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.
Letting go of entrenched ideas — who we are, how the world works, our place in it — is a challenge. It takes energy. Time. Space. Security. This growth encourages us to examine ourselves and understand our connection to the whole. This more flexible, less structured model of change encompasses both personal and communal, aligning with the core of our mission.
Self-Guided Explorations are designed to function outside of the group structures of our workshops for a more freeform, spacious healing journey. These experiences are for those who want to immerse themselves in the peace, space, and natural majestic beauty of our campus, exploring the edges of personal growth and open group classes when compelled. The beauty of our Big Sur campus supports serenity for the mind, the body, the spirit, and offers nourishment for all three.
Our dynamic open class schedule changes weekly, but always features opportunities to sit in meditation and mindfulness, explore embodiment and movement practices, and connect with nature. An opening circle, hosted by an Esalen Staff member or a visiting teacher, welcomes you as you begin your stay. A closing circle on the final day provides a reflective conclusion to your time with us.
Savor three hearty, healthy meals per day. Our kitchen draws on global culinary traditions, using the fruits of the Esalen Farm & Garden and other local Big Sur providers to create delicious meals that support holistic health — for you and for the earth.
Esalen’s beloved mineral hot springs perch dramatically over the Pacific Ocean, a juxtaposition of intimate and infinite. A core part of Esalen from its inception, the baths and tubs are an ideal place to reflect, find clarity, and set new intentions.
Choose Your DatesThis is a sample schedule only. Please refer to the posted schedule on campus for actual class offerings during your stay.
See general schedule information including arrival, departure, and meal times.
5:00 – 5:45 pm
How to Drop Into Esalen
8:00 – 9:00 pm
Self Guided Exploration Welcome Circle
7:30 – 8:30 am
Pathways to Joy
JJ
2:15 – 3:15 pm
Afternoon Class
Visiting Faculty
4:30 pm
Intro to Gestalt
JJ
7:30 – 8:30 am
Moja Yoga
Megan
2:15 – 3:15 pm
Bathing Rituals of Self-Renewal
Micha
7:30 pm
Wednesday Evening Program
Visiting Faculty
7:30 – 8:30 am
Soul Movement Sanctuary
Jovinna
2:15 – 3:15 pm
The Hive and the Hum
Deva
11:00 – 11:45 am
Self Guided Exploration Closing Circle
5:00 – 5:45 pm
How to Drop Into Esalen
7:30 – 8:30 am
Pathways to Joy
JJ
2:30 – 3:30 pm
Bathing Rituals of Self-Renewal
Micha
7:30 – 8:30 am
Pranotthan Yoga
Jovinna
11:00 – 11:45 am
Self Guided Exploration Closing Circle
No classes on Monday
7:30 – 8:30 am
Enliven
7:30 – 8:30 am
Enliven
7:30 – 8:30 am
Enliven
7:30 – 8:30 am
Enliven
No classes on Sunday
4 – 5:00 pm
Restore
4 – 5:00 pm
Restore
4 – 5:00 pm
Restore
4 – 5:00 pm
Restore
4 – 5:00 pm
Restore
5:00 – 5:45 pm
How to Drop Into Esalen
8:00 – 9:00 pm
Self Guided Exploration Welcome Circle
7:30 – 8:30 am
Pathways to Joy
JJ
4:30 pm
Intro to Gestalt
JJ
7:30 – 8:30 am
Moja Yoga
Megan
7:30 pm
Wed Evening Program
7:30 – 8:30 am
Soul Movement Sanctuary
Jovinna
11:00 – 11:45 pam
Self Guided Exploration Closing Circle
5:00 – 5:45 pm
How to Drop Into Esalen
7:30 – 8:30 am
Pathways to Joy
JJ
7:30 – 8:30 am
Pranotthan Yoga
Jovinna
11:00 – 11:45 pam
Self Guided Exploration Closing Circle
7:00 – 7:45 pm
Orientation
8:00 – 9:00 pm
Self Guided Experience Welcome Circle
7:30 – 8:30 am
Pathways to Joy
JJ
