However, Highway 1 south of Esalen is closed indefinitely. Don't let this stop you — there are other routes to reach us. Please review these alternate route driving directions and allow for a little extra travel time while on your transformational and healing journey.
We look forward to welcoming you to Esalen.
Esalen faculty represent a spectrum of disciplines, experiences, and perspectives — our faculty members have included Premal Shah, founder of Kiva.org; Robert Walter, Joseph Campbell’s longtime editor; mindfulness researcher Shauna Shapiro; and Wisdom 2.0 creator Soren Gordhamer.
Rachel Nicks is a trainer, doula, lactation counselor, actor, and the founder of Birth Queen, a nonprofit to combat the Black maternal health crisis. She is a mother of two beautiful sons and resides in New York City.
Erik Davis, PhD, is an author, journalist, and teacher based in San Francisco. His wide-ranging work focuses on the intersection of alternative religion, media, and the popular imagination.
Paola di Florio is an Oscar and Emmy-nominated writer, filmmaker, and TV producer whose critically-acclaimed work features extraordinary individuals and the triumph of the human spirit.
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See All WorkshopsPaul 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.
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.
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.
George Kohlrieser is known world-wide for his keynotes and workshops on such topics as high performance leadership, conflict management, personal and professional development, and more.
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.
Jiling Lin is a Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac), herbalist, and yoga teacher who cultivates thriving health through nature, art, movement, and ritual.
Miranda Macpheron has been guiding others into direct experience of the sacred for 30 years internationally. Author of The Way of Grace, she offers a feminine and integrated approach to nondual realization.
Dean Marson is a Senior Esalen® Massage instructor whose approach to bodywork embraces elements of movement, awareness practices and conscious connection.
LaVerne McLeod is a workshop facilitator, author, public speaker, theatrical presenter, educator, and founder of Bridge Building to Equity Workshops and Purple Feather Press.
Mollie McNeil, PhD, is a published writer and an award-winning teacher. She currently teaches a variety of creative writing classes at the Modern Elder Academy and in various Bay Area workshops.
Deva Munay, founder of Sacred Sound & Wonder, has over 20 years of experience in the field of health and wellness, with a passion for sound healing.
Little Bear is the Tribal Chairman of the Esselen Tribe of Monterey County. With a deep history at Esalen, a sacred site for the Esselen, he leads retreats centering around the relationships between humans, land, and Spirit.
Janis Cooke Newman is the author of two award-winning novels and a memoir. She is also the founder of the Lit Camp writers conference, and Creative Caffeine Daily, an online community for writers.
Brita Ostrom is a licensed psychotherapist and a founding member of the Esalen Massage School. She has led massage and somatic workshops at Esalen and internationally for more than 40 years.
William Padilla-Brown is a Multidisciplinary Citizen Scientist practicing social science, mycology, phycology, and molecular biology. He is founder and CEO of MycoSymbiotics, a permaculture research and production business.
Laurel Parnell, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and one of the world’s leading experts on Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
John W. Price Ph.D., LPC is a depth psychotherapist, podcast host of The Sacred Speaks, co-founder of The Center for the Healing Arts and Sciences, musician, and teacher.
Dr. Marques Redd is a traditional African cosmologist, independent scholar, filmmaker, sculptor, and art curator based in Pittsburgh, PA.
Stella Resnick, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist in Los Angeles, CA, who specializes in couples and sex therapy.
Heidi Rose Robbins is an astrologer, author, and poet, helping thousands of clients all over the globe live with more authenticity and clarity. She hosts two podcasts and leads Radiant Life Retreats.
Brenda Rose is renowned for her powerful transmissions and healing presence. An acclaimed psychic medium and coach, she inspires clients to live and love their lives guided by their soul’s purpose.
Day Schildkret’s visually stunning, earth-based art reconnects us to our intrinsic healing relationship with nature, impermanence, and everyday ritual.
Lori Schwanbeck weaves her passion for nature into her work as a mindfulness teacher, retreat leader, and Hakomi certified psychotherapist who teaches mindfulness-based emotional intelligence programs internationally.
Suzanne Scurlock is the author of Reclaiming Your Body and Full Body Presence, a CranioSacral therapy instructor for the Upledger Institute since 1987, and creator of the Healing From the Core® curriculum.