Faculty

Erika Gagnon is a multi-racial ceremonial leader, wisdom keeper, medicine carrier and “curandera.” With the blessings of her elders, she leads a variety of healing ceremonies and personal healing sessions.

Jim Gallas has been teaching yoga and qigong with a sense of deepening silence and the lightness of laughter for over 30 years. He has had the great joy of teaching at Esalen since 1999. 

Daniel Gloyd is a designer and research expert specializing in the fields of human-computer interaction and user experience design.

A dancer, poet, educator, author, and therapist, Daria Halprin is a leader in the field of somatic movement/expressive arts education and therapy.

Steven Harper is a wilderness leader, author, facilitator, and Big Sur resident. His work incorporates practices that cultivate awareness, grow somatic intelligence, and emphasize connection with nature as vehicles for awakening.

Margaret Harrsen is a spiritual healer and teacher. Her work covers the disciplines of traditional shamanic medicine, meditation, and biodynamic craniosacral therapy.

Paul Heussenstamm is a painter and teacher from Laguna Beach, California. His vibrant sacred art incorporates principles of many religious traditions, among them Buddhism, Hinduism, and Christianity.

Dr. Andrew Holecek has completed the traditional three-year Buddhist meditation retreat and offers seminars internationally on meditation, lucid dreaming, and the art of dying.

Born and raised in the Esalen community, Lucia Horan received life-long direct training with Gabrielle Roth in the 5Rhythms® method and is formally empowered to teach Buddha dharma in all capacities.

Peggy Horan has been practicing and teaching Esalen Massage for five decades and is the author of Connecting Through Touch, A Couples Massage Book.

Russ Hudson is one of the top teachers and developers of the Enneagram system in the world today. He is the co-author, with Don Richard Riso, of several books including The Wisdom of the Enneagram and Personality Types.

Shamini Jain, PhD, integrates clinical psychology, psychoneuroimmunology, vocal performance, and East Indian spiritual practice to teach others how they can best heal themselves and live joyful, meaningful lives.

Patricia James, a Cheyenne pipe carrier and priest, is a medicine woman of Seminole heritage and a cross-cultural expert. She facilitates ceremonies and workshops for groups and individuals.

Andrea Juhan, PhD, MFT has created her own form of movement practice called Open Floor, which draws on her decades of experience with Gabrielle Roth's 5Rhythms, Gestalt Awareness Practice, and Integrative Body Psychotherapy.

Hawah Kasat (he/him) is an award-winning author, educator, non-profit leader, TEDx speaker, podcast host, and yogi. He merges ancient Indian traditions with modern practices, impacting diverse global audiences.

Dacher Keltner is a professor of Psychology at UC Berkeley and faculty director of the Greater Good Science Center. His research focuses on the biological and evolutionary origins of compassion, awe, love, beauty, and more.

Sará King MA, PhD is passionate about catalyzing humanity’s capacity to heal from intergenerational trauma and is dedicated to creating accessible contemplative practices at the nexus of art, music, and meditation.

With over twenty years as teachers, performers, and transformational leaders, Thorald and Isaac Koren are on a mission to hear the world’s song, one Big Voice at a time.

Dr. Roger Kuhn is a Poarch Creek Two-Spirit Indigiqueer somacultural sex therapist, sexuality educator, writer, activist, and musician.