7:30 – 8:30 am
Moja Yoga
Megan
7:30 pm
Wed Evening Program
Visiting Faculty
7:30 – 8:30 am
Soul Movement Sanctuary
Jovinna
7:00 – 7:45 pm
Orientation
7:30 – 8:30 am
Pathways to Joy
JJ
7:30 – 8:30 am
Pranotthan Yoga
Jovinna
No classes today
7:30 – 8:30 am
Enliven
4:00 – 5:00 pm
Expand
7:30 – 8:30 am
Enliven
4:00 – 5:00 pm
Expand
7:30 – 8:30 am
Enliven
4:00 – 5:00 pm
Restore
4:00 – 5:00 pm
Expand
7:30 – 8:30 am
Enliven
4:00 – 5:00 pm
Expand
No classes today
5:00 – 5:45 pm
How to Drop Into Esalen
8:00 – 9:00 pm
Self Guided Exploration Welcome Circle
7:30 – 8:30 am
Pathways to Joy
JJ
7:30 – 8:30 am
Moja Yoga
Megan
7:30 pm
Wednesday Evening Program
Visiting Faculty
7:30 – 8:30 am
Soul Movement Sanctuary
Jovinna
11:00 – 11:45 am
Self Guided Exploration Closing Circle
5:00 – 5:45 pm
How to Drop Into Esalen
7:30 – 8:30 am
Pathways to Joy
JJ
7:30 – 8:30 am
Pranotthan Yoga
Jovinna
11:00 – 11:45 am
Self Guided Exploration Closing Circle
Micha Merrick
(
Ongoing
)
Meditate with the surging energy of the waves and let tension dissolve on the ocean breeze. Adorned with flowers and local healing herbs, this unique experience at the Esalen baths blends personal inquiry, herbal education, and sensory delight. Each ritual is an emergent collaboration of sound, sensation, intention, and floral offering to the sea. Come early, class size is very limited.
Staff
(
Ongoing
)
So, you’ve finally arrived at Esalen — welcome home! Join us in exploring Esalen’s historic, culture-shifting origins, the vision for human potential, and our core values, as we embark on another 60 years of transformational education. Prepare to learn, grow, experiment, and evolve as we shepherd you on how best to integrate into this unique community and get the most out of your time on this sacred, ancient land.
JJ Jeffries
(
Ongoing
)
Gestalt, like meditation, is an awareness practice that also provides a means for us to connect in the present moment. In this class, we will re-create and experience an Esalen style check-in, building spontaneous and intentional community. An Esalen tradition.
Megan Cassamas
(
Ongoing
)
MojaFlow is an experience to provoke and elevate you to discover new realms of energy and inspire you to experience the joy of going beyond barriers in your own practice and life. Class will include a somatic warm-up, breath-work, and strengthening exercises to support the body/mind connection.
JJ Jeffries
(
Ongoing
)
Start your morning by awakening your energetic body, tracking each of the chakras through the experience of meditative guitar and resonant voice. Then, emerge fully into sunrise energy with Dance Awake, connecting to your YES! and inviting ecstatic play and heart opening!
Jovinna Chan
(
Ongoing
)
In class we contemplate spiritual/philosophical teachings, slow down and move mindfully by co-ordinating breath with movement, sustain poses to deepen focus and awareness, practice breathing exercises and meditation to hone skillfulness in listening to the inner subtle experiences.
Jovinna Chan
(
Ongoing
)
This is a conscious dance practice for people who love or are curious about movement. Here in the company of non-dancers and dancers, we get supple and strong, we explore expressions, we celebrate creativity, we expand empathy, we move and are moved.
Please note: On Wednesday September 20, online registration may be unavailable for up to 15 minutes while system maintenance is performed. If the 'Register Now' page does not load, please wait about 15 minutes and try again.
Photos: Daniel Bianchetta, Ali Kaukas, Jens Wazel.