in the world.
Richard Gold has been practicing and teaching Oriental healing arts since 1978. A graduate in Thai Massage from the Old Medicine Hospital in Chiang Mai, Thailand, he is chairman of the board of the International Professional School of Bodywork in San Diego, Calif.
Aviva Gold, has taught art and trained teachers for more than 30 years. Her background includes psychoanalytic, Jungian, and Gestalt psychotherapy. She is author of Painting From The Source: Awakening The Artists Soul In Everyone and Source Art in the World: How Your Authentic Creativity Heals the Planet.
Philip Goldberg is a meditation teacher, spiritual counselor and public speaker. His latest book is the award-winning American Veda: From Emerson and the Beatles to Yoga and Meditation, How Indian Spirituality Changed the West.
Mary Goldenson, PhD, is the author of It’s Time: No One is Coming to Save You. She is a clinical psychologist currently specializing in the resilience we need to live life. She has a private practice in Los Angeles focusing on relationships, transitions, and mediation. Mary has been working with Esalen for almost 40 years.
Philippe Goldin, PhD, spent 6 years in India and Nepal studying various languages, Buddhist philosophy and debate at Namgyal Monastery and the Dialectic Monastic Institute. He is currently a research scientist and directs the Clinically Applied Affective Neuroscience group in the Department of Psychology at Stanford University.
Myra Goodman grew up in NYC, totally disconnected from the source of her food. In 1984 she cofounded Earthbound Farm (now the largest grower of organic produce in the US) in her backyard garden. She has authored three cookbooks that share her passion for delicious food and a healthy planet.
Soren Gordhamer is the founder of the Wisdom 2.0 Conference. He has written several books, walked for a year through various countries, and has taught mindfulness to incarcerated youth, trauma workers in Rwanda, teachers in Nigeria, and at US technology companies.
Harriet Goslins originated Cortical Field Reeducation. A Feldenkrais practitioner and Integrated Awareness teacher, her background is in psychosynthesis, applied kinesiology, muscle energy, CranioSacral work, and social anthropology. She has been teaching at Esalen for 24 consecutive years.
Sara Gottfried, MD, is a Harvard-educated integrative physician, speaker, and author. She is a nationally-recognized yoga instructor, maverick thought leader, and online teacher/mentor in the areas of women's health, hormones, yoga and sacred balance across the lifecycle. Her methods have been featured in workshops, film, TV, and magazines. She is the author of the bestselling book, The Hormone Cure: Reclaim Balance, Sleep, Sex Drive & Vitality Naturally with The Gottfried Protocol.
Jnana Gowan, a yoga instructor since 1999 and an “urban ceremonialist,” is the director of Powerhouse Education, a company dedicated to health and well-being. She integrates ceremony and ritual from the Pachakuti Mesa Tradition (from Peru) into her teachings.
Marci Graham is a facilitator for the Human Awareness Institute (HAI). She leads with a spirit of inquiry infused with fierceness and softness. Marci has a 25 year history of soul searching and personal relationship transformation through movement and creative expression.
Linda Graham, MFT, is a psychotherapist and trainer specializing in the integration of relational psychology, somatic resourcing, mindfulness, and neuroscience. She publishes a monthly e-newsletter: Resources for Recovering Resilience and is the author of Bouncing Back: Rewire Your Brain for Maximum Resilience and Well-Being.
Lee Greenbaum is a Certified Facilitator of The Work of Byron Katie. The Work has been an integral part of her everyday living and family life for more than a dozen years. She loves offering The Work in workshops and individually, and often serves as staff for The School for The Work of Byron Katie.
Diane Greenberg, a senior instructor at Charles and Caroline Muir's Source School of Tantra, is a certified tantric educator with over 15 years' experience. She leads women's empowerment groups and has been a professional bodyworker more than 20 years.
Lynda Greenberg has been practicing art for thirty years and holds a Master of Fine Arts degree. She teaches at Antelope Valley and Harbor colleges, among others. She was trained by Dr. Betty Edwards, author of Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain.
Beth Greer is the author of Super Natural Home and former president of The Learning Annex. A radio host, HuffPost columnist, and environmental health educator, she eliminated a sizable tumor without drugs or surgery. She designs Integrative Corporate Wellness Programs and in-home/office detox assessments.
Kevin Griffin is the author of One Breath at a Time: Buddhism and the Twelve Steps and A Burning Desire: Dharma God and the Path of Recovery. A cofounder of the Buddhist Recovery Network, he is a leader in the mindful recovery movement.
Chris Griffin is a Master ChiRunning/ChiWalking Instructor, mentoring with the founder of ChiRunning/ChiWalking, Danny Dreyer. Chris lives in Mill Valley, Calif., and travels throughout the US and Canada teaching this technique.
Michael Griffith is a marriage and family therapist in San Francisco who specializes in working with teenagers, men, couples, and families. He is also a dentist who specializes in treating traumatized patients, as well as a figurative painter.
Pierre Grimes is founder and president of the Academy of Platonic Studies and the Noetic Society. He wrote Philosophical Midwifery: A New Paradigm for Understanding Human Problems. He has led workshops and meditation retreats for 30 years.
Mingtong Gu is an internationally recognized teacher and healer who received his training from a variety of Grandmasters in China and at the world's largest Qigong hospital.
James Guay is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist working with individuals and couples to help them live their lives more fully. He has a private practice in Beverly Hills, California
Meredith Haberfeld is acclaimed for her work with individuals, couples, and families. She participated in the creation of the life coaching program at MIT, and her advice has been included in Forbes, Woman’s Day, and Yoga Journal magazines.
Lorenzo Hagerty is host of the globally influential Psychedelic Salon podcast. He brings an engaging style to his teaching from his years as a Naval officer, lawyer, entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and award-winning author.
Sharona Halpern, MA LMHC, has over 30 years of experience as a psychotherapist, teacher, mediator, group leader, and consultant. Her areas of focus include couples therapy, family therapy, clinical development and training. She has worked in a variety of for profit and non-profit settings in the Greater Boston area